Cruise Croatia
Opening Times - Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm

Best Time to Sail in Croatia

With beautiful weather throughout the summer months, is there a best time to visit when planning your vacation in Croatia? One of the world’s most popular cruising destinations, the sailing season in Croatia runs from April through mid-October when the weather is generally best. During this time there are some months that are better than others, depending on the type of trip you’re looking for.

There’s a best time for everyone for cruises in Croatia, with the shoulder season of April through to around mid-June, as well as late September and October bringing fewer crowds and opportunities to be surrounded by nothing but the endless blue of the sea and the Dalmatian islands. Other periods bring perfect winds for sailing under the warmth of the sun, while others are ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

Breaking it down into pre-, high, and post-season for cruises in Croatia:

  • April and May are considered pre-sailing season, with steady winds, a chilly sea, and long days.
  • The summer months of June, July and August are the peak season for sailing trips when it’s quite warm on land and at sea, with the water very pleasant for swimming, while winds are low.
  • September and October, the low season for visiting Croatia for sailing trips, bring shorter days but the sea is still warm from those higher summer temperatures, and winds are steady.
Sailing in Croatia in April

Sailing Croatia in April

April is early in the pre-season for sailing Croatia, which means you’ll typically get some of the best prices for your trip. This is a time to go for savings as well as for strong and steady winds for a more authentic “true” sailing experience around the Dalmatian Islands. If you’re flying into the country, you can often find discounts on airfare too.

That said, this isn’t the time for swimming as the sea temperatures tend to be rather chilly. If you prefer to spend most of your time sailing during the day and taking the afternoons and evenings to go wine tasting and exploring the towns, April is ideal for getting around Croatia whilst avoiding the crowds, as well as taking advantage of the opportunity to experience sailing the Adriatic at its fullest.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   16* C/ 61* F                                 Sunrise:  05:14

Sea Temperature:  15* C/ 59* F                                Sunset:  18:46

Sailing in Croatia in May

Sailing Croatia in May

A May sailing excursion in Croatia falls in the pre-season, so you can still find discounts on airfare and yacht rates, but this is the month when the season really gets underway. Temperatures are warming and getting even warmer as the month progresses, the days are getting longer, and the winds are steady, but they won’t be as strong as they were in April. This can be a great time to visit Croatia on a private yacht vacation, with more sunshine and little to no crowds. It can be regarded as a shoulder season. You may be able to swim in warmer sea temperatures too, although you’ll want to bring your wet suits.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   20* C/ 69* F                                 Sunrise:  04:37

Sea Temperature:  19* C/ 66* F                                Sunset:  19:24

Sailing in Croatia in June

Sailing Croatia in June

June marks the beginning of the peak season for Croatian cruises, which means prices are starting to go up for yacht charters, but it won’t be too crowded yet. Things are starting to liven up, however, and the sea will be warm enough for swimming without a wet suit for most. Visiting Croatia in June boasts some of the longest days of the year, so you’ll see more with plenty of time to enjoy sailing and take advantage of afternoons and evenings to explore the ports and beyond.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   25* C/ 77* F                                 Sunrise:  04:13

Sea Temperature:  21* C/ 72* F                                Sunset:  19:52

Sailing in Croatia in July

Sailing Croatia in July

July falls in the heart of the peak sailing season which means you’ll pay high season prices, but this is also when rain is rare, with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. The sea temperatures will be perfect for swimming now, while the winds are pleasant and warm. This is a great time for a relaxed holiday for sailing in Croatia. While the tourist crowds will be here too, our expert skippers have the local knowledge necessary for working around the busiest times so attractions are still enjoyable. This makes it still comfortable getting around Croatia especially on a private yacht. If you want to enjoy water sports, July is ideal not only for swimming, but standup paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   29* C/ 84* F                                 Sunrise:  04:31

Sea Temperature:  26* C/ 78* F                                Sunset:  19:45

Sailing in Croatia in August

Sailing Croatia in August

Similar to July only slightly warmer, August is also the high season, bringing the crowds while the prices for yachts will be at their highest of the year. As a general guide to sailing, this is a wonderful time to sail Croatia as the sea temperature is idyllic for those unforgettable swims and enjoying the wide range of other water sports are on offer. Reservations are generally a must, but with a local skipper at the helm, you’ll be able to take advantage of that knowledge to make the most of the time you have, visiting ports during times that aren’t as busy.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   31* C/ 87* F                                 Sunrise:  05:08

Sea Temperature:  26* C/ 78* F                                Sunset:  19:16

Sailing in Croatia in September

Sailing Croatia in September

September falls early in the post sailing season, with prices for yachts starting to dip back down once again. Discounts on airfare are possible too, especially later in the month. While the days are getting short, September tends to be a wonderful time for sailing in Croatia as the sea is still plenty warm for swimming while the weather is consistently pleasant bringing lots of sunshine without getting too hot and the wind are just starting to pick up again.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   25* C/ 77* F                                 Sunrise:  05:42

Sea Temperature:  23* C/ 72* F                                Sunset:  18:04

Sailing in Croatia in October

Sailing Croatia in October

October is post-season time, with Croatian cruises starting to wind down and the crowds are thin to non-existent. This month also brings lower prices for yachts making a sailing week much more affordable. While temperatures drop, you’ll still see plenty of sunny days with steady winds and the sea is usually still warm enough for swimming. October is a great time to enjoy a perfect mix of sailing, sightseeing and other activities on land like hiking and cycling, taking advantage of Croatia’s beauty to the fullest.

Temperatures

Air Temperature:   21* C/ 69* F                                 Sunrise:  06:18

Sea Temperature:  18* C/ 64* F                                Sunset:  17:13

Our Most Popular Yachts

  • Lady Gita Yacht

    Lady Gita Yacht

    • Length49.26 meters
    • Built/Refit2019
    • Cruise Speed10 knots
    • Guests12
    • Cabins6
    • Crew9
    Charter Price From $87,760
  • Rara Avis Yacht

    Rara Avis Yacht

    • Length33 meters
    • Built2018
    • Cruise Speed10 knots
    • Guests12
    • Cabins6
    • Crew6
    Charter Price From $56,790
  • Gulet Morning Star

    Gulet Morning Star

    • Length27 meters
    • Built/Refit2021
    • Cruise Speed8 knots
    • Guests12
    • Cabins6
    • Crew4
    Charter Price From $21,680
  • Gulet Allure

    Gulet Allure

    • Length28 meters
    • Built/Refit2021
    • Cruise Speed9 knots
    • Guests14
    • Cabins7
    • Crew4
    Charter Price From $16,940

Ready to plan your Croatian Yacht Tour?

Yes, then get in touch today and our Croatia yacht charter experts will design you a unique itinerary based on your preferences, budget and group size.