Marina Martinis Marchi, Maslinica

Marina Martinis Marchi in Maslinica is one of the quietest and most atmospheric berthing options on the Croatian coast. Tucked into the westernmost bay of the island of Šolta — directly across the channel from Split — it centres on a restored 18th-century Venetian castle that now functions as a heritage hotel, with the marina pontoons arranged in the bay below. The combination is unusual and deliberate: this is a marina designed not for volume but for a certain type of sailor who values calm water, good food, and the absence of crowds.

The marina has approximately 50 berths on floating pontoons, with an additional 20 places on the quay wall beneath the castle. The facility accommodates yachts up to around 25 metres in length, with a maximum draft of approximately 4 metres in the central berths. Shore power (16A and 32A), water, and Wi-Fi are available on all pontoons. The sanitary facilities are integrated into the hotel complex and maintained to hotel standard — a noticeable step up from the typical marina washblock.

Arrival and Approach

Maslinica bay faces west, sheltered by a chain of seven small islets — the Maslinica Archipelago — that break the swell and create a natural harbour. The approach is straightforward from either the north or south side of the islet group; the southern passage between the mainland and the largest islet is the wider and more commonly used. Depths in the bay are 4–8 metres throughout, with a sand and mud bottom that provides good holding for those who prefer to anchor off rather than take a berth.

The marina reception operates on VHF 17 during the season (May through October). In high summer, calling ahead is advisable — with only 50 berths, the marina can fill by mid-afternoon, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when weekend traffic from Split peaks. Off-season visits rarely require advance booking; the harbour reverts to a fishing village tempo that makes the effort of crossing the channel worthwhile even in April or late October.

The Martinis Marchi Estate

The castle that anchors the marina dates to 1708, when the Marchi family — Venetian-era nobles — built a fortified summer residence on the bay. The current restoration preserves the honey-coloured stonework and Baroque proportions while adding contemporary interiors. The ground-floor restaurant, Šišmiš, serves modern Dalmatian cooking in a vaulted dining room that was once the estate’s olive press. The terrace overlooking the marina basin is among the finest dinner settings on Šolta.

The estate also produces its own olive oil and sage honey — both available at the hotel reception. The surrounding village of Maslinica is tiny: a handful of stone houses, one or two konobas, a small beach on the north shore, and quiet paths through the olive groves that climb the hillside behind. This is not a nightlife destination, and that is entirely the point.

Exploring Šolta from Maslinica

Šolta is the least-visited of the major central Dalmatian islands — overshadowed by Brač and Hvar, which bracket it on either side. This works in the island’s favour. The road from Maslinica east to the ferry port at Rogač passes through Grohote, the island’s only true town, which has a daily market, bakery, and a couple of relaxed cafes on the square. Further east, the village of Stomorska sits on a deep natural harbour used by fishermen for centuries; the swimming off the rocks below the village is excellent.

By dinghy or short sail, the south coast of Šolta has several anchorable bays: Tatinja, Senjska, and Šešula all offer clear water and no development. The island’s interior is criss-crossed by dirt tracks through pine forest and abandoned olive terraces — hikeable and largely deserted even in August. A bicycle rented in Maslinica covers the island comfortably in half a day.

Sailing from Maslinica

Maslinica is ideally positioned as a first or last stop on any itinerary out of Split. The crossing from Split’s ACI marina takes roughly 90 minutes under sail in a typical summer Maestral. From Maslinica, the Pakleni Islands and Hvar Town are 18–20 nautical miles to the southeast — a comfortable half-day passage. The Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay on Veli Drvenik lies just 10 miles to the south. Heading north, Trogir and the Kaštela Bay marinas are within easy reach. For sailors on a Šibenik-based charter, Maslinica makes an excellent penultimate stop before the return leg up the coast.