This Šibenik 14-day sailing route traces a grand loop from Šibenik through the finest waters of Central Dalmatia. It opens with the otherworldly moonscape of the Kornati archipelago, descends south through open water to the remote island of Vis, sweeps east along the lavender-scented shores of Hvar, rounds the western cape of Brač, and threads back north through Šolta to your home berth at D-Marin Mandalina. It is a route that balances wilderness and sophistication, solitude and spectacle — the full spectrum of what the Croatian Adriatic offers at its best. For those seeking a fully crewed experience with expert local knowledge, Splendid Yachting offers luxury crewed charters tailored to this route.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Šibenik to Zlarin — 5 NM
A gentle opening leg. Depart D-Marin Mandalina in the late morning after provisioning and boat briefing. Thread through the fortified channel of Sv. Ante — one of the most dramatic harbour exits in the Adriatic, flanked by the Renaissance fortress of Sv. Nikola — and cross the short stretch to Zlarin, the first island of the Šibenik archipelago.
Zlarin is car-free, quiet, and famous for its centuries-old coral-diving tradition. Walk the single promenade, visit the Coral Museum, and swim off the rocks south of the harbour. Moor on the town quay or pick up a buoy in the bay.
Day 2: Zlarin to ACI Marina Žut (Kornati) — 18 NM
Sail northwest toward the outer Kornati chain. The crossing from the Šibenik channel into the labyrinth of the Kornati islands is one of those passages where the sea changes character entirely: the mainland recedes, vegetation thins, and the limestone karst rises bare and pale from water so clear you can read the anchor chain at ten metres.
ACI Marina Žut lies in the sheltered inlet of Podražanj on the island of Žut. It is a small, no-frills marina (120 berths) with a restaurant, basic provisions, and the profound quiet of an island with no roads and no cars.
Day 3: ACI Marina Žut to Levrnaka (Kornati NP) — 10 NM
Sail south into the heart of Kornati National Park. Your destination is Lojena Bay on the island of Levrnaka — the only true sandy beach in the entire Kornati archipelago. The bay is carved deep into the island’s southwest coast, with white pebbles giving way to silvery sand and water that shifts between jade and sapphire.
Anchor approximately 15 metres from shore in 5–10 metres of depth. Hike to the hilltop above Lojena for one of the finest panoramic views in the national park. For a deeper exploration of this extraordinary archipelago, see our dedicated Kornati Archipelago 7-day itinerary.
Day 4: Levrnaka to Ravni Žakan (Kornati NP) — 6 NM
A short sail deeper into the southern Kornati. Ravni Žakan sits between the islands of Lunga and Skulj and boasts the largest L-shaped pier in the national park. The real draw is Konoba Žakan, widely regarded as the finest seafood restaurant in the Kornati. Here, fish is grilled over open flame in the simplest Dalmatian tradition, paired with local wine, olive oil, and silence.
Day 5: Ravni Žakan to Vodice — 22 NM
Depart the Kornati and sail east back toward the mainland. You may stop briefly at ACI Marina Piškera to refuel, then continue east to Vodice, a lively mainland town just north of Šibenik with good marina facilities, restaurants, and provisions. Stock up on fresh produce at the morning market, top off water and fuel, and enjoy a lively evening in town.
Day 6: Vodice to Primošten — 12 NM
Sail south along the mainland coast to Primošten, one of the most photogenic towns on the Adriatic. Built on a small oval island connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, its terracotta rooftops cluster beneath a hilltop church. Anchor in the bay north of town or berth at Marina Kremik (547 berths) 1 NM south. Walk the narrow streets and sample the local Babić red wine — grown on stone-terraced vineyards protected by UNESCO.
Day 7: Primošten to Veli Drvenik (Blue Lagoon) — 18 NM
Head south past Rogoznica to reach Veli Drvenik. Your anchorage is Krknjaši Bay on the eastern side — known locally as the Blue Lagoon. Sheltered between two small islets and the coast of Drvenik Veli, the bay earns its name: the water glows an almost unreal shade of turquoise over a sandy bottom. Anchor in about 3 metres and ensure the hook is well set.
Day 8: Veli Drvenik to Komiža (Vis) — 28 NM
The longest passage of the route and the most rewarding. Set out early for the open-water crossing to Vis, Croatia’s most remote inhabited island. Vis was a closed Yugoslav military base until 1989, which preserved it from mass tourism in a way no other Dalmatian island can claim. The result is an island of staggering beauty, genuinely excellent food, and an unhurried grace.
Komiža sits in a deep bay on the western shore, sheltered from the north by the nearly 600-metre peak of Mount Hum. Moor at the harbour pier or on one of the 70 mooring buoys. For more on exploring Vis by sea, see our Šibenik to Hvar & Korčula route which also features this remarkable island.
Day 9: Komiža — Biševo Blue Cave & Stiniva Bay
Sail 5 NM southwest to the tiny island of Biševo, home to the Blue Cave (Modra Špilja) — one of the natural wonders of the Adriatic. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and refracts off the white limestone floor, filling the cave with an ethereal blue glow.
After the cave, return to Vis and stop at Stiniva Bay on the southern coast — voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. This bay is accessible only from the sea, its entrance a narrow gap between towering cliffs. Return to Komiža for a second night.
Day 10: Komiža to Hvar Town — 25 NM
Depart Komiža and sail east around the southern coast of Vis. You may stop briefly in Vis Town to visit the elegant Venetian-era waterfront of Kut quarter. Then continue northeast across the Vis Channel to Hvar. Hvar Town needs little introduction — its Renaissance square is the largest piazza in Dalmatia, the 13th-century Fortica fortress crowns the hill above, and the Pakleni Islands shimmer offshore.
Day 11: Hvar / Palmižana (Pakleni Islands) — 3 NM
Dedicate a full day to the Pakleni Islands. This small archipelago off Hvar’s southwest coast is one of the Adriatic’s premier anchorage playgrounds. Vinogradišće Bay offers excellent holding on a sandy bottom. Palmižana itself has a botanical garden, several restaurants set among pine trees, and trails through fragrant macchia to hidden swimming coves accessible only by boat.
Day 12: Palmižana to Milna (Brač) — 18 NM
Sail north across the Hvar Channel to the western shore of Brač. Milna sits in a deep, fjord-like inlet and has been a safe harbour since Roman times. ACI Marina Milna (170 berths) is tucked at the head of the bay, protected from all winds and swell. Walk the olive groves above town, swim from the rocks outside the bay, and enjoy a final evening of true island calm.
Day 13: Milna to Maslinica (Šolta) — 12 NM
Cross the narrow strait from Brač to the western tip of Šolta. Maslinica is a gem: a tiny fishing village sheltered by an archipelago of seven islets, with a Venetian-era castle (now the Martinis Marchi Heritage Hotel) overlooking the harbour. The island produces outstanding honey, excellent olive oil, and a red wine called Dobričić that few tourists ever taste.
Day 14: Maslinica to Šibenik — 21 NM
The homeward leg. Sail north from Šolta, passing Rogoznica and continuing up the coast past Primošten. Re-enter the Šibenik channel through the passage of Sv. Ante, passing beneath the fortress one final time, and return to D-Marin Mandalina.
If time allows, consider a detour up the Krka River to Skradin (8 NM from Šibenik) to visit the Krka National Park waterfalls — a fitting freshwater finale to two weeks on the sea.
Difficulty: Intermediate
This route is rated intermediate for three reasons: the open-water crossing to Vis (28 NM with no shelter en route), Kornati navigation requiring attentive pilotage among unmarked rocks and shallow passages, and three days with passages of 22–28 NM requiring early departures. Experienced beginners with a skipper could handle this route comfortably. For a stress-free experience with professional crew handling all navigation and anchoring, consider booking a crewed charter with Splendid Yachting.
Best Months to Sail
June and September offer the ideal balance of warmth, sailing wind, and solitude. May is outstanding but the sea is still cool; July–August brings excellent sailing but crowded anchorages; October is beautiful but weather-dependent with shorter days.
Wind Conditions
Maestral (NW): The dominant summer wind. Builds from late morning, reaching 10–18 knots by early afternoon, dying before sunset. The ideal sailing wind — predictable, steady, and warm.
Bura (NE): A cold, dry katabatic wind. In summer it is rare and usually short-lived, but in spring and autumn it can blow 30–50 knots. Seek shelter on the south side of islands.
Jugo (SE): A warm, humid wind building over 2–3 days with cloud, swell, and rain. More common in autumn and spring. Anchor on the north side of islands.
Neverin: Brief but violent summer squalls, most common July–August. They pass in 20–40 minutes but can bring gusts of 40+ knots. Watch for cumulonimbus clouds building over the mainland.
Location & Map
This 14-day loop departs from and returns to Šibenik on the Central Dalmatian coast, covering approximately 210 nautical miles through Kornati National Park, Vis, Hvar, Brač, and Šolta. The route is best accessed via Split Airport (45 minutes by car to Šibenik) or via the coastal highway from Zadar.
Location & Map
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