Must Bays to visit while sailing in Croatia

Must Bays to visit while sailing in Croatia

One of the most indented coastlines in the world may be seen along the Adriatic Sea shoreline in Croatia. The abundance of islands, peninsulas, bays, and canals along this coast is responsible for its distinctive appearance. Many mariners and yachtsmen are drawn to the bays due to their natural and undisturbed appearance. This is due to the fact that the bays offer peace and tranquility along with a beautiful landscape that is dominated by unspoiled nature. Furthermore, the bays’ distinctiveness is due to the combination of crystal-clear water and pine forest, which in the majority of bays reaches right up to the beach or rocky coast.

Čarnjeni Bay – Šćedro Island

One of the most stunning bays on the island of Šćedro, which is home to a protected nature reserve, is called ‘Čarnjeni bay.’ The locals refer to it as ‘Porteruša.’ Because it is located on the south side of the island, that is on the main nautical route between Hvar and Korčula, during the day a few sailors nearly always sail into this bay, which is protected from the afternoon mistral, and during calm periods a few of them even spend the night at anchor here.

Only when there is a south wind should you steer clear of Porteruša. This is supported by the fact that the intensity of the waves indicated above sculpted a stunning gravel pit in the area. The most foolproof strategy is to drop anchor in the very bottom of the bay, secure the stern lines to the northern shore, and try to blend in with the smell of the pine trees and the color of the sea as much as possible. There is almost always a fishing boat in Porteruša at the end of the summer, and if you see seagulls flying over it in their restless flight, you can be certain that a fresh fish catch is not far away from you.

Pelješac – Cove Lovište

Due to its convenient location, Lovište bay on Pelješac was a famous berth for Roman galleys that sailed between Hvar and Korčula in the distant past, and it continues to be a popular destination due to the fact that it is the same now. Because of its size, the bay is not crowded, and there is little noise at the anchorage, unlike the popular bays of Vis and Hvar, which are both characterized by their crowds. Even in the midst of the busy tourist season, the village of Lovište manages to maintain the charm of its traditional fishing culture, which is fortunate for those who prefer quieter settings.

It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside because the bottom of the bay is quite stable. However, it is up to the sailors to select an appropriate section of this large anchorage by keeping in mind the conditions that are forecasted to occur in the next hours. Runci bay, which can be found in the region’s northern corner, is often regarded as the best site to drop anchor and have unparalleled natural beauty. Runce is connected to the town of Lovište proper by an overland road, but it is much more exciting to sail that half mile in the evening in a dinghy and visit the wonderful restaurant Barsa, which is particularly popular with boaters. This can be done in one trip. It is difficult to find a mooring in the small fishing harbor of Lovište because local fishing boats and trawlers are moored there mostly. However, it is possible to anchor right in front of it, so if you are lucky, the fishermen will offer you a fresh catch in the morning, and the culinary experience will be finished.

Biševska port – Biševo island

The port of Biševska is adorned with the turquoise colors of the sea, a rocky shore, a sandy beach filled with pine trees, and a small cave of love at the very exit; hence, for many people, it is a vision of a cove of dreams. During the height of the season, there are also a dozen boats that are anchored or tied to one of the buoys. When the sun goes down, there are just a handful of boaters that choose to spend the night in the bay, in contrast to the large number of day trippers who visit the bay during the day. Be sure to treat yourself in one of the two local eateries with top-quality seafood and native blue water from Biševo, and while you’re there, make an effort to blend in with the starry sky and the natural vibrations that are all around you. Since this used to be the most important port on the island in the past, it is not unexpected that the picturesque settlement that extends all the way down to the beach was given the name Porat.

To find this most beautiful harbor you will need to leave a few nautical miles behind, which is why we are thankful that this natural beauty has not been ruined. Keep in mind that western winds can be harmful, so be on the lookout.

Island of Saplun – Saplun Cove

The beautiful island that is Saplun is another piece of paradise that can be found in this blue sea of tranqulity. The reefs and shoals in the area, the open ocean that surrounds it for the most part, and the winds that can blow exceptionally powerfully over the entirety of the Lastovo area are the watchdogs that protect this natural beauty from being tainted or altered in any way. Even though buoys will likely be installed in that lagoon as early as the summer after next, let’s keep our fingers crossed that the natural splendor of Saplun, which is a component of the Nature Park on the island of Lastovo, will be protected in spite of this.

It is best to approach this remote lagoon from the east, and between Saplun and Arženjak Mali, you should avoid trying to cross through because a lot of people have become stuck in this humiliating situation. On the other hand, that turquoise channel is by far the most appealing for “snorkeling,” and you may anchor on either side of it. Do not pass up the opportunity to swim out to the area of this isolated island that is known as Saplun because of its very fine white sand. You should try to blend in with the clicking of the seagulls, but you should also keep your eyes wide open in case you happen to observe a larger water creature engaging in some fun jumping.

Island of Cres – Meli Cove

When you sail around the eastern coast of Cres, you will see both the beauty and the harshness that nature has to offer. The magnificent rocks that have withstood the enormous storm “Bura” are a sight to behold, but the reward is waiting for you at the end of the road approximately twenty miles from Marina Punat. There is a kingdom of pine forest and maquis and an infinite painting of the sea of pearls on the most southern portion of the island of Cres. This was placed there by a skilled naturalist artist along the indented shoreline that is full of coves and headlands.

The most well-known of them is the Meli cove. Its white sand and the colors that are reflected in the shallows encourage you to go for a swim. The harbor is roomy, so you won’t get the sense that the boats are piled on top of each other, but there is still a maritime “social distance” where everyone can find their own small private universe and enjoy this beauty.

Dugi Otok island – Sakarun Bay

Simply put, the bay is breathtaking. The only drawback is that it is open to the southeast, which is also the direction of the wind Jugo, which means that it is not the most secure place to anchor when winds are coming from the south. You are in luck because Jugo is quite uncommon in the summer season; in fact, it virtually never occurs, which means you can sail to Sakarun and enjoy your time there! In addition, if you want to go surfing in Croatia, this is one of the few spots where you may do so, in the autumn moths.

Sakarun Bay is a large bay that spans around 80 hectares and has a depth that can reach up to ten meters. The seafloor is covered in meadows of Posidonia oceanica and has a significant number of species of the Pinna nobilis genus (although many are damaged or lying down). The posidonia meadows in the region surrounding Cape Lopat are in significantly better condition than those seen elsewhere. In addition to this, the landscape on the exterior is precipitous (in the form of a wall), and it extends to a depth of around 40-50 meters.

Šešula Bay – island of Šolta

One of the bays in the western region of the island of Šolta that is most interesting and still not so crowded is Šešula Bay and because it is sheltered from the effects of the winds and has a desirable location it is well known to yachtsmen. As a nautical treasure, an indented cove, naturally created to protect numerous ships during Bura and Jugo storms, and for the same reason one of the favorite coves in the central Dalmatian archipelago.

Šešula can be found to the south of Maslinica, between the port of Maslinica and the bay of Marinča. It is approximately 15 nautical miles away from the Kaštela marina. The water is around 47 meters deep right where the bay opens out into the ocean. An anchorage can be established in the extreme southeastern arm of the cove at a depth of 7 meters, where the bottom is muddy and covered with grass. Additionally, an anchorage can be established in the extreme northeastern arm of the cove at a depth of 7 meters. You can also drop anchor in front of any of the two excellent restaurants that are located on Šešula, which go by the names Šišmiš and Šešula. The cove is also home to a scuba diving center and a fish farm.

Stiniva Cove- Island of Vis

This hidden jewel of natural beauty can be found on the southern coast of the island of Vis. When the ceiling of the ancient cave fell into the water, a natural “amphitheatre” was formed in the most northern area of the bay. This natural phenomenon was formed since the bay was only encircled by steep rocks when the cave ceiling collapsed. With crystal clear sea, white sand and impressive cliffs in the background, it is clear why this is the beach and cove must see.

The “amphitheatre” can be accessed by dinghy through a short tunnel in the rocks, and the beach provides an excellent vantage point for taking in the scenery. The depth of the water at the anchoring ranges from 10 to 15 meters, which is sufficient for the anchor to maintain its hold. Due to the bay’s attractive aspect, it is likely to be crowded during lunchtime. This is because a rising number of visitors are coming to the bay. If you do decide to stay the night in the bay, it is not recommended that you do so; however, if you do so, you must ensure that the stern of your boat is secured to the beach due to the small size of the bay.

Island of Brač – Bobovišće Bay

There is a deep bay on the western side of the island of Brač that is divided into two smaller bays called Bobovišće bay and Vica Luka Bay. If you have a desire to visit this amazing bay, it is only 12 nautical miles away from Marina Kaštela near town of Split.

The bay offers exceptional protection from the wind and is an excellent refuge from the storms that can occur throughout the summer. Even along the northern shore of Bobovišće, larger vessels can anchor in the portion of the bay that is further from the entrance, where the water depth reaches 20 meters; nonetheless, the northern shore of Bobovišće is only suitable for smaller vessels.

At the anchorage, there are 32 buoys that provide secure mooring for boats up to 25 meters in length. The personnel at the anchorage extends a warm welcome to mariners and assists them with anchoring their vessels while the nautical season is in session. The deeper parts of the bay, at depths of approximately 20 meters, are where larger vessels anchor, while the shallower parts of the bay, closer to the entrance, are where smaller vessels anchor.

Krivica Bay – Island of Lošinj

One of Loinj’s most picturesque bays, where the turquoise color of the sea is immediately noticeable due to reflections from the sea sand and pine forest’s greenery. Due to the fact that Krivica Bay is wind-protected, many sailors travel there. A boat on the water is the simplest way to get to Krivice Bay. Waste bags are hung on specialized holders throughout the eastern coast’s northern portion. Tie yourself to a stone or tree on the shore when anchoring. In the event of heavy south winds, there is no secure shelter.

Krivica is a slender bay that is situated on the southwestern coast of the island of Lošinj. It is shielded from the prevailing winds by a dense pine forest. Because of how closed it is, it makes for a great place to anchor in the event of stormy weather. Take a moment to relax and take in the breathtaking panorama of the Lošinj archipelago from atop the hill of Sv. Ivan. A network of rocky cascades may be found in the water near Krivica. These cascades are home to a rich and diversified ecosystem, making them an ideal destination for scuba divers.

Island of Mljet – Polača Bay

The biggest and safest port on Mljet is Polače. The port is shielded by four enchantingly green and beautifully entwined islets, which are appropriately referred to as Polača natural breakwater. As a result, the port cannot be seen from the water. The deepest cove Rogač, which is the most secure refuge of this well-liked nautical location in the southern Adriatic, is where you should unquestionably begin exploring the natural landmarks of that water area, the renowned Mljet lakes.

Due to its protected position (an important factor is the fact that this bay is protected from all winds), Polače is a popular anchoring bay among marinars and boaters. The bay itself is 5.6 km long and 4 km wide. It is advised to attach to a rock or tree on the shore for safe anchoring, which is a fairly typical practice among boaters that travel to these locations. In Polae, you may savor exquisite food and unspoiled nature. You can also visit the adjacent Mljet National Park to replenish your batteries before returning to reality, as well as the hamlet and the ruins of an ancient Roman palace.

Croatia – breathtaking place of bays and secluded coves

Secluded coves are abundant throughout the coast of Croatia, making it a veritable paradise for yachtsmen who seek them out. Small coastal bays that have a cross-section that is roughly circular are typically home to a low population density. They are embellished with a variety of stone houses, each of which is presumed to have been used in the past by people of the area as a vacation home. There are settlements that are still more intimate than larger maritime towns, and some of these can be found in larger bays. On their travels across the seemingly never-ending maze of islands and waters that is the Adriatic, sailors can seek refuge in the coves that dot the coastline.

So, there you have it, when you start your journey down Croatian coast you can experience some of the best kept natural coves and bays in the whole world. But let’s not forget this is just fragment of bays for you to visit while sailing your dream vacation. Now we can’t give away all best places at once but stay tuned for more and be ready to find your own favorite spot on this Adriatic gem.

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This guide was prepared by the Europe Yachts Charter editorial team — a group of charter brokers and sailors who have been organizing yacht charters in the Mediterranean since 2007. Every itinerary, marina, and pricing range described here reflects current first-hand fleet experience and direct partnership with licensed charter agencies. Last reviewed: May 2026.

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