What is the best period to go and what weather can I expect?
Croatian coast has a mild Mediterranean climate - the weather is warm and pleasant from May throughout October. Summertimes are hot and dry with temperatures between 70F at night, and up to 90F during the day. The constant light sea breeze always makes it easier to bare hot weather. Sea temperatures vary between 71F and 80F. If you are looking to avoid the busiest months packed with tourists and still enjoy warm weather, we recommend the months of June and September.
"I only want to sail for a couple of nights. What are my options?"
We get a number of requests for a three-night sail off the coast of Split or Dubrovnik. At the moment, all of our yacht-managing partners have their boats priced for a full week. Croatia is a big yachting destination with the largest flotilla in the world: All of the maintenance, cleaning, and office services are set up to function on a Saturday-to-Saturday basis. You are welcome to check in later in the week or check out earlier than Saturday, but please bear in mind that the rate won't change as the yacht-charter standard is seven days. We hope this can change in the near future so that we can accommodate everyone's wishes.
"Seven days feels like a lot of time to spend on the boat". Hear us out:
We at Anchor & Wine favor a full week of sailing for several reasons;
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SLOW CRUISING SPEED: Sailing yachts are sturdy and spacious, but they are meant and built for a moderate speed of 8-10 knots. This means an average of 2-3 hours of navigation per day when spread throughout the week. Fewer days mean more navigation, fewer islands and swim stops, and overall a significant expense for a brief adventure.
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MULTIPLE AND DIVERSE LOCATIONS: If you worry you would get bored during 7 nights of sailing, we simply must object to that; Croatia has not only splendid sea and coves but also unique architecture, museums, zillion cafes, beach bars and restaurants (often with live music performances), as well as hiking trails and farms and vineyards. In addition, you get to see a number of places. We will gladly set up a one-way trip starting and ending in different spots, allowing you to visit an additional chunk of the coast.
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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SHORT CRUISE: If you have in mind a different plan for exploring Croatia but would still like to see some of the islands, there are plentiful ways of getting around. Departing from any coastal city, here are your options: Hop on a ferry, rent a speedboat, take a water taxi, or join a group on a wooden traditional boat.
Do IÂ need a visa to visit Croatia?
Visa is not required for U.S. passport holders who make temporary tourist and business trips that last up to 90 days (during a six-month period, starting from the day of your first entry). In order to travel to Croatia, your passport needs to be valid. EU regulations require that U.S. passport holders have no less than three months validity left on their passport when they depart to Croatia. U.S. passport holders with less than three months remaining validity might be denied entry. The U.S. Embassy suggests that your passport should be valid for at least six more months in order to avoid any inconveniences while traveling.
What should I pack for the boat?Â
We advise packing light in order to make it easier for you to organize your belongings on the boat. There are different size storage spaces and compartments on each boat, but it is not always easy to go through those spaces. Your cabin won’t be as spacious as a hotel room.
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DOCUMENTS: Bring your documents such as a valid ID/passport, driving license, travel insurance, check general travel, and Covid requirements.. Make sure to bring credit and debit cards, and have some cash on you just in case. You will be able to withdraw more cash on bank-provided ATMs across the country.
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CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES: Bring mostly t-shirts and shorts/skirts, a pair of long pants and a sweater/hoodie, wind jacket, boat shoes or light sneakers, flip flops, bathing suits, sunglasses add a few outfits for a stroll around the town and dinners. Bring sunscreen, toiletries, and your prescription medicines.
We received an offer from you. Are there any additional expenses during the week?
Our quote will typically include the boat (a recently manufactured one), and equipment which we believe is necessary for your comfort: AC, a generator so that you can run AC and use electrical power at any moment, a crew of two (skipper and stewardess), an extra cabin for the crew, our welcome gourmet package, and we usually throw in there at least one standing paddleboard and snorkel sets for all participants. Also, we commit to planning and tailoring guided tours and workshops along the way, as well as reserving unique dining spots. You may find our quote to be on the higher side compared to our competitors, but this is because we don't compromise on boats and the overall quality of service.
ADDITIONAL COSTS: This can be hard to determine as it depends on the boat size and period of the season, but you should add an approx. USD 1,300 for fuel and docking. The provisioning needed for breakfast and lunch on the boat will cost approx. USD 1,000 for a group of 6. Dinner costs are on average USD 40 per person in a casual-fine dining restaurant.
How is the payment done?
Conveniently, we are a US-based company and we quote our services and take payments in US dollars. When we agree on the boat and route, we want to secure the boat for you and we will issue an invoice with 50% of the amount using our payment software. The document includes a secure online payment link that allows a bank transfer or a credit card payment, which can also be split in multiple ways. The remaining 50% of the amount is usually due one month before your charter date. For more details on payments and refunds, read our TERMS & CONDITIONS
How to choose between a sailing yacht or a catamaran?
If you are a sailing enthusiast who does not mind limited space - go for the monohull, but for the comfort, stability and an effortless vacation on the sea, we recommend the catamaran.
What if I am prone to seasickness?
If you are prone to seasickness, we encourage you to consult your physician who will recommend adequate medication. These will most likely be over-the-counter drugs such as Dramamine or patches. The Adriatic sea, especially in the summer months is very tranquil with the exception of occasional summer storms.
Is the sailing cruise my only option with Anchor & Wine?
Our primary service is providing you with an adequate sailing yacht and crew, as we believe that it is a unique way of traveling effortlessly to multiple places from the comfort of your own "floating apartment". We will also offer you guided tours that are customized to your likening, e.g. wine tasting, art workshop, bicycle tour, etc. For those wanting to explore before or after their week of sailing, you can inquire with us for boutique hotels and B&B's that we carefully selected along the coast of Croatia, and more tours and day trips in the area. Our recommendation is a two-week window: One on the boat and another for the near-the-coast mainland.
Where does the crew sleep?
In order to deliver best performance, your crew needs adequate sleeping conditions. We always try to ensure a cabin for the crew with their own bathroom and proper space to rest. Even though we always try our best to ensure a cabin, there is a possibility they will sleep in limited-space compartments on the front of the boat. We are trying to avoid that by offering you a slightly larger boat than required for your group.
How many persons can a sailing yacht accommodate?
Depending on the size of the boat you charter, the usual number of cabins is four or five. If your boat has four cabins the ideal number of guests would be 6 but it can go up to 8. If your boat has five cabins, it can comfortably accommodate eight guests. Don’t forget you will have your skipper and hostess on board with you.
Is tipping customary in Croatia?
Tipping is customary in Croatia even though hospitality income does not entirely depend on your tipping habits. We suggest 10% of your bill and more when you are extremely satisfied with the service.
When does the boat depart and return to the base?
Most of the charters have a policy of departure between 5 pm and 6 pm on Saturday afternoon, with the possibility of an early check-in when the boat is ready by 1 pm. Your boat needs to be back in the marina by Friday afternoon at 6 pm.
Will I be able to pay with my credit card?
Credit cards are accepted roughly everywhere in Croatia, with the exception of places such as restaurants and vineyards in remote bays who will take cash only. We advise you to withdraw a certain amount of cash when you arrive in Split, before the departure. You will have access to more ATM's during the trip.
Do we need to hire a skipper for our trip?
If you are an experienced and confident sailor there is a possibility to rent the vessel without the crew, but we strongly recommend the have skipper on board, as he possesses extensive knowledge of how to get around the islands, bays, marinas, and restaurants. We believe that your vacation would not be the same without the help and knowledge of a local skipper. We strongly care about your safety, thus we hire only an experienced crew.
What does the stweardess do?
The stewardess will be preparing breakfast and lunch on board. Any meal can be replaced with a dinner option if arranged with her. The hostess keeps the common spaces neat and tidy. You can reach out to your stewardess if you need additional information about the sites and customs in Croatia.
What meals can we expect on board?
Breakfast and lunch will be prepared and served on board daily by your host. If you decide to have dinner on the boat, you can discuss with your host swapping lunch for dinner and have lunch out instead. Breakfast will mostly consist of cereals, fresh fruit, bread and toast, pastries, spreads and eggs. Boats are equipped with a coffee maker. Lunch will be a light meal such as pasta, salads, vegetables and chicken.
What if there are dietary restrictions in the group?
Any dietary restrictions should be discussed in advance via email so that the host can prepare before getting groceries in order to make sure that everyone from the group can enjoy proper and balanced meals. We will send you a preference list where you can mark your choices of produce and groceries.
Is there WiFi on the boat and will the AC be provided?
Yes, we want to make sure that you have the best possible time on your boat so we offer only the boats with a generator, watermaker, WIFI, and AC.
Will towels and sheets be provided on the yacht?
Yes, bath towels will be provided as well as bed linens for each cabin. If your trip lasts not more than a week and you would like to refresh your bedding during that period, please give us a heads up so that we can provide you with extra sheets on board.
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