The eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea belonging to Croatia really is a series of islands and coastline surrounded by Europe. The Adriatic aquatorium has cut deep inland, while its eastern coast is adorned with 1185 islands, islets, reefs and rocks. Because of this, the Croatian coastline is 5951 Kilometres long. Even in ancient times, before the Croatians inhabited this region, it was one of the most important waterways. Greek colonies stretched across towards the north, all the way to Tragurium and later it was the inner sea of the Great Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages navigation through it was controlled by the Venetians, later the French, then English and Austrians.

The islands of the Adriatic Sea are ideally dispersed, especially for sailors. They stretch, with a few small gaps, along the entire length of the coast, in a chain running from Rijeka to Dubrovnik. Rarely separated one from the other more than ten nautical miles they create numerous channels between themselves and between the mainland coast. There are over a thousand and a half bays and harbours on the islands and mainland coast where berths and anchorages can be found to pass the night. These are ideal spots to navigate under sails or cruise on a motorised yacht or sport fishing barque. Nothing is far away, and if you want to you can spend another entire day in sailing. If the weather turns bad or if a strong winds picks up there is always somewhere nearby to take easy and safe refuge.

Wind and Weather 

The Adriatic Sea, like any other sea, is not a dangerous water. One ought to know its winds, rules and temper and sail by the book in order for sailing to be safe and thereby pleasant. Nevertheless, during the sailing season the conditions for sailing, including navigating under sails, are most often favourable. The Maestral and Tramontana are the most frequent winds and are pleasant for sailing. The same goes for the Levant, while a strong southerly is rare in the summer. Even the Bora is weaker during the season, although she, and summer squalls, should be kept well in mind.

Places to visit

Island localities are diverse and interesting and well worth getting to know. The historical continuity of many of them, like Korčula, Hvar, Vis, date back to ancient times and as a result they bear the markings of urban life of long ago eras. Other places are younger and emerged as fishing ports or ports of large island settlements further back from the sea. As many of the inhabitants of the Adriatic islands lived off agriculture they built their settlements in the interior and as rule on the slopes alongside fertile fields. Such places have for the most part preserved their autochthonous appearance, admittedly with few inhabitants, but when you visit them you will experience the spirit of times long past.

Dubrovnik	Hvar	Krk
Primosten	Rovinj	Rovinj
Sibenik	Trogir	Umag
Zadar

_{Images courtesy of the Croatian Bureau of Tourism}