- Stiniva Cove (Vis)
- Uvala Vinogradišće (Pakleni Islands)
- Lojena Cove (Kornati)
- Lučica (Lastovo)
- Lovrečina (Brač)
+1 Zlatni Rat, which isn't a cove, but something rather like one
The Croatian coast is dotted with hidden coves that can only truly be discovered by yacht. One of the great joys of sailing the Adriatic is reaching places that stay safely beyond the tourists' grasp. Around the Kornati Islands, countless coves with crystal-clear water await passing crews. On the island of Vis, Stiniva Cove is one of the best known yet most remarkable destinations of all. Around Hvar, too, you'll find quiet lagoons that are perfect for a peaceful anchorage. Anyone who has ever sailed the length of the Dalmatian coast knows the truth of it: the bustle of the coastal towns is only one side of the coin — the real magic begins where the roads run out, and the anchor chain splashes down into turquoise water.
What makes a cove "hidden"? Usually the fact that no road leads to it, no scheduled ferry calls there, and the shore holds, at most, a mooring or two and a family-run konoba. These are the places that surface time and again along our classic Dalmatian routes, and with a skipper at the helm you arrive at exactly the moment when the light and the wind are at their best. Below we introduce five coves that our guests return to again and again as firm favourites.
1. Stiniva (Vis): tucked between two soaring cliff faces, this pebble cove can only be reached overland on a serious hike — but from the water it opens up before you as if by right, and sailing in through the narrow "gateway" feels like arriving at a hidden cathedral. 2. Uvala Vinogradišće (Pakleni Islands): in this sheltered cove beside Palmižana, yachts can spend the night on a mooring buoy, while a row of elegant little restaurants lines the shore. 3. The Kornati labyrinth: among the bare, lunar islands of the national park, dozens of deserted coves offer complete and total silence. 4. Lučica (Lastovo): this tiny fishing cove on remote Lastovo throws in one of the darkest night skies on Earth as a bonus. 5. Lovrečina (Brač): a rare sandy beach with the ruins of an ancient basilica as a backdrop.
Our personal favourite is Uvala Vinogradišće in the Pakleni archipelago, where yachts can spend the night on a mooring buoy. On Palmižana, an uninhabited island, bars, restaurants and beaches have grown up to welcome those looking to cool off during the day. No ferry serves these spots — they are a sailor's paradise, pure and simple. That is precisely why the yacht you set out on matters so much: a stable, well-equipped vessel is the foundation of a comfortable anchorage and breakfasts on deck. Among our fleet you can choose from modern yachts with 3 to 5 cabins, the ideal way to reach these coves in comfort.
On a Croatian sailing holiday, every day brings a new island and a new beach to discover. The hidden coves are made for swimming, paddleboarding and sunset dinners. With a skipper, it's easier still to find the places most tourists never lay eyes on. The turquoise water of the Adriatic and the closeness of nature offer something entirely different from an ordinary holiday. If you'd like to know more, take a look at our Island Hopping experience, browse through our sample routes, and if you're still weighing up the destinations, our "Hvar or Vis?" article is there to help. When you're ready to start planning, request a tailor-made offer — and we'll show you which route suits you best.