Split & the Central Dalmatian Islands

DAY 1 · ACI Marina Split

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Leave 2:00 pm

The main charter marina in Split, below Marjan hill and a 15-minute walk along the waterfront to Diocletian's Palace. Spend the morning in the old town and at the green market, then slip in the early afternoon. The fuel dock is just across the harbour.

• 9:00 amExplore Diocletian's PalaceWalk the Roman palace streets and the Riva before the day gets hot.
• 11:00 amProvision at the PazarFruit, vegetables and cheese at the green market by the palace's east gate.

13.5 NM · about 2 h 15 mto Maslinica, Šolta

Maslinica, Šolta

Photo: Draceane (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arrive 5:00 pm

A small fishing village at the west end of Šolta, in a bay sheltered by a ring of islets. Moor in the marina below the restored Martinis Marchi castle or pick up a buoy. It is an easy first leg that lets the crew settle in before the open run to Vis.

• 7:30 pmSunset over the isletsWatch the sun go down behind the islets at the bay mouth, then eat on the waterfront.

23.5 NM · about 3 h 55 mto Vis Town Harbour

DAY 2 · Vis Town Harbour

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Arrive 1:30 pm

A deep, sheltered bay on the north side of Vis, the outermost inhabited island and a military zone closed to visitors until 1989. Berth stern-to on the town quay or take a buoy in the bay. Explore Roman Issa, Fort George and the old Kut quarter at the east end of the harbour.

• 9:00 amCross to VisLeave Maslinica early, before the afternoon maestral builds in the open channel.
• 4:30 pmWalk to Fort GeorgeThe British fort above the bay mouth has views back over the harbour.
• 7:30 pmDinner in KutWalk the waterfront to the konobas in the old Kut quarter.

3 NM · about 30 mto Stiniva Cove

DAY 3 · Stiniva Cove

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Arrive 10:00 am · leave 12:00 pm

A pebble beach at the back of a cove on the south coast of Vis, reached through a narrow gap in sheer cliffs. Yachts cannot enter, so stand off or anchor outside in calm weather and swim or paddle in. Go early, before the tour boats arrive.

• 10:15 amSwim through the gapLeave someone aboard; the outside anchorage is deep and open to the south.

4.5 NM · about 45 mto Komiža Harbour

Komiža Harbour

Photo: dronepicr (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 2:30 pm

A fishing town on the west coast of Vis, below Mount Hum and around a small Venetian fortress that now houses the fishermen's museum. Moor on the town quay or take a buoy in the bay; it is open to the west, so watch for an evening swell. Biševo and the Blue Cave are 5 miles away.

• 5:00 pmDrive up Mount HumTake a taxi to the top of the island for sunset views over Biševo and the open Adriatic.
• 8:00 pmLobster in KomižaKomiža is known for its lobster stew and its flat 'pogača' fish pie.

5.5 NM · about 55 mto Blue Cave, Biševo

DAY 4 · Blue Cave, Biševo

Photo: Pierre-Selim Huard (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0

Arrive 8:30 am · leave 11:30 am

A sea cave on Biševo where late-morning sun through an underwater opening lights the water an electric blue. Private boats may not enter: anchor or tie up in Mezuporat Bay and take the operator's small boat in. Visits stop in rough seas, so pick a calm morning.

• 8:45 amBuy tickets at the jettyGet in line early; the queue grows quickly once the day boats arrive from Split and Hvar.
• 10:00 amSwim at PoratA sandy bay round the corner on Biševo's west side, good for a swim before you leave.

22.5 NM · about 3 h 45 mto ACI Marina Palmižana

ACI Marina Palmižana

Photo: Dejan Sekuloski (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 3.0

Arrive 4:00 pm

A seasonal marina on Sveti Klement, the largest of the pine-covered Pakleni islands opposite Hvar Town. Walk over to Palmižana and Vinogradišće bays for beaches and some of the best restaurants in the islands. The marina is open from April to October.

• 7:30 pmDinner at PalmižanaBook ahead at one of the garden restaurants above the beach.

2.5 NM · about 25 mto Hvar Town Harbour

DAY 5 · Hvar Town Harbour

Photo: Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 11:00 am

The liveliest harbour in Dalmatia, a Venetian town of stone palaces below the Fortica fortress. Anchoring is banned in the harbour approach, so book a berth on the quay or a buoy and arrive by late morning. Expect noise late into the night in high season.

• 9:00 amSwim in the PakleniA morning swim at Ždrilca or Jerolim, a few minutes from the marina.
• 5:00 pmClimb to the ForticaA short, steep walk for the classic view over the harbour and the Pakleni islands.
• 9:00 pmNight out in HvarBars along the waterfront and in the lanes behind the main square.

11.5 NM · about 1 h 55 mto Bol & Zlatni Rat

DAY 6 · Bol & Zlatni Rat

Photo: Falk2 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arrive 11:30 am · leave 2:30 pm

A spit of fine pebble on the south coast of Brač that changes shape with the wind and current. Anchor off the beach in calm weather for a lunch-time swim, or tie up briefly in Bol harbour. The afternoon maestral funnels along this coast, so it makes for a lively sail west to Milna.

• 12:00 pmSwim off Zlatni RatThe water off the tip is clear and deep; watch for windsurfers in the afternoon.

10.5 NM · about 1 h 45 mto Milna, Brač

Milna, Brač

Photo: Argo Navis (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arrive 5:30 pm

A deep, well-sheltered inlet at the west end of Brač with a stone village around its head. It is one of the safest overnight stops in the area in any wind, with marinas, a fuel dock and shops, and only a short leg back to Split.

• 8:00 pmLast dinner ashoreKonobas around the harbour serve lamb and fish from the grill.

12 NM · about 2 hto ACI Marina Split

DAY 7 · ACI Marina Split

Photo: Bernard Gagnon (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arrive 12:30 pm

Back through the Splitska vrata strait between Šolta and Brač and across the channel to Split. Refuel on the way in and return the boat; most charters want you back by late afternoon.

• 9:00 amLeave MilnaA morning run gets you across before the channel gets busy with ferries.