A sailing vacation is always a good idea. But heading on a sailing adventure to Croatia during the Easter holidays sounds like a great plan! Moreover, it is rich in benefits, good wind, and photogenic spots. Discover the less touristy and more affordable side of Istria in 3 whole days and kick off your sailing season by going at full sail. Apart from sailing enthusiasts, the following itinerary will also delight admirers of scenic views, history, and even safari.
Why visit Istria in spring?
As the largest peninsula on the Adriatic and at the same time one of the most logistically accessible seaside destinations in Croatia, Istria tends to be crowded and expensive in the high season. In spring, however, you can look forward to half-empty marinas, lower berthing fees, and helpful staff – not yet drained from the influx of visitors. Popular places like Rovinj, Brijuni National Park, or the Lim Channel will seem almost untouched. During this period, you can enjoy authentic Istria and its remarkable diversity. Although the weather in spring tends to be unstable, the wind in this area seems to create an authentic sailing experience.
Detailed Easter sailing itinerary for three whole days:
Vrsar - Lim Channel - Brijuni National Park - Kamenjak (Uvala Portič) - Rovinj - Vrsar
As a starting point for beginning the Easter sailing trip, we recommend the marina in the town of Vrsar. The marina is located within the city centre, it is peaceful with clean bathrooms, and its staff is helpful.
The proposed route leads from Vrsar to the bay near Cape Kamenjak.
Overall, you can sail approximately 75 - 80 nautical miles (nm).
Day 1 (Friday): Vrsar - Lim Fjord - Brijuni (25 nm)
Day 2 (Saturday): Brijuni - Portic on Kamenjak / Premantura (17 - 20 nm)
Day 3 (Sunday): Portic - Rovinj (26 - 30 nm)
Day 4 (Monday): Rovinj - Vrsar (check-out in the marina) (5 - 6 nm)
You can find the route on Google Maps on this link.
The route for the Navionics map is here.
TIP: You will get one full day of sailing by organizing your trip to Vrsar in time by setting to sail on Easter Friday or Saturday. Upon agreement, it is usually possible to come to the marina even at night, and the staff will leave your boat unlocked. So, for example, if you arrive on Thursday evening, complete a quick check-in on Friday morning, and you are good to go.
TIP: Due to the unstable weather in April and chill nights, we recommend booking a boat with heating.
Day 1 (Friday): Vrsar - Lim Bay - Brijuni National Park (25 nm)
Since the voyage will take approximately 6 hours, try to leave the Vrsar marina in the morning. As you sail towards the island of Veli Brijun, take a short educational break in the Gulf of Lim, which is only a few miles away from Vrsar.
During the sail, you will pass by the island of Sveti Juraj and head between Plič Mramori and Lunga Island. Then, continue between isolated dangers towards the Gulf of Lim. As you sail in this area, playful dolphins will likely accompany you. Finally, you will head south to the Brijuni islands from the bay.
Places worth visiting
Vrsar is a small picturesque fishing town with an old city centre uphill and a marina down in the bay. It was once home to the famous bohemian Casanova. There are several quality restaurants in Vrsar; worth mentioning are: Konoba Kod Luce, La Rosa 1, and Fančita. Once you finish dinner, go for a walk through the ancient streets and enjoy the romantic view from the famous “lovers' viewpoint” with the distinctive name of Viewpoint Casanova.
Reminding of a Scandinavian fjord, the Gulf of Lim is a narrow, nearly 10 kilometres long channel dug into the mainland surrounded by beautiful green and steep slopes. There are two nice-looking viewpoints: the Pirate Cave, which serves simultaneously as a bar, and the Šotokaštel beach opposite it – an inconspicuous beach with a sidewalk leading up the hill. You can take pictures of the bay’s beauty with your boat in the background from both places.
Warning: The speed limit in Lim Bay is 5 knots per hour. The end of the bay is closed for yachts and sports boats due to shellfish farming.
Visiting Brijuni National Park will undoubtedly be more than just a pleasant inland adventure throughout your yachting trip. In the small area of Veli Brijun Island, you will see rich fauna and flora and fill your lungs with a captivating aroma of pine trees. Famous people such as Mahatma Gandhi and Elizabeth Taylor have also visited the island in the past, as Veli Brijun was once the summer residence of former Yugoslav President Tito. The island was closed to the public until the 1980s.
Today it is a very well-maintained park, especially in summer when crowds of tourists on cruise ships land there constantly. Sailing to Brijuni on a yacht and spending the night there is considered a luxury in the high season. In the low season, however, you will be able to fully enjoy Croatian safaris, ancient Roman ruins, and breathtaking sunsets. The best way to get to know the island is to rent a bike. The trails are well-marked and will take you through the dwellings of exotic animals, a military bunker, a dinosaur track, flowering parks, and the remains of ancient settlements with herds of antelope, zebras, and mouflons passing by. The stopover on Brijuni will be one of the best experiences of your yachting trip.
Where to anchor for the night
You can park your boat in only two places – Veli Brijun and Mikula Bay in Maly Brijun. We recommend Veli Brijun with the hotel Neptun in the bay, where it is possible to rent a bike. However, in the low season, no one will probably come to help you dock your boat, and as soon as you are done, you need to check-in directly at the hotel.
The parking fee per boat up to 17 meters long in the low season is 800 kuna (appx. 106 euros). The price includes admission to the park for five crew members; each additional member needs to pay the entrance fee. The parking is valid until 2 p.m. the following day.
Day 2 (Saturday): Brijuni - Portic Bay (17 - 20 nm)
We recommend leaving Brijuni around noon. In the morning, you will still have time to cycle around the island, and in the afternoon, you can enjoy a scenic cruise around Cape Kamenjak. Finally, you can spend the night anchoring in Portič Bay, which is very popular for its romantic atmosphere.
Places worth visiting
The southernmost part of Istria, Cape Kamenjak on the Premantura peninsula, is listed as a protected area. Every yachter sailing around it can feast their eyes on the extraordinary wild beauty of nature, rocky cliffs, and rugged coastline. The sailing route leads along a small island with Porer Lighthouse, which now serves as a hotel. We do not recommend crossing the strait between the cape and Porer Lighthouse in high winds when irregular ocean currents occur. You better sail around the lighthouse and also pay attention to the shallows.
Where to anchor for the night
Portič Bay provides a well-protected anchorage from jugo, but no buoys are available. The bottom is flat, sandy, and approximately 7 meters deep. If you have enough time and desire to go to the mainland, take a boat to the shore and walk to the authentic and unusual Safari Bar – a restaurant in Kamenjak Park (Mala Kolombarica beach) situated in the middle of a dense forest. The restaurant looks as if Robinson Crusoe built it himself.
TIP: In case of bad weather or lack of time, consider skipping Kamenjak and plan only a short sail from Brijuna to Pula. You can spend the afternoon yachting and in the evening, moor in the marina, which is located within walking distance of the famous Pula Arena – one of the most beautiful and oldest amphitheatres in the world. It acquires magic, especially when the evening approaches.
Day 3 (Sunday): Uvala Portič - Rovinj (26 - 30 nm)
As a reward, the most extensive section of your whole voyage ends in one of the most beautiful and most photogenic places in all of Croatia – the town of Rovinj, also nicknamed the “pearl of Istria”. An iconic photo taken from the boat with an overview of the picturesque Rovinj set in the rocks is a must-have.
Places worth visiting
The old town is a labyrinth of winding streets, courtyards, and rocky stairs. The best way to soak up the town’s charming atmosphere is to wander around its centre. The sea view from the Euphemia church tower will remind you of your Easter sailing vacation. A market for domestic products is a buzzing place throughout the day. It is very colorful and decorated mainly on Easter, which is in Rovinj adequately celebrated.
Combine a visit to Rovinj with a tasting of local specialities such as truffles, pleskavica, or čevapčiči. Well-known restaurants and bars include, for example, Mali raj, located on one of the cosiest streets – Trevisol, cafe Buffet Trevisol behind Mali raj, and Bookeria. For a unique gourmet experience, do not hesitate to make a reservation in the renowned restaurant Monte, the first Michelin star awarded restaurant in Croatia.
Where to anchor for the night
The newly opened modern ACI marina Rovinj, located about a 15-minute walk from the city centre, offers the best mooring and a good shelter from the wind. There are also several berths on the town pier near the central market, but this place is not sheltered from the wind or waves.
Day 4 (Monday): Sailing back from Rovinj to Vrsar (5 - 6 nm)
You will spend the last day onboard sailing a short distance to your home marina in Vrsar. Since the gas station is located directly in the Vrsar marina, you will not waste much time.
Alternative itinerary
Even though you only have three days for a sailing trip or the weather suddenly changes, this exact part of Istria is extraordinary for offering several cruise alternatives. If you can sail only on Saturday, Sunday, and Easter Monday morning, include only Vrsar, Lim Fjord, Brijuni, and Rovinj in your itinerary.
The sailing options are more diverse if you set sail on Friday already. For example, you can cross the Lim Fjord on the way back to Vrsar. Instead of Portič bay, you can include the modern marina ACI Pomer into your itinerary or visit the town of Pula as well – there we recommend the marina in the city centre for better access to sights.
If you relish the spring sailing experience, extend your voyage outside Istria – to the island of Unije. More experienced yachtsmen will be pleased to enjoy probably quite “rich” sailing in this area. On Unije, there is also a charming uninhabited bay Maračol, protected from all sides, which is practically empty in the spring. You have to tie up the boat to a mooring buoy in a less standard way – by using four lines (similar to a marina with four moorings). It is a 15-minute walk from the shore to the village of Unije, and you will remember the delicious local “ribe na žaru” for a long time. Widely praised is, for example, Kod barba ive restaurant.
Overall, Istria offers countless inspirations for an unforgettable sailing experience, not only throughout the Easter holidays. All you need to do is choose a suitable boat and build a good crew. The Boataround team will be happy to advise you on the first step.
Note: When calculating the route length and estimated time, we used the Navionics app.
