Experience the best of an Explorer Cruise with Sail Croatia!
Perfect if you’re looking for a blend of sightseeing, relaxing and socialising, this cruise is best-suited to young professionals and those that are young at heart!
The Explorer Cruise operates on three different routes; Split Return South, Split to Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik to Split, all 7 days long.
The destinations visited on the Split Return South route can be found in the sample itinerary below:
Day 1 Split: Check-in at Split Port from 10.30am, with the cruise departing at 1pm sharp.
Day 1 Makarska:
We’ll have lunch onboard as we sail down the Dalmatian coast to the Makarska Riviera. Your first afternoon will be spent swimming at one of the beautiful beaches along the Riviera. The ship will overnight in the port of Makarska, one of the most beautiful destinations on the Croatian coast. Makarska nestles under the massive peaks of the Biokovo mountain range, with Mt Jure being the highest seaside peak on the Mediterranean. Strolling along the streets of Makarska, you will come across numerous churches and other architectural sights. For nightlife options, there is the cocktail bar Marineta and for late-night takers, there is “Club Deep” set in a natural cave next to the sea.
Day 2 Korcula:
After breakfast we set sail for Korcula, the rumoured birthplace of Marco Polo. Lunch will be served onboard near Lumbarda bay, on the eastern side of Korcula island. We will overnight in the port of Korcula Town. Explore this fortified town, with its narrow streets and lookout towers and spend your afternoon understanding the island hosting legends, myths and tales. The town’s stone walls were built over two centuries ago, and the Old Town is built in a fishbone structure that you have to see to believe.
Day 3 Dubrovnik:
We leave Korcula behind and set sail for Dubrovnik, dubbed “heaven on earth” by the famous writer, George Bernard Shaw. We arrive in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the 13th century Old Town. Walk the impressive 1,940m long city walls and discover hidden gems such as cafes and bars perched along the walls, where you can sit back with a cold drink and watch the sunset.
Day 4 Mljet:
We set sail early this morning and head toward the beautiful National Park island of Mljet. Once docked, you are free to explore the salt lakes within the National Park. Inside the National Park you are able to visit the isle of St Mary, which is home to an ancient Benedictine monastery, an old abbey and a church dating back to the 12th century that are just waiting to be explored. The National Park is best discovered using a bicycle or kayak that can be hired within the park grounds.
Day 5 Hvar:
Early this morning we’ll depart for the Pakleni Islands where we have lunch onboard and stop for a swim in the crystal clear water. Hvar is the longest island in the Adriatic and is famous for its super-yachts and celebrity status. Climb the hill and visit the 16th Century Fortress ruins overlooking the harbour, explore a Renaissance Cathedral with its original tower or discover the oldest community theatre in Europe! The town of Hvar offers plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes that are open well into the night.
Day 6 Stari Grad:
For our second night on Hvar island, we moor overnight in the quaint harbour town of Stari Grad or in the pretty port of Jelsa (depending on local harbour traffic). Situated on the northern side of the island, Stari Grad literally means ‘Old Town’ and it is the oldest town in Croatia. Stari Grad boasts an attractive network of old narrow streets and small squares around the harbour. Vineyards and olive groves surround the town and the Stari Grad Plain is a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site. Jelsa dates back to the 1300s and was a significant trading port for the island’s wine and olive oil. It nestles at the foot of thickly wooded hillsides. Both ports have plenty of restaurants and bars to explore, with some overlooking the harbour itself and others tucked away in the side streets.
Day 7 Split:
From Stari Grad/Jelsa, we make our way back to Split, stopping for a swim and onboard lunch at one of the hidden coastal beaches along the way. Your ship will dock in Split in the afternoon, allowing you the early evening to explore Split and it’s UNESCO protected Diocletian’s Palace, complete with Roman architecture dating back to the 4th Century!
Day 8 Split:
This morning it’s time for an early onboard breakfast, before saying goodbye to the crew and all of your new friends.
To discover Croatia on an Explorer Cruise, view our website:
https://www.sail-croatia.com/croatia-cruises/explorer-cruises