Dalmatian Flotilla In Croatia - Everything You Need To Know

A flotilla sailing holiday is a fantastic way to discover the best of a new sailing area, have a fun and sociable holiday and have the freedom and privacy of your own yacht whilst also benefiting from the support and expertise of an experienced lead crew. Flotilla sailing holidays come in all shapes and sizes and we often get asked about our flotillas and what people can expect if they join a Nautilus Yachting flotilla sailing holiday. In this article, we answer many of the most frequently asked questions about the Nautilus Yachting Dalmatian flotilla in Croatia...

Where is the starting point for the Dalmatian flotilla and what is it like?

The Nautilus Yachting Dalmatian flotilla in Croatia starts in D Marin Mandalina Marina in Sibenik, a modern marina with excellent facilities. It is situated approximately 3km from Sibenik Old Town and close to the mouth of the Krka river and the fort of St Nicolas. Sibenik is the oldest Slavic town in Dalmatia and is definitely worth exploring either at the beginning or the end of your flotilla sailing holiday. Sibenik has many great restaurants and bars tucked away within the narrow old streets, as well as along the waterfront. The Venetian architecture, old forts and cathedral are just a few of the highlights that make Sibenik a unique and fascinating starting point for your Croatian flotilla holiday.

How long does it take to reach Sibenik from the airport?

Return airport transfers are included in the cost of your flotilla. Transfers can be arranged either from Split airport or Zadar airport. The transfer time from Split airport to the marina in Sibenik is approximately 50 minutes. The transfer time from Zadar airport to the marina in Sibenik is approximately 1 hour.

Which yachts are available to charter on the Dalmatian flotilla?

There are a wide range of yachts available to charter on the Dalmatian flotilla in Croatia including 2-5 cabin monohulls, a selection of 40-50’ catamarans as well as motoryachts. You can check live yacht availability on our website using the Search & Book function or contact one of our sales team for a quote.

What dates does the Dalmatian flotilla run?

The Dalmatian flotilla is running for set weeks in June, July and September.

Who is the Dalmatian flotilla suitable for?

The Dalmatian flotilla is a versatile flotilla enjoyed by people of all ages and sailing abilities. Couples, groups and families will all find delight in sailing on the Dalmatian flotilla. The Dalmatian flotilla is for you if you enjoy sailing in a cruising area with over 1000 islands, crystal clear water, well preserved ancient towns and villages, protected national parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

How much does it cost to sail on the Dalmatian flotilla in Croatia?

The cost of a flotilla sailing holiday in Croatia will largely be determined by the type of yacht which you choose for your holiday. The price of a 3 cabin monohull for 1 week on flotilla starts at around £3100. Booking your flotilla holiday early not only ensures good availability but also gives you access to promotional early booking discounts.

What is included in the cost of a flotilla sailing holiday?

The cost of the Nautilus Yachting Dalmatian flotilla in Croatia includes assistance of the lead crew throughout your holiday, end cleaning, bed linen, shower towels, dinghy with outboard engine, welcome punch party, snorkelling equipment, welcome package and return airport transfers from Split or Zadar airport. The cost of the flotilla does not include mooring fees, fuel and Croatian tourist tax.

What are the sailing conditions on the Dalmatian flotilla?

Due to the Dalmatian Coasts’ position in the Adriatic, the predominant winds come down from the N/NW or up from the S/SE. High hill ranges on the mainland and the large number of islands lead to some katabatic winds and local land effects. Winds are often between Force 3 and 6. The sea state is often between 1 and 3 on the Douglas scale. During the flotilla sailing season of June to September, you will find very favourable sailing conditions. The knowledgeable flotilla lead crew will update you on weather conditions every morning during the morning briefing and will give any necessary advice or support for your day's sail.

What does a typical day on the Dalmatian flotilla look like?

A day on flotilla usually starts with a morning briefing about 9am where the lead crew inform you of the destination for the day, the best anchorage stops for lunch, the daily weather and facilities available that evening. After the morning briefing the boats get underway and often sail to an anchorage that’s en route for a swim and lunch stop.

The lead crew usually sail straight to the evening's destination so that they can arrive before the guests. Once the lead crew have arrived at the destination for that evening, they then pass on any relevant information to the guests ahead of the guests arriving. This could be information on mooring, dinner for that evening or details of on-shore activities. Once the guests arrive at that evening's destination, the lead crew help the yachts moor up. Some evenings drinks and/or dinner will be arranged whilst other evenings the guests each do their own activities/meals.

Does everyone eat together in the evenings?

Guests are not required to eat together as a flotilla. Some evenings the mooring may belong to a restaurant and in this case the flotilla crew and guests are expected to eat at the restaurant as the bill includes the mooring fees. Tables are often reserved by 1 or 2 boats to a table as the lead crew understand that often the service in a restaurant will be better for several smaller groups rather than one very large group. The flotilla crew will make reservations for the boats to ensure that guests get a table at the best restaurants but they will always inform guests at the morning briefing of the dinner options at each destination so that guests can decide.

Do you moor in marinas every night?

Each route on the Dalmatian flotilla contains a variety of different moorings and the evening destination can change depending on the weather conditions. The flotilla routes include stern-to moorings on town quays, mooring buoys, restaurant lazy lines with raft mooring, private marinas and anchoring. This gives guests great experience of different styles of mooring and something for everyone in each different location.

Are there many children on the Dalmatian flotilla?

During the school holidays there is a good mixture of adult boats and family boats. The Adriatic is beautifully clear for snorkelling and swimming and there are great spots for paddleboarding which the children and teenagers always enjoy.

What activities or excursions are possible on the Dalmatian flotilla?

During your week sailing on the Dalmatian flotilla there are many activities which you can take part in. Of course there is the fantastic swimming, snorkelling and diving that the area provides as well as many land-based activities. On Zlarin you can hire mountain bikes to explore the island or from Skradin you can also hire bikes to cycle into the Krka National Park. There are some fantastic vineyards in the Sibenik area for those who enjoy fine wines and would like to do a wine tasting. The rich history and culture of Croatia is visible everywhere and trips to explore the ancient walled island of Primosten or Sibenik Old Town are highly recommended.

What are the top places visited on the Dalmatian flotilla?

There are many extraordinary places visited on the Dalmatian flotilla but a few highlights to mention are the Kornati National Park which is renowned for its unique landscapes and abundant sea life, the beautiful car free island of Zlarin for a great steak dinner and unforgettable sunset and the impressive Krka river.

More information on our Dalmatian flotilla in Croatia can be found here. Use the Search & Book function to check live availability, hold yachts and book your flotilla sailing holiday all online. If you would like to speak to a member of our sales team then give us a call on 01732 867445, email to charter@nautilusyachting.com or fill out the Quick Quote form and we will be in touch with you shortly.