South Dalmatia Sailing Itinerary from Dubrovnik - 7 Days through the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, Lastovo and Korcula
11 December 2027 - 18 December 2027
Dubrovnik, CR
7 days trip
12 places avaliable
Sailboat
Price may vary depending on the cruise date.
Reservations are subjected to acceptance after availability checks. In case, the selected cruise is not available we will contact you with similar offers.
A 7-day sailing holiday through the southern Adriatic, navigating from ACI Marina Dubrovnik through four distinct island destinations including a UNESCO national park, one of Croatia's most remote inhabited islands and a medieval walled town rising directly from the sea.
The sailing area south and west of Dubrovnik is one of the most historically and naturally concentrated sailing grounds on the entire Adriatic coast. Within a radius of roughly 80 nautical miles from ACI Marina Dubrovnik, the route passes through four distinctly different island environments: the Elaphiti archipelago with its three inhabited islands just offshore, Mljet with its ancient forest and saltwater lakes protected as a national park, the remote and largely undeveloped island of Lastovo surrounded by 46 uninhabited islets, and Korcula with its medieval walled town rising from a narrow peninsula that has drawn comparisons to a smaller Dubrovnik for centuries.
ACI Marina Dubrovnik is located near Komolac, approximately 6 kilometers from the old city center and 27 kilometers from Dubrovnik's Clipi International Airport. Euromarine has operated from this marina since 1994 with a fleet of Jeanneau monohulls and catamarans, and the base provides full facilities including a supermarket, restaurants, fuel station, laundry and parking directly within the marina complex. Every berth has water and electricity connections.
The sailing conditions in Southern Dalmatia differ from the central Dalmatian coast in ways that shape the character of the week. The Jugo, a warm southerly wind from the Adriatic, and the Bura, a cold katabatic wind descending from the Dinaric Alps to the northeast, are the two dominant weather systems. The Bura can arrive suddenly and with considerable force in the channels between the mainland and the islands, and understanding its behavior is an important part of planning daily departures. The Jugo, by contrast, builds slowly with several days of warning and brings long, smooth swells from the south that make for powerful but comfortable sailing. Between the two wind systems, the area offers genuinely varied sailing through the week with short distances between stops and an abundance of sheltered anchorages on almost every island.
Dubrovnik itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Its limestone streets, baroque churches, intact city walls and the harbor of the old town form a setting that has very few equivalents on the Mediterranean coast, and arriving or departing by sailing boat from the marina nearby adds a dimension to the experience that land-based visitors cannot access. The historical continuity of the city, from ancient Ragusa and its famous white Libertas flag to the present, runs through the entire sailing area and makes this one of the more culturally layered sailing itineraries in Croatian waters.
Itinerary
Day1
ACI Marina Dubrovnik, Boarding and First Sail to the Elaphiti Islands
Boarding takes place at ACI Marina Dubrovnik near Komolac from 17:00. After provisioning at the marina supermarket and a welcome briefing with the skipper, the boat sets off northwest toward the Elaphiti archipelago. The three inhabited Elaphiti islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan lie between 20 and 45 minutes from Dubrovnik and provide a gentle introduction to the week's sailing character. Sipan, the largest of the three, offers a sheltered anchorage at Sipanska Luka on the western side of the island, surrounded by stone summer residences and olive groves that testify to the island's long history as a retreat for the Dubrovnik nobility. Dinner onboard or ashore in one of the small waterfront restaurants.
Day2
Elaphiti Islands and Passage to Mljet
A relaxed morning in the Elaphiti Islands with time for a first swim in clear water and a walk through the car-free lanes of Lopud or Kolocep before departure. The passage west toward Mljet crosses open Adriatic water and arrives at the eastern shore of the island, where the anchorage at Okuklje on the northern coast offers a protected and quiet first encounter with one of Croatia's longest green islands. Okuklje is a small sheltered bay surrounded by pine-covered hillsides with a handful of konobas along the waterfront. Alternative anchorages on the eastern end of Mljet, including Saplunara with its long sandy beach and its popular beach bar, offer a second option depending on wind direction. Overnight at anchor.
Day3
Mljet National Park and Polace
Navigation continues west along the northern coast of Mljet toward Polace, the gateway village to Mljet National Park, which covers the western third of the island. The park protects two interconnected saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero, both accessible on foot, by bicycle or by kayak from the village. At the center of Veliko Jezero, a small rocky islet carries the 12th-century Benedictine monastery of St. Mary's Island, connected to the shore by a short boat crossing. The tidal connection between the lakes and the sea creates a gentle current at the narrow channel linking them, producing what is locally described as a natural jacuzzi in the shallows of Soline Bay. The park is best explored in the late afternoon when the day visitors have departed and the forest and lakeside paths become noticeably quieter. Overnight in Polace or at anchor in a nearby bay.
Day4
Passage to Lastovo and Zaklopatica
The longest sailing day of the week leads southwest toward Lastovo, the most remote inhabited island on this route and one of the least-visited in the entire Croatian archipelago. Closed to foreign sailors during the Yugoslav period until 1989, Lastovo has had less time than most Dalmatian islands to adapt to charter tourism, and the result is an island that still operates primarily on its own terms, with vineyards, churches and the distinctive chimneys of Lastovo village as its defining visual features. Lastovo Nature Park surrounds the island and its 46 uninhabited islets with protected waters that are among the clearest in the southern Adriatic. The anchorage at Zaklopatica on the northern coast, sheltered by a small islet directly in front of the bay, is the natural stopping point for the night. The bay has several restaurants and konobas serving fresh seafood, and the old town of Lastovo is a short uphill walk from the waterfront.
Day5
Lastovo Archipelago and Passage to Korcula
A morning swim in the protected waters of the Lastovo archipelago, with possible stops at the smaller surrounding islets, before the boat sets sail northeast toward Korcula. The island of Korcula is the most architecturally rich stop on the itinerary outside of Dubrovnik itself. Korcula Town sits on a small oval peninsula enclosed by medieval walls, with a layout of herringbone streets designed specifically to direct the Bura wind away from the main thoroughfare and channel the sea breeze through the town in summer. The Cathedral of St. Mark dominates the skyline from the water and dates from the 15th century. Korcula is traditionally associated with the birthplace of Marco Polo, a claim the island maintains with considerable local enthusiasm. The Vela Spilja cave just north of the town, a Neolithic site where significant archaeological finds confirmed continuous human habitation, adds further historical depth to an already well-layered destination. The harbor is lively in summer season and the waterfront konobas are known for local wines, olive oil and grilled fish. Overnight in Korcula marina.
Day6
Korcula to Mljet, Eastern Coast and Saplunara
The return leg begins with a sail east from Korcula back toward the Mljet coastline, this time exploring the southern and eastern shores of the island. Saplunara on the southeastern tip of Mljet offers one of the most popular sandy beach anchorages in South Dalmatia, with a beach bar, a small grocery and a handful of family restaurants. The bay can be approached from the sea and the mooring buoys of a nearby restaurant allow an overnight stay with direct access to the beach for an early morning swim. For guests who prefer more solitude, the small bay at Blace further along the coast offers an alternative anchorage in calm conditions. Overnight at anchor on the southeastern shore of Mljet.
Day7
Return to Dubrovnik via the Elaphiti Islands and Disembarkation
The final navigation heads east back toward Dubrovnik, passing through the Elaphiti archipelago for a last swimming stop in the clear water of Kolocep or Lopud before the final approach to ACI Marina Dubrovnik. Arrival is scheduled for the late afternoon or early evening, leaving time for a last walk through the Dubrovnik old town if the group wishes before the final night onboard. Guests sleep onboard and disembarkation takes place the following morning by 09:00.
Important Note
This itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, currents and marine activity. Anchorages and daily schedule are adjusted by the skipper to ensure safety and the best possible sailing experience throughout the week.
Cruise price details
Entire yacht price
€ 2594
Book the entire yacht for a private trip
Included in the price
OUTBOARD ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE
Yacht additional fees
Charter pack S/Y (final cleaning, boat permits, berth for the first and last day in home marina, dinghy, bedding, towels, gas for cooking, WiFi unlimited): €250
Tourist tax: €1.40 per person/night
Skipper + Meals: €1,540
Hostess + Meals: €1,540
Cook + Meals: €1,750
Crew Change: Includes additional final cleaning.: €250
The Jeanneau 53 is a Philippe Briand-designed 53-foot cruising monohull that replaces the highly successful Jeanneau 54DS with a leaner profile, a more powerful rig and an interior flexibility that allows up to five different layout configurations. The plumb bow, flush hatches and uncluttered side decks give the boat a purposeful appearance that reflects how it actually sails.
The Jeanneau 53 sits within the builder's premium Yacht line alongside the 57, sharing furniture modules, build quality and interior approach while offering a slightly more manageable platform for charter and coastal cruising. Designed by Philippe Briand, the hull carries a moderate V-section with an aft chine that increases waterline length and interior volume, contributing to a boat that is both fast on passage and stable at anchor.
On deck the cockpit is the boat's most immediately practical feature. It is genuinely large, organized around twin helm stations aft and a wide social seating area forward, and seating comfortably accommodates a full group for meals with room to spare. Teak covers the cockpit sole and the transom steps, and a dedicated compartment below the aft deck can store a full-sized dinghy sideways, freeing the stern area of the clutter that affects many comparable boats. All sail controls run cleanly to the helm stations, making short-handed management straightforward. Under sail the 53 is responsive and impressively quick on all points of sail, with a large fractional rig that delivers performance in both light thermal conditions and stronger coastal winds.
Below deck, the Jeanneau 53 is unusual among production cruisers for the range of layout options it supports, from three to five cabins with three to four heads depending on configuration. The standard charter layout typically places the master stateroom aft, below the cockpit, where it benefits from excellent headroom, light and ventilation through multiple opening hatches and portlights, an island bed, generous storage in drawers and hanging lockers and a private ensuite with shower. The two forward cabins are well proportioned and equipped for a week at sea. Throughout the interior, varnished Alpi teak-veneer furniture, leather upholstery and stainless steel fittings produce a finish that Cruising World described as closer to a luxury cruiser than a production yacht.
The saloon is bright and airy, with the combination of a low-profile coachroof, flush deck hatches and numerous portlights flooding the space with natural light throughout the day. The galley is well equipped for extended provisioning, with a large refrigerator, three-burner stove with oven and generous counter space suited to cooking for a full group underway or at anchor.
The exact cabin configuration will be confirmed before departure while maintaining the same standard of onboard comfort and finish.
What to pack for a sailing holiday?
Pack smart for your yacht charter: choose a soft bag instead of a hard suitcase, bring lightweight layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and non-slip shoes for onboard use. A couple of swimsuits and motion sickness remedies can also make a big difference. Each boat has limited storage, so pack light, but wisely! Need help building the perfect list? Read our full guide: What to pack in a suitcase for a yacht charter
What’s a Typical Day Like on a Yacht Charter?
Start your day with a swim in a quiet bay, sail to hidden beaches or seaside villages, and enjoy a slow lunch on deck. Afternoons mean snorkeling, sunbathing, or exploring ashore. As the sun sets, your boat anchors in a scenic cove or near a harbor, ready for a relaxed dinner and a night under the stars. Curious about the full experience? Discover more in our guide: What’s a typical day like on a sailing holiday?
Who Handles Cooking and Cleaning on a Yacht Charter?
On skipper-only charters, guests usually share cooking and cleaning duties, think salads, pasta, and good teamwork. If there's a hostess, light meals and tidying are included, but it's still a casual, collaborative vibe. On fully crewed yachts, you’ll enjoy full service with a chef and crew managing everything. Want to know what’s included in your setup? Read the full guide: Who takes care of cooking and cleaning on a sailing charter?
What Happens in Case of Bad Weather During a Sailing Holiday?
Summer sailing holidays rarely face major weather issues, but when the sea gets rough, skippers adjust the route for your safety. Expect protected bays, marina stops, or a change in plan. These moments often lead to unexpected gems: local towns to explore, time to relax on board, or cozy dinners ashore. Curious about how crews handle these changes? Read the full FAQ: What to do in case of adverse weather conditions or changes to the itinerary
Reservations are subjected to acceptance after availability checks. In case, the selected cruise is not available we will contact you with similar offers.
