South Dalmatia Sailing Itinerary from Dubrovnik: A 7-Day Cruise Through the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, Lastovo and Korcula
14 August 2027 - 21 August 2027
Croatia - 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 seven-day sailing holiday through the southern Adriatic, departing from Dubrovnik and navigating through a UNESCO national park, one of Croatia's most remote inhabited islands and a medieval walled town rising directly from the sea.
The cruise departs from ACI Marina Dubrovnik, near Komolac on the outskirts of the city, and covers a sailing area of roughly eighty nautical miles to the south and west, connecting four distinctly different island environments within a single week. The marina sits approximately six kilometers from the old town and is well equipped for provisioning and preparation before departure.
Navigation in southern Dalmatia is shaped by two dominant wind systems. The Jugo, a warm southerly wind building over several days, brings long smooth swells from the south that make for powerful but comfortable sailing. The Bura, a cold katabatic wind descending from the Dinaric Alps to the northeast, can arrive suddenly and with considerable force in the channels between the mainland and the islands, and planning daily departures around its behavior is an important part of the week. Between the two, the southern Dalmatian channels offer genuinely varied sailing with short distances between stops and sheltered anchorages on almost every island.
The landscapes shift considerably from one island to the next. The Elaphiti archipelago lies closest to Dubrovnik, with three inhabited islands, car-free lanes and the stone summer residences of Dubrovnik's former nobility surrounded by olive groves. Mljet, the longest green island in the Adriatic, protects its western third as a national park, with two interconnected saltwater lakes and a twelfth-century Benedictine monastery on a small rocky islet in the center of the larger lake. Lastovo, the most remote stop on the route, closed to foreign sailors until 1989, sits surrounded by forty-six uninhabited islets in protected waters among the clearest in the southern Adriatic.
History and culture run continuously through the route. Dubrovnik itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, with intact city walls, limestone streets and baroque churches. Korcula Town, built on an oval peninsula enclosed by medieval walls, has been compared to a smaller Dubrovnik for centuries, and its herringbone street layout was specifically designed to direct the Bura wind away from the central thoroughfare. The island is traditionally associated with the birthplace of Marco Polo, while the Vela Spilja cave nearby confirmed Neolithic human habitation dating back thousands of years.
Days generally combine a morning departure with a swimming stop during or after the crossing, an afternoon arrival at the day's anchorage, and evenings spent in waterfront konobas serving local wine, olive oil and fresh seafood. The combination of short passages, natural harbors and historically layered destinations makes this one of the more complete sailing weeks available in Croatian waters.
Itinerary
Day1
ACI Marina Dubrovnik, Boarding and First Sail to the Elaphiti Islands
Boarding takes place at ACI Marina Dubrovnik from 5pm. After provisioning and a welcome briefing with the skipper, the boat heads northwest toward the Elaphiti archipelago. The three inhabited Elaphiti islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan lie between twenty and forty-five minutes from Dubrovnik and provide a gentle introduction to the sailing character of the week. Sipan, the largest of the three, offers a sheltered anchorage at Sipanska Luka on the western side, surrounded by stone summer residences and olive groves. Dinner is on board or ashore at 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 and a walk through the car-free lanes of Lopud or Kolocep before departure. The passage west toward Mljet crosses open Adriatic water, arriving at the eastern shore of the island and the anchorage at Okuklje, a small sheltered bay surrounded by pine-covered hillsides with a handful of konobas along the waterfront. An alternative anchorage at Saplunara, with its long sandy beach, provides a second option depending on wind direction. The night is spent at anchor.
Day3
Mljet National Park and Polace
Navigation continues along the northern coast of Mljet toward Polace, the gateway to Mljet National Park, which covers the western third of the island and protects two interconnected saltwater lakes. At the center of the larger lake, a small rocky islet carries the twelfth-century Benedictine monastery of St. Mary, reached 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 locals call a natural jacuzzi at Soline Bay. The park is best explored in the late afternoon when day visitors have departed. The night is spent 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, one of the least visited islands in the Croatian archipelago. Closed to foreign sailors 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 forty-six uninhabited islets with some of the clearest waters in the southern Adriatic. The anchorage at Zaklopatica on the northern coast, sheltered by a small islet in front of the bay, is the natural stopping point, with several restaurants serving fresh seafood and the old town of Lastovo a short walk uphill 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 surrounding islets, before the boat heads northeast toward Korcula. The island's walled town sits on a small oval peninsula with a herringbone street layout designed specifically to channel sea breezes through the town and direct the Bura wind away from the main thoroughfare. The Cathedral of St. Mark, dating from the fifteenth century, dominates the skyline from the water, and the island is traditionally associated with the birthplace of Marco Polo. The waterfront konobas are known for local wines, olive oil and grilled fish. The night is spent in Korcula marina.
Day6
Korcula to Mljet, Eastern Coast and Saplunara
The return leg sails east from Korcula back toward the Mljet coastline, this time exploring the southern and eastern shores of the island. Saplunara on the southeastern tip offers one of the most popular sandy beach anchorages in South Dalmatia, with mooring buoys available for an overnight stay and direct access to the beach for an early morning swim. Guests preferring more solitude can anchor in the small bay at Blace nearby in calm conditions. The night is spent 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 the marina. Arrival is scheduled for the late afternoon or early evening, leaving time for a final walk through the Dubrovnik old town if the group wishes before the last night on board. Disembarkation takes place the following morning by 9am.
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.
