Split - Hvar - Korčula - Mljet - Split
South Dalmatia offers beautiful bays, old stone towns, great restaurants, clear water, safe ports and one of the greenest islands on the Croatian coast. This route will allow you to see Hvar, Korčula and Mljet in one week without turning your holiday into a race. A general rule that many sailors prefer is to visit two spots every day.
One is usually a nice bay where you can swim and have lunch during the day and second one is a safe port, buoy field or village harbour close by where you can have dinner and spend the night.
Turn your first afternoon into a real sailing day with early check-in
If you start from Split at around 17h, after completing standard check-in procedure, there is usually not enough daylight to reach Hvar comfortably. In that case most crews prefer to stop on Šolta or Brač for the night. But if you choose ABA VELA early check-in from 13h, you can reach St. Klement island on the very first day and save one full day on this route.
If you need help getting out of the tight marina ABA VELA staff offers free dock-out service. Once you are free and in control head directly towards Pakleni islands if you are not tired and still eager for navigation. Vinogradišće bay is a very good first stop. Take a buoy, have a swim and forget about your troubles while immersed in nature. Waking up in a bay on your first morning sets the right tone for the whole holiday.
After breakfast and some swimming go sightseeing in Hvar town. Use a dinghy to get ashore and walk towards ACI marina Palmižana, then take a regular taxi boat to Hvar. Spend a few hours in town, walk through the old stone streets, climb up to the fortress for a phenomenal view and have lunch before returning to the boat.
In the afternoon sail to Šćedro and take a buoy in one of its peaceful bays. There is a restaurant in the bay that you can conveniently reach by dinghy so this stop feels easy and relaxed after lively Hvar.
Start the day without rushing and sail towards Lovište bay. Drop the anchor there and have lunch on board. Swimming, fooling around with SUP and simply relaxing is exactly what this part of the route is for.
In the afternoon head towards Korčula town and try to arrive before 18h because berths fill up quickly in the season. Use MySea app and try to book your marina berth early in the day. Korčula is one of the prettiest towns on the route so take your time there. Walk along the city walls, enjoy the old town atmosphere and choose a nice restaurant inside or just outside the old city core.
In the morning sail to Lumbarda and drop the anchor for a swim in front of Bili Žal beach. This is a good easy stop before you continue south. Have lunch on board and enjoy one more slow break before the next port.
After lunch head towards Pomena on island Mljet. There are restaurants with mooring lines and in many cases the mooring is free if you eat at their restaurant. It is a convenient arrangement and a good deal for many crews. Pick the restaurant you like best and spend the night there.
In the morning take a walk to the National Park and dedicate a few hours to nature. Take the small boat ride to the monastery island, have a swim and slow down properly. Mljet is one of those places that should not be rushed.
If you want to see more of the island you can rent scooters, bikes or even a small car and explore further inland. There is a lot to see on Mljet but this is a nautical guide so it is better to keep things simple. In the afternoon get back to your boat and set sail towards Vela Luka. If you prefer a quieter anchoring stop you can stay in Uvala Gradina just outside the town.
After breakfast go to nearby island Proizd and have a swim in famously clear water. This is one of the best swimming stops on the whole route so use it well. Enjoy the scenery, have lunch there and only then start sailing back towards Hvar area.
For the night head again to St. Klement island but choose a different bay this time. Taršće is a very good option. By now you have already done enough sightseeing so there is no need to run anywhere. Just take a buoy or anchor safely, have dinner on board and enjoy your last proper island evening.
This is sadly your last day but do not let it go to waste. You need to be back in Split at least one hour before sunset with full tank so use most of your time well. Head towards Brač and choose your last swimming bay depending on when you want to refuel.
Osibova bay is a good option before taking fuel in Milna and Bobovišće bay is a good option after Milna. Both are lovely places for a final swim. If you hate waiting in queue for the fuel dock ABA VELA offers in-marina refueling service. It costs 150 € plus fuel and can save you a lot of time and stress on the last day.
