Itinerary Overview
| Day | Route | Distance | Passage Time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Trogir — Maslinica, Šolta | 15 nm | 2–3 hrs | Maslinica marina |
| Sunday | Maslinica — Milna, Brač | 8 nm | 1.5 hrs | Milna marina |
| Monday | Milna — Hvar Town | 20 nm | 3–4 hrs | Hvar Town ACI marina |
| Tuesday | Hvar — Vis Town | 25 nm | 4–5 hrs | Vis Town marina / anchor |
| Wednesday | Vis — Komiža (west Vis) | 8 nm | 1.5 hrs | Komiža quay |
| Thursday | Komiža — Palmizana (Pakleni Islands) | 30 nm | 5 hrs | Palmizana buoy / anchor |
| Friday | Palmizana — Trogir | 35 nm | 6 hrs | Trogir marina |
| Saturday | Return boat by 0900 | — | — | — |
Saturday: Trogir to Maslinica, Šolta (15 nm)
Collect the boat at Trogir after the 0900–1300 handover slot. Complete the walkthrough carefully — this is not a process to rush. Fuel up at the marina (cheapest you will find all week), and depart in the early afternoon.
Šolta is 15 nautical miles southwest — typically a 2–3 hour passage in afternoon maestral. Maslinica on the western tip has a small marina run by the Martinis Marchi Hotel. The village has two or three restaurants, a small grocery, and no day-tripper crowds. An ideal first night: easy passage, sheltered anchorage, good restaurant for dinner.
Maslinica is one of the most underrated stops in Croatia. Most boats bypass Šolta entirely heading for Hvar. The quiet here in July is something you will not find at Hvar Town.
Sunday: Maslinica to Milna, Brač (8 nm)
Short Sunday passage — use the morning for a swim and late departure. Milna is 8 nm east, a 1.5-hour sail. The harbour at Milna is wide, well-protected, and has a good ACI marina. The town has a 17th-century church, a handful of fish restaurants, and a bakery that opens at 0700.
Milna is another underrated stop — many boats bypass it heading straight to Hvar from Split. That is their loss. The quieter atmosphere and the anchorage in the outer bay are genuinely good.
Monday: Milna to Hvar Town (20 nm)
The main social event of the week. Hvar Town's ACI marina is large and well-equipped but fills quickly in July–August — call ahead on VHF 17 or book online the day before. The passage from Milna skirts the south coast of Brač before crossing the Hvar channel; in summer afternoons the channel carries 15–20 knots of maestral.
Hvar Town: walk the Pjaca (main square), climb to the Spanish Fortress (Fortica) for sunset views across the Pakleni Islands, eat at one of the konobas on the back streets rather than the tourist-facing Riva restaurants. The Pakleni Islands are a 20-minute dinghy ride from the marina.
Tuesday: Hvar Town to Vis Town (25 nm)
The longest passage and the best sailing day. The channel between Hvar and Vis is open, deep water with consistent maestral. Leave Hvar by 0900 to arrive Vis by early afternoon.
Vis Town has one of the most atmospheric harbours in Croatia. Moor alongside the main quay or anchor off and dinghy in. Book dinner at Pojoda or Villa Kaliopa — both exceptional, both require a booking in season. Vis was a Yugoslav military base until 1989; the bunkers cut into the hillsides are still visible, several now used for wine storage and tasting rooms.
Wednesday: Vis — Komiža and Blue Cave Day Trip (8 nm)
Take a slow morning in Vis Town, then motor 8 nm around the headland to Komiža on the western side. Quieter than Vis Town, with a working fishing community and the best grilled fish restaurants on the island.
The Blue Cave (Modra Špilja) on Biševo island is 5 nm southwest of Komiža. Only accessible in calm conditions and only between 1000–1400 when sunlight enters through an underwater entrance. Access by dinghy or small RIB. Organised boat trips run from Komiža every morning in season.
Thursday: Komiža to Palmizana, Pakleni Islands (30 nm)
Head north-northeast from Komiža, rounding the northern tip of Vis and making for the Pakleni Islands off Hvar. Palmizana is the main anchorage — a wide bay with a restaurant, art gallery, and swimming buoys (25–40 euros/night in peak season).
Meneghello restaurant at Palmizana: book 48 hours ahead in July–August. Alternative: Vinogradišće on the same island is quieter and free to anchor, 10 minutes by dinghy from Palmizana's facilities.
Friday: Palmizana to Trogir (35 nm)
The return leg. Leave by 0800 to arrive Trogir early afternoon, giving time for a final swim and last dinner ashore. The passage heads north through the island chain — in a fresh northwest maestral, this is the best sailing of the week.
Trogir itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site: a medieval town on an island connected by bridges to the mainland. Walk the old town in the evening and eat on the Riva (seafront promenade) for the last night.
Alternative Itineraries
For more itinerary options and island combinations, Chasing the Donkey's Croatia island hopping guide covers 3, 5, and 7-day variations including northern routes.
For Experienced Sailors: Add Lastovo
From Komiža, a 50 nm passage south to Lastovo adds one of Croatia's most remote islands. Adjust the return via Korčula and Hvar. Requires an extra day or faster passages.
For Beginners: Shorter Passages
Skip Vis, add another night at Hvar and Brač. Keep all passages under 20 nm. Add a night at Bol on Brač for the Zlatni Rat beach. Entirely manageable for a first-time bareboat charter.
From Dubrovnik: Southern Islands Circuit
Opens the Elaphiti Islands, Korčula, Mljet, and Lastovo. Quieter, more remote, better for sailors wanting to avoid the busiest part of the charter circuit.