The city of Dubrovnik, which has become world-famous due to the series "Game of Thrones", and which also has a lot to offer from a cultural-historical point of view (it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!), is located in the extreme south of Dalmatia. About 6 km away from the old city center is one of the most beautiful marinas along the Croatian coast, the ACI Marina Dubrovnik. This marina, which counts 380 berths, also offers countless high-quality services and has already received several awards. Mega and luxury yachts up to 60 meters in length can moor here easily, making it the perfect starting point for your cruise.
The nearby Dubrovnik with its 1940 meters long city wall is one of the most visited cities on the Adriatic. If you visit Dubrovnik, you should walk along the so-called "Stradun", Dubrovnik's main street, to get a first impression of this impressive old town. The Minceta Tower, one of the city's most famous landmarks, reflects Dubrovnik's impressive and mighty fortifications. One of these is the Bokar fortress, which guarded the main entrance to the city. Today it is one of the venues for Dubrovnik Summer Games.
The islands and regions briefly presented below are a recommendation for a luxury charter in the coastal region of Dubrovnik:
Dubrovniker Riviera
Opposite the old town of Dubrovnik, you will find the island of Lokrum. It is under the protection of UNESCO. Here you can find many plant species, even from Australia and South America, such as eucalyptus and cacti. The island of Lokrum is also called the island of lovers! Beside the arboretum of Trsteno it is worth to visit the places Orasac, Zaton and Mlini. During dives around Cavtat you can get to know the impressive underwater world of this region and also discover some of the largest ancient sites in the Mediterranean.
Korcula
During a planned visit to this island the best thing you can do is to moor your luxury yacht in the ACI Marina Korčula, which can accommodate mega and luxury yachts up to 45 meters in length. Korčula, the sixth largest island in the Adriatic Sea, is separated from the nearby Pelješac peninsula by the 1 km wide Pelješac channel. The mild, temperate climate of Korčula means that this island has been very popular among tourists and sailors for a long time. The small town of Korčula, with about 5000 inhabitants, is the largest town on the island and also a cultural and tourist centre. It is said that the discoverer Marco Polo was born here. The medieval, well-preserved old town with its St. Mark's Cathedral, which combines Gothic and Renaissance style, is definitely worth visiting! The old, small alleys were laid out following a fish skeleton, which is clearly visible from a bird's eye view. In Korčula's treasure chamber, you will find impressive and valuable works by various artists.
If you are looking for a beach holiday, it is recommended that you sail with your luxury yacht to the southeast of Korčula and anchor at Lumbarda. Another interesting stop is Vela Luka in the west of the island. From here you can reach the southern island of Lastovo, which has been declared a nature park in its overall ("Lastovsko otocje").
Mljet
Southeast of the island Korčula there is the island Mljet, which is also called "Odysseus Island" and is the greenest island in the Adriatic with about 90% of forest. The great variety of flora and fauna is especially appreciated by nature lovers.
One third of the island is part of the Mljet National Park (western part), which is the oldest sea park in the Mediterranean. There are two salt lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero. The latter is a small island with a Benedictine monastery.
If this is your destination, you should enjoy a meal in the Melita restaurant, where you will be impressed by the local delicacies and the historical atmosphere. Another cultural and historical highlight on Mljet are the ruins of a Roman palace, the third largest in Croatia in terms of size. Another attraction is the sea cave known as "Odysseus Cave". Odysseus probably was shipwrecked here once.
The climate in Croatia is "Mediterranean", with dry and hot summers and sometimes cool and wet weather during the winter. The coast is considered as one of the sunniest areas in Europe! It often counts over 2.500 hours of sunshine per year, the seawater has a good bathing temperature from May to October. If you are choosing a cruise along the Adriatic, you will find a very pleasant weather and warm water from April to October (even at the end of the month). Winds vary, in summer they tend to get weaker, while in spring and autumn they can be stronger. The choice of a bay, where you can anchor the boat during the night, should be chosen according to the prevailing wind:
Maestrale (also called Maestral) - This wind should not be confused with the "Mistral" of the Rhone valley in France, which is extremely unpredictable! Maestrale, on the other hand, is typical and common fair-weather wind that will often guide you during the yacht charter in Croatia. It starts in the late morning and lasts until the evening, mostly with wind forces up to 4 Beaufort. Deep blue sky, rare clouds, sailor courage! What else do you need? Maestrale is a thermal wind and it forms due to faster air heating on land than at sea. Therefore, the air flows over the land, blowing in the lower layers from the sea to land, and in the upper area, it blows back into the sea. This creates the perfect wind dynamics for sailors, which lasts from 10 to 18 o'clock. The opposite effect is often observed during the night in a less intense form: Burin, a night wind, caused by faster cooling of the land mass by the sea.
Jugo - This is where the weather gets worse, it blows from the southeast. First, there is a harsh weather, followed by the rain and the strong wind, which develops a force up to 7 Beaufort. It takes a day or two, then it ceases. However, in autumn and spring, it can also blow stronger and longer, so it should not be underestimated.
Bora - This wind (female) is dangerous, but fortunately quite rare. Bora blows from the northeast and comes with the proverbial clear sky! It is not uncommon that the wind speed rises up to 9 Beaufort on the mainland. This is caused by a large difference in the air pressure between the water and the mountains. It usually only lasts one day, then it is over and the wind is moderate again.
Air and water temperature in the year overview in the recommended charter months:
April: 21° air - 17° water
May: Air 23° - Water 20°
June: Air 29° - Water 23°
July: Air 29° - Water 24°
August: Air 29° - Water 24°
September: Air 25° - Water 23°
October: Air 22° - Water 21°
