When we hear the word yacht, it automatically conjures up images of our favourite A-list celebrities holidaying on luxurious mega yachts whilst island hopping in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. As the European yachting market in France and Italy have become overcrowded and out of reach for most visitors, other countries such as Croatia offer alternatives and have become desired yachting destinations in their own right. Even celebrities have caught on to this and it is commonplace to spot an A-lister or two such as Beyonce and Jay Z who have been holidaying in Croatia since 2009 when they were first spotted on the island of Hvar.
At the end of summer, I travelled to Croatia to meet Goolets, one of the leading companies for luxury crewed charter yachts in Croatia, offering a range of wooden, sailing and luxury charter yachts. I cruised onboard the Ohana, a yacht with 14 cabins to accommodate up to 30 guests. To enjoy the waters of the Adriatic, there was a selection of water toys onboard which included a jet ski, paddleboards and kayaks. After a full day of sightseeing, guests can relax in the jacuzzi on the top deck and enjoy the view of the Adriatic sea or lounge in one of the many seating areas on the yacht. The food onboard Ohana was international cuisine – also featuring traditional Croatian dishes such as black risotto – prepared using fresh ingredients and beautifully-plated.
Here's how I spent 4 days visiting some of Croatia's most famous islands on board the Ohana…
Eating onboard Ohana was a standout affair. Before you begin your trip, you are contacted to provide your dietary needs and information on allergies and tolerances.
The tour onboard the Ohana yacht started in Split, the second largest city in Croatia with just over 200,000 inhabitants and the largest on the Ardian coast. The city’s new airport terminal opened in 2019 after two and a half years of construction and now enables the airport to handle an additional one million passengers per year to ease pressure during the summer congestion.
Croatia’s second largest city is a quintessential mediterranean city which has plenty to keep the attention of its visitors. The most significant attraction are the historical sites within the Palace of Diocletian, the Roman Emperor who reigned for 21 years from 284 AD. He chose Split to build his palace and the ruins, which are some of the best preserved and valuable of the Roman era are now a World Heritage Site. Split was colonised first by the Greeks and later by the Romans, the Venetians and the Ottomans. Its significance as an important trading port in the Mediterranean remains today and it grows in popularity with tourists who are increasing in numbers.
Brač is best known for the beach Zlatni Rat, often referred to as the Golden Cape or Horn. Located on the southern coast of the island about 25 minutes walk from the main arrival point in the town of Bol, it is one of the most famous beaches in Croatia due to its horn shape on a strip of land that stretches out over 300 metres into the waters of the Adriatic. In the main area of Bol, a sleepy picturesque town in the off-season, you will find the usual characteristics of Croatia such as the mixture of Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and houses with red tiled roofs. At the heart of the town, you will find Stina, a winery housed in a historical building and located on the seafront on Bol’s sidewalk. For those looking for a less touristy island, Brač island ticks the boxes. It is close to Split and doesn’t attract the crowds of Hvar and Korčula.
Next stop on the tour aboard Ohana was Hvar, which lies between the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula and is one of Croatia’s most visited islands for good reason. It’s Croatia's sunniest spot with over 2800 sunshine hours each year. Hvar is an island of two faces. In the low season, it is a quiet fishing port town known for its remote villages, and pebble beaches but during the high season in the summer months, it comes alive and has a growing reputation as a party island. Nightclubs spring up along the port and boats and yachts line up to cater to their summer visitors with parties.
The main highlights of Hvar are its Renaissance-era Cathedral which lies in the main square, its 13th-century walls, and a hilltop fortress along a steep hillside which offers stunning views and a beautiful sunset.
Korčula is the sixth largest island in Croatia and is a mere 20 miles long and 4-5 miles wide. Often referred to as “Little Dubrovnik” because of its strong resemblance to the city with churches, houses and squares, it is further away from the likes of Hvar and Brač and therefore not as popular with tourists. Nonetheless, you will find stunning beaches, olive groves and vineyards and cobbled streets where you can wander aimlessly in its quaint and narrow streets. The island has strong ties to the Venetian Empire which is evident in its architecture, in particular the 15th century Saint Mark’s cathedral built in a gothic renaissance style with a slim bell tower.
The island's claim to fame is that it is widely recognised as the birthplace of World Explorer Marco Polo and signs of this are dotted all over the island with souvenirs, a museum and map of the explorer’s adventures.
The final stop on my tour was Makarska island which is located on a horseshoe shaped bay between the Biokovo mountains and the Adriatic Sea. The island is best known for its seafront promenade which stretches almost 4m from Ramova beach to Makarska’s marketplace and the walk along the seafront is one of the highlights of the town. Whilst cafes and restaurants line the promenade overlooking the seafront, the centre of Makarska takes you back in time with an old town one has come to expect with a church square, narrow pebble streets and a Franciscan monastery where you will find a collection of seashells.
In terms of pricing, Ohana and similar vessels in Goolet's books can be charted for €80,000, (£70,126) in low season, which is pretty eye-watering, but works out to a few thousand pounds per person for a group of 30. Big, boujee hen party, anyone?
For more information get in touch with Goolets
