Sailing and Paddle Boarding in Croatia: Our Week on the Water
We spent a week sailing and stand up paddle boarding in Croatia and had so much fun. There were eight of us from two families on a 45-foot double-hull catamaran, with a skipper and a cook, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. We were not sharing the boat with strangers.
Our trip included Split, Hvar, Korčula, Lastovo, Stari Grad and Vis. This is a personal trip archive, not a current charter listing or a promise about the route on another sailing trip.
Pack for the Boat and Time Ashore
The biggest wardrobe difference is between a day anchored for swimming and a stop for lunch or dinner. Keep a swimsuit, a simple cover-up and a dry outfit easy to reach. I would build the shore outfit around a light dress or shorts and a top, then choose shoes for the walk you actually plan to take.
A layer belongs in the bag even on a summer itinerary. Ask the charter operator about deck footwear, luggage space, towels and laundry before packing. Check the forecast for the places and dates on your own trip instead of using the weather from our week as a guide.
Paddle Boarding Is a Separate Activity
A pretty sailing outfit is not a safety checklist for a paddle-board session. Follow your operator’s advice on the conditions, equipment and what to wear. Keep the shopping picks separate from the activity briefing, and leave valuable jewelry somewhere dry.
Swimwear, Shoes and Small Essentials to Browse
This post contains affiliate links; I may earn a commission if you shop through them. The current picks below are options to browse, not products I have confirmed wearing on the original trip.
Hunter Bell Underwire One Piece
The Coastal Conversation print is an option for a swim-focused wardrobe. Check the underwire fit and size guide before choosing. This is a current option to browse, not the swimsuit from my original trip. Shop the Hunter Bell underwire one piece.
Sperry Gold Cup Authentic Original 2 Eye Nubuck Boat Shoes
A lace-up boat-shoe option with a cowhide upper and rubber sole. Ask your charter operator what footwear is allowed on deck. These are not water shoes or a substitute for footwear with grip suited to rocky shore walks. Shop the Sperry Gold Cup boat shoes.
Pelican Marine Waterproof 2L Dry Bag
A small bag to browse for essentials during a boat or beach day. Check the capacity, closure instructions and manufacturer limits before putting valuables inside. It is not a guarantee against water damage. Shop the Pelican 2L dry bag.
Project Reef SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick
A stick format to browse for your beach bag. Read the label for application, reapplication and water-resistance directions. A hat and shade still belong in the plan; this is not a promise that one application covers your whole day. Shop the Project Reef SPF 50 stick.
Photo credit: Hunter Bell
Photo credit: Sperry
Photo credit: Pelican
Photo credit: Project Reef
A Hat for Time Ashore
A wide-brim hat can be useful for a calm beach day or time ashore. Check the fit, and do not count on a loose straw hat staying put in wind or on a moving boat.
Make a Small Daily Kit
Before leaving the boat, check that you have a dry layer, sun protection and whatever you need for the actual shore stop. Keep your phone and travel documents protected according to the bag’s instructions rather than relying on an open straw tote near water. Do not assume Wi-Fi or laundry will be available at every stop.
More Outfit and Packing Ideas
- Top 5 Things to Wear for Sailing in Croatia
- Turquoise Oceans Dresses and Swimsuits
- Explore Carpenteria Tidepools in Los Angeles Heatwave
