Croatia's natural beauties and scenic sites are one of the main reasons that travelers from all around the globe choose to spend their sailing holidays exploring its coastline. Among all of these attractions, National and Nature parks stand out as reservoirs of truly unspoiled nature, full of beautiful landscape sites that have almost therapeutic benefits to one's body, mind, and soul.
Croatia has 8 National parks and 11 Nature parks in total. 4 of these protected natural areas are situated in the South Adriatic and can be included in your sailing itinerary.
If you consider yourself a true nature lover or you simply wish to relax and recharge in a true paradise on earth, sailing around the Croatian National and Nature parks might just be the step towards experiencing your dream vacation.
Here are some of our favorite protected areas that are a must-stop for everyone in search of a relaxing and recharging sailing vacation:
- Kornati
The Kornati archipelago is a true labyrinth of islands, islets, and rocks and one of the most indented archipelago in the whole Mediterranean. Due to these reasons, it is a true paradise for sailors and nature lovers among them. The islands’ moonlight rock surface with little vegetation forms a strong contrast with the azure blue sea surrounding them. The spectacular scenery and the abundance of unspoiled natural wonders make this a great choice for your next destination.
- Krka
The National park Krka is situated a bit further from the coast but is still mostly accessible by a sailing boat. The whole area is a true natural gem and a place that shouldn’t be missed. If you decide to visit the Park, the waterfalls “Skradinski Buk” and “Roski”, along with the Franciscan Monastery on Visovac Island are its most famous attractions. Enjoy taking an educational walk on one of the numerous trails, admire the stunning viewpoints, and soak up the beauty of the nature surrounding you.
- Mljet
National park Mljet is situated on the greenest Croatian island with over two-thirds of the island being covered in lush green Mediterranean forests. The most interesting locations are Veliko jezero with the Isle of St. Mary, Malo jezero and the villages of Govedari, Polace, and Pomena. Unspoiled natural beaches, hidden coves, rich underwater life and the vibrant blue color of the surrounding sea will be among your favorite things about this truly magical place.
- Lastovo
Lastovo island is a Croatian Nature park and one of the furthest Croatian islands. The archipelago of exceptional natural beauty also served as a former military base that was closed to tourism and visitors for years. These factors contributed to the preservation of islands nature, securing the authenticity of the existing natural and cultural landscape. Besides wonderful, unspoiled nature and great, authentic food, you can hop off your sailing boat to discover the rich underwater world, explore hidden beaches and coves and find one just for yourself! We are sure that the visit to this natural gem will turn into one that will bring lots of warm memories years after.