The country has a rich history with ancient ruins, historic buildings and castles. There is an eclectic mix of Roman, Greek, Slavic, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences that inform the architecture and culture. To put all that in perspective, Croatia boasts ten UNESCO-listed sites, from the cities of Split and Dubrovnik to the Plitvice National Park and the primaeval Carpathian beech forests. Zadar and Dubrovnik are known for their beautiful, historic city centres, which are well worth a visit. Discover the Byzantine art and architecture of the Euphrasian Basilica in the historic centre of Poreč or the best-preserved Roman palace in the world, in Split.
The islands are a nature lover’s paradise – the most popular with visitors are Plavnik, Susac and Kornati. Losinj is a great spot for dolphin spotting. There are some incredible beaches to relax on – most are pebbled and very beautiful. One of the best-known is Zlatni Rat – or the Golden Cape, so-called because the end of the beach is always changing thanks to the effects of the wind and sea.
The Ancient Greeks were the first to cultivate vines on the islands of Dalmatia. Two thousand years later, Croatian wine is still produced and there are plenty of varieties to taste and enjoy. As you would expect, fresh seafood is the order of the day, with the freshest fish, oysters, and octopus (a local delicacy) straight from the clear waters of the Adriatic.
As a charter destination, there are thousands of opportunities to drop anchor and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and secluded bays. Or stopover at the many ports and resorts, where you can find excellent restaurants and bars to try the local cuisine before taking in the sights.
The Mediterranean is very biodiverse, with more than 10,000 recorded marine species and new ones being discovered all the time. In the Adriatic, you can see dolphins, sharks (even great whites on occasion), seahorses and turtles, along with schools of barracuda, grouper, tuna, rays and pods of dolphins.
If you enjoy exploring wrecks, Oyster Charter will coordinate the perfect dive with a local dive company. There is a variety to choose from, including the remains of ships from ancient times, two World Wars and the Croatian War of Independence. These include plane wrecks, battleships and other vessels.
With an average of 315 cloudless days each year, Croatia is a great option for yacht charters at almost any time. Peak season runs from April to October, with azure skies and temperatures from 19°C in April and between 25°C and 29°C in mid-summer. The water temperature is between 17°C in April, to 26°C in the summer.
