But what about the marinas? How does the infrastructure cope with so many ships sailing the Croatian coast?

In this blog, we bring you the advantages and disadvantages of marina offerings in Croatia.

Croatia has more than 50 marinas, evenly distributed along its coastline. Very high concentration of these marinas can be found in Dalmatia and the Kvarner region.

In addition to ACI marinas, there are also other privately-owned marinas about which we will talk about later in this blog.

Overall, marinas in Croatia continuously invest in improving and expanding their facilities to meet the modern needs and expectations of nautical guests. However, there is a space for improvement.

We asked an expert from the nautical sector, Selma Čmelik, for an opinion on the state of nautical tourism and marinas in Croatia. As a founder and editor-in-chief of charter.hr, a unique platform for nautical charter tourism in Croatia, she was our first “go-to” instance.

“Generally speaking, the number of marinas in Croatia, considering the number of boats and the demand, is too small. We certainly need more marinas.

However, the problem is the lack of additional amenities such as shops with a more luxurious brand offering or entertainment facilities. This results in marinas not providing value for money, which is a significant issue in Croatia.

Additionally, marinas in Croatia lack proper infrastructure for sewage tanks, which is currently a pressing problem”, says Čmelik.

Olive Island Marina, Ugljan

Croatian marinas are categorized according to the Regulations on the Classification and Categorization of Nautical Tourism Ports.

The most recognizable category is the marina – “a specially built and arranged sea or water space with a shoreline”.

Marinas offers berth services, accommodation for tourists on boats, and a supply of food and beverages. They also provide additional amenities for a pleasant stay at sea.

• Nautical anchorage – provides space equipped for safe anchoring of vessels, but usually without permanent berths or additional services.

 • Nautical docking – offers a basic infrastructure for mooring vessels, with a minimal level of additional amenities.

• Storage areas for vessels – are designed for the safe storage of vessels that are not in use.

• Dry marina – includes land-based space for storing vessels out of the water, often with transport and maintenance services.

Additionally, marinas in Croatia are grouped based on the quality of services and facilities. This categorization uses a classification system similar to the hotel industry, with ratings from two to five anchors. This system allows sailors to easily choose a port or marina that best suits their needs. They can opt for basic services or a luxury experience.

According to a 2023 study, the highest number of vessels in transit that used sea berths was in the Split-Dalmatia and Šibenik-Knin counties. Zadar County also stands out as an exceptionally attractive destination for sailors.

This marina, located in Sukošan, near Zadar, is the largest marina on the Adriatic coast. With a capacity of 1,036 berths, including those for superyachts up to 70 meters at the transit dock, this marina accommodates vessels of all sizes. D-Marin Dalmacija can accommodate boats with a draft of up to 6 meters. It provides facilities for all sailors, ensuring safe and comfortable anchorage.

According to sailors’ preferences and expert evaluations, the following marinas also stand out: Marina Punat on the island of Krk, ACI Marina Rovinj, and Marina Frapa Rogoznica. All three of these marinas were awarded for their excellence in this year’s Days of Croatian Tourism.

Marina is situated on the island of Krk, the closest island to Central and Western Europe. It is easily accessible thanks to its direct connection to the mainland via a bridge which makes it an ideal choice for sailors who want to sail often. Also, it is nestled in a well-protected bay and it has a superb security system.

Another Marina situated in the eastern part of the Croatian coast is ACI Marina Rovinj. The marina offers a stunning view of the old town and provides top-notch amenities for its guests. Also, the marina is equipped with devices for discharging fecal and oily waters, as stated on their website.

Finally, Marina Frapa Rogoznica is situated in the central part of sunny Dalmatia, in Rogoznica County. This marina was awarded 15 times as the best Croatian marina and this year it got another award – the silver Nautical Sail Award. Marina Frapa has 462 fully equipped berths in the sea and 150 berths on dry dock. There you can also enjoy in their hotel resort as well as local and international gastronomical delicacies.

There is another interesting Croatian marina worth mentioning that is currently under construction. This marina is situated in a charming little place between Zadar and Šibenik, Sv. Filip i Jakov. It will have 127 berths for boats under 12 meters as well as external berths for larger ships.

If you need help in finding a property by the sea that will allow you to enjoy sailing activities, contact us, and we will help you find the one!