Split to Dubrovnik in 7 Days: The Day-by-Day Route

Route Overview: Split to Dubrovnik at a Glance

This is a one-way, or "open jaw," charter: pick up in Split, drop off in Dubrovnik. That removes the backtrack that haunts return-loop itineraries, but it comes with a relocation fee of €200–500 depending on the charter company and season. Factor that in early.

The route threads through five distinct islands, each with a different character. Total distance is roughly 120 NM, which works out to 15–25 NM per sailing day. That's 2–5 hours on the water, leaving afternoons free for swimming, exploring, or doing absolutely nothing.

For a full breakdown of what sailing Croatia involves, from visa rules to provisioning, start with our Croatia first-timer's guide. Everything below assumes you've already sorted the basics.

Day 1 , Split → Hvar Town (22 NM)

Check-in at Split's ACI marina runs between 15:00 and 17:00 on Saturday. Most skippers push off by 17:30 to catch the late-afternoon maestral, the local northwest sea breeze that typically runs Force 3–4, for the crossing to Hvar. The 22 NM passage takes roughly 3–4 hours under sail.

Before you leave Split

Provision at Konzum or Lidl on the waterfront side of town. A week's groceries for six people, covering breakfast items, snacks, water, beer, and basics for a few boat meals, runs €250–350. Don't over-buy. You'll find small markets on every island, and you'll want to eat out most evenings.

Where to berth in Hvar

ACI Marina Palmižana sits on Sveti Klement island, a 10-minute water-taxi ride from Hvar Town. It charges around €80–120 per night for a 40 ft yacht in peak season and is quieter than the town quay. If you want to be in the thick of things, try Hvar Town's harbour directly. Arrive before 18:00 or you won't find a spot in July or August. Dinner in the old town runs €20–35 per person at mid-range restaurants.

Day 2 , Hvar → Vis Town (25 NM)

This passage demands respect. You'll cross an open stretch of the Adriatic with no island shelter for about 10 NM. In settled conditions, Force 3–4 from the northwest, it's a comfortable beam reach taking 4–5 hours. In a strong jugo, the southeasterly that builds to Force 5 and above, the seas rise quickly. Less experienced crews should wait a day.

Why Vis is special

Vis was a Yugoslav military base until 1989, closed to foreign visitors for over 40 years. That enforced isolation preserved its character. The island has roughly 3,400 permanent residents and no large resort developments. It feels like the Dalmatian coast did 30 years ago.

Where to eat

Konoba Jastožera in Komiža, which you'll visit tomorrow, is the island's most celebrated restaurant. Lobster pulled from the tank and grilled costs around €50–60 per person with wine. In Vis Town itself, Konoba Vatrica serves excellent peka, the slow-cooked meat-and-vegetable dish prepared under a bell-shaped lid, for €15–20 per person. Book Jastožera at least a day ahead in summer.

Day 3 , Vis: Blue Cave + Komiža (8 NM)

Today is a short-hop day. Motor or sail the 8 NM from Vis Town around the southern tip to Komiža, with a detour to Biševo island's Blue Cave (Modra Špilja).

Timing the Blue Cave

The cave's famous blue light effect is best between 09:00 and 11:00, when the sun strikes the underwater entrance at the right angle. Entry is by small boat only. You cannot sail your yacht in. Official tour boats run from Komiža for about €15 per person return, or bring your dinghy to the cave entrance and pay the €10 entry fee directly. Arrive before 10:00 to get ahead of the catamaran day-trippers from Split.

Komiža

Anchor in the bay, free, good holding on sand in 4–6 m, or take a spot on the town quay if one opens up. Komiža is a working fishing town with a 16th-century tower, a fishing museum, and about a dozen konobas. Walk up to the fortress for the sunset. It's a 15-minute climb and worth every step.

Day 4 , Vis → Korčula Town (30 NM)

This is the longest passage of the week and the one most affected by weather. The 30 NM crossing from Vis to Korčula takes you across open water, where wind can accelerate through the gaps between islands. Allow 5–6 hours. Leave Komiža by 08:00 to reach Korčula Town in time for a late lunch.

Korčula Town

Often called "mini-Dubrovnik," Korčula Town sits on a fortified peninsula with a herringbone street pattern designed, so the locals claim, to channel summer breezes and block winter winds. The cathedral of St. Mark is worth 30 minutes. Marco Polo's alleged birthplace charges €5 entry. Whether he was actually born here remains disputed, but the tower views are real.

Marina options

ACI Marina Korčula has 159 berths and charges €70–100 per night for a 40 ft yacht in high season. It's a 5-minute walk from the old town. Alternatively, anchor in Luka Korčula bay just east of the marina. That's free, but it leaves you exposed to southerlies.

Day 5 , Korčula → Lastovo (25 NM)

Lastovo is Croatia's most remote inhabited island, population around 800. The 25 NM crossing from Korčula involves another open stretch, so check the forecast carefully. A moderate maestral makes this a 4–5 hour sail.

Skrivena Luka

The name means "hidden harbour." It earns it. This deep, narrow inlet on Lastovo's south side is almost invisible from the sea. Anchor in 5–8 m over mud, excellent holding, or pick up one of the mooring buoys. There's no marina, no Wi-Fi signal worth mentioning, and one small konoba that may or may not be open.

The night sky

Lastovo has virtually zero light pollution. In 2023 it was awarded status as one of the few International Dark Sky Communities in the Mediterranean. On a clear night in September, the Milky Way arcs from horizon to horizon. This alone makes the detour worthwhile.

Day 6 , Lastovo → Mljet, Polače (20 NM)

The 20 NM passage from Lastovo to Mljet's northern coast is usually straightforward. Mljet's long, wooded ridgeline provides shelter once you're within 5 NM. Head for Polače, a hamlet with Roman ruins sitting at the entrance to Mljet National Park.

Mljet National Park

Entry costs €15 per person at 2024 prices, typically rising €1–2 each year. The park contains two connected saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero, linked to the sea by a narrow channel. On an island in the larger lake sits a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. An island on a lake on an island. Go.

What to do

Hire bicycles at the park entrance for €5–8 per hour and ride the 9 km loop around the larger lake. Swim in the lakes too. The water runs 2–3°C warmer than the open sea because of the enclosed geography. The park boat to the monastery island runs every 30 minutes and is included in the entry ticket. Return to your yacht in Polače by evening. The three restaurants here are small and close early, so eat by 21:00.

Day 7 , Mljet → Dubrovnik (20 NM)

Your final passage: 20 NM southeast from Polače, rounding Mljet's eastern tip and crossing the Mljet Channel toward Dubrovnik. This stretch can build confused seas when the maestral meets the current. Leave by 08:00. You'll pick up Dubrovnik's walls from about 5 NM out.

ACI Marina Dubrovnik

Located in Komolac, about 6 km northwest of the Old Town. The marina has 380 berths and charges €100–160 per night for a 40 ft yacht in high season. A shuttle runs to the Old Town every 30 minutes for €5 return. The Gruž harbour area also has taxi boats running at €10–15 per trip.

Walking the walls

Dubrovnik's city walls run 1,940 m around the Old Town. Entry is €35 per person at 2024 prices. Go at 08:00 when the gates open, or after 17:00. Midday in July is brutally hot and thick with cruise-ship passengers. Budget 90 minutes for the full circuit.

Charter return is typically by 09:00 the following morning. Check with your charter company whether they allow a final night aboard in the marina.

Practical Planning: Budget and Logistics

Here's what this route actually costs for a crew of six on a skippered 40 ft catamaran in high season. All figures are July–August 2025 estimates.

That works out to roughly €125–190 per person per day, all in. For a comparison with hotel-based holidays, see our charter cost breakdown for 2026 and the yacht vs hotel comparison.

Provisioning tips

Buy in Split where prices are lowest. Konzum and Lidl are both within 800 m of ACI Marina Split. On the islands, Studenac minimarkets carry basics at 20–40% markups. Bring a reusable water jerrycan. Marina water is safe to drink but tastes of chlorine, so fill it with bottled water from the supermarket before you leave.

Weather forecasts

Use the Croatian Meteorological Service (DHMZ) marine forecast, updated four times daily. WindFinder and PredictWind are reliable for 3-day windows. Your skipper will check these every morning, but knowing how to read them yourself builds confidence. For packing advice tailored to Adriatic conditions, see our complete packing list.

What If the Weather Changes: Plan B for Each Passage

The Adriatic is mostly benign from June to September, but the bora can arrive at 03:00 without warning, and the jugo, a warm southeasterly, can both disrupt plans. Here's your backup for each tricky segment.

Day 2: Hvar → Vis (open crossing)

If winds exceed Force 5, skip the crossing and sail south along Hvar's sheltered coast to Stari Grad instead. This medieval town has a deep, well-protected bay and a UNESCO-listed Greek agricultural plain. You can attempt the Vis crossing the following morning when winds typically ease.

Day 4: Vis → Korčula (longest passage)

In strong southerlies, break this into two legs. Sail northeast from Komiža to Hvar's south coast (10 NM), shelter overnight, then cross to Korčula the next day (15 NM) using the island chain as a windbreak. You'll lose a day but arrive in one piece.

Day 5: Korčula → Lastovo (exposed crossing)

Lastovo is the most expendable stop if weather forces a schedule change. Skip it entirely and sail directly from Korčula to Mljet (18 NM), a shorter passage through the sheltered Pelješac Channel. You'll miss Lastovo's dark skies but keep Mljet National Park in your itinerary.

Day 7: Mljet → Dubrovnik (channel crossing)

This is the one passage you cannot skip. You need to reach Dubrovnik for charter return. If conditions look rough, leave at first light, around 05:30 in summer, when winds are at their lightest. The Mljet Channel is narrower than it appears on charts and funnels wind efficiently. Expect gusts running 5–10 knots above the forecast. Your skipper will know this already.

For broader context on the Dalmatian coast and alternative routes, read our complete Dalmatian coast guide.