Cruising Croatia

[gmsecker]

We are thinking of cruising the Croatian coast next season, but have heard a number of accounts of high charges and of unfriendly (or worse) reception. Are these isolated experiences/bad luck, or have, as one skipper put it, many of the operators become greedy and off-hand?

Has anyone had recent experience of this cruising ground?


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[davidbains]

I think the main problem nowadays is overwork in high season rather than real unfriendliness.
We were treated very brusquely in one shop only last season, and most encounters with the locals were fine. It's not in their interest to alienate the tourists who provide their income. In fact last August Hvar and Korcula were much quieter than previous years thankfully, possibly due to price increases, which makes it easier to moor and eat out. Just be careful what you order. We find for every overpriced fashionable restaurant there's often a cheaper one taking the overflow not far away. And when passagemaking it costs nothing to anchor and eat onboard.
I'm sure it helps to smile and not treat the locals as servants which must really raise hackles among a proud people. There are plenty of anchorages where only modest or no charges are made. Anchoring off Trogir is very convenient for crew changes via Split airport. We found after three nights we were getting a "special deal". Don't expect to use a restaurant buoy unless you intend to eat at the relevant establishment. I presume you've found Lucian Comoy's website
comoy.com

 

[All_at_Sea]

You will probably be better off posting this in the 'liveaboard' section as there are many forumites with boats out there as we speak, with vast local knowledge?

 

[mocruising]

We spent three months last season from Dubrovnik to Zadar and all the offshore islands between. It was just too over crowded in July and August. The people were friendly enough but we did face some problems. Its what mass tourism does to people I think. We had planned to cruise the northern part this year but will go to Greece instead.

 

[Swagman]

We only spent a month cruising there this year and had receipted the same advice before we went. Pleased to say we found the advice misguided - nice welcoming people - superb clean water - beaut anchorages. But the tourist traps of Spilt, Hvar, Dubrovnik etc whilst worth visiting were crowded and busy.
Got lots of pictures and daily note on our blog so if it helps check out last July.
Cheers
JOHN

 

[gmsecker]

Many thanks for all your responses - enlightening and really useful.

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