Dubrovnik Sailing Itinerary

“Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik.” — George Bernard Shaw, who knew a thing or two about settings. The walled city is the headline; but the Adriatic coast that fans out from it — the Elafiti chain, the wooded national park of Mljet, the medieval streets of Korčula, and the wild bays of Lastovo — is the real reason to charter from here.

Southern Dalmatia is one of the gentlest sailing grounds in the Mediterranean. The Maestral, a reliable NW thermal, fills in through the afternoon at a comfortable 10–15 knots; mornings are flat-calm and perfect for shorter passages. The whole archipelago sits in line-of-sight distance — no overnight passages, no exposed channels — and every island has at least one konoba serving Dalmatian peka and Dingač.

Our seven-day itinerary leaves from ACI Marina Dubrovnik, runs north through the Pelješac peninsula and the Lastovo channel, takes a full day at anchor under Mljet's pine forests, and circles back via Šipan and the Elafiti Islands to end where it started — the limestone walls glowing in the setting sun as you turn back into the harbour.

1. Day 1

   Dubrovnik → Kobaš (Pelješac)

   16 NM

   Provisioning at Konzum in Dubrovnik, briefing at ACI Marina, then a short afternoon sail northwest under the Pelješac peninsula to Kobaš — a deep, sheltered bay on the south coast of Pelješac. A handful of konobas serve fresh fish off the boat; the bay's protected on three sides, ideal for the first night aboard before the longer hops begin.

   SailChecker Tip

   Provision heavily in Dubrovnik — the Pelješac village stores are charming but small.

   Overnight: Kobaš Bay, Pelješac peninsula — anchor or pick up a buoy

2. Day 2

   Kobaš → Sobra (Mljet)

   14 NM

   Short sail across the Mljet Channel to Sobra, the main port on Mljet's eastern half. Sobra sits outside the National Park (which covers the western third of the island), with a small village, a couple of konobas, and easy access to the wooded interior. From here you can rent a scooter or e-bike and ride the spine of the island to the National Park lakes for the day.

   Overnight: Sobra harbour, Mljet — town quay or anchor outside

3. Day 3

   Sobra → Korčula Old Town

   18 NM

   Sail north under the Pelješac peninsula to Korčula — Marco Polo's birthplace, a miniature Dubrovnik with a herringbone street plan engineered to break the bora. The town quay is in the heart of the old town; ACI Marina is across the channel with shoreside facilities. Walk the walls at golden hour, eat at Filippi or LD Restaurant, and try to catch the moreška sword dance if it's a Monday or Thursday in summer.

   Overnight: ACI Marina Korčula or Old Town town quay

4. Day 4

   Korčula → Zaklopatica (Lastovo)

   12 NM

   South-west across the Lastovo Channel to one of the quietest islands in the Adriatic — Lastovo is part of a marine reserve and the population is tiny. Zaklopatica is a deep, almost circular bay on the north coast. Three konobas line the shore (Augusta Insula, Triton, Maslina) and each lays free mooring lines on the condition you eat with them. Order the lobster spaghetti at Triton; book ahead in July/August.

   SailChecker Tip

   Approach Zaklopatica only in daylight — the entrance is narrow and the rocks on the east side are unmarked.

   Overnight: Zaklopatica Bay, Lastovo — mooring buoys at the konobas

5. Day 5

   Lastovo → Polače (Mljet)

   20 NM

   Back across the channel to the eastern end of Mljet. Polače Bay is sheltered by four small islands at its mouth — Roman senators built a palace here in the 5th century and the ruins still stand at the head of the bay. Walk over the ridge to Veliko Jezero (a different access point from Pomena), swim in water that's 4°C warmer than the open sea, then dinner ashore at Stella Maris or Hotel Odisej.

   Overnight: Polače Bay, Mljet — anchor or NP mooring

6. Day 6

   Polače → Šipan

   16 NM

   Easy sail back into the Elafiti chain. Šipan is the largest of the Elafiti Islands and was the summer retreat of Dubrovnik's medieval nobility — there are 34 Renaissance villas across the island, most of them in ruins, some restored. Anchor in Šipanska Luka (the northern harbour) or pick up a mooring at the village. Konoba Kod Marka serves the local fresh catch with island olive oil.

   SailChecker Tip

   If the wind's right, sail under the Mali Ston bridge into Mali Ston Bay for a stop at one of the oyster farms — Croatia's best oysters come from this brackish channel.

   Overnight: Šipanska Luka — town quay or anchor

7. Day 7

   Šipan → Dubrovnik

   15 NM

   Morning sail back through the Elafiti — Lopud and Koločep on your right, the Dubrovnik mainland on your left. Last lunch at anchor off Sveti Jakov beach with the walls of Dubrovnik on the horizon. Drop off the boat by 16:00; if you're staying ashore that night, walk the city walls at sunset — there is no Adriatic moment more famous than this one.

   Overnight: ACI Marina Dubrovnik