Sailing trips

Family Sailing Holidays in Croatia – Safe & Fun Adventures

Planning family sailing holidays in Croatia where everyone—from adventurous teens to laid-back parents—can disconnect from screens, reconnect with nature, and explore together? A family sailing holidays in Croatia offers all that and more.

With short sailing distances, calm seas, sun-drenched islands, and professional skippers who handle the hard part, Croatia is one of the best destinations in Europe for Family Sailing Holidays in Croatia. If your children can swim and love the outdoors, this will be a holiday you’ll talk about for years.

Why Croatia Is Ideal for Family Sailing Holidays

Croatia’s Adriatic coastline is dotted with over 1,000 islands, offering endless possibilities for exploration. Its sailing conditions are perfect for beginners and families:

Calm summer winds and predictable weather
Short hops between destinations (1–3 hours max)
Sheltered bays perfect for swimming and paddleboarding
Charming harbours and seaside towns for evening walks

🧭 No sailing experience needed. With a skippered yacht charter, your only job is to relax and enjoy the view.

Life Onboard: Safe, Comfortable, and Fun

Families love sailing Croatia because it combines freedom with structure. Each day brings something new: a quiet cove to swim in, a seaside village to explore, or a hidden bay to anchor under the stars.

Here’s what a typical day might look like:

Morning sail to a nearby island (1–2 hours)
Midday swim stop in a turquoise bay
Lunch onboard or ashore in a local konoba
Afternoon paddleboarding or short hike
Dinner at anchor or in a harbour village

Kids (and adults) quickly adapt to the rhythm of life on the water—barefoot, sun-kissed, and screen-free. Family sailing holidays in Croatia are the perfect way to explore the stunning Island while entertaining the kids with swimming, paddle boarding and snorkelling.

What Makes a Skippered Sailing Holiday Ideal for Families?

Hiring a yacht with a professional skipper is the best way to explore Croatia’s islands safely and easily.

Benefits for families include:

No sailing license required
Skipper handles navigation, safety, docking, and daily planning
Local knowledge = the best hidden bays and quiet anchorages
Parents can relax while the skipper takes care of the logistics
Kids can help with sailing or just enjoy the ride

💡 Mark and Bernice speak Dutch and English and are great with kids. They know when to lead and when to give your family space. We make your family sailing holidays in Croatia a lifetime experience.

For Kids Who Love the Water

At GoXperience, we welcome families with children who can swim. That’s because most of the fun happens in and around the sea:

Swimming off the back of the boat
Snorkeling in clear water with schools of fish
Paddleboarding along the coast
Cliff jumping (for the brave!)
Exploring caves and hidden beaches

Recommended Family-Friendly Sailing Routes during your Family Sailing Holidays in Croatia

Here are 3 of our most popular sailing routes for active families:

⚓ Split – Brač – Hvar – Vis – Šolta

A mix of lively towns, peaceful anchorages, and stunning nature
Best for first-time sailors who want variety

⚓ Trogir – Blue Lagoon – Maslinica – Milna

Shorter distances = more time in the water
Ideal for younger swimmers or families with limited experience

⚓ Zadar – Kornati National Park – Dugi Otok

For families who love off-the-grid nature and scenic landscapes
Includes hiking, snorkeling, and quiet nights

All routes are flexible and tailored by your skipper based on the weather and your family’s pace.

What to Bring for a Family Sailing Holiday

To keep things simple and comfortable, we recommend packing:

Soft bags (no hard suitcases)
Quick-dry clothes and swimwear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Snorkel gear and water shoes
Dry bags for dinghy trips
Lightweight games or waterproof cards
A GoPro or waterproof phone case for capturing memories

What Other Families Say

This seven day trip to three islands and six unique locations was the perfect vacation for our family of two adults and two older teen boys – Ann – USA

Dear Mark and Bernice,
We feel so privileged to have been able to sail with you, to share in your passion for sailing and your love for Croatia… thank you for an amazing week!!!
Greetings from the airport, with a big smile and also a touch of melancholy xx – Katleen – Belgium

More reviews here on Google and Facebook

When to Go: Best Time for Family Sailing Holidays in Croatia

The best months for active family sailing holidays in Croatia are:

Late May to early July: warm weather, quieter anchorages
September: warm seas, fewer crowds, excellent value

Avoid mid-July to mid-August if you prefer less crowded towns and marinas. We do have special family packages in the summer holiday season check here for availability

Your Floating Home: Meet our sailing yacht Gib’Sea 51 named GoX

Your family will be sailing on a Gib’Sea 51, a spacious 51-foot sailing yacht designed for comfort, safety, and fun. This boat is perfect for active families, offering:

4 double guest cabins with room for up to 8 guests
Private ensuite bathrooms (yes, with showers!)
A generous salon and galley for shared meals and downtime
A large cockpit with shaded seating area
Wide decks and easy swim access at the stern

There’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out—whether reading a book, jumping in the sea, or helping hoist a sail.

And yes, there’s even a Bluetooth speaker on board for your favorite playlists at sunset.

💡 The Gib’Sea 51 is especially popular with families for its layout, safety, and stability—and she sails beautifully.

For a interior walk around inside sailing yacht GoX see this video on YouTube

Easy Arrival: Just 15 Minutes from Split Airport

GoXperience trips depart from Marina Kaštela, just 15 minutes by car from Split International Airport (SPU). This makes arrival and departure a breeze—no long transfers, no extra ferries. Take a taxi, uber or arrive by bus. Take bus 37 which stops at the front of the marina

You can land in the morning and be on deck with a cold drink by the afternoon.

The marina is:

Clean and modern
Easy to navigate with children and luggage
Well-stocked with shops and a small supermarket
Surrounded by local restaurants and coffee bars
Ideal for the start and end destination of your trip

🧳 You don’t need a car rental. We’ll help you arrange a transfer from the airport to the boat if needed.

Nearby Sights Worth Visiting

Before or after your sailing week, it’s worth spending a day or two exploring the area around Marina Kaštela:

Trogir – A UNESCO World Heritage old town just 15 minutes away. Think cobbled streets, stone houses, and waterfront cafés.
Split – The Roman-built city with Diocletian’s Palace, vibrant food markets, and Riva promenade. A great spot to end your trip. When weather doesn’t cooperate the Mall of Split is nearby for a proper shopping spree.
Klis Fortress – A panoramic mountaintop fortress made famous by Game of Thrones. A hit with teens and history lovers.
Kastela – Explore the hidden beauty of the kastela coast line, go for a swim and drink in the beachbar at walking distance from the Marina

If your flight arrives early or departs late, these nearby attractions make great stopovers.

Local Flavours: Eat Like a Dalmatian

Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is a food-lover’s dream, even for picky eaters.

Onboard, you can cook together with local ingredients, we take care of all the onboard meals. But don’t miss the chance to eat ashore (not included) but highly recommended:

Fresh seafood: grilled octopus, sea bass, black risotto
Island wines and olive oils
Peka: a traditional dish cooked under a bell-shaped lid over fire
Ice cream and pastries for dessert (available in every port)

Whether you stop in a lively harbour or quiet bay, there’s always something local to taste.

All of This, Every Day with family sailing holidays in Croatia

The combination of:

A spacious, family-friendly yacht
Easy access from the airport
Hand-picked routes
Kid-friendly activities
Fresh local food

…makes Croatia one of the most complete and effortless family sailing destinations in the world.

About GOXPERIENCE Sailing

At GOXPERIENCE Sailing, we don’t just write about exploring Croatia — we live it every day. As a professional skipper-host couple with years of sailing and hospitality experience, we take guests to the very places we describe in our guides: hidden bays, island towns, crystal-clear waters, and unforgettable local spots. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends or family, you can join us aboard our comfortable 51ft sailing yacht for an all-inclusive, small-group or private adventure. Situated in Marina Kastela, 20 min from Split Airport, this is the best starting point for your sailing adventure. If the blog inspired you, you can experience it with us in real life. If the blog inspired you, you can experience it with us in real life.

Ready to Go Sailing With Your Family?

Croatia is one of the best destinations in Europe for a family sailing holiday. Safe, sunny, and packed with adventure—your floating home is waiting. Family sailing holidays in Croatia will create memories which will last a lifetime! See our current GOXPERIENCE sailing weeks and availability