Sailing Kvarner: Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Rab by Yacht

Sailing Kvarner means big, wooded islands, short hops between historic island towns and a sea that is usually gentle in summer, but home to the bura, the Adriatic's most violent wind. A typical week from Punat on Krk runs south to Baška and Rab, across to Ilovik, the island of flowers, up through Lošinj's harbours, where bottlenose dolphins live, and home via Cres. Expect four to six hours of sailing a day, with one long leg.

Where to charter a yacht for Kvarner?

Kvarner charter yachts are based at Punat on Krk, a large marina whose boats are listed on the yacht charter Krk page, in Mali Lošinj further south and in Novi Vinodolski on the mainland. You can compare all bases on the Croatia page. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. To sail bareboat you need a licence the charter company accepts (see boat licence in Croatia and the ICC); otherwise hire a skipper or a crewed yacht. You can book charter yachts from local bases on Ship O'Hoi, bareboat or with a skipper.

A 7-day sailing itinerary from Punat (Krk)

The loop below is clockwise, roughly 115 nautical miles. The distances are approximate estimates from the chart, so plan every leg with up-to-date charts and a pilot book. On Saturday you check in at Marina Punat. If there is time before dinner, look at Košljun, the islet in Punat bay with a Franciscan monastery from 1447.

Day 2: Punat to Baška and Supetarska Draga (Rab), approx. 23 nm

Leave Punat bay and follow Krk's south-west coast round the southern tip to Baška (approx. 13 nm). Baška's 1.8 km Vela Plaža is a Blue Flag beach, and a replica of the Baška Tablet, the oldest known document with a Croatian personal name written in Glagolitic script, is in St Lucy's church in nearby Jurandvor. Across the water rises the Velebit range. The sea towards Senj and the Velebit Channel is the sub-Velebit area, where Croatia's weather service says bura blows hardest. After lunch, cross approx. 10 nm south to ACI marina Supetarska Draga on Rab, which is open all year and takes boats up to 18 m. Tip: if you anchor off Baška for a swim, stay outside the beach zone (see the rules below).

Day 3: Supetarska Draga to Rab town, approx. 12 nm

In the morning, visit the Lopar peninsula nearby. Its Paradise Beach (Rajska plaža) has more than a mile of golden sand. Then round Cape Kalifront and sail down Rab's west coast to Rab town, which you will recognise from the sea by its walls and four bell towers. Overnight in ACI marina Rab, which is inside the town harbour and open from 1 April to 31 October. Tip: ACI advises against mooring in the town harbour in strong jugo, so check the forecast before you commit.

Day 4: Rab to Ilovik, approx. 20 nm

This is an open-water crossing of the Kvarnerić to Ilovik, the "island of flowers" south of Lošinj. The channel between Ilovik and the islet of Sveti Petar is an official anchorage (sidrište Ilovik), a special-purpose port run under a county concession with organised moorings, so expect to pay the operator. Tip: arrive early in high season, because the moorings fill up and the ferry pier is for the passenger lines.

Day 5: Ilovik to Veli Lošinj and Mali Lošinj, approx. 16 nm

Sail approx. 5 nm north to Veli Lošinj. The harbour is tiny, but the neighbouring Rovenska harbour has seasonal berths on the outer side of its pier. Blue World's Lošinj Marine Education Centre in Veli Lošinj explains the resident bottlenose dolphins. Then round the southern tip of Lošinj into Mali Lošinj bay (approx. 11 nm). Overnight in Marina Lošinj, which has 100 berths and fuel, or elsewhere in the town harbour. Tip: this is dolphin water, so follow the code of conduct below if you meet a group.

Day 6: Mali Lošinj to Valun and Cres town, approx. 30 nm

This is the long day. Sail north along the west coasts of Lošinj and Cres to Valun, a fishing village on the south side of Valun Bay. The original Valun Tablet, one of the oldest Croatian written records, is built into the wall of the parish church sacristy. Continue approx. 4 nm to Cres town. The approach is through a 400 m wide channel, and you should keep at least 50 m off Cape Melin because of an underwater rock. Overnight in ACI marina Cres, which is open all year and a few minutes' walk from the old town. Tip: leave early. This leg is hard to shorten, so watch the forecast from midweek. If bura is expected on Thursday, head north a day earlier and skip Ilovik or the Veli Lošinj stop.

Day 7: Cres to Krk town and Punat, approx. 14 nm

Cross the Kvarnerić back to Krk, keeping clear of the Valbiska–Merag car ferry, and stop off Krk town. Its old town has a cathedral complex and the Frankopan castle on Kamplin square. Then return to Punat bay and hand the yacht back on Friday evening. Tip: in Cres keep to 5 knots from Cape Kovačine to the marina and 2 knots inside it.

Starting from Mali Lošinj or Novi Vinodolski

From Mali Lošinj you can sail the same loop in the other direction. You can also add the small western islands: Susak (approx. 8 nm), whose limestone is covered by a 10 m layer of sand, and hilly Unije (approx. 11 nm), which has steep cliffs on its western side. Their small harbours mainly serve local boats and the passenger catamaran, so use them as day stops in settled weather. From Novi Vinodolski (Marina Novi, 204 berths), you reach Baška in approx. 12 nm down the Vinodol Channel. That route crosses the bura-exposed sea off Senj, so check the forecast first.

Rules and safety in Kvarner

Bura comes first. The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) says bura is the prevailing wind of the northern Adriatic and is strongest in the sub-Velebit area. It is typical of the colder half of the year, but it can start whenever cold air spills down the coastal mountains. It blows in strong gusts, and single gusts have reached 69 m/s (248 km/h). Jugo is a steady, strong south-easterly. Read the DHMZ marine forecast every morning (it is also available in German). It opens with a Warning section and often names the "foot of Velebit" separately. If a bura warning is out, stay in a sheltered harbour and do not cross the Velebit Channel or the sea off Senj.

• Coastal distances (Narodne novine 52/2025): under way, boats under 15 m must stay at least 50 m from the shore, 15–30 m at least 150 m. Keep to 8 knots within 300 m of the coast, in narrow channels and on approaches to ports and anchorages. See the official regulation.
• Anchoring: do not anchor within 150 m of the shore of a natural beach, or so that you could swing within 50 m of an organised beach's fence. Anchoring is also banned where charts or the harbour master prohibit it and near cables. Do not tie shore lines in a way that damages vegetation.
• Dolphins: the Blue World code of conduct was accepted as an industry standard by the Croatian ministry. Approach slowly from the side, never from behind or head-on. Stay 100 m away at first and never closer than 50 m unless they come to you. Have no more than three boats within 200 m, stay no longer than 30 minutes and put the engine in neutral while they dive. Harassing dolphins is prohibited by Croatian law. The waters around Cres and Lošinj form a Natura 2000 site.
• Griffon vultures: Cres is one of their last habitats. Visit the Beli Visitor Centre in the north of the island by road from Cres town.
• Ferries: Jadrolinija lines criss-cross the area, including Valbiska–Merag, Valbiska–Lopar and the Mali Lošinj–Ilovik–Susak–Unije catamaran. Give them room, especially near harbour entrances.
• Licence: in Croatia you need a recognised licence to drive any rented motorboat or skipper a bareboat yacht, however small the engine. For bareboat you also need a VHF radio certificate. An ICC valid for coastal waters is accepted, and with a hired skipper you need neither. Fees and paperwork are covered in our Croatia sailing rules guide.

Best time to sail Kvarner

The season runs roughly from April/May to October. ACI marina Rab, for example, is open from 1 April to 31 October. Summer brings settled weather with a north-westerly breeze and local land and sea breezes, which makes it the easiest time for a first Kvarner week, although marinas report busy traffic in high summer. Spring and autumn are quieter, but bura becomes more likely as the season turns colder. Keep the plan flexible, and protect the Mali Lošinj–Cres leg, because you need it to get back to Krk.

FAQ

Is Kvarner good for a first sailing holiday in Croatia?

Yes, if you respect the bura. Distances between harbours are short, there are ACI marinas on Rab and Cres, and the Lošinj islands give sheltered options. Check the DHMZ forecast daily and stay in port when a bura warning is out.

Where do I moor on Ilovik?

In the channel between Ilovik and Sveti Petar, which is an official anchorage run under concession with organised moorings. Arrive early in summer.

Can I sail through the Osor bridge between Cres and Lošinj?

Cres and Lošinj are joined by a movable bridge at Osor. Check the opening times locally before planning a route through it. The loop above sails around the islands instead.

Where can I see dolphins in Kvarner?

Bottlenose dolphins live around Cres and Lošinj. Learn about them at the Blue World centre in Veli Lošinj, and follow the code of conduct at sea.

Is Novi Vinodolski a good starting point?

It is a mainland base with Marina Novi. It is close to Krk, but your first and last miles cross the bura-exposed sea towards Senj.

Planning further south? Read our guides to sailing the Zadar archipelago or, to the west, sailing Istria from Pula.