A sailing yacht charter from Venice opens the northern Adriatic, one of the Mediterranean’s most underrated sailing grounds, with reliable thermal breezes in summer and a string of natural harbours along the Istrian and Dalmatian coast. The Bora, a cold north-easterly, defines autumn and winter sailing, but summer is typically governed by the Maestrale from the north-west and gentler sea breezes that build through the afternoon. Seven sailing yachts in the fleet operate in Italian waters, ranging from performance cruisers to classic-rigged ketches.
Sailing yachts in Venice cover a range from around 20 to 50 metres. Smaller sailing boats suit the sheltered passages between the Venetian Lagoon and the Istrian coast; larger yachts give you the range and comfort for a week-long passage south towards Dubrovnik. Crew typically includes a captain and two deck hands, with a chef on the larger vessels.
Weekly rates for sailing yachts in this region start from around 15,000 euros for a compact 20-metre catamaran and rise to 120,000 euros for a 50-metre performance ketch. Budget an additional 30 percent for the advance provisioning allowance: fuel, food, berthing and port fees. Demand peaks in July and August, when the Adriatic coast is at its most vibrant and anchorages need to be planned in advance.
From Venice, a sailing itinerary typically follows the Istrian coast to Rovinj, Pula and then down to the Kornati islands, returning north via Zadar and the island of Pag, where the karst landscape shifts from Croatian green to near-lunar white limestone.
