Istria is one of the finest home ports on the Adriatic. But once you have a boat bobbing in Pula harbour, the temptation to push south — past the Kvarner islands, through Dalmatia, all the way to the old city walls of Dubrovnik — becomes irresistible. This is a complete 30-day cruising itinerary designed to do exactly that, returning home in time for the height of summer.

The route covers roughly 800 nautical miles in total, keeping all legs under 65 nm to allow comfortable economical cruising. Refuelling stops are planned at Split and Dubrovnik, with a final top-up at Zadar on the return leg. Departure: June 10. Return: July 10.

The Route at a Glance

Days	Destination	Distance	Highlights
1–2	Rovinj	~20 nm	Venetian old town, seafood, picturesque harbour
3–4	Mali Lošinj	~55 nm via Brijuni	Pine-scented Kvarner island, swim stop at Brijuni NP
5–6	Zadar	~55 nm via Silba	Sea Organ, Roman ruins, best sunsets on the Adriatic
7–8	Kornati NP	~35 nm	89 uninhabited islands, two nights at anchor
9–10	Šibenik	~30 nm	UNESCO cathedral, day trip to Krka waterfalls
11–12	Trogir	~40 nm via Primošten	UNESCO medieval island town, Primošten lunch stop
13–15	Split ⛽	~12 nm	Diocletian’s Palace, 3 nights, refuel here
16–17	Vis	~28 nm	Remote island, Blue Cave day trip to Biševo
18–19	Hvar	~25 nm	Lavender fields, Pakleni Islands, Adriatic glamour
20–21	Korčula	~40 nm	Walled medieval town, Marco Polo birthplace, Pošip wine
22–23	Mljet NP	~25 nm	Saltwater lakes, island monastery, total serenity
24–26	Dubrovnik ⛽	~30 nm	City walls, Game of Thrones locations, 3 nights, refuel at Gruž
27–30	Return to Pula	~200 nm	Via Korčula, Hvar, Split, Trogir, Zadar (final fuel stop)

Southbound: Day by Day

Days 1–2: Pula → Rovinj (~20 nm)

The trip begins gently. Rovinj is just 20 nautical miles down the Istrian coast — close enough to ease into cruising life, beautiful enough to deserve two nights. Tie up in the town harbour and spend your evenings in the cobbled streets of the old peninsula, eating grilled fish and drinking Malvazija as the sun melts into the Adriatic.

Days 3–4: Rovinj → Mali Lošinj (~55 nm via Brijuni NP)

Head south past the Brijuni archipelago for a morning swim and a walk among the peacocks and Roman ruins of what was once Tito’s private island retreat. Then continue into the Kvarner Gulf to Mali Lošinj — a fragrant, pine-covered island town with one of the most beautiful harbours on the Croatian coast.

Days 5–6: Mali Lošinj → Zadar (~55 nm via Silba)

Drop anchor at Silba for a lunch stop on this car-free island with pristine beaches and zero tourist infrastructure — a hidden gem even by Croatian standards. Then push on to Zadar, where the Sea Organ plays music with the waves and the sunset is among the finest in Europe.

Days 7–8: Zadar → Kornati National Park (~35 nm)

This is where the Adriatic reveals its most dramatic face. Kornati National Park comprises 89 mostly uninhabited islands, with sheer limestone cliffs dropping into crystal-clear water. Anchor in the turquoise lagoon of Lojena Bay on Levrnaka island, where a traditional konoba serves fresh fish to visiting boaters. Two nights at anchor; engines mostly off.

Days 9–10: Kornati → Šibenik (~30 nm)

Šibenik is one of Dalmatia’s most underrated cities. Its UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James took over a century to build. From the marina at Mandalina, a boat taxi runs directly to Krka National Park — skip the tour bus crowds and arrive by water.

Days 11–12: Šibenik → Trogir (~40 nm via Primošten)

Stop for lunch at Primošten, a gorgeous hilltop village connected to the mainland by a causeway. Continue to Trogir — another UNESCO old town on a tiny island, with a Venetian loggia and cathedral tower you can climb for views over the channel.

Days 13–15: Trogir → Split (~12 nm) — Refuel Here

Split needs three nights. Diocletian’s Palace is not a ruin visited on a tour — it’s a living city where people hang laundry from windows that are 1,700 years old. Moor at ACI Marina Split, walk through the Golden Gate, eat in the palace cellars, and stay late. Refuel for the island legs ahead.

Days 16–17: Split → Vis (~28 nm)

Vis is Croatia’s most remote inhabited island — historically off-limits as a military base, it missed the tourist development that changed its neighbours. Take a day trip to the Blue Cave on the islet of Biševo, one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena on the Adriatic.

Days 18–19: Vis → Hvar (~25 nm)

Hvar is glamorous. The old town harbour is lined with yachts, the fortress above town looks down on fields of lavender, and the Pakleni Islands just offshore offer secluded swimming coves accessible by dinghy.

Days 20–21: Hvar → Korčula (~40 nm)

Korčula’s walled old town occupies a wooded peninsula jutting into the sea like a miniature Dubrovnik. It claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Whether or not that’s true, the local Pošip white wine is very much real, and very good.

Days 22–23: Korčula → Mljet National Park (~25 nm)

Mljet is Croatia’s greenest and most peaceful island. The national park contains two saltwater lakes, and at the centre of the larger lake sits a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on a tiny islet. Anchor in Polače bay, rent a bicycle, and let the world slow down.

Days 24–26: Mljet → Dubrovnik (~30 nm) — Refuel at Gruž

Moor at Gruž harbour and take the water taxi into the old city. Walk the city walls at dawn before the cruise ship passengers arrive. Visit Lokrum island. Take the cable car to Mount Srđ. Refuel at Gruž for the return leg north.

The Return: Days 27–30

The northbound return covers the same coastline at a faster pace. Overnight stops at Hvar, Trogir, and Zadar — where you top up for the final 100 nm run home — before an early morning departure arriving back in Pula mid-afternoon on July 10.

Fuel Planning

For a twin-engine boat cruising economically at 22 knots, expect around 4 litres per nautical mile. With 800 nm total, the full month requires approximately 3,200 litres across three refuelling stops: Split (Day 13), Dubrovnik/Gruž (Day 24), and Zadar (Day 29). No leg on this itinerary exceeds 65 nm — you’ll always arrive with a healthy reserve.

Timing Tips

June 10 to July 10 is ideal timing — warm, dry, and just ahead of the peak crowds that descend in mid-July. Book marinas at Split and Dubrovnik well in advance; both fill fast for the season.

Based in Pula and planning a long cruise? This itinerary is designed to make the most of Istria’s perfect central position on the Adriatic. The whole coast is your backyard.

Planning your Istrian adventure? Check out our Things to Do in Istria or browse our Complete Istria Travel Guide.