Croatia cruise guide
By Jason Carter, Sea Sun Vacations · October 27, 2026 · 19 minute read
A Split to Dubrovnik cruise is the most popular way to see the Croatian coast, and for good reason. In about a week, a yacht cruise can sail past or stop at Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet and the Pelješac peninsula, with a night in a different harbor town each evening. The same trip works just as well in the other direction, from Dubrovnik to Split.
To book this route, see Sea Sun’s private yacht cruises in Croatia.
This guide explains the ways to travel between Split and Dubrovnik by sea, the islands in between, how one-way and round-trip cruises compare, and how to choose the right cruise for you. It is part of our guide to small ship cruises in Croatia.
We are Sea Sun Vacations, a travel agency in Canton, Georgia, and our 18-cabin yacht sails this stretch of coast every season, in both directions. Read more about Jason Carter and Sea Sun Vacations.
IN THIS GUIDE
01The ways to travel from Split to Dubrovnik by sea02The islands between Split and Dubrovnik03Sea Sun's Split to Dubrovnik route04Dubrovnik to Split: sailing the other way05One-way or round-trip?06What a cruise on Sea Sun's yacht includes07How to choose the right Split to Dubrovnik cruise08Shore tours and excursions along the route09Stari Grad or Hvar Town?10Croatia travel essentials for your cruise11Who a Split to Dubrovnik cruise suits12When to cruise from Split to Dubrovnik13Getting to Split and home from Dubrovnik14How cruises on this route compare on price
The ways to travel from Split to Dubrovnik by sea
There are five main ways to travel between Split and Dubrovnik on the water. They are very different trips.
| Way to travel | Time | Nights on board | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry or catamaran ferry | Several hours, in one day | None | Public transport, with short stops at islands along the way |
| Large cruise ship | Usually a single port call in each city | Many, but mostly elsewhere in the Mediterranean | Split and Dubrovnik as day stops on a longer cruise |
| Sailing tour | About a week | Seven | Compact boats, young travelers, cabins shared or compact |
| Small ship cruise | About a week | Seven | 20 to 40 guests, private cabins, a full crew and a set itinerary |
| Private yacht charter | About a week | Seven | A whole yacht for your group, with the route planned around you |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Fast ferries
In summer, fast passenger catamarans run between Split and Dubrovnik, with short stops at islands such as Hvar, Korčula and Mljet. They are cheap and quick, and they are a good way to travel if you are staying in hotels. They are transport, not a cruise. You see the islands from the window, and nobody looks after your bags.
Large cruise ships
Many large cruise ships call at Split or Dubrovnik on longer Mediterranean cruises. You get a day in each city, usually alongside thousands of other passengers. You do not see the islands in between, and you leave each port before the evening.
Sailing tours
Sailing tours and adventure cruises on compact boats are popular with younger travelers. They are sociable and lively, often with nights out in Hvar Town and Split. Cabins are usually tight, and some boats share bathrooms.
Small ship cruises
A small ship cruise carries 20 to 40 guests on a larger yacht, often called a mini cruiser in Croatia. Each cabin has its own bathroom, a full crew runs the ship, and the yacht spends the nights in harbor towns along the route.
Private yacht charters
On a private charter, one group books the whole yacht. On Sea Sun’s 18-cabin yacht, that means up to 36 guests, with the route planned around the group.
The islands between Split and Dubrovnik
The stretch of coast between Split and Dubrovnik is the heart of Dalmatia. These are the islands and harbors a week-long cruise in Croatia usually visits.
Brač
Brač is the closest large island to Split. Its south coast has Bol and Zlatni Rat, the long pebble beach that changes shape with the wind and the current. The island is also famous for its white stone, quarried for buildings across Croatia and beyond. A trail from Bol climbs to Vidova Gora, the highest point on any Adriatic island.
Hvar
Hvar is the island most travelers have heard of. Hvar Town is lively, with a busy harbor, a hilltop fortress and the Pakleni Islands just offshore. Stari Grad, on the other side of the island, is quieter and much older. Founded by Greek settlers in 384 BC, it is one of the oldest towns in Europe, and its farmland, the Stari Grad Plain, is listed by UNESCO. Hvar is also known for lavender and for red wine from the Plavac Mali grape.
Vis
Vis is the most remote of the inhabited islands on the route, further out to sea than the others. It was closed to foreign visitors until 1989, and it still feels quieter than the islands closer to the mainland. From Vis, local boats run to the Blue Cave on the island of Biševo.
Korčula
Korčula Town is a walled medieval settlement on a narrow peninsula, with streets laid out like the bones of a fish to keep them cool and sheltered. It claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. In summer, the Moreška sword dance is performed for visitors, and the island’s white wines, Pošip and Grk, are worth tasting.
Mljet
Mljet is the greenest island on the route. Most of its western end is a national park, with two saltwater lakes and a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on an island in the larger lake. Pomena, a quiet harbor at the park’s edge, is where most yachts stop.
Pelješac and Ston
The long Pelješac peninsula runs parallel to Korčula. It is one of the best wine regions in Croatia, known for the red wines of Dingač and Postup. At the peninsula’s base, the old village of Ston has stone walls that stretch for kilometers across the hills, built to protect the town’s salt pans, and Ston’s oysters are famous along the coast.
The Elaphiti Islands
The Elaphiti Islands, including Šipan, Lopud and Koločep, lie just northwest of Dubrovnik. They are small, quiet and green, and they are often the last swim stop of a Split to Dubrovnik cruise.
Makarska
On the mainland, between Split and the islands, the Makarska Riviera has long pebble beaches below the Biokovo mountains. Some routes stop here on the way between Split and the southern islands.
Sea Sun's Split to Dubrovnik route
Sea Sun’s yacht sails a one-way week between Šibenik and Dubrovnik, with Split as the first major stop. This is the published itinerary for the July 2027 sailing.
| Day | Port | What you see there |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skradin | A waterfront town and the gateway to Krka National Park’s waterfalls |
| 2 | Split | Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva and the beaches below Marjan hill, plus a walking tour of the old palace |
| 3 | Bol and Stari Grad | Zlatni Rat on Brač and the old town of Stari Grad on Hvar |
| 4 | Vis | Clear water, Venetian architecture and boat trips to the Blue Cave |
| 5 | Korčula | A walled old town and summer evening traditions |
| 6 | Pomena | A quiet harbor on Mljet, beside the national park lakes |
| 7 and 8 | Dubrovnik | The old town walls and the end of the cruise |
Ports can change with the date, the weather and the captain’s judgment. Other ports on Sea Sun’s routes include Hvar Town, Jelsa, Vela Luka, Šipan, Trogir, Slano, Trstenik on Pelješac and Makarska.
Why this route starts in Šibenik
Starting in Šibenik, just north of Split, adds Krka National Park and Skradin to the cruise. You still spend a day and an evening in Split, then sail south through the islands to Dubrovnik. Most travelers fly into Split and travel the short distance north to Šibenik for the start.
What a day on the cruise is like
Each day follows the same rhythm. Breakfast is served on board, and the boat sails to the next port. Along the way it stops in a quiet bay for a swim. Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon the yacht arrives in the next harbor, and the evening is your own to explore. The yacht stays in port overnight, so you can stay ashore as late as you like.
Dubrovnik to Split: sailing the other way
Many travelers search for a Dubrovnik to Split cruise instead, and the route works just as well in reverse. Sea Sun’s yachts sail from Dubrovnik to Šibenik on many dates, calling at the same kinds of islands and towns in the opposite order.
Which direction is better?
Neither direction is better for the islands, since you sail past the same coast either way. The choice usually comes down to flights and to how you want the trip to end.
- Split to Dubrovnik ends the week with Dubrovnik’s old town, the most dramatic finish on the coast. It suits travelers who want to save the best-known town for last.
- Dubrovnik to Split starts with Dubrovnik and ends in central Dalmatia, close to Split’s busy airport, which often has more flights home.
Check the flights for both directions before you decide. On a one-way cruise, you fly into one city and home from the other.
One-way or round-trip?
This is one of the most common questions about a Split to Dubrovnik cruise.
One-way
A one-way cruise covers the whole stretch between the two towns in a single week, with no backtracking. You sail each leg once, and every day brings a new harbor. You see the most islands for the time you have. The only extra step is flying into one city and out of the other, which is easy from the United States with a connecting flight.
Round trip
A round-trip cruise starts and ends in the same port. From Split, a round trip usually covers the central islands, Brač, Hvar, Vis and Šolta, but does not reach Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik, it usually covers the southern islands, Mljet, Korčula and the Elaphiti Islands, but does not reach Split. Round trips are simpler for flights, but you see only half of the coast.
Our advice
For a first trip to Croatia, a one-way cruise between Split and Dubrovnik is the best way to see both famous towns and the islands in between. Sea Sun also runs round trips from Šibenik for travelers who prefer to start and end in one place.
What a cruise on Sea Sun's yacht includes
What is included varies between cruise companies, so always compare the lists side by side. On Sea Sun’s sailings, the price includes:
- Seven nights on board in a private cabin with its own bathroom
- Daily cabin cleaning
- The captain and crew
- Seven breakfasts and six lunches
- The captain's dinner
- Swim stops along the way
- Coffee, tea and purified water
- Air conditioning and Wi-Fi
- The hot tub and the sauna
- Water toys that do not have a motor
Not included are other drinks, the Croatian tourist tax of €60 per person paid on board, crew gratuities (€250 per guest is recommended), flights, transfers and travel insurance. Dinners are ashore, apart from the captain’s dinner.
Cabin prices
Published prices on Sea Sun’s sailings run from €3,800 to €5,000 per person for seven nights, based on two people sharing a cabin. A non-refundable deposit of €1,500 per cabin secures the booking. For help choosing a cabin, see our guide to choosing a cabin on a small ship cruise.
Want to see the dates for this route? Call Jason at (404) 465-4081.
How to choose the right Split to Dubrovnik cruise
With so many cruises and tours on the same stretch of coast, these are the questions that separate them.
How many guests are on board?
A sailing tour may carry 10 guests. A small ship cruise carries 20 to 40. A large cruise ship carries thousands. The number of guests shapes the whole experience.
Who is the cruise for?
Some cruises in Croatia are built for young travelers, adventure and nightlife. Others are built for couples and friends who want a calm, comfortable week. Ask who usually travels on the cruise, and look at the itinerary for clues: a cruise that spends two nights in Hvar Town is a different trip from one that spends a night in Pomena.
Where are the nights spent?
Some cruises anchor in bays at night. Others, like Sea Sun’s, spend every night in a harbor town, so you can walk ashore for dinner.
How big is the cabin?
Ask for the size of the cabin and whether it has its own bathroom. On Sea Sun’s yacht, cabins are 130 to 187 square feet, and each has its own bathroom.
What is included?
Compare the meals, drinks, taxes and gratuities each cruise includes, not only the headline price.
Can the route change?
Every cruise on the Croatian coast depends on the weather. Ask how often ports change, and what happens if they do.
Who do you call if something goes wrong?
Many cruise companies in Croatia are based abroad and sell online. With Sea Sun, you book through a travel agency in the United States, with Jason Carter as your one contact.
Shore tours and excursions along the route
Each port between Split and Dubrovnik has one or two tours or trips worth planning ahead. On Sea Sun’s cruise, these are not included in the cabin price, so you choose the ones you want and pay locally.
| Port | Tour or trip | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Skradin | Krka National Park and its waterfalls | Go late in the day, when the crowds have left |
| Split | A walking tour of Diocletian’s Palace | Book an early tour, before the heat |
| Bol | A hike or a drive up to Vidova Gora | Take plenty of water |
| Stari Grad | A wine tour or a visit to the Stari Grad Plain | Ask about local family wineries |
| Vis | A boat trip to the Blue Cave, or a jeep tour of the island | The cave is brightest around midday |
| Korčula | A walking tour of the old town, or a wine tasting in Lumbarda | Check the Moreška dates |
| Pomena | Mljet National Park by bike or on foot | Swim in the lakes on the way |
| Dubrovnik | The city walls, the cable car up Mount Srđ or a boat to Lokrum | Walk the walls early or late |
Local guides
A local guide makes the biggest difference in Split and Dubrovnik, where the history is dense and the streets are crowded. Ask the crew or Jason for a recommendation before the cruise.
Leave room for free time
It is easy to fill every day with a tour. The best days on a cruise in Croatia often include an afternoon with nothing planned, a long lunch on deck and time to explore a harbor town on your own.
Stari Grad or Hvar Town?
Hvar is the island travelers ask about most, and cruises stop in one of its two main towns.
Stari Grad
Stari Grad sits at the end of a long, sheltered bay on the north side of the island. It is calm, old and full of character, with stone streets, small squares and waterfront restaurants. The Stari Grad Plain behind the town, still farmed in the field pattern laid out by Greek settlers, is one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in Europe. Sea Sun’s cruise stops in Stari Grad.
Hvar Town
Hvar Town, on the south side of the island, is the island’s famous harbor: a busy waterfront, a hilltop fortress, beach clubs and nightlife. It is beautiful, but it is crowded in July and August.
Seeing both
Stari Grad and Hvar Town are a short taxi or bus ride apart. Many travelers whose cruise stops in Stari Grad take a taxi across the island for an evening in Hvar Town, then return to the quiet of Stari Grad for the night.
Croatia travel essentials for your cruise
A few practical points make the trip easier.
Money
Croatia uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted in towns, but carry some cash for small purchases, local markets and tips.
Entry
Croatia is part of the Schengen area of free travel in Europe. Check the entry rules for your passport before you travel.
Language
Croatian is the local language, and English is widely spoken in the coastal towns, restaurants and shops along the route.
Tipping in restaurants
Tipping is customary in Croatian restaurants for good service. Leaving around 10% is common. Crew gratuities on the cruise are separate.
Phones and data
Wi-Fi is included on Sea Sun’s yacht, though coverage can drop in remote bays. Check your phone plan’s roaming charges for Croatia before you travel.
Power
Croatia uses the European two-pin plug and 220 volts. Bring an adapter.
Water and sun
Tap water is safe to drink in the towns along the route. The summer sun on the Adriatic is strong, so bring a hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
Who a Split to Dubrovnik cruise suits
Couples
A cruise is one of the most romantic ways to travel in Croatia: a different harbor every evening, dinner ashore and no packing and unpacking.
Friends traveling together
Book neighboring cabins and travel as a small group, with the crew taking care of the sailing and the planning.
First-time visitors to Croatia
The route covers the two best-known towns in Croatia and the most famous islands in between, in one easy week.
Travelers who have done a large cruise
A cruise on an 18-cabin yacht is a very different trip from a large cruise ship: fewer guests, smaller harbors, swim stops every day and evenings ashore after the crowds leave.
When to cruise from Split to Dubrovnik
Sea Sun’s sailings in Croatia run from early May to mid-October.
May and October
The quietest and lowest-priced weeks. The towns are calm and the weather is good for walking. The sea is cooler for swimming.
June and September
The best time for many travelers. The sea is warm, the days are long, and the crowds are smaller than in high summer.
July and August
The warmest weather and the warmest sea, and the busiest time in Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik. Book early, and plan your sightseeing for the morning and the evening.
Getting to Split and home from Dubrovnik
Flights
Split and Dubrovnik both have international airports with connections through major European hubs. There are seasonal direct flights from the United States to some Croatian airports in summer, but most travelers connect in Europe.
Before the cruise
Most travelers spend a night or two in Split or Trogir before the cruise, which also gives time to recover from the flight before boarding the yacht in Šibenik. Trogir, a walled harbor listed by UNESCO, is close to Split’s airport and makes a calm first night.
After the cruise
Stay at least one night in Dubrovnik after the cruise if you can. The old quarter is quieter in the early morning, before the day visitors arrive, and it is the best time to explore Croatia’s most famous streets.
Traveling by land instead
The coast road between Split and Dubrovnik takes several hours by car, and the fast ferry takes most of a day by boat. Since the Pelješac Bridge opened in 2022, the road no longer has to cross the short stretch of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum. By land, though, you miss the islands, which is the whole reason to cruise.
How cruises on this route compare on price
Prices for a week between Split and Dubrovnik vary as much as the trips themselves. Compare what is included, not just the headline figure.
Sailing tours
Sailing tours and adventure trips aimed at younger travelers are the lowest-priced week on the water. One large operator on the route publishes prices from about €690 to €2,900 per person, depending on the boat and the date. Cabins are compact, and meals, drinks and tours ashore vary from trip to trip.
Cruises on larger yachts
Cruises on larger yachts with private cabins and a full crew cost more, because each guest has more space, more meals are included and the crew is larger. On Sea Sun’s yacht, published prices run from €3,800 to €5,000 per person for seven nights, with breakfast, lunch, the captain’s dinner, the hot tub, the sauna and water toys included.
Private charters
Chartering a whole yacht has one price for the boat, divided among your group. For a large group, the cost per person can come close to the price of a cabin, with the whole yacht and the route to yourselves.
What to add to any price
Whichever cruise you choose, budget for the extras that are rarely included: drinks, dinners ashore, the tourist tax, tips for the crew, shore tours, flights and transfers.
Adding time before or after the cruise
Most travelers add a few days in Croatia on either side of the cruise. These are the trips that fit best around this route.
Before: Trogir, Split or Šibenik
Trogir is the calmest first night, close to Split’s airport. Split has the most restaurants and the most to explore. Šibenik, where Sea Sun’s cruise begins, has a cathedral listed by UNESCO and a quiet old town.
Before: Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes National Park, with its chain of turquoise lakes and waterfalls, is a long day trip inland from Split, about three hours each way by road. Many travelers think it is worth the time; others prefer the waterfalls of Krka, which the cruise visits on its first day.
After: Dubrovnik and Cavtat
Spend at least a day in Dubrovnik after the cruise to explore the old town at your own pace. Cavtat, a quiet harbor south of Dubrovnik and close to the airport, makes an easy last night.
After: the Bay of Kotor
Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, a deep, fjord-like bay with the walled town of Kotor at its end, is a popular day tour from Dubrovnik. Bring your passport, because the day trip crosses a border.
How much time to spend ashore in each port
On a one-week cruise in Croatia, you have an afternoon and an evening in most ports, and sometimes a morning too. This is a rough guide to using that time well.
- Split: at least half a day to explore the palace, plus a walking tour if you want the history.
- Stari Grad: an evening is enough to explore the old streets. Add an evening across the island if you want the nightlife.
- Vis: a morning for the Blue Cave tour, and an afternoon and evening ashore.
- Korčula: an evening to explore the old streets and walls, more if there is a Moreška performance.
- Mljet: half a day in the national park, by bike or on foot.
- Dubrovnik: a full day, ideally more, to explore the walls, the old streets and the views from Mount Srđ.
Ports and timings on any cruise in Croatia depend on the weather and the captain’s plan, so keep some flexibility.
Local tips for a Split to Dubrovnik cruise
In Split
Walk Diocletian’s Palace early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. Eat in the narrow streets inside the palace walls rather than on the busy Riva.
On Hvar
If your cruise stops in Stari Grad, take a taxi across the island for an evening in Hvar Town. If it stops in Hvar Town, take a morning to see the quieter side of the island.
On Vis
Book the boat to the Blue Cave for late morning, when the light inside the cave is brightest.
On Korčula
Check which evenings the Moreška is performed, and plan your dinner around it.
On Mljet
Rent a bike near Pomena and ride the paths around the lakes. Swim in the lakes along the way.
In Ston
If your route passes Ston, walk part of the walls and eat oysters at a local restaurant by the water.
In Dubrovnik
Walk the old town walls at the start or end of the day. The walls are hot and crowded at midday, and the light is best in the evening.
Questions about a Split to Dubrovnik cruise
How long is a Split to Dubrovnik cruise?
Most cruises and sailing tours between Split and Dubrovnik last seven nights, or eight days. Shorter mini cruises of three or four nights also run on some routes.
How far is it from Split to Dubrovnik by sea?
Splendid Yachting, a charter company in Croatia, gives the distance as about 120 nautical miles each way. A cruise covers it over seven days, with stops at islands along the way.
Is a cruise better than taking the ferry?
They are different trips. A ferry is transport. A cruise is a week on the water, with a cabin, a crew, swim stops and a different harbor town every night.
Can I do the cruise from Dubrovnik to Split instead?
Yes. Sea Sun’s yachts sail from Dubrovnik to Šibenik on many dates, calling at Split on the way. Choose the direction that gives you the best flights.
Do I need to be a sailor?
No. The captain and crew sail the yacht. You only need to enjoy the trip.
Are shore tours included?
On Sea Sun’s cruise, shore tours and park tickets are not included. You choose the tours you want and pay locally, so each day can be as busy or as quiet as you like.
What is the best day trip from Dubrovnik?
The Elaphiti Islands, the island of Lokrum, the town of Ston and the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro are the most popular day trips from Dubrovnik.
Can children come?
The minimum age on Sea Sun’s yacht is 12, and there is no elevator on board.
Can our group charter the whole yacht for this route?
Yes. Sea Sun’s 18-cabin yacht can be chartered by a single group of up to 36 guests, with the route planned around the group.
Summary: the best way to see the coast between Split and Dubrovnik
A Split to Dubrovnik cruise, or a Dubrovnik to Split cruise, is the best way to see the Croatian coast and its islands in a single week. Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet and the Pelješac peninsula all lie between the two towns, and a yacht can stop at most of them, with a swim every day and a night in port every evening.
Choose a one-way cruise to see both towns, pick the direction that suits your flights, and compare the size of the ship, the cabins and what is included. Sea Sun’s sailings cover this route in both directions, with 18 private cabins and a full crew. Book early for the summer weeks, plan the tours you care about most, and leave the rest of the week open for swims, long lunches and evenings ashore.
Book a cabin on Sea Sun's next sailing
Tell us your dates, and Jason will check which sailings between Split, Šibenik and Dubrovnik have cabins open.
Call (404) 465-4081, email [email protected], or see current sailing dates and prices.
Read more about luxury small ship cruises in Croatia on Sea Sun’s yacht.
