Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, Brač: the well-known names on the Croatian sailing route are on everyone's list, and for good reason. But with more than a thousand islands off the coast, there's a whole world waiting beyond the obvious stops. Here are six lesser-known islands that deserve a place on your route.
Lastovo: a night sky without light pollution
Lastovo sits well off the beaten path, which is exactly why it has kept so much of its original character. It's one of the few officially recognised dark sky parks in Europe: after dark, you'll see a night sky most of Europe lost long ago. By day, walk through dense pine forests or anchor in one of the quiet bays around the island.
Šolta: olive oil and calm, a stone's throw from Split
Šolta sits right next to Split, but feels a world away from the city's buzz. The island is known for its olive oil and honey, with small villages that still move at the pace of the harvest. For anyone just setting off from Split, Šolta makes an easy first stop to ease into holiday time.
Vrgada: a car-free island with sandy beaches
Vrgada is tiny, car-free, and sits close to Biograd na Moru. Unlike many rocky Croatian coastlines, it has unusually generous sandy beaches. Outside peak season it's remarkably quiet, making it a welcome surprise between busier stops.
Zlarin: the island without cars
Near Šibenik lies Zlarin, an island that has banned cars for decades. The village is known for its coral-crafting tradition, and the calm that comes with being car-free makes it a pleasant stopover on the way to the larger islands further out.
Kaprije: quiet in the Šibenik archipelago
Kaprije is one of the smaller islands in the archipelago off Šibenik. It has a single village of the same name, ringed by olive groves, and a bay that offers good shelter from the wind. It's exactly the kind of stop where there's little to do, and that's the point.
Žirje: the southernmost island of the archipelago
Žirje is the outermost island of the Šibenik archipelago, which gives it a slightly more remote feel than its neighbours. Clear bays around the island are perfect for an afternoon of swimming and snorkelling, while the lighthouse on the southern tip makes a welcome landmark for first-time arrivals.
Why these islands are worth the detour
The well-known Croatian islands are popular for good reason, but precisely because everyone sails there, the quieter alternatives often remain relatively undiscovered. A charter yacht gives you the freedom to find them for yourself.
Ready to chart your own route through these islands? Visit our search & book page to find a yacht in Croatia.
