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Discover Croatia – A Jewel of the Adriatic
Welcome to Croatia – a land where history, nature, and adventure intertwine to create one of the most captivating destinations in the world. Nestled along the glittering Adriatic Sea, Croatia boasts over 1,200 islands, making it the largest nautical paradise on the planet. Whether you’re sailing from island to island or relaxing in a secluded bay, the views will leave you breathless.
Croatia is also a land of fascinating culture and world known inventions. The tie (cravat) originated here, and the legendary inventor Nikola Tesla was born in the village of Smiljan. On the island of Hvar you’ll find the oldest public theatre in Europe, while Split is home to the world’s smallest cathedral – the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. Just a few steps away, you can explore the magnificent Diocletian’s Palace, built by and for the last Roman emperor, who once lived within its walls. Today, you can walk through its ancient stone streets and experience history brought to life.
Food and wine are at the heart of the Croatian lifestyle. The country is renowned for its award-winning wines and authentic Mediterranean cuisine, deeply rooted in tradition and made with fresh, local ingredients. Whether you’re enjoying grilled fish by the sea or sampling olive oil in a rustic village, every bite tells a story.
Explore eight national parks, each offering unique experiences – from the cascading lakes of Plitvice to the wild beauty of the Kornati archipelago. Walk through Roman ruins, bask in the charm of medieval towns, or unwind in peaceful seaside villages.
Whether you’re a sailor, an adventurer, a foodie, or a history lover, Croatia offers something unforgettable for everyone.
Your journey starts here – with Sun Life Croatia.
General info about Croatia
Croatia is, thanks to its position, pleasant mild climate, clear sea and intricate coastline, without doubt, one of the most beautiful sailing area in Europe. The Croatian Adriatic, also known as "the coast of a thousand islands", offers approx. 2600 hours of sun per year, a pleasant Mediterranean climate, and everything else associated with that: the smell of pine trees, lavender, olive groves, vineyards, as well as the rich world of the sea itself.
Geographical position:
Croatia extends from the foothills of the Julian Alps in the north-west and the Pannonian Plain in the east, over the Dinara mountain range in its central region, to the Adriatic coast in the south.
Area: 56,542 km2, with an additional 31,067 km2 of territorial waters.
Population: 4.381.352 Capital: Zagreb (770.058 inhabitants - the administrative, cultural, academic and communication centre of the country).
Length of coast: 5,835 km - including 4,058 km of island, islet and reef coastline.
Number of islands, islets and reefs: 1,185. The largest islands are those of Krk and Cres. There are 67 inhabited islands.
Climate: Northern Croatia has a continental climate; Central Croatia has a semi-highland and highland climate, while the Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate.
Winter temperatures range from -1 to 10°C in the continental region, -5 to 0°C in the mountain region and 5 to 10°C in the coastal region.
Summer temperatures range from 22 to 26°C in the continental region, 15 to 20°C in the mountain region and 26 to 30°C in the coastal region.
Population: The majority of the population are Croats. National minorities include Serbs, Bosnians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Italians, and others.
Official language and alphabet: Croatian language and Latin alphabet. Religions: The majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and in addition there are a number of those of Orthodox faith, as well as Muslims, and Christians of other denominations.
Weather in Croatia
Weather conditions in the Adriatic are affected by the general weather situation in the Mediterranean and local climate conditions.
Recommended time for sailing: April to September
The best season for sailing is early summer: there are good winds in May and June. In July and August, conditions are ideal for those who prefer calm waters. September is also perfect for sailing.
Winds:
There are several typical Adriatic winds:
BURA (NE) is strong mountain wind. It blows fiercely in the following areas: the Gulf of Trieste, the Kvarner, the Velebit Channel, the region around Sibenik, the Split region, Peljesac and area around Dubrovnik. In summer, it last only a few hours and usually no longer than one or two days.
JUGO (SE) is a southerly wind. It often blows for several days and brings thick clouds, great air humidity and rain.
MAESTRAL (NW) is the "wind of a good weather". It begins to blow about 11 am and usually dies down in the late afternoon. It repeats its cycle, after a quiet night, the next day. It can reach a force of 4-5 on the Beaufort scale.
TRAMONTANA (N) is a form of Bura. It does not blow as strongly as the Bora, nor is it as squally. Tramontana is mainly confined to the Southern Adriatic.
Other winds
BURIN (NE) blows in the summer from the mainland.
Another type of bora is the easterly LEVANAT.
PULENAT blows from west and lebic from south-west.
NEVERA, a violent westerly, comes as a storm or squall. In the summer, storms in the Adriatic are sudden and violent and produce a short-lasting swell.
The Adriatic storms have an advantage; they do not last long and some of them leave behind pleasantly cool air.
During periods of high pressure, the Adriatic has the classical rhythm of winds: winds from the land during the night and from the sea during the day.
Tides and currents:
Tides are negligible in the southern Adriatic, but they become progressively stronger the further north-west you travel. The tidal range is small in Croatian waters, the sea level being influenced more by changes in barometric pressure.
There are three types of currents encountered in the Adriatic: tidal streams, regular inshore currents, and wind-driven surface drift currents. All of them are weak and negligible in the Adriatic Sea.
