Croatia is a country that has only been connected to the rest of the world through water. Until recently, that is – as it’s starting to feel like Croatia is gradually being opened up to the rest of Europe. You see, with the help of some super-friendly neighbours and some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, it’s now possible for yachts to have their own private access to one of the most beautiful cruising grounds in Europe: the Adriatic Sea.
And this sea route between Croatia and America? It’s no wonder there are so many yachts exploring it! But before you go making plans for your next vacation, we thought you should know what you’re getting into first.
How to Get From Croatia to the USA by Yacht
There are a few different ways you can make the trip from Croatia to the mainland USA. All of them will involve sailing down the Adriatic Sea, but there are a few variations in how you get to the other side. First, you can go via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, which is the most common route. Next, you could go via the Straits of Gibraltar, which is a shorter but more complicated route. If you want to be truly adventurous, though, you could sail via the Panama Canal, which is just a little over 3,000 nautical miles from Croatia.
There are also a few different ways you can get from one country to the other once you’re there. If you’re planning to just make a short trip from the US to Croatia, you could probably avoid all of the red tape and just fly between the two countries. If you do decide to sail, though, there are plenty of protected passages through the Suez Canal and Straits of Gibraltar that you could use.
Port Overview
The first thing you’ll notice when you’re cruising the Adriatic is just how many different ports there are to choose from. There are hundreds of ports along the Croatian coast, and you can find dozens of them in the USA as well. Just like on the mainland, many of these ports are small and may only be used by a handful of yachts each year. Other ports, though, are much larger and can handle mega-yacht traffic.
There are a few factors that can sway which ports you use while cruising this route. First and foremost, though, is wind. In general, you want to avoid using the ports that are in the more southerly areas, as they are much less protected from the strong winds of the Mediterranean. Also, you’ll want to be sure to choose a port that is close enough to Croatia that you can make the crossing in less than 24 hours. Because of the current, the shortest trip is just over a day.
Scheduling Tips for Yachts
Once you’ve chosen a port to visit, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, the weather in that area is not necessarily consistent year-round. In fact, the weather in the Adriatic is notoriously fickle and can change frequently. Because of this, the best way to plan a sailing vacation like this is to choose a season that works for you.
Summer sailing is beautiful, but it can also be sweltering in the tropics and bring with it considerable risk for yachts. Fall and winter are much safer options, with cooler temperatures and less risk of dangerous tropical storms.
What do you need to cross the Atlantic by yacht?
Plan your trip months in advance to be sure you have everything you need. You’ll need a yacht, crew, tow lines, navigation equipment and charts, a navigation guide, communications gear, and medical gear. Before you leave, you’ll want to make sure all of the necessary paperwork is done and in order, the yacht is in good condition, and you have enough fuel and food.
Once you’re on your way, you’ll need to make sure your yacht has all of the equipment it needs to keep it running. Weather can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to be stranded at sea with a broken down yacht.
Currents in the Adriatic Sea
One of the biggest things that could prevent you from sailing to the US is the current in the Adriatic. While many people think that the current is just a small stream that can be easily navigated, that is not the case at all. In fact, the current in the Adriatic is one of the strongest in the world, and it can often make passage from Croatia to the mainland a very challenging venture.
The good news is that you can almost certainly avoid the current in one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the planet. You see, the current in the Straits of Gibraltar runs against the winds in the Adriatic, which means it is strongest in the strait itself. Because there are so few ports in the strait, though, it is easier to sail around it than in it.
Anchoring in the Adriatic Sea
When you anchor in the Adriatic, you’ll also notice that it is a very difficult place to anchor. There are very strong undercurrents, and the sand in the area is so fine that it can almost flow through your anchor. As a result, you’ll want to anchor your yacht in one of the deeper anchorages in the area, as you probably don’t want your yacht to get dragged under.
You’ll have no trouble finding these anchorages, though, as there are dozens of them along the Croatian coast. When you’re in port, though, you’ll want to make sure that your anchor is well-secured and that you’re not dragging it in the soft sand.
Conclusion
When you think of cruising the world on a yacht, you probably don’t think of Croatia. But, now that it’s possible, you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice by not exploring this beautiful region. In fact, Croatia is quickly becoming one of the best cruising grounds in the world, and it’s easy to see why once you sail through this stunning sea route.
Now, don’t let the current or the rough waters keep you out of the water. It’s a challenging and rewarding experience that is well worth the effort. And, of course, once you’re there, you can visit all of the wonderful ports along the way to explore even more!
