Croatia is the best island hopping water in Europe: a thousand islands, hops rarely longer than two hours, and a medieval stone town waiting at the end of each one. The classic week runs Split to Dubrovnik southbound, and it earns its reputation.
The route
Day one, Split to Brac or Solta. Board in Split, shake down with a short hop, swim at the Blue Lagoon of Krknjasi or under Bobovisca's quiet quay.
Days two and three, Hvar and the Pakleni islands. Hvar town is the Adriatic's social capital; the Pakleni chain across the channel is where you anchor to enjoy it on your terms, tender in for the evening, out again before the night gets loud, or into it, your call.
Day four, Vis. The furthest island and the best preserved: Komiza's fishing harbour, the Blue Cave on Bisevo in the morning before the queue, lunch in a konoba that grows its own everything.
Day five, Korcula. Marco Polo's walled town, wine islands either side, and the Peljesac channel's afternoon breeze for the sailors.
Days six and seven, Mljet and Dubrovnik. Mljet's national park has saltwater lakes inside a forest island. Then the finale: Dubrovnik's walls from the water, the single best arrival in the Mediterranean.
The honest advice
One way weeks need repositioning arranged in the booking; we handle it, just say Split to Dubrovnik in the first message. July and August book Hvar and Korcula berths tight, so those nights anchor out, which is nicer anyway. Weeks in the Croatian fleet start around 13,000 euros as of summer 2026; live boats on the Croatia page. And if you have a spare day, the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is three hours south of Dubrovnik and worth every mile.