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When to go on a Croatia cruising holiday

There is a quick and easy answer if you are trying to work out when to go on a small ship cruising holiday in Croatia and that is between April and October, as this is when the captain says its best. And you don’t mess with a Croatian captain. Also, it is when most of the islands open for business, and these small ship cruising holidays are all about discovering the islands. Read on for more tips, regarding specific festivities and fun.

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When to go on a small ship cruising holiday in Croatia

SHIPPING FORECAST

The best time to go on a Croatia cruising holiday is when the skipper is ready to set sail, and this is generally between April to October. Conditions are calmer and the islands are starting to open for business. It is also when the water is starting to warm up, because with all that island hopping, you won’t be able to resist taking dips here and there. By taking a small ship cruise during peak summer months, you are also avoiding all the queues for the island ferries and just hop on your own vessel and go.

Best time to go on a small ship cruising holiday in Croatia

Month by month guide

May and June are perfect out on the water for those who can’t do seriously hot, with temperatures around 23 -27°C, although the wind can be a bit unpredictable during these months.

The end of September marks the end of the season on some of the islands, with restaurants and bars closing for the winter. The great thing about travelling with local skippers, however, is that they know exactly which taverna is open and where. They know all the archipelago’s secrets.

However, many island vineyards are harvesting in October, which is a great time for local festivities. So this can be a wonderful time to visit islands like Vis or Krk.

If your small ship cruise takes place in April and over Easter, this is a wonderful time all over Croatia for processions and pilgrims, festivities and flowers.

In peak season, if you are doing city visits to Split or Dubrovnik, avoid the cruises that arrive into the big ports early in the morning, bringing a tidal wave of tourists. They all head back on board around 3pm generally, so time your city visit accordingly. There are ships all year round, but these are busiest times.

August really is peak of peaks in Croatia, and so if you are going to some of the popular spots on the coast, be prepared for crowds.

May is also gorgeous with temperatures around 23°C but the winds along the coasts are less predictable at this time, and storms can happen, so be prepared for flexible itineraries.

Many cruises begin and end in Dubrovnik, and so you could check out the Dubrovnik Summer Festival which runs through July and August. It is a world class event, a bit like Edinburgh International Festival in the sun, with arts performances from around the world, but with a strong backbone of Croatian culture.

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If you'd like to chat about Croatia cruising or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team.

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RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS

BEST TIME TO GO TO CROATIA ON A SMALL SHIP CRUISE

Powell Ettinger, Director of our leading Croatia small ship cruising holidays supplier, The Small Cruise Ship Collection, shares his top tips for small ship cruising holidays in Croatia: “The current season is April or May to October. It is very unlikely to extend. The busiest seasons tend to be June and September as the sort of client these cruises appeal to likes to avoid the heat and the perceived crowds and families in July and August.”

Photo credits: [Temp chart : Mario Fajt at www.sobrecroacia.com/] [Helpdesk: Darios] [Best time to go: Alessandro Caproni]

Written by Catherine Mack

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