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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: between April and October, as this is when the captain says it’s 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.

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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’re also avoiding all the queues for the island ferries by just hopping on your own vessel and going.

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

Month by month guide

April (especially Easter) is a great time for processions, pilgrims festivities and flowers all over Croatia.

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

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

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. 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.

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. This can be a wonderful time to visit islands like Vis or Krk.

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BEST TIME TO GO TO CROATIA ON A SMALL SHIP CRUISE

Powell Ettinger, director of our leading Croatia specialists The Small Cruise Ship Collection, shares his top tips: “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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