The Split South Return hiking cruise on the Mali Luka was fantastic! The weather was perfect so that helped, and the boat was pleasant with the food onboard being outstanding. The staff were great leaders, knowledgeable, responsive, and high quality. Each day we hiked and swam in the sea. The hikes were challenging and scenic and so rewarding! I would take another Sail Croatia excursion again!
- Kelly, 11/09/2026 15:00, Travelled with Friend/s
We had a fantastic time! The guides and crew were marvellous, the itinerary just right (taking in some fabulous, less touristy spots), and the food was exceptionally good. The balance between activity and leisure was also spot on. Great value for money, this trip exceeded all our expectations. We met some lovely people and made great memories that will stay with us. Thanks Sail Croatia ❤️
- Paula, 11/09/2026 06:35, Travelled with Friend/s
This was a marvellous week helped hugely by the quality of the guides, Ilona and Ema, who were so professional, fun and informative. The crew on the boat were excellent too. Very friendly and helpful. The walks are graded moderate and are not that long but are hilly and the paths rocky. The heat made them feel harder than expected. It’s interesting to visit different islands and see how they have their own character, to travel without having to pack and unpack.
- Anonymous, 02/09/2026 19:28, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted you enjoyed exploring the different islands onboard Dionis and felt well looked after by Ilona, Ema and the crew. We also appreciate your helpful comments about the hiking conditions and summer heat!
The cruise was fabulous! Ilona and Ema were the best leaders - they were organized, informative, encouraging, approachable, friendly, and they had a great sense of humor. The trip had a nice balance of hiking (with options if you didn't want to do a particular hike), swim stops, group dinners in town, wine tasting, and suggestions of things to see and do at each stop. The ships' crew was also friendly and helpful. This was definitely one of the most memorable trips I've taken and highly recommend it!
- Deborah, 02/09/2026 19:27, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your fabulous review! We’re delighted your Hike Croatia cruise onboard Dionis was such a memorable experience and that you enjoyed the balance of hiking, swimming and exploring. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely comments on to Ilona, Ema and the crew!
The Sail Croatia hiking trip ranks as one of my best ever vacation trips!! All of the Croatian islands were beautiful, our days were filled with stunning hikes, swim stops to cool off, beautiful harbors, good food and new friendships. Ilona and Ema brought such fun energy to the trip - they were the best!! The whole crew was amazing - top notch! I would recommend Sail Croatia to anyone looking for a fun, active vacation.
- Jennifer, 02/09/2026 19:03, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted your Hike Croatia cruise onboard Dionis ranks among your best-ever holidays. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely comments on to Ilona, Ema and the entire crew!
We had such a blast on our Sail Croatia holiday. Our adventures included boating around the stunning islands of Croatia, hiking to scenic vistas, walking historic walls, swimming and paddling in the bright blue sea, meeting new friends, enjoying local foods and experiencing the intense pride Croatia’s have for their culture and history. Coming home each day to our modest, cozy, air conditioned room was a treat. The food on board was very good. The capital and crew worked extremely hard to make our stay great. And our hiking guides became friends by the end. We bonded with our fellow boat mates who came from all across the world. It was the perfect blend of active adventure, beauty, history and relaxation, I would go again in a heartbeat.
- Jennifer, 02/07/2026 00:11, Travelled in a Couple
First time cruising, and first time in Croatia. Absolutely loved everything about the country, people, Sail Croatia crew, staff, meals, and hiking guides. Would definitely recommend this cruise to other active people, Incredible views, swim stops and such great camaraderie with our fellow adventurers.. Highly recommend. Best way to see so many different islands.
- Karen, 22/06/2026 18:13, Travelled with Friend/s
Overall it was wonderful. The full group of passengers were amazing and Croatia is stunning. Our hikes were beautiful. Our cabin was quite small and very damp. Our clothes and towels never felt dry. We were thankful that it was cool and quieter during the night when parked next to party boats, though it was a bit noisy when the engines started in the morning. We thought the food was quite good. In sum, great experience and would choose a bit nicer ship next time.
- Anonymous, 17/06/2026 09:59, Travelled in a Couple
We loved seeing the Dalmation Islands, the beautiful walks and we enjoyed the public areas of the boat, Emanuel. However in the small cabin the bed was hard and lumpy. The addition of decent mattress toppers would be an easy fix and a big improvement. While I appreciate limited galley space, the food could be easily improved with forethought. For example for vegetarians a homemade lentil and spinach soup would be a simple and massive improvement on powdered mushroom soup. The salads were very basic; lettuce in a bowl and likewise could be upgraded with a few extras and with the addition of, for example, cooked potatoes chick peas with decent bread would have been a nicer main course than fried vege fritters from a packet. One day we had lunch of potato crocquettes with potato and vege fritters and chips, all from a packet, all fried! Breakfasts were good with nice vege choice. Bar a bit pricey. Tea and coffee all day should be included for the price of the holiday.
- Anonymous, 15/06/2026 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
I wouldn’t ever sail on the standard of boat used on this trip because the cabins were pretty much all of a low standard in one way or another. Additionally noise at night was a significant issue, due to tie ups in harbour. Sleep quality on the boat was poor and the cabin air conditioning caused throat problems. The tipping expectations for staff on this boat of about 20% of the cost of the trip were ridiculous. No one tipped that much, Other people on the boat great fun. Ilona was a very good hike leader. Food on board ok to good, but why no menu for the week or choices? Would go to Croatia again but on a land based tour. The hikes were worth doing. None of our friends would tolerate the standard of boat so wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
- Anonymous, 15/06/2026 04:16, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there, Thank you for your 3-Star review and for taking the time to leave your feedback. It is great to hear that you enjoyed the company of your fellow travellers and that Ilona was a very good hike leader. We will be sure to pass on your comments to Ilona. We are also pleased to hear that the food onboard was good. As per our website our guests enjoy a 3 course lunch daily which received a high score of 4.67 out of 5 from your particular departure. We could't agree more that the hikes are worth doing. Our Hike cruises certainly do allow you to completely immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of this country and year after year these type of holidays are becoming more and more popular. We are however sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy certain aspects of the ship and thank you for your feedback received during the week and after the cruise. We understand you tried to book our Luxury Hike cruise which unfortunately was sold out - and this somewhat left you disappointed with your Premier ship experience. We would like to highlight that the feedback collected from our guests at the end of the cruise resulted in an outstanding overall score for the ship of 4.79 out of 5. Thank you for sharing your comments regarding the noise in port. It is correct that all the ships - as with any tour operator in Croatia - are moored up in the harbours at night. As is the case with any type of cruise and group travel, one must expect a certain degree of noise - whether from onboard social activity, natural sounds and mechanics of being on a ship as well as the surrounding people from other ships. As outlined in our pre-departure documentation and guest App, tipping is entirely optional. The crew onboard our ships are paid fairly for their work; however, gratuities are a widely recognised way for guests to acknowledge exceptional service. Many guests choose to leave a tip as a gesture of appreciation, however this is always at each individual's discretion. Thank you once again for travelling with us.
We really enjoyed our week on Aphradita. Sasha and Natasha were great hosts and guides. The hiking was perfect - the week was a perfect balance of activity and down time. Would recommend.
- Sandra, 05/06/2026 20:39, Travelled in a Couple
Fun holiday. Maybe 1/2 days too long. Alcohol on board very expensive. Breakfasts were very much the same each day. Felt leaders could have done more - like dinners out on town - to build comraderey. Hikes seemed like last minute thoughts. Leader took few breaks, not a lot of stopping to explain interesting facts. But maybe there weren’t many. 😬 all in all fun , beautiful Boat and great crew
- Anonymous, 04/06/2026 22:20, Travelled with Friend/s
My cruise of the Dalmatian coast on the Salve di Mare was absolutely wonderful! I loved the hikes, swims in the Adriatic, exploring a new village or town at each stop, and just hanging out with the other passengers, who quickly became friends. The crew was warm and friendly and the service was excellent. Our tour guide Nikos and hike guide Ilona made every day a fun adventure. I would highly recommend this tour!
- Mary, 03/06/2026 21:37, Travelled in a Couple
The Salve di Mare is a beautiful yacht. It does not have sails rigged, so "sailing" is a misnomer, but it was smooth and the food and atmosphere were lovely. The staff were very helpful. We enjoyed seeing the unspoiled islands as well as the busy, uniquely scenic cities of Dubrovnik and Split. The hikes were not too taxing. We would have liked to learn more about flora, fauna, and history along the way. The water is stunningly beautiful. The critique we have is that we were not told we might get portholes above our eye level, not windows, in the most expensive cabins (above deck). We would not have paid extra for these cabins, had we known.. I requested above-deck cabins because one of us is claustrophobic and the other needs to see the horizon to avoid seasickness. We could not see anything but the sky. Some guests did have cabins with windows. We booked quite early and did not know we might get stuck in a non-window cabin. It was disappointing to pay so much for no view.
- Jenni, 02/06/2026 12:19, Travelled with Friend/s
It was a fabulous experience at the Sail Croatia hike cruise.Both Natasha and Sasha took utmost care to make sure we thoroughly enjoyed the hike and gave us a good insight about the history and importance of different places.Peter was so attentive while serving us and made sure to get us r chillies as we r from India to keep up with r palate.the entire crew were the best and Afrodita boat was clean and spacious to accommodate all of us very comfortably.thank u Sasha for the pictures and Natasha for being so kind
- Anusha, 01/06/2026 18:24, Travelled in a Couple
The scenery of sailing along the islands off Croatia is nothing short of breathtaking. The only thing that surpasses the view from the ship are the views from the hikes along the glistening sea, cozy harbor coves, and distant islands. This cruise offers the perfect blend of activities, including good hikes, floating in the sea, and lounging in the sun. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and accommodating. They covered everything from the terrain to Croatia’s rich history and the best-kept food secrets of locals on the islands. The ship was well-maintained, the cabins were comfortable, and the food was delicious. It was a really good vacation.
- Sue, 01/06/2026 09:42, Travelled with Friend/s
We had great trip aboard the Frodita with Sasa, Natasa and the whole crew. They were committed to making our experience memorable
- Anonymous, 01/06/2026 08:05, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff, the boat, the guides, the food .... everything was wonderful!!!
- Anne, 27/05/2026 19:47, Travelled with Friend/s
I had a week on the Salve De Marie cruise ship. From the moment I stepped on the boat I knew it was going to be amazing. The boat was beautiful, It was very clean and all the staff went out of their way to ensure the trip I had with my nine friends was absolutely brilliant. Sasha the tour guide and Mate our walking/trek guide were fantastic! The food was out of this world and the ten members of crew were a great team. I would definitely do this again. Loved the kayak, paddle boarding and swim stops every day. Definitely a holiday to remember! Thank you!
- Sue, 25/05/2026 14:15, Travelled with Friend/s
Great vacation and The sail tour was the highlight.
- Angela, 25/05/2026 04:39, Travelled in a Couple
It was the perfect blend of relaxation on board and moderately challenging hikes. The Salve di Mare was spacious and comfortable, our cabin was cosy and well equipped, the food was amazing, and the crew were lovely. Our hiking guide and tour manager were excellent. It was a great holiday - not cheap, but worth the money.
- Sue, 24/05/2026 14:40, Travelled in a Couple
An unforgettable trip! The sail & hike itinerary from Dubrovnik to Split was expertly led by Mate and Saša, whose love and pride for Croatia shone through every story and hike. They were informative, entertaining, and perfectly balanced. The islands were stunning with crystal-clear waters, charming villages, and breathtaking views from clifftop vantage points. On board, the food was fresh and generous, cabins surprisingly spacious and spotless, and the crew professional and welcoming throughout, with Marko and Vlaho taking excellent care of us all week. Will hopefully return to experience a different Sail Croatia itinerary!
- Kim, 20/05/2026 09:32, Travelled in a Couple
Had a fantastic week on Mali Ante with our guides Mario and Matilda who worked together professionally to manage our group. We had some challenging weather for our hikes which did cause some plans to change, but all was done with our safety and comfort in mind. I would highly recommend this 1 week sailing trip.
- Anonymous, 19/05/2026 15:23, Travelled in a Couple
An excellent week away on the hiking cruise. Such a well organised and fun week - Mate & Sase were great leaders. All the crew on the boat were so friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. The boat was so clean and well maintained. Everything was perfect!
- Lesley, 18/05/2026 20:33, Travelled in a Couple
We absolutely loved our 7 night Sail Croatia hiking trip. Our guides, crew and captain did an amazing job.. I loved that the food was flavorful and healthy. The hikes were perfectly planned, organization was spot on and the crew and chef did a fantastic job of making the boating aspect smooth and seamless.
- Anonymous, 18/05/2026 16:44, Travelled in a Couple
Very well planned and executed. The tour guides Mario and Matilda were very considerate and informative. We enjoyed the food and great hospitality. The walks after eating were really well thought out.
- Nancy, 18/05/2026 13:13, Travelled with Friend/s
Brilliant Guides who were very knowledgeable and fun, perfect weather for hiking, lots of variety and a fantastic boat with delicious food served all week.
- Anonymous, 18/05/2026 12:56, Travelled with Friend/s
My husband and I chose sail Croatia for our honeymoon and it was the perfect week. We did the northern split hiking route on the mali ante with Mario and Matilda and it was perfect! The crew was SO kind and truly just a joy to be around. Mario and Matilda work awesome as a team and made you feel like part of the group every single day. They are so kind and educated, and it’s obvious they love what they do. I cannot recommend those two enough as guides! I can only hope when we come back we get lucky enough to have the same team onboard. It was so much fun! The hikes were awesome. The swim spots were perfect. It was honestly the best week.
- Caity, 18/05/2026 09:08, Travelled in a Couple
The crew aboard the Salve di Mare looked after us from start to finish with great attentivness and humour. The boat was beautiful and spacious and I loved watching the skillful captain bringing us in and out of port. Wonderful food- (how do they do that in such a small kitchen)?! And of course, the spectaclar scenery of Croatia- crystal clear waters, majestic mountains and the idyllic port villages and towns. And finally a special mention for our hiking guide, Mate and our customer care and everything else, Sasha. Both were excellent at their job and looked after us very well and with great humour, which I loved. A wonderful experience and great memories made.
- Anonymous, 18/05/2026 08:14, Travelled with Friend/s
This trip far exceeded our expectations. We knew the scenery and history along the Croatian Coastline was impressive but add to this a beautiful boat, wonderful crew and Sail Croatia reps and delicious food - what more could you want? We loved that you could find your own evening meal on shore and that you could join in the hiking or relax on board with a book. No pressure. Thank you to all for such a great relaxing and enjoyable trip.
- Helen & Simon, 18/05/2026 08:08, Travelled with Friend/s
Excellent holiday from start to finish. Mate & Sasa our hike & tour leads were brilliant - friendly, approachable & very knowledgable. Communication of information about the hikes, the history & the area were always spot on, the variety of hikes and locations we visited were amazing. Always felt safe & guided & had the best experience - fell in love with Croatia & its people. Salve di Mare is a beautiful boat, immaculately clean, great size rooms & very comfortable with plenty of space to move around. The food was amazing with a different 3 course lunch menu every day. Service in the bar & lounge from Marko & Vlaho was also excellent & we built up a great rapport with the whole team. We met a great crowd of people from across the world & have made some new forever friends. Would thoroughly recommend Sail Croatia.
- Kerry, 18/05/2026 07:57, Travelled in a Couple
Everything about our week with Sail Croatia more than met our expectations. The crew could not have been more knowledgeable, accommodating and above all else, friendly & caring. We had a few weather challenges (high winds and rain at the beginning ) but the captain and crew kept us safe and , on the spot made changes to our itinerary that ended up being fantastic!! My husband and I highly recommend Sail Croatia and are already talking about trying one of their bike cruises.
- DORINDA , 13/10/2025 07:24, Travelled in a Couple
The fact that we have booked a sail/hike trip for the 3rd time in three years speaks for itself. I only have praise for the staff (both boat crew and hiking crew), the boat, the food, hiking destinations, swim stops, etc etc etc. And yes, we will be booking a 4th time.
- Daniela, 09/10/2025 15:58, Travelled in a Couple
Really enjoyed the time spent with old friends and meeting new ones! Sail Croatia crew were friendly, helpful, and attentive. Hiking guides, Mate and Mario, were great and did their best to ensure everyone was able to enjoy the hikes whatever their ability.
- Karen , 07/10/2025 16:52, Travelled with Friend/s
We loved our hiking cruise, Split north return. The national park walks in Plitvice and Krka were a highlight, We also walked in towns, along coastal environments and up hills with dramatic and spectacular views. The crew on the Mali Ante were fantastic, as were our guides, Mate and Mario. The food was good and the boat was comfortable. I’d highly recommend this cruise.
- Anne, 06/10/2025 15:37, Travelled in a Couple
Crew and guides extremely friendly and caring.
- Ann, 06/10/2025 14:42, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff and guides. Boat was immaculate and clean. Captain did a great job and cruising carefully when going through rough waters. Highly recommend.
- Sheila , 06/10/2025 13:04, Travelled in a Couple
2nd Sail Croatia On board crew fantastic like visiting friends
- Catherine, 06/10/2025 09:48, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff were amazing. Mario, the Sail Croatia rep on the boat, was friendly, very knowledgeable and spoke several languages fluently. Matte the walk guide was clearly experienced but also patient and able to adjust to the needs of the group. The crew of the Mali Ante were delightful and went out of their way to make sure we had a great holiday. The cabins were small but had plenty of storage and the shower was great. The food was homely, crowd pleasing and generous. We got to know everyone on the trip and enjoyed the multinational vibe..
- Angela, 06/10/2025 04:50, Travelled in a Couple
We just returned from the hike/cruise trip in Croatia and we have to say our expectations were exceeded in all respects! Our guides, Lola and Natasha were excellent and really made our trip special. Their communication as was exceptional, and we cannot say enough about their knowledge of the areas we visited. Theu adjusted every day to the needs of the group and made sure everyone was included. They are both an asset to the Sail Croatia team. We also enjoyed the rest of the crew who made our trip hassle free and took care of everything we needed, not to mention the delicious meals our cook prepared for us every day. Highly recommend this trip for anyone who loves a great adventure as well as meeting people from all over the world!
- Karen, 02/10/2025 12:00, Travelled in a Couple
Fantastic cruise - ship staff and tour leaders were amazing and knowledgeable. Very accommodating to all abilities. Food excellent well above expectations. Our only slight criticism was our cabin which was on the lower deck and felt quite small. In retrospect we would have chosen an upper deck cabin. That said it was a fantastic, memorable holiday made all the more special by the brilliant staff - heads up to Lola and Natasha
- Sue, 29/09/2025 16:16, Travelled in a Couple
Our guides were Lola and Natasa made the trip. They were absolutely delightful. Super positive, funny and knowledgable. Hikes were a good level for all. The crew on the boat were great. Good food and fab table service from Mario. The captain and the whole team handled a change of itinerary due to poor weather really well. The only thing I would suggest is just about the jacuzzi. I have no problem with there not being a jacuzzi on board but on our cruise it was there but not filled up, so it wasn’t useable and took up space that could be used for more sun loungers and there are only about half as many loungers as there are guests.
- Fiona, 29/09/2025 10:59, Travelled in a Couple
This was a return cruise for me and my friend, we sailed the Split return route in September 2021, with only 7 guests on board the Mali Ante. This year we were 31 guests and sailed from Dubrovnik on the Mali Luka. Everything about our trip was exceptional and we had a wonderful adventure. Our fellow mariners, the crew, Natasha and Ilona our trusty guides and local experts, the weather, the food, Croatia!!! Everything was perfect. Thank you!
- Heather, 25/09/2025 18:13, Travelled with Friend/s
First time to Croatia, and was so completely captivated by the country, beauty, and people. This ship and crew gave us an experience like no other....took us to spots that take your breath away. We had a great group and we enjoyed each other's company in the adventures. I experienced a knee problem just before the start of the trip so could not hike well like so many others, but my guide Elona always had options. Tashi gave us history and stories, and the food was amazing. This # of passengers is perfect, and I am telling everyone this treasure we got to be a part of , Thanks you for so many memories ❤️
- Eather, 22/09/2025 07:32, Travelled with Friend/s
The reps Ilona and Natasha were wonderful and the other passengers really fun. Croatia is a beautiful country and I loved the small destinations we visited . The weather was perfect too.. The swim stops were brilliant. The crew on the boat were great.
- Catherine, 22/09/2025 06:47, Travelled in a Couple
We had a great trip. Sail Croatia was such a good choice for what we were looking for. We were welcomed to the boat “Columbo” by a great crew. It was very clean and had plenty of room. Loved sailing to the different islands, hiking, and best of all the swim stops. The water was warm and crystal clear. Meals were nice, Our hikes were led by Mate and Ante. They were fun, professional and shared so much information about Croatia and the villages on the islands. We made some good friends and loved the whole trip.
- Debbie , 20/09/2025 19:58, Travelled in a Couple
Beautiful hike choices and Island locations. The Captain and his team were amazing and accommodated bad weather so that we still hiked and enjoyed the fair weather sailing. The food on Board was fantastic and Bruno was efficient and helpful. Our group would have preferred more swim time. Perhaps also, more time in Vis-maybe a second day there for more swim time, even worth losing one hike elsewhere. The hike to the Blaca Heritage monastery on Brac and the adventure was a lot of fun as well as a history lesson. We learned a lot!!! Blaca Heritage
- An, 20/09/2025 16:23, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff on the ship
- Susane, 20/09/2025 15:04, Travelled with Friend/s
Our room was very comfortable and functional and the ship was kept very clean. The crew were so friendly and we enjoyed hiking with Mate & Ante who were very knowledgable and helpful. Bruno also did an excellent job with meal and drink service. I will definitely be recommending Sail Croatia to others!
- Cheri, 18/09/2025 22:27, Travelled in a Couple
This was our very first cruise so we really didn't know what to expect, and lucky for us it couldn't have gone better! The friendly group of fellow passengers, the wonderful crew including the delighful cook and his tasty menu, and Ante & Mante our tremendous guides, all made our weeklong tour of the beautiful Croatian coast top notch. Ante was a wealth of information regarding history of the country, and Mante was an excellent hiking guide who kept a very close eye on everyone's condition to make sure we were all challenged but having fun too. Yes, the lower level cabin was cozy, but we didn't spend much time there other than sleeping so it really didn't matter.. Thumbs up to the closet space and surprisingly awesome shower water pressure! Thank you for a wonderful week of memories. Highly recommend Sail Croatia!
- Susan, 17/09/2025 20:51, Travelled in a Couple
We loved Sail and hike around the islands with sail Croatia because it was so well organised, the staff were friendly the Guides set the pace of the hikes just right and the captain of the boat kept us safe every step of the trip. We couldn’t recommend it more. If you are considering it, just do it. It was amazing.
- Rachel, 08/09/2025 07:15, Travelled in a Couple
This was a phenomenal adventure for my husband and I! We were on the hiking cruise aboard the Mali Ante. The daily hikes were challenging and stunning! Our hiking guide, Mate, shared his passion for Croatia along with his knowledge of the history and traditions of the islands. We had refreshing swim stops, great meals created by a fun chef, and we were surrounded by a happy / helpful crew. Being active while sightseeing beyond the touristy areas was rewarding and relaxing. It was better than I had hoped it would be! I absolutely encourage you to visit Croatia with 'Sail Croatia'!
- Sandy, 01/09/2025 19:37, Travelled in a Couple
My partner and I, along with family members and friends, took this trip. Great onboard atmosphere. The crew and dining service folks were great. Wonderful cuisine (always more than enough) provided by the onboard chef. The hikes were more challenging than I expected. I would like to have trained for hills, and tricky terrain in the heat. Our tour guides were very supportive, though. Would definitely recommend.
- Kristin, 10/07/2025 23:37, Travelled with Friend/s
We sailed in June on the Dubrovnik return itinerary with family and friends, The week was very enjoyable. The crew on the Colombo were terrific. Great food, great service and we really enjoyed our time on the boat. Our Sail-Croatia guides Mate and Ilona were excellent. They were very engaging, shared terrific stories and really made the trip enjoyable. The hikes were sometimes challenging (rocky, steep terrain), but there was great teamwork and we always ended with beautiful views. I have already shared many recommendations for this trip with family and friends. Thanks!
- Kelly, 08/07/2025 23:03, Travelled in a Couple
We just finished the Split/Return Hiking Tour. We were thrilled with the vacation. The Tour Leaders were personable and knowledgeable; the Cooks prepared Amazing food (and paid very close attention to my food allergies); and the Crew of the boat took very good care of us. The water was mostly very calm which was wonderful for swimming off the boat and on the beaches. This was my first time on a boat cruise, so I wasn't prepared for the smell of the bathrooms, but apparently this is normal. The weather was too hot for me to participate in most of the hikes, unfortunately, but I enjoyed swimming and sight-seeing in the towns while others were hiking. We went with a group of friends, AND enjoyed new friendships with the others on the boat. A very happy 7 days!
- Anonymous, 01/07/2025 18:25, Travelled in a Couple
Fantastic week hiking in Sail Croatia. Great captain, Crew, and reps/guides. Would thoroughly recommend it
- Jo, 30/06/2025 20:03, Travelled with Friend/s
Our recent 7-day hiking cruise with tour leaders Mate and Ilona was fantastic. They were absolutely the best--so knowledgeable and friendly, and they knew how to set a crowd-pleasing pace for activities. Ilona offered to make dinner reservations at almost every port of call--so helpful. The ship was comfortable and well-maintained, and the crew were responsive and professional. The food was plentiful and tasty. We were with a large group of friends, and I think everyone in our group had a great time. My husband and I were able to complete all the hikes. Not everyone was able to. I think some guests would have benefited from having more info about the hikes when considering whether to book the trip--not just length of hike and elevation gain, but a bit about the technical aspects: e.g., gravel/scree, occasional boulder-scrambling, etc. Mate provided these descriptions the day of the hike, but having the info earlier might have been helpful. Overall, though, 5-stars all the way!
- Kelley, 25/06/2025 21:23, Travelled in a Couple
We had an outstanding week with Sail Croatia Hiking. Mate and Ilana went above and beyond to guide us through the beautiful country on this fun trip. We were celebrating our birthdays and it was such a great way to do so. The price was very reasonable and entire crew was excellent. Highly recommend this hiking adventure, especially with Mate and Ilana.
- Jennifer , 18/06/2025 16:49, Travelled in a Couple
The guides Mate and Ilona were terrific and well versed with the area and history. The ship’s crew were attentive to all our needs. The swimming off the boat was an added fantastic bonus!
- Anonymous, 17/06/2025 18:43, Travelled with Friend/s
- Crystal, 17/06/2025 16:52, Travelled in a Couple
If you are looking for a memorable and unique experience to explore Croatia then the Sail and Hike on Sail Croatia is the way to go. From the incredible staff on board to the amazing views, this was a trip of a lifetime!!
- Tracie, 17/06/2025 14:30, Travelled in a Couple
We loved moving to a new island each day. The hikes were enjoyable. The guides were knowledgable and fun. The food was great.
- Monica, 07/06/2025 06:41, Travelled in a Couple
We had a great time on and off the boat. We traveled as a couple with a set of friends. The hikes were good and guided very well by Illona and Martin. The only thing I would recommend to change is the fixed lunch as we could have enjoyed a few longer hikes without having to rush back for lunch on the boat. It was especially the case with the hike from Makarska after an hours bus drive to the national park. That day we also had the captains dinner on the boat so we could have had lunch on the mountain in the national park. All in all we had a wonderful holiday!
- Elke, 05/06/2025 15:35, Travelled in a Couple
There isn't one particular thing - the staff, the accommodations, the FOOD (we had to hike or else get fat!), the guides, and the destinations - it was all beyond what I ever expected.
- Lisa, 02/06/2025 17:44, Travelled with Friend/s
What a great itinerary, with a fabulous bunch of people! Everyone was so friendly. Our hikes were a good variety, ranging from flat to vertical (possibly a slight exaggeration, but there were some steep bits!) We hiked along clifftops, over rocks, through woodland, in National Parks with waterfalls galore (and some very noisy frogs!), and through small towns. All different, all gorgeous. Our guides Ivica and Lucija were brilliant, watching out for everyone, giving us lots of snippets of information, and sharing their obvious love for their beautiful country. They gave us some pretty good restaurant recommendations too!
- Paula, 27/05/2025 17:33, Travelled in a Couple
Great crew and good company with fellow travelers
- Gwyn, 27/05/2025 04:02, Travelled in a Couple
From making the reservations to answering our questions to providing us with fantastic reps, Mila and Lola.... everything was fantastic and we can't wait to explore more of this beautiful country using Sail Croatia. The Emanuel ship and crew were comfortable and made our experience top- notch. 5- stars all around!
- Jodi, 26/05/2025 20:32, Travelled in a Couple
Our sail/hike Split Southern Islands week was a perfect mix of activity on our hikes and time to relax either onboard beautiful Emanuel or onshore at one of the picturesque towns in which we spent the night. Food provided onboard for breakfast and lunch was plentiful and tasty (thanks to our on-board Chef). Our cabin was roomy and well presented. The whole crew and our two guides looked after us really well and Croatia and the Adriatic Sea were just stunning. We could not have asked for a better week. Thank you to our crew and our awesome guides and thank you Sail Croatia.
- Andrea and Gary, 26/05/2025 18:51, Travelled in a Couple
We had a blast, and weren't disappointed
- Katie, 26/05/2025 12:20, Travelled with Friend/s
Enjoyed the scenery and hikes. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides.
- Julie, 26/05/2025 12:15, Travelled with Friend/s
Salve di mare is a beautiful ship with an amazing and professional crew. They looked after us with attention and care. The food on board was delicious, a big thank you for the chef and his team! Our hiking guide Matte was very knowledgeable and provided full description not only about the hikes but also about the villages visited. Ioana, leading the guests was very approachable and friendly.. Despite the extra charge for the upper cabin booked, we found out that it was on top of the engine making it very noisy and other cabins at a cheaper rate, were way more spacious than ours. Tea and coffee was free of charge only until 1pm, which we did not understand the reason, as it was an average coffee maker, not a barista style at all for the extra charge. We definitely recommend our hiking tour and we will be happy to come back and choose Sail Croatia again!
- Anonymous, 26/05/2025 11:24, Travelled in a Couple
This was one of my best vacations ever! A perfect combination of activity, connecting with nature, and relaxation. The itinerary (northern route from Split) was expertly selected and planned, the crew was friendly and attentive, and the guides were knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend!
- Christine, 26/05/2025 11:00, Travelled with Friend/s
Great guides. Good hikes.
- Anonymous, 26/05/2025 10:57, Travelled with Friend/s
We were a group of twelve family and friends coming from all around the globe. Our two guides Mila and Lola were fantastic. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their country was to be admired and their sense of humour and their laughter was infectious. We had a great time and I would recommend it to anyone.
- Denise, 26/05/2025 10:46, Travelled with Friend/s
The crew was friendly and helpful. The boat was well appointed. We had fantastic fellow travelers. The destinations were beautiful
- Julie, 26/05/2025 05:53, Travelled in a Couple
Sail croatia put together an amazing journey along the Dalmatian coast. We were aboard the Mali Ante with a experienced and skilled crew. The chef prepared excellent Croatian cuisine for breakfast and lunch that rivaled many of the excellent restaurants we tried for dinner. We were on a new hiking cruise, designed by our guides, that included national parks and islands north of Split, including Plitvice and Krka. The guides, Ivica and Lucija, carefully selected trails to suit the abilities of the group and were very attentive to the needs of each guest. I would love to come back and do a hiking tour of the southern islands in the future. We primarily stayed in small villiages on the islands and Lucija was very kind to tell us all about the towns and their history and every night she provided excellent recommendations for dinners. Swim stops were great and refreshing! Best part of our month long vacation so far!
- Carolyn, 26/05/2025 05:52, Travelled in a Couple
We chose the Luxury Hiking Tour on the Salve di mare from Split to Dubrovnik. From our arrival on the Yacht to our departure everything was beyond perfect! Anita and Mate went above and beyond to ensure we had a true Croatian experience from the great hikes filled with historic information to the recommendations for additional activities and wonderful restaurants on each of the islands we visited. The Yacht crew was friendly and attentive to requests, providing wonderful meals, making sure our room and the Yacht were clean and our captain went above expectations by adjusting our island visits to ensure we always had fantastic weather. We look forward to traveling again in the future with Sail Croatia and highly recommend their trips.
- Shelly, 23/05/2025 23:39, Travelled in a Couple
Friendly, knowledgeable boat crew Excellent food Great hikes leading to interesting points in history, connection with nature, fabulous views Would recommend!
- Steph, 21/05/2025 07:24, Travelled in a Couple
Well organised. Great crew and amazing tour leaders ❤️
- Rosette, 20/05/2025 11:53, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff were top notch, accommodations very comfortable and I want to give a special shoutout to Mate our hiking guide and Anita our tour guide. They truly were a team and did an excellent job of keeping us informed with daily briefings covering our hike for the day and historic things to see and places to have dinner. The great friends we met will not be forgotten!! Thank you all!
- Monica, 15/05/2025 19:58, Travelled in a Couple
The crew, guides & boat were fabulous. The pictureques coastline & islands we visitied were asolutely amazing. A fun & engaging time was had with fellow travellers who were from Australia, Canada & USA. The onboard catering was excellent although not sure we needed dessert after every meal. A bowl of fresh fruit would have sufficed. As an Aussie coffee lover, the machine coffee & its cost made be worth some tweaking. A barista style coffee machine would be the only improvement I could recommend on our cruise.
- Miriam, 15/05/2025 09:46, Travelled with Friend/s
The overall experience was outstanding! The tour leaders, Anita and Mate, engaged positively with everyone as they introduced us to beautiful Croatia. The crew of the Salve de Mare were professional, friendly, and contributed to the overall wonderful trip.
- Heather, 14/05/2025 13:28, Travelled with Friend/s
Second time on a Sail Croatia trip and it did not disappoint. The boat was comfortable and the food was very good. Crew helpful and very friendly. The guides, Lola and Ilona, were knowledgeable, friendly and really looked after us well. Hikes were very good, places we visited beautiful and stunning views. Great company on the boat, lots of laughter. A really good week.
- Claire , 13/05/2025 11:25, Travelled in a Couple
Thoroughly enjoyed this cruise, the staff were friendly and accommodating, the hikes were great and the guides were very attentive and knowledgeable , the rooms were clean and comfortable, and the boat was spotless clean and easy to travel on.
- Kate, 13/05/2025 10:59, Travelled in a Couple
The food was fabulous, the crew were fantastic and the guides were amazing. Beautiful country and the hikes allowed me to burn off all of those calories I consumed. Would highly recommend.
- Anonymous, 12/05/2025 23:52, Travelled in a Couple
This hike cruise was fabulous! Amazing ship and crew, tasty food and our hiking guides Lola and Ilona were just awesome, the hikes were stunning everyday with optional add on activities if we wanted to do them. The other guests made the cruise so sociable, I have belly laughed a lot! To be honest the whole experience was better than I could have imagined - there’s no doubt I’ll book again! Can’t wait to come back and explore Croatia more! Especially if we can have Lola and Ilona again, they really made the week special!
- Kaye, 12/05/2025 11:32, Travelled with Friend/s
What a wonderful week facilitated by our great guides Mate and Lola. They provided great knowledge of the areas we visited and safely navigated us through our hikes. The crew on the ship were very helpful, friendly and courteous providing excellent service and care.The menu:- outstanding. Thank you
- Jackie, 06/05/2025 22:00, Travelled in a Couple
I booked the Hiking Split Return South route for my 50th birthday and it exceeded all of my expectations. My husband and I were on the Columbo and our guides Mate and Karla were awesome. They were knowledgeable and fun and you could tell that they were passionate about Croatia and hiking. The food was great, the swim stops were fun and I haven't laughed that much on a trip ever. We had a great group of like minded people from around the world who made every day fun. From the captain to the crew and especially our guides Mate and Karla, we all felt very well taken care of onboard and off. I would highly recommend Sail Croatia and will definitely book another trip with them in the future. Lindsie & Curtis (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
- Lindsie, 10/10/2024 17:10, Travelled in a Couple
The Sail Croatia hike week gave us exactly what we were hoping for and more. A week sailing between beautiful islands (on Columbo), interesting hikes each day, like-minded people on the trip (some of which will become life-long friends), good food and local tips for each island, regular swim stops and a whole lot of fun and laughter. Our tour guides Mate and Karla provided expert guidance, fun and constant enthusiasm. Their passion for their country was truly infectious. We have fallen in love with Croatia. Thank you, Jill and Rich (UK)
- Jill, 09/10/2024 20:29, Travelled in a Couple
The tour guide Karla and hike guide Mate were really amazing. We feel so lucky to have had them with us.. Really knowledgeable and friendly people who helped bring a group of strangers together to be friends by the end of the week. Thanks too to Bruno and the captain and crew on Columbo for taking such good care of us. The hikes were beautiful. Sometimes they were challenging but not so difficult that we were not able to enjoy the scenery and get to know each other on the way. Our favourite hike was in Makarska, where the views were stunning. Our weather was mixed with some unexpected heavy rain at times but the itinerary was adapted well to suit sailing conditions. The boat was full of like-minded travellers from all over the world and we had a really fun-filled week with the best people.
- Anonymous, 08/10/2024 08:33, Travelled in a Couple
Mate & Karla created an atmosphere that was joyous, fascinating, physically challenging (what we'd hoped for), historically relevant, whilst oozing their love of their gorgeous homeland, nature, fun facts, & always with a smile & belly laughs! They were the reason 30 people came together as strangers & left wanting (& hoping) to stay in touch with them all!! Very organised, very safe, & inspirational. The crew were also a huge part of making this trip as perfect as it was as well. Thank you to all who played a part. We sure love Mate & Karla!!
- Ellen, 07/10/2024 16:57, Travelled in a Couple
This cruise/hike was the most amazing trip!!! Our guides- Mate and Karla made it even better as they planned our daily hikes, kept in contact with us, shared their local knowledge, protected us, and had fun with us!!! They were perfect and we couldn’t have asked for anything or anyone more! Bruno worked hard to keep us hydrated and fed and the sailors, cooks, and Captain of Colombo ship were perfect. The itinerary was so fun! Everyone on the ship bonded and loved the experience!!! We were all sad to say goodbye! Thank you!!!
- Linda, 07/10/2024 16:39, Travelled in a Couple
Our sail/hike trip will be remembered as a favourite because of the people. Our two guides, Karla and Mate, shared their knowledge and passion for Croatia helping passengers appreciate the living history all around us. We sailed on the ship Columbo which was extremely well run by captain and crew. Thank you all!
- Cynthia, 07/10/2024 07:40, Travelled with Friend/s
Had the best week ever. Perfect in all ways. Guides were so friendly and passionate and knowledgeable about their country. The crew of “Emmanuel “ were amazing as well, with a clean well equipped boat and friendly and helpful at all times. Food was fabulous. Amazing trip and can’t recommend highly enough.
- Hazel, 06/10/2024 11:54, Travelled with Friend/s
The trip was amazing from the fantastic crew, to great food and meeting a lovely group of like minded people., Anita the sail Cristian rep was fabulous with a wealth of knowledge on each area and always updated us on what was available at port stops by what’s app. Mika our hiking rep was competent with great knowledge of the terrain and our safety was paramount to her. Her daily updates were very informative. Her passion for the environment and her country was impressive.. I loved the daily sea swim stops . The hikes were challenging at times for me but with Mila and Anita encouragement I completed all of them. I would highly recommend this holiday.
- Liz, 05/10/2024 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
We had a fantastic time, met great new people and felt good getting in a bit of walking and swimming whilst still having some time to explore the towns we stopped in. Many thanks to the staff who were all so friendly, helpful, great guides and of course fabulous cooks. We highly recommend sailing on the Emanuel with Sail Croatia.
- Kirsten, 01/10/2024 19:55, Travelled with Friend/s
Thus was one of the best holidays that I have ever had and I have traveled expensively in my life to all continents. The organizing of the hikes was especially impressive. Dealing with various levels of fitness and skill would have made this a challenging task but Mate chose hikes that could appeal to all levels and mixed the intensity each day giving those who needed a rest. There was plenty of opportunity to swim creating the perfect fitness balance. I especially loved the carefree and historical stories told by Andro that displayed his passion for country. The boat was beautiful and very clean, the service top notch and attentive. The food was tasty, plentiful and creative. We had one bad day of weather and I truly appreciated the choice made by the captain to come in a day early, I felt safe in his hands. Because of this experience we are planning to book another Sail Croatia from Split for next year. We started searching for a similar trip when we returned but Sail Croatia wins
- Sharon , 30/09/2024 15:50, Travelled with Friend/s
What a great way to see the islands and learn so much about the history and geography of the area. The Emmanuel is a great ship to travel on with great , friendly and helpful staff. Food was excellent and plentiful and the twin bedded cabin we had was more roomy that I expected Our guides Mila and Anita are so knowledgeable and shared many facts along the hikes . The hikes were a all manageable length and the ascents worth it , for the amazing views. I loved being able.to swimming the ship daily, what a great holiday. Mila's enthusiasm and passion for her country , traditions and history and love of walking in nature is contagious. Thank you
- Ruth, 30/09/2024 05:31, Travelled with Friend/s
We did the sailing/hiking tour around the south islands of Split and every day got better and better! The scenery is spectacular, the water is amazing to look at and even better to swim in! The hikes were such a wonderful way to see the country. Mila and Lola were our fantastic guides and they made every hike incredible. We learned so much and got a great workout in each day. The crew is superb! We had some weather but the Captain did everything he could to avoid it and get us to our next destination. Every other crew member made sure our accommodations, food and drinks were great! ! I would definitely go back and sail/hike with this group of people any day!
- Tracey, 18/09/2024 20:23, Travelled with Friend/s
Excellent staff and very clean boat. Itinerary was great despite changes due to weather. (The only thing I would change is to have more salads and fish at lunch - too much heavy meat). Wonderful week!
- Joanne, 16/09/2024 00:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Comraderie, top professionalism and best exposure to the delights of Croatia for. Sea to land
- Jaslovelin , 05/09/2024 06:51, Travelled in a Couple
Great team , food was amazing and the hikes were tough but awesome !
- Barbara de Kock , 01/07/2024 06:02, Travelled in a Couple
Really well organised from start to finish. Maria our Sail Croatia rep was friendly and helpful nothing too much trouble. Mate our hiking guide was also fab sharing his passion for his homeland on our hikes. The boat was comfortable, food excellent and our swim stops one of the highlights. We met some amazing people from around the globe we had plenty of laughs and each day we discovered another gem of an island. Croatia is truly beautiful I would recommend this holiday to all my hiking loving friends.
- Sharon , 24/06/2024 16:14, Travelled with Friend/s
The logistics were spot on making this a super easy trip. The hikes were clearly explained in advance and our guides, Mate and Marija, were fantastic - their local knowledge and skill made all the difference. Swim spots along the way were a welcome opportunity to relax and the variety of hikes meant we saw diverse terrains, flora and fauna. Highly recommended!
- Simone, 21/06/2024 15:20, Travelled in a Couple
The staff made our trip a dream come true. They were very attentive to the guests, helping to solve challenge when luggage was delayed. Enjoyed the food, activities, swimming and company of other guests. It was a great way to see lovely Croatia. Highly recommend.
- Debra, 18/06/2024 13:40, Travelled with Friend/s
Superb holiday guides. Great boat and wonderful staff. The hikes were incredible. A holiday I will always remember
- Teresa, 18/06/2024 11:54, Travelled in a Couple
The accommodations were better than I expected. Helpful and knowledgeable staff Wonderful guides Would have liked better directions to where the boat was docked, we had to pay a €50 taxi ride to get to the other side of the harbor. We never received the “live feed”, Fortunately they held the boat for the 4 of us.
- Anita, 17/06/2024 18:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Friendly and helpful staff! The chef made the best begie meals for me!!!
- Sandi , 17/06/2024 03:43, Travelled with Friend/s
This is a terrific cruise. Our hiking guide, Mate, was friendly, knowledgeable and willing to work with each person's skill level ensuring everyone had a great time. Our cruise manager was Lucija. She was well-organized, always smiling and very willing to go the extra mile to help passengers arrange tours, transportation, etc. The ship was extremely clean and the crew were outstanding. Highly recommend!
- Anonymous, 06/06/2024 23:36, Travelled with Friend/s
The guides were knowledgeable and fun! Lucy went above and beyond in making arrangements for our group after the trip was completed.
- Kim, 03/06/2024 19:32, Travelled with Friend/s
The team onboard Afrodita made my experience onboard the best I could ask for. Truly an amazing crew which gave the highest of care to everyone on board. Andre the waiter was amazing at making sure I didn't lift a finger to get anything. He reminded me I was on holiday saying I will do it for you. He was truly amazing. They all were to be honest such lovely kind people. Our hike guides Mila and Andro were also amazing, with their amazing guidance they brought the fun factor also which is important when you are on holidays. This has been my best holiday to date and I will forever remember my time and crew onboard Afrodita. Thank you everyone and hope to meet again one day x.
- Mary Hackett, 23/05/2024 10:16, Travelled with Friend/s
The crew on the Emanuel was terrific. They were attentive and very professional. The ship is kept in tip top shape; everything is very clean. Everything was well-organized and there was a good balance between programmed activities and free time. The maximum capacity for passengers was 30 and we had 27 aboard. It was a very good number. The views were spectacular and all of the places we visited were beautiful and interesting.
- Pam, 13/05/2024 07:36, Travelled with Friend/s
Thankyou everyone I had an amazing time!! The hikes were hard but wonderful. Our guides were so friendly (Ilona and Mila) and helpful and were so happy sharing information about each island and where to visit and eat. Thankyou lovely ladies!! I was happy with the service from all of the guys on the boat too. There was always enough food which I enjoyed. The boat was very clean and you could see the captain really looks after it and has pride in this, thank you boys!!
- Kim, 13/05/2024 04:07, Travelled with Friend/s
Fantastic daily treks with amazing knowledgeable guides Mila and Ilona. Clean boat with plenty of relaxing areas. Nice room. Fabulous attentive staff.
- Susan, 13/05/2024 04:05, Travelled with Friend/s
My trip with Sail Croatia was a wonderful adventure. The staff's exceptional hospitality made the journey truly unforgettable. They were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely cared about our well-being, ensuring we had a fantastic experience. The ship itself was clean and comfortable. It was well-maintained and the food was plentiful and delicious. The hikes in Croatia were nothing short of spectacular, with breathtaking views and diverse terrain. The camaraderie among fellow travelers added an extra layer of enjoyment to the trip, and I made lasting friendships along the way. This sailing and hiking adventure exceeded my expectations. It's a perfect escape for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I can't recommend it highly enough, and I'm already dreaming of my next journey with this outstanding team.
- Alison, 23/10/2023 01:58, Travelled with Friend/s
From start to finish we had a great holiday. The boat was gleaming throughout, the crew were friendly and the food was excellent. Just what we needed to fuel up for the hikes. Our guides (Mate and Andro) were kind, helpful, informative and both had a great sense of humour. The hikes were good fun and the views were spectacular! We met lovely people from around the world. We would definitely do this again.
- Claire , 13/10/2023 07:51, Travelled in a Couple
WOW. The guides and crew of our hiking trip made our experience so fun and easy. The hikes were calibrated to the group's preferences, so they were just challenging enough to keep it fun and provided great views of the islands. Breakfasts and lunches on board were delicious. And I can't say enough good things about our guides and crew - so kind, thoughtful, and detail-oriented. This trip was the perfect way to unwind while not just sitting in a beach chair for a week. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure.
- Anonymous, 10/10/2023 13:05, Travelled in a Couple
I travelled with a friend on the Hike & Swim trip onboard The Emmanuel. All the other guests were a fabulous bunch & very diverse. The hikes were challenging for me - some more than others - however no one is hurrying you & you can choose to sit some out if you need to. I felt a tremendous sense of achievement for managing to complete the majority & of course enjoy the beautiful countryside. Our guides Mila & Maria were just brilliant - knowledgeable, humorous, kind & the crew of the Emmanuel were also the same - it felt like a family. The food was excellent & we particularly appreciated the special efforts made for us as a Vegan & Vegetarian. One thing to note - if you are checking a bag in, bring walking poles - the ascents & descents are steep & rocky. Cabins are very basic & very small but all we did was sleep in them so it was no problem & tbh there is all we need. Definitely would return to some of the islands & would consider a different Sail Croatia trip (different islands).
- Rebecca, 10/10/2023 11:11, Travelled with Friend/s
Our ship’s friendly crew and staff on board the Mail Ante were all wonderful., especially our waiter Mario. He was very welcoming, and helpful.. I had some dietary requirements and he looked after meat every meal. All the food we had on board was delicious. There was so much variety. Our hiking guides Mate and Andro were friendly and very informative. We learned lots about the places we hiked to. The hikes were challenging but doable with amazing views. The swim stops were glorious. We met lovely fellow passengers and we all got along really well. Thank you for a fabulous holiday. We would highly recommend this trip and would love to return to Sail Croatia in the near future.
- Anonymous, 09/10/2023 20:49, Travelled with Friend/s
We loved the hiking cruise! You could swim and walk everyday, and we saw islands/ parts of Croatia we never would have visited otherwise. Everyone on the boat was great. We were recommended by friends, and we will continue to highly recommend too! Thanks Sail Croatia
- Amanda , 26/09/2023 08:37, Travelled in a Couple
- travelling with old friends - meeting new people - seeing new beautiful places - discovering that I enjoy cruising - nice staff
- Karen, 25/09/2023 20:12, Travelled with Friend/s
Mate and Lola gave lots of info and were always concerned about our safety.
- Kirti, 25/09/2023 18:33, Travelled in a Couple
The organisation, the friendly crew, the varied and well paced hikes. Mate and Lola made a great team leading the hikes and providing information about each location and they had some great restaurant recommendations. Must also mention Lucy who did a great job serving the meals each day as well as making a delicious Aperol Spritz . Each day was varied but with plenty of time to relax or explore each town. Never having cruised before we were not too sure what to expect but loved it and would not hesitate to recommend the trip and sail croatia. We have already told many of our friends.
- Joanne, 25/09/2023 15:20, Travelled in a Couple
Beautiful coves where anchor was dropped to allow us to swim off the swimming deck in crystal clear sea. Towns and villages were fantastic, each had a unique charm and some had summer music concerts to entertain. Hikes were enjoyable if challenging in the humidity. Whilst short in distance they all involved walking up steep and rugged terrain, do pack hiking poles! Mate was our experienced and very knowledgeable guide, we had complete trust in him. Decks were kept clean and tidy, there was always space to sunbathe. Meals onboard were tasty and well presented, a captain’s dinner was provided free one evening. Not rated 5 stars as our ship EOS (21 cabins) was tired and a little “crusty” in places, we were expecting a higher standard and more spacious accommodation. A good mix of English speaking passengers onboard, all respectful to each other and we made new friends for life.
- Carol, 25/09/2023 06:02, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Carol, thank you for your 4-star review! We are really happy to hear you had a wonderful time onboard our Hike cruise, and appreciate all your comments regarding the boat cleanliness, delicious meals onboard, daily hikes, destinations and swimming out at sea in lovely secluded bays, thank you. It sounds like you were able to fully immerse yourself in the country and culture, which we love hearing about! Your kind comments will be passed on to Mate and the rest of the crew. All Premier ships include ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning, and each of our ships are unique in style. We aim to provide transparency for all ship types offered, and you will find the ship options outlined on our website under the Hike page. We are thrilled to know you have made life-long friends Carol, and we hope to welcome you back for another Active Adventure soon!
The tour manager, hiking guide and crew were all so friendly and helpful. Made the cruise relaxing and fun. They made sure we knew what was happening and any changes as soon as possible.
- Rose, 18/09/2023 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
Great value for money and perfectly planned and executed hikes and activities. I will recommend this to anyone. Hiking guide is a gem. Coffee on the boat - perhaps open coffee station 24/7? Even if guests must bring their own ingredients
- Carien Lambert, 18/09/2023 13:50, Travelled with Friend/s
We all had a fantastic week with sail croatia. Food was really good all the staff were lovely and helpful. Hikes were challenging and great. Loved every minute. Thank you. Hope to come again next year.
- Susan, 23/06/2023 08:25, Travelled with Friend/s
Fantastic places to swim and hike to view points. Had a fabulous holiday with like minded people.
- Janet, 19/06/2023 18:43, Travelled in a Couple
Location was beautiful Friendly and knowledgeable guides Lovely ship staff nothing was too much trouble Good mix of passengers Great food nicely prepared and plentiful
- Laurie, 19/06/2023 06:16, Travelled in a Couple
You get to see more of islands, the hike were great and not easy so you do need some level of fitness. Food was brilliant as were the crew onboard and guides. Rooms were great only niggle was air con not very cold. All in all a great experience and great way to see Croatia just wish they did this in other countries like Greece as would book again in a heartbeat
- Janet, 19/06/2023 05:06, Travelled in a Couple
Robert our guide. Perfect gentleman, didn't see our age - saw us. Went over and above on every hike helping supporting and encouraging all the way. On board crew felt like family exceptional service night and day.
- Catherine , 19/06/2023 05:01, Travelled with Friend/s
From getting on boat to getting off I had a fantastic time with wonderful people and crew. The guides crew were fantastic food amazing 👏 I challenged myself with the hikes and everyone supported each other I had the time of my life.
- Christine , 19/06/2023 04:45, Travelled with Friend/s
Good accommodations, friendly people. Expert crew and captain.
- Mary, 18/06/2023 17:09, Travelled with Friend/s
The boat was a perfect size, always spotless, the food was delicious, the crew superb, charming and helpful and the organization excellent. Each walk was special, Mila and Mari were a perfect combination of guides and always made a plan with the weather enabling us to hike come what may. In the misty, pouring rain a three hour hike was fortunately reduced to a 1 hour hike. We were all very impressed with our captain, especially with his horizontal parking in a tiny harbour! I would definitely recommend doing this trip but be warned for all types of weather and bring appropriate clothing.
- Karin, 29/05/2023 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
Great captain, Vlado, fabulous guides Mila and Mare, were key to us having a fabulous trip even though our weather was not perfect. The whole crew made our stay on the boat amazing. Clean rooms, hot showers, spectacular destinations! Will definitely be back to Croatia.
- Kim, 22/05/2023 07:22, Travelled in a Couple
Ahoy there! I went on the hiking week with eight girlfriends, but by the end of the holiday I felt that I was friends with all 32 shipmates, all of the amazing crew and our guides Mali and Marija. From the Captain, to every single member of the crew, they made this week truly awesome. The food onboard was plentiful and delicious. The boat was kept scrupulously clean and tidy. Unfortunately, the weather for the first four days was very wet and windy, causing the Captain to reschedule the original route. Mali had to improvise and make alternative plans for some of our hikes by tweaking the itinerary. Both guides worked very hard at making the holiday a huge success and motivational, enabling me to complete some of the slightly challenging parts of our treks. Thank you! The landscape and views are breathtaking, the people of Croatia are wonderful and I will be returning, In the meantime, I’ll remember with affection the week spent with such wonderful company. Book now!!!
- Fiona, 22/05/2023 06:26, Travelled with Friend/s
Ahoy Fiona! This is fantastic to read - thank you so much for taking the time to leave us with such a brilliant review, we really do appreciate it. It's wonderful reading what a great time you had on board and you were really pleased with all aspects of the cruise, thank you so much for an incredible week on board. We hope we will see you on board again in the future.
Loved the friendliness and openness of the crew and guides - showed us the best of Croatian people. There were a few "buts" - there were tv-s in cabins, but they didn't work, the lock of our cabin broke, took a while to get it sorted. The drinks on board cost twice that on shore - I only had 2 classes of wine during the trip and loads on shore - maybe the price policy needs to be worked on... I did also have a question about the wages of the crew and guides - maybe Sail Croatia should pay them more, add it to the overall cost and not do the whole "usually our guests leave tip that much". If people want to add extra tip, they could but this passive agressive - leaving the envelope and instructions how much people need to tip, is leaving a bit of unpleasant shadow to the trip.
- Anonymous, 22/05/2023 05:17, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there, thank you so much for your 4 star review and for joining us this season. We are so pleased to read how happy you were with the crew and guides on your cruise and I will be sure to pass your kind words on! Please be assured that your feedback is very important to us and has been well received. It is only with such feedback we can improve our services and experience for guests, where possible. The points you have raised will be passed onto the correct teams, so thank you for bringing these to our attention. We do have a blog on tipping available on the website as this is not compulsory in Croatia, so is entirely up to the individual if they wish to leave a tip. We wish to thank you for a pleasant week on board.
All the towns we visited in Croatia were beautiful! The hikes were great fun! The crew were ALL amazing, friendly and knowledgeable! The boat (Milena) was clean, spacious and very comfortable! And we had a wonderful group of people and all became fast friends!
- Diane, 18/05/2023 14:22, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi Diane, We are glad to hear you had such an amazing week! Thank you for your review and we hope to see you again in the future!
- Darlene, 15/05/2023 19:03, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you Darlene!
The crew of the Emanuel were fantastic and looked after us so well. We also had an excellent hike leader - Mate, who took us on interesting hikes on the various locations - and Sail Croatia rep - Andi, who took care of every detail and possible question from the guests. We were also lucky enough to be sailing with the loveliest group of people, making the week one of our most enjoyable holidays.. A really good way of sampling lots of locations in Croatia in a week.
- Elaine , 10/10/2022 08:56, Travelled in a Couple
Wow! we have just returned from a Sail-Hike week on Emanuel. It was an amazing experience that totally exceeded our expectations. Every aspect was top class, the crew were extremely helpful and friendly - the ship was so clean, the food was amazing. Our schedule was updated daily to take account of the changing weather, we were kept safe and managed to see all the highlights .Our guides Marin and Karolina made it such a memorable trip, the pace was perfect for everyone - we quickly became a big family. Groups, couples and singles boarded as strangers and disembarked as friends. Croatia is a beautiful destination, so much more to explore. Would love to do another sail/hike if you offer a different schedule. Love, love, loved it!!
- Mandy, 04/10/2022 15:20, Travelled in a Couple
The overall trip was well organised. Great crew. Food delicious. Tour manager and hiking guide excellent. Even when plans had to change because of the weather a good alternative was organised. We made new friends. I would re book in a heart beat. Well done
- Helen, 03/10/2022 13:38, Travelled in a Couple
Staff, boat, walks, venue
- Chris, 03/10/2022 08:24, Travelled with Friend/s
Lovely small boat able to drop into little bays and harbours. Good food for hungry hikers. Plenty of room on deck to relax while travelling.
- Anonymous, 03/10/2022 06:19, Travelled with Friend/s
Congratulations I am a vegan and I can honestly say I had the most delicious variety of dishes on board the ship. The ingredients were fresh and extremely well cooked and presented. So even though the choice of food on land was very limited it didn’t matter because you were so well looked after on board.
- Amanda , 03/10/2022 03:47, Travelled with Friend/s
The trip was great in every way. The food was exceptional and the service very good. The trip was very well organized, the hikes were fun and the tour guides were very nice. Enough time to walk around the small towns we visited and an unforgettable opportunity to swim in the sea.
- Þórunn, 24/09/2022 09:49, Travelled with Friend/s
First time with sail Croatia the crew were lovely friendly but were not invasive and gave you your privacy. The boat particularly the cabins were above my expectations we were in the bottom deck at the back and yes when the engines started up it was your early alarm clock but did not upset us as we needed to be organised for the day ahead. we had Mate and Marin as our guides and they were marvellous and knowledgable and even though they had a few difficult characters to manage they were always professional and polite. Over all had a great holiday the only reason for 4 stars was it would have been good to have the cabin floor sweeper daily as we were bringing in a lot of stones from our trips. The food was fantastic and never a day when we did not enjoy it the chef went above and beyond and mario the host at the meals could not go enough for us. The facilities on the sip were great from the sun lounging deck to the bar.
- Margaret, 19/09/2022 16:49, Travelled with Friend/s
What a fantastic holiday! Just loved it! Would totally recommend. Lovely crew, great hike guide, such a different holiday from my normal holiday! Lots of food, challenging hikes and beautiful weather. Gorgeous islands, swimming in the sea off the boat, thank you for a great experience 👍🏻
- Janet, 15/09/2022 05:23, Travelled with Friend/s
The amazing crew, view and group
- petronella, 07/09/2022 12:07, Travelled with Friend/s
Great team on Emanuel boat made everything run seamlessly. Mila and Mate were an awesome team for the hikes and suggesting places to visit and a wealth of knowledge on the area. Not just leading hikes but going over and above to make sure we had a great time! The boat crew were also great ensuring we docked in great places, got time to swim, and ate lovely food.
- Hoanne, 05/09/2022 11:27, Travelled with Friend/s
worry free vacation where the crew takes good care of you onboard, the hiking guide is outstanding, environment is unforgettable. overall perfect vacation with a perfect combination of relaxation, activity, good food and company. I will remember this week always :)
- Dagny, 05/09/2022 10:46, Travelled in a Couple
My friend and I went on the Emanuel for a hiking and sailing vacation in August and there is nothing that could have made this vacation better. Very quickly after we began sailing we stopped for our first swim break in the amazing blue waters. Getting into the chilly sea people yelped and laughed and opened up to each other. By the time we got back on the boat we were all friends rather than fellow travelers. The first hike solidified us even more. Every day we hiked to a beauty spot; a monastery, a fortress, a mountain hut etc. Each hike was challenging but you were not worn out afterwards. Our guide did a wonderful job of keeping us together and resting without making the faster people feel like the hike was slow. Every day we swam in the most beautiful coves (bring a snorkle and mask!) The food was abundant, varied and delicious. We moved seats each meal so we ate with all our friends. In towns restaurants and entertainments were recommended and they were quite good as well.
- Dana, 05/09/2022 08:01, Travelled with Friend/s
The balance of everything involved with the week was amazing-sailing, walking, swimming & sunbathing. The guides were great-friendly & excellent at going out of their way to help you, both with the walking & knowledge of the islands. The boat had all we needed & the food was good.
- Alison , 05/09/2022 06:20, Travelled with Friend/s
From the moment we arrived near our ship on the first morning to the moment we departed, our Sail Croatia guide Mate (pronounced Matty) was superb. So knowledgeable about the history behind the islands and was there to look after everyone, every step of the way both on the hikes and on the ship. Every island was so different. I was so excited to wake up every morning knowing I'd be seeing something new to explore. Cabins are clean and as comfortable as they can be for a small ship. Plenty of hot water. Crew were friendly. Definitely looking to book again next year, but for the cycle cruise so that I can see more of these beautiful islands. The Sale Croatia sales team are also fantastic. Quick to respond to any queries I had ahead of our holiday.
- Naomi, 29/06/2022 04:38, Travelled in a Couple
The crew and our guide were really friendly and couldn't do enough for us. Anything we needed, they were there. The food was excellent, an amazing chef who cooked 5 star food and catered really well for our gluten free diet. The boat Mali Ante is a lovely vessel and was kept spotlessly clean by the crew. The hikes were amazing and certainly gave us challenges but we're so worth it! If you're thinking of a hiking holiday coupled with sailing then this is the holiday to go for! Plus we saw some of Croatia and its beautiful islands - there's so much more to see and we will definitely be back!
- Kay, 20/06/2022 05:11, Travelled with Friend/s
Mein Mann und ich hatten unvergessliche Tage mit einer exzellenten Crew auf dem Boot "Emanuel", tollen Menschen um uns herum in einer familiären Atmosphäre sowie mit beeindruckenden Wanderungen unter der Leitung eines phantastischen Guides! Wir hatten gemeinsam so viel Spaß, dass wir sehr traurig waren beim Abschied. Absolut empfehlenswert!
- Sylke , 04/10/2021 13:57, Travelled in a Couple
Translated: My husband and I had unforgettable days with an excellent crew on the boat "Emanuel", great people around us in a family atmosphere and with impressive hikes under the guidance of a fantastic guide! We had so much fun together that we were very sad when we said goodbye. Highly Recommended! Hi Sylke and thanks for your 5 stars. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your time on our Hike cruise with unforgettable experiences, thank you! Emanuel and the crew are one big family, so we are happy to hear you were made to feel welcomed and also part of the wider Emanuel family.
From the moment we set foot on board we were made to feel so welcome by the entire team. Nothing could have been improved on. We had an exclusive, luxury cruise. Island hopping and hiking. Swimming off the boat into emerald seas. Soaking up the sun and enjoying amazing spreads of delicious food. Mate shared his knowledge of the mountains and guided us expertly along the trails like a calm shepherd. He took us to a variety of restaurants and we enjoyed every meal. Mate made our adventure one of the most memorable ever. But without the crew none of this would have been possible, professional and cheerful at all times, we felt completely safe in their hands. And we all laughed and smiled like old friends, thank you Mali Ante, Mate and Sail Croatia
- Heather, 20/09/2021 09:39, Travelled with Friend/s
Everyone on the crew was very personal. Our hiking guide Matè knew his trails - a local guide whom we all appreciated as he had restaurant recommendations and things for us to see & do. Everyone from the boat manager to the chef to the young skippers were great. The only thing I would recommend is to change your marketing from 'see Croatia by foot' to 'explore Croatia by hiking trails'. This way people can be more prepare w proper gear such as hiking boots. It was a great challenge and I know everyone had a wonderful time.
- Judy, 14/09/2021 02:30, Travelled with Friend/s
Visited a range of interesting destinations on in the Croatian Adriatic with suggestions from the guides to suit all tastes & abilities. Food was good & staff not only helpful & friendly but fun as well. Memorable trip !
- Molly, 22/10/2019 22:53, Travelled with Friend/s
Hey Molly, thanks for such a lovely review! It's great that the representative was so helpful and friendly and that the crew ensured you had such a fun time on board :) We would love to have you on board again Molly, thanks so much again for your kind words.
Our guides Mate and Kate were just the best The other staff were also excellent. Tbe meals were fabulous. The waks we did were interesting and challenging and very well led. Kate covered the history and points of inteerest with expertise. We were swimmers and that was caered for very well by the staff A wonderful holiday thankyou!
- Suzie, 07/10/2019 17:20, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Suzie, it is awesome reading what a great time you had on your Hike cruise with us this season! We are pleased to read how happy you were with the level of service provided by Mate, Kate and the rest of the crew on board, I will be sure to pass your kind words onto them. Thank you for joining us!
Katarina and Marta do this company proud, they were excellent as were the rest of the crew! The boat was great, comfortable and very clean. Food was great and trip and islands were also special. Swimming and walks fabulous but night for the light hearted.
- Cheryl , 07/10/2019 08:50, Travelled with Friend/s
Amazing to hear you had such a great time on board Milena and that you were so happy with the level of service received by the staff on board, I will be sure to pass your thanks and kind words onto them. Thank you Cheryl!
The whole experience was fantastic. We had a couple of times when, due to weather, our itinerary had to be changed and the alternative offered was great. The boat was very comfortable, the food excellent and I would highly recommend Sail Croatia.
- Karen Burge, 07/10/2019 04:30, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Karen. Thank you for your review! We are so pleased to read you had such a fantastic experience on your Hike cruise with us this season. Thank you for the recommendation and a great review :)
The boat was comfortable
- Anonymous, 04/10/2019 15:59, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for joining us!
I could not be more happy with the experience i had with Sail Croatia on board the Marija Magdalena! The crew was so helpful, fun, hospitable, and organized! I think there is nothing that I could complain about through the entire week...maybe just that it wasn’t long enough! I would definitely want to do this again with the same crew!
- Natalie , 02/10/2019 17:26, Travelled with Friend/s
Thanks for your review Natalie. We're so happy to read you had a lovely experience and enjoyed your time on our cruise and in Croatia. We hope to see you back again soon!
Great crew, well-organized, interesting places visited
- Faye, 02/10/2019 08:52, Travelled with Friend/s
Thanks for your comments Faye!
We were well taken care of by the staff of Sail Croatia. Food was great. Scenery was lovely. Suggestions for island restaurants were great. One suggestion: Make sure each level of hikers has an accompanying guide. In several situations the advanced group had two guides and the moderate group had none.
- Jana, 23/09/2019 16:48, Travelled in a Couple
Many thanks for your review of your Hike cruise with us this season on board Milena. We are so pleased to read that the staff really took care of you on board, that you enjoyed the delicious meals served and also that you enjoyed exploring beautiful Croatia with us! I will be sure to pass your further feedback onto our Operations Manager. Thank you for joining us.
Definately worth sailing with Sail Croatia very well organised, crew were friendly and food on board was great. The hikes are not for the faint hearted. The islands we visited were fantastic . Sail Croatia representitives were very knowlegable and friendly. Will recomend this trip. September good month to travel not too hot and not too busy.
- JUNE, 17/09/2019 07:05, Travelled with Friend/s
Amazing to hear you had such a wonderful time on your Hike cruise on board Mlini! We are pleased to hear that you found the trip well organised and that you were happy with the staff on board as well as your Representative. Thank you so much for the recommendation and for joining us this summer.
- boat cabins were very damp/musty and particularly the bathrooms smelled very moldy. It made it very unpleasant to be in there, and contributed to a number of us getting sick - the hikes and timelines felt very disorganized with locations changing and guides seeming to not know the route at multiple locations. There was often confusion with timelines where it would be stated different to what was posted or it would change last minute resulting in the need to scramble on or off the boat. - there was no contingency plan or second hike in the case that we were stuck somewhere multiple days or if there was an interest in a different level of hike intensity.
- Anonymous, 16/09/2019 11:36, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there and thank you for your review. Upon checking the onboard feedback submitted, we are pleased to see you rated the crew 5 stars, the onboard meals 4 stars and the boat in general 4 stars, thank you. We are sorry to hear of your cabin issues. I have checked our internal records and cannot see that these issues were reported to our onboard rep. Had these issues been raised, we would have resolved them with urgency. We understand that due to strong winds the ship was unable to depart Vis, so for the safety and wellbeing of all guests, the captain decided to remain in Vis where you rep organised a museum visit and wine tasting excursion. We hope that the issues onboard didn't detract from your overall experience onboard and in Croatia as a whole. Thank you again for all your comments.
Booking and pre-holiday information easy and accessible. Boat easy to locate at Split. Cruise director friendly and welcoming. Cabin and en-suite (lower deck, single occupancy) clean and tidy. Would have been cramped for two. Bedding a little damp each night, probably due to air-con and lack of ventilation. Plenty of public spaces on board for enjoying the weather. Breakfast: continental and cooked. Daily 3 course meal: simple, reasonably good, quite varied. Served as lunch, sometimes as late as 4pm. Packed lunch would have been preferable. Hiking: great walks, steep climbs and descents, a lot of rocky ground and loose stone. Fantastic views and countryside. Hike leadership: lack of awareness of individual capabilities of the group. Leader usually well ahead and, at times, out of sight. Resulted in group being too strung out. Even worse when combined with another group. When an accident occurred, he was completely unaware and eventually returned about 10 minutes later.
- Anonymous, 16/09/2019 10:59, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your review. We are really pleased to hear your experience with our Sales team was easy and seamless, and that you found the boat easy to locate in Split. We're glad your Cruise Director was warm and welcoming. It's great to know that you enjoyed most aspects of your cruise and we appreciate your suggestion of a packed lunch, which we will take into consideration for future trips. It's great to know you enjoyed the hikes overall and found them to be a varied with amazing views. We appreciate your comments on the Hike Leader, and we have taken these onboard and will be providing further training and assistance wherever required. Thank you for raising your concerns with us and we appreciate all your comments here. Thank you for choosing to travel with Sail Croatia!
There are areas that need to be improved before I can recommend sailing with Sail Croatia. The cabins weren't very clean. When we checked in, there was hair on the bathroom floor. I also dropped my book under the bed and upon retrieving it found an old condom wrapper on the floor. The lack of proper ventilation in the cabins has led to mold starting to grow. By the end of the week, our entire group was sick from sleeping in the cabins. The entire week was poorly organized. Each day it seemed like the crew was making up the schedule as they went. We understood that weather can be a factor, however there were no contingency plans if the weather was poor. The hikes were also poorly organized. The guide had no idea how to manage the varying abilities of passengers. A couple of times he got lost because he had only done the hike one time before. He kept saying well now I'll know for next time.
- Anonymous, 16/09/2019 08:06, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there and thank you for your review. We really appreciate all your comments and suggestions for improvements. All our ships are thoroughly cleaned prior to the arrival of new guests, so we are sorry to read of your disappointment with the cleanliness. I have checked our internal records, and cannot see any reports of this to our crew. This would have been rectified immediately upon notifying our onboard rep. However, I have highlighted this to the Operations Manager, thank you. We understand that there was a schedule change due to strong winds, and the alternative option was to go back to Vis where museum visit and wine tasting was organised for you. We appreciate your comments on the guide, he has received 4-5 star ratings for this departure so we are disappointed to read your comments and these will be passed on to our Operations Manager for training and quality purposes. Upon checking the onboard feedback you submitted, we are happy to know you enjoyed the lunches and found the crew to be a welcomed inclusion. Thank you again for all your comments, this is appreciated.
We loved the hiking but our chaotic guide let us down at times, A bit rushed and not enough consideration for the slower walkers and no time allowed for them to rest once they caught up. I was amazed we didn’t actually lose anyone and at times felt it was a bit dangerous, especially when on one walk a small group were allowed to hike a section on their own without a guide. The timing of the walks needs reviewing. The trip was advertised to inc lunch or dinner, sometimes lunch was served at 4pm due to timing of walks, this should have been an evening meal instead with a packed lunch provided, also not keen on a 3 course lunch just before a walk. The boat was very nice with a great crew and couldn’t fault it other than the bedding feeling damp for most of the trip. The real positive is that we had a really nice time with our friends and fellow guests and thoroughly enjoyed Beautiful Croatia. Dislike being advised / told how much to tip by hostess. £130/150 not impressed!
- Nigel, 16/09/2019 07:45, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi Nigel, thank you for your review. We are really pleased to hear you loved the hiking aspect of your cruise and found the boat to be of a high standard with a great crew. It's also great to know you had a lovely time with your friends and fellow guests, travelling the beautiful islands in Croatia. However, we are sorry to read of your disappointment with some aspects of the cruise, mainly regarding the meal times and guide. We appreciate your suggestions of having evening meals with a packed lunch, and this will be passed on to our Operations Team for future improvements. In regards to your guide, your comments we have taken onboard and will be passed on to the Operations Manager to deal with accordingly, we thank you for advising us. We have highlighted the tipping aspect of this to our Operations Manager who will be reiterating to all guides that we do not have a tipping policy and this is completed at your discretion. Thank you again for all your comments, this is appreciated.
These was a better than expected adventure. The ship was clean and polished. There was much more deck space with room to sit or lounge outside, while visiting with other guests, sunbathing or relaxing with a good book. Our room and bathroom was bigger than expected. The staff excellent and always available to answer questions. There was always more food than needed and a bowl of fresh fruit out all day. It was a good balance of hiking, boating, relaxing, with lots of opportunity to explore the towns when we were in port. Swimming off the boat was great fun too. We are very happy that we did this cruise and recommend it to like minded enthusiasts.
- Leslie, 17/06/2019 05:31, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there - we are so glad we managed to exceed your expectations! We try very hard to get that balance of hiking, relaxing and sightseeing during the day and socialising at night just right so we are delighted you enjoyed that vibe. Thanks for booking with us, and recommending us to others - we would love to have you onboard again!
I booked this trip a year in advance following a recommendation by my brother and sister in law who did the hike/sail trip last May. They loved the trip and so did we. The islands in the Adriatic Sea are just stunning, and hiking was a rewarding way of seeing them. We didn’t follow the published itinerary as this needed to be adapted due to the conditions, the captain and crew choose the best route on the day. Everywhere we visited was just beautiful. Our guides Ljubo and Djue were excellent and the staff on the boat took great care of us. Our cabins were two of the smallest ones at the very front of the lower deck of the Milena. Our room had a double with a single bunk over the top and a small area of floor space. We had 2 small cupboards and space under the bed for the cases, but getting dressed in the morning did take a bit of negotiation. That said....The beds were comfy and the air conditioning was very welcome. Loved the trip,..highly recommend! Thank you SailCroatia!
- Kat, 27/05/2019 09:39, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with us. We are so happy to hear you enjoyed all aspects of the cruise, including the stunning islands and we totally agree, our Active cruises are the best way to see some of these stunning locations. We are pleased to hear with the adverse weather conditions you were taken to some of the best alternative routes and locations. We are also happy to know that you found the beds to be comfy and the air-conditioned was a welcomed addition! Thank you for recommending us to others and we hope to see you again for another Active cruise!
Our crew was incredible! The food plentiful and delicious. The cabins were roomy and comfortable. Due to weather our itinerary was changed. The captain and crew did an amazing job rerouting. There was plenty to see and do at every port. I feel the hikes could have been better. We hiked mostly up hill at a fast pace with not much flora and fauna along the way. The cabins need hooks on the wall for hanging. There are no amenities in the cabin - soap, shampoo, hair dryer. I would recommend this trip without hesitation.
- Sherri, 27/05/2019 05:42, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there and thanks for your 4-star review. We are really happy to hear you found the crew incredible, the food delicious and the cabins comfortable and spacious. We will be sure to pass your comments on to the captain and crew, as I'm sure they will enjoy the read. We thank you for your comments about the hike itself, our aim is to provide a variety of hiking challenges, catering to all levels. Croatia in itself provides stunning scenery, so we hope that you still got to soak in the beauty of the Croatian coastline! Amenities are generally not provided on Hike cruises, however can be bought at local supermarkets. Thank you for your recommendation of having hooks on the walls - we appreciate it and all your comments! We are pleased you had a wonderful experience :-). Thank you.
The trip was well organised and our downstairs cabin was very spacious. The food was always nice and plenty to go around! Our guide, Ljubo made the trip what it was. His knowledge, passion and experience for hiking in Croatia added so much to our trip. The island stops and hikes were well planned and I was happy with the level of challenge of them. It gave our group freedom being able to choose wether to attend the days hike or explore the town if they didn’t feel up to it. On our last hike we were all so please Ljubo took us to a special wine wasting which was a excellent way to end the week!
- Sarah, 27/05/2019 00:52, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there and thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your cruise with us and found the trip to be very well organised. Our Lower Deck cabins tend to be a little more spacious than our Above Deck cabins, so we are pleased to hear you enjoyed the additional space. Thank you for your comments on your guide Ljubo, he has a wealth of knowledge and passion for his culture and country as a whole, we are so happy to hear he was an instrumental part of your overall experience. It's good to know you were happy with the challenge levels on your hike cruise and hope to have you back again with us for another challenging adventure!
Great experience, the crew was excellent,
- SLAVENA , 20/05/2019 03:48, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there, thank you for your review! We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your Hike experience and thanks for your comments on the crew!
The captain was skilled and a good man. Gordana, our passenger representative, organizer, and secondary guide was truly amazing. She had everything covered for anybody, and so on task. Ljubo, the guide, was exceptional, a man passionate about his work. He had relevant briefings before each hike, and led us to a different experience on each hike. His hikes were well thought out and his knowledge of the country was added value. The crew all aimed to make the experience positive.
- simonne, 15/10/2018 14:33, Travelled with Friend/s
Enjoyed every minute - spectacular weather, views and hikes with a great crowd of fellow passengers.
- Moira, 09/10/2018 19:56, Travelled with Friend/s
The whole experience was fantastic and something I've never done before . I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys being on the water, walking in beautiful , unspoilt countryside, wonderful scenery and seeing some superb historical sites.. I guess the big bonus was making friends with some amazing fellow walkers and having the benefit of a wonderfully friendly, informative and very thoughtful crew. Thankyou to everyone who helped to make this such a memorable experience.
- Val, 08/10/2018 19:20, Travelled with Friend/s
Cruise guides were so kind and pro. Hikes were beautiful and sailing was great experience. Thanks.
- guy, 08/10/2018 07:19, Travelled in a Couple
Croatia itself is beautiful. Boating to several different islands was the adventure of a lifetime. Our hiking guide was experienced, and shared so much about Croatian people and culture. The food on the boat was plentiful, homemade, traditional food - all healthy and delicious. All the Sail Croatia crew and representatives were professional and personable. We greatly appreciated the carefully thought out itinerary changes to make our experience even better.
- Mindy, 03/10/2018 16:57, Travelled in a Couple
Wonderful crew on board the Marjela Magdalena. Capt Thomas gets full marks for ensuring we reached all the planned islands even though many other boats did not due to heavy winds. Amazing food conjured up by Renata, attentive service from Angela and very knowledgable hiking guides regarding both routes and history of the islands.
- Anonymous, 01/10/2018 07:54, Travelled with Friend/s
great staff, boat , itinerary, and value for money . fit, relaxed and had a great time by the end ,
- penny, 17/09/2018 09:45, Travelled in a Couple
Everything. Nice mix of hiking and relaxing. Seeing the islands in the Adriatic. Very competent staff snd meeting new people who became goid friends. I would highly recommend this cruise
- Patti, 04/07/2018 04:42, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for your review. We are really pleased to hear you have enjoyed yourself onboard our Hike Croatia cruise. Thank you for your kind comments in regards to staff, guide and accommodation onboard Magellan. We are very happy that you found the itinerary to be a good balance of hiking and relaxing and that you had time for exploring the destinations visited. Thank you again and do visit with us again!
We had just a wonderful time. Our cabin was comfortable, the boat was beautiful, the crew was super friendly and helpful, the food was excellent, the hiking was challenging and beautiful, swimming in the Adriatic was dazzling, and visiting these Croatian islands was delightful. Our two guides - Ana and Ljubljana - were just great. They were so knowledgeable and really helped the entire group have a good time. Thank you, thank you!
- Sarah, 02/07/2018 15:36, Travelled in a Couple
This is a definite must-do holiday! It’s a perfect mix of activity, sight-seeing and relaxation. The boat is excellent and there were lots of lovely people to chat to. The hikes are tough at times but the scenery is stunning and the views always made the effort worth it! The food is plentiful and mostly very good. The crew and guides are absolutely amazing and knowledgeable - we always felt very well cared for. The swim stops were great fun and having the opportunity to visit so many islands is a real bonus - Croatia really is a beautiful country. The booking process was very easy and my emails were always answered very promptly. All in all I have no hesitation in recommending this holiday, and definitely hope to be doing it again myself some time.
- Julie, 25/06/2018 21:54, Travelled with Friend/s
I had such a great time on this trip. It was the perfect mix of relaxation, exploring and being active. The rooms were spacious and the communal areas were in top shape. From incredible views to swimming in the middle of the ocean off the boat, I would definitely recommend this tour, especially if you're looking for something a bit more active. I do wish there was more variety for vegans, as the food was a bit limited in that respect, but fantastic overall.
- Gene Samuels, 25/06/2018 11:20, Travelled with Friend/s
Activity - the hikes each day were great! We needed them to work off the breakfasts and 3 course lunches provided on the cruise! Discovery - new places, new food, new friends History - lots of background information from our guides about the places we visited.
- Jean, 25/06/2018 04:13, Travelled in a Couple
Best holiday ever!! The boat, Croatia, ,hiking, food, weather, service and company was all amazing :-)
- Sarah, 04/06/2018 14:39, Travelled with Friend/s
The people, the hikes, the beauty of Croatia, the dinners in the villages, swimming in the sea!
- Jeanne, 04/06/2018 09:12, Travelled with Friend/s
Staff on board as well as our hiking guide were so friendly and helpful . The boat itself was really comfortable with cabins and bathroom a reasonable size . There was a good balance of hiking and time to relax each day with swim stops , time for sunbathing and exploring the little towns in the ports where we moored up . We made friends from all over the world, all age groups who enjoy the outdoor life . Would love to do something similar again !
- Brenda, 04/06/2018 07:39, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your review. We are really pleased to hear you have enjoyed yourself onboard our Hike Croatia cruise. Thank you for your kind comments in regards to staff, guide and accommodation onboard Magellan. We are very happy that you found the itinerary to be a good balance of hiking and relaxing and that you had time for exploring the destinations visited. Thank you again and do visit with us again!
The hike/sail cruise was a great balance between activity and relaxation. Our boat, the Magellan. was big enough to be comfortable and small enough to promote social interaction. The hikes were hard enough to burn off the massive 3 course meals but easily within the means of most averagely fit people of any age. There was good cameraderie between the guides, the crew and the guests and this is really what made it a great holiday.
- David, 25/05/2018 09:47, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there and thank you for your review! We are pleased to hear you enjoyed yourself on our Hike cruise. It is good to hear you were comfortable onboard Magellan and that you had a great balance between activity and relaxation. Thanks again and we hope to see you soon on another adventure!
The staff and the fact that Croatia is such a stunning country,
- EMMA, 21/05/2018 10:08, Travelled with Friend/s
The guides crew and staff were fantastic. Our chef prepared some great dishes and they were all very tasty and hearty. The guides were informative and charming. The hikes varied in difficulty some easy others a bit more challenging. Our fellow travellers were all lovely. We would have preferred it if the walks were in the morning, but I think this was due to travelling to our next ports. Great experience, would do this again.
- Fiona, 27/09/2017 09:14, Travelled in a Couple
The country the sea the guides people on the boat Would have preferred a better boat
- Paul , 11/09/2017 11:25, Travelled in a Couple
I often travel on cruise ships but that small boat was first experience for us. I was surprised with many wonderful things which make great difference: 1. Warm and friendly atmosphere among guests. 2. Attention of our guides to all our needs. 3. Diversity of hiking trails that shows in a best way beautiful nature of Croatia. 4. Plenty of time for other activities. 5. Meals on board was fresh and tasty. Truly said, I was disappointed with cabin: it was quite old, very small, with a worn bed linen and towels and air conditioner that doesn't help at all. But things didn't disturb us much... For sure I will recommend Sail Croatia to my friends and will be happy to sail again.
- Olga, 03/07/2017 06:29, Travelled in a Couple
ANA our Cruise Manager was both professional and efficient. In particular l appreciated she was approachable at any time in a people friendly manner, felt we knew her which was refreshing. The crew were delightful, cook great but more fish would be appreciated. Passengers were a great friendly mix of all ages and a pleasure to be in their company. I would recommend Sail Croatia and wish you well.m
- Anonymous, 19/06/2017 07:51, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed our popular Hike cruise. Thank you for your comments regarding your Cruise Mananger Ana - these will be passed on to her. It's so nice to know you had a good mix of people on your cruise, sounds like you had some great company. Thank you for recommending us to others!
The crew, our tour operators, other passengers & really enjoyed the walking,, although walking paths had not been investigated enough!
- Barbara, 22/05/2017 19:37, Travelled with Friend/s
As we discovered, not all footpaths on the maps are actually useable, so an expert guide is a great advantage. Some routes are relatively demanding, but it's 100% OK to opt out of 1 or 2 & relax in a harbour village. Lovely - & very varied - fellow passengers undoubtedly helped make a memorable week : ages from early 20s to late 60s, mainly British & Australian + others. Our 2 outstanding reps (Miranda & Petar) built a great on-board community; they were flexible, knowledgeable, fun. Our boat, "Milena", had just the right level of comfort: compact cabins with good air conditioning, great decks to lounge on, hearty meals for walkers. Itinerary was great: every island/port was different, though we especially liked remote Vis, unspoilt Bol and walking the karst landscape high up on Sv. Jure above Makarska. Swim stops were great too. Thank you for a fantastic week - strongly recommended for fit walkers who are young or (like us) young at heart.
- Richard, 22/05/2017 12:12, Travelled in a Couple
Croatia is a lovely country, we had great weather to enjoy walking in the countryside, swimming in the sea, exploring the islands and relaxing on deck. The boat was comfortable and kept exceptionally clean. The food was good, with plenty of it it and the crew were friendly and helpful. It was a a very mixed and fun group of people to holiday with, we couldn't have wished for better company. The Sail Croatia reps were very genuine, doing thier upmost to ensure that we all had a great time. I'm struggling to find anything to be negative about - perhaps the bad smell in Split should be addressed by the local government . I highly recommend Croatia and particularly Sail Croatia.
- Angela, 22/05/2017 08:15, Travelled in a Couple
