Croatia Sailing Events 2026: Regatta Calendar, Festivals & Best Weeks to Charter

Croatia Sailing Events 2026: Regatta Calendar, Festivals & Best Weeks to Charter

Updated May 2026.

Croatia’s 2026 sailing season runs from late February through October, with a regatta and festival calendar dense enough that you can plan a charter week around almost any flavour of event. This guide covers the major sailing regattas, the summer cultural and music festivals, and the seasonal wine and gastronomy events worth charting around in 2026. The honest caveat: specific 2026 dates are subject to confirmation by each event’s organisers — we list typical months and timing windows rather than invented exact dates. Bookmark and re-check the event’s official site closer to your charter window.

Sailing regatta calendar

Mrduja Regatta — late February

The traditional season-opener and arguably the Croatian sailing community’s most cherished event. Held off Split in late February (the exact weekend rotates by year). Mrduja is the small island midway between Split and Šolta around which the race traces a triangle. Hundreds of monohulls plus a growing catamaran fleet participate. The festival side of the regatta — rakija tents, grilled-fish stalls, the post-race party in Split’s Riva — is half the appeal.

For a March-or-April charter, plan around the Mrduja date to overlap. The weather is variable (sailing in 10-degree wind chill is the norm for participants), but the buzz on Split’s waterfront is electric.

Mljet Regatta — spring

Late April to early May around the Mljet National Park. Smaller, more intimate than Mrduja; mostly Dubrovnik-area boats. Worth incorporating into an April or early-May Dubrovnik-based charter week.

Croatia Yacht Cup — typically July

The country’s flagship modern offshore regatta, generally hosted from Pula. Mix of monohulls and catamarans. The route varies year to year; recent editions have looped Istria + Kvarner + Dalmatia in 5-7 days. Charterers can spectate from the start line off Pula or follow the fleet’s predicted route for a few sails-spotting days.

Hvar Regatta — July/August

A multi-decade tradition centred on Hvar town. Mid-summer (date varies by year). The town’s harbour fills with race entries; the social side at the Hvar marina bars (Carpe Diem, Hula Hula) is the highlight as much as the sailing. For a Central Dalmatia charter overlapping the Hvar Regatta weekend, book the ACI Marina at least 8 weeks ahead.

Pelješac Wine Run / Plavac Regatta — autumn

A smaller boutique-feel regatta tying sailing to the Pelješac wine harvest in late September or early October. Boats race a triangle around the Pelješac peninsula with stops at Pelješac wineries for tastings between legs. Niche, beloved by repeat charterers, hard to book around but excellent if the timing works.

Dubrovnik Regatta — late September

The premium season-closer based in Dubrovnik. International entries, gala dinners at the old town, and the season’s traditional final-night party at one of the historic Dubrovnik venues. The atmosphere is more polished than Mrduja’s; the racing is competitive but not the main draw for most charterers. Book a Dubrovnik-based charter week around the late-September window to overlap.

Summer cultural festivals

Hvar Summer Festival — late July through August

Concerts, theatre, opera, light shows. The marquee event of the Central Dalmatia summer. Hvar town’s old-town courtyards and the Spanish Fortress become open-air venues; the harbour fills with anchored yachts watching the lights from the bay. The downside: ACI Marina is almost impossible to book during festival weeks — lock in 12-16 weeks ahead.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival — July through August

The 2026 edition is the festival’s 76th. Theatre, classical music, ballet, traditional Croatian folklore performances. The Lovrijenac fortress and Rector’s Palace are the marquee venues. Best to charter from Dubrovnik (ACI Komolac) and stay one night in town to catch a performance, then resume the southern itinerary.

Split Summer Festival — July

Theatre, opera, ballet at the Roman amphitheatre’s Peristyle and other open-air venues in the old town. Less crowded than Hvar or Dubrovnik; great if your charter starts or ends in Split.

Ultra Europe — July (Split)

Croatia’s biggest electronic music festival. Three days in mid-July at Park Mladeži in Split. The festival energy spills into the harbour; charterers report ACI Split berths sell at premium during Ultra week and the Riva is busy until 4am every night. Either embrace it or charter the week after.

Šibenik International Children’s Festival — late June / early July

The 65+ year tradition. Family-friendly performances, workshops and concerts in Šibenik old town. Great anchor for a Kornati-Krka charter week that starts or ends in Mandalina.

Wine and gastronomy events

Pelješac Wine Festival — late September

The Pelješac peninsula’s harvest celebration. Wineries open their cellars (Grgić, Korta Katarina, Boris Burić Gangaš are the marquee tastings), the Ston restaurants serve special menus, and an organised “wine run” walking tour links the major cellars over a Saturday. Overlap with a late-September Dubrovnik charter for the southern wine week.

Hvar Wine Festival — spring

Smaller, earlier in the season (April-May). Centred on the Hvar town wine producers (Tomić Plavac Mali, Plančić, Carić). Less famous than Pelješac’s but worth pinning if you’re chartering Central Dalmatia in late spring.

Ston Oyster Festival — March

The Ston bay oyster harvest peak. Late-March weekend in Mali Ston village. The Bota Šare and Kapetanova Kuća oyster farms run open-house events. For an early-season charter looking for a southern itinerary anchor.

Seasonal patterns — when to charter for the events

If your priority is the regatta circuit:

— Late February: Split / Mrduja.
— Late April / early May: Dubrovnik / Mljet Regatta.
— Mid-July: Pula / Croatia Yacht Cup.
— Late July or August: Hvar Regatta.
— Late September / early October: Pelješac Wine Run.
— Late September: Dubrovnik Regatta.

If your priority is summer festivals and cultural life:

— Mid-July through mid-August: every base has a festival running. The trade-off is peak prices and full marinas.

If your priority is wine and gastronomy:

— Late September: Pelješac Wine Festival (Dubrovnik charter).
— Late March: Ston Oyster Festival (Dubrovnik or Korčula-based week).
— April-May: Hvar Wine Festival (Split-based week).

If your priority is the quietest sailing weeks, all of the above are weeks to avoid. May (excluding Mljet Regatta), early June, and the second half of September are the quietest, most-shoulder-pricing weeks — the trade-off being you miss the cultural calendar.

Booking around events

Three practical points:

1. Verify the exact 2026 date. Every event we’ve listed has typical timing but specific dates rotate. Check the official event site 2-3 months before your charter to lock down the weekend.

2. Book marina nights early. ACI marinas around regatta and festival weeks fill 8-16 weeks ahead. Hvar in Festival peak, Pula during the Croatia Yacht Cup, Dubrovnik during the Summer Festival, Split during Ultra — all need locking in well ahead.

3. Consider the post-event week. If the regatta or festival weekend is booked solid, the week after often gives you the same atmosphere with cheaper prices and easier marina access — the residual buzz lingers.

Related reading

— Welcome to Croatia Yachting — our 2026 brand intro.
— Sailing from Split routes — the natural base for Mrduja and Hvar events.
— A day on a Croatian catamaran — the rhythm between events.

Ready to plan around a Croatian sailing event?

Browse the 2026 fleet on the Croatia Yachting fleet page. Tell us which event you want to overlap with and we’ll work out the right base, the right boat and the right weekly window to make it happen.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 Mrduja Regatta?

The Mrduja is traditionally held on a late-February weekend, with the exact 2026 dates confirmed by the Mrduja Regatta organisers closer to the date. Plan a late-February or early-March charter to overlap; check the official Mrduja Regatta website 6-8 weeks out for the confirmed weekend.

Is it worth chartering during the Hvar Summer Festival?

Yes for atmosphere; no for budget and ease of marina booking. The Festival turns Hvar town into the Adriatic’s marquee summer destination, but ACI Marina fills 12-16 weeks ahead and rates run at premium. Charter the week before or after for similar weather, easier logistics, and 15-25% lower prices.

What’s the Pelješac Wine Run?

A boutique late-September regatta tying yacht racing to the Pelješac peninsula wine harvest. Boats race a triangle around the peninsula with stops at major wineries for tastings between legs. Smaller and more intimate than the main calendar regattas; beloved by repeat charterers. Pair with a Dubrovnik-based charter week.

When are the best charter weeks if I want to avoid all events?

Mid-May, early June (before the Mljet Regatta if it falls late) and the second half of September. Quietest marinas, shoulder pricing, and minimal festival noise. The trade-off: you skip the cultural calendar.

Do regatta weeks affect marina availability for non-racing charters?

Yes — the marinas around the start/finish ports fill with race entries. Hvar during the Hvar Regatta, Pula during the Croatia Yacht Cup, Dubrovnik during the Dubrovnik Regatta. Lock marina nights 8-16 weeks ahead if your route passes through these ports during a regatta weekend.