Stories From the Road: Island Hopping in Croatia
There’s something different about discovering a country from the water.
Instead of arriving by road, you watch the coastline slowly appear ahead of you. Instead of checking into another hotel, the boat becomes home. And when you wake up the next morning, there’s every chance you’ll be somewhere completely different.
For this Zenscape adventure, Jack headed to Croatia with MedSailors, swapping life on land for a sailing trip along the Mediterranean coast.
The reason for going was fairly simple.
A getaway, some sunshine and the experience of sailing the Med.
What followed was a trip that mixed exploring historic coastal towns with swimming, paddleboarding, evenings out with new friends and the chance to reach quieter corners of Croatia away from the crowds.
A different way to travel
Life on a sailing boat quickly settles into its own rhythm. Mornings often began on the water, followed by a new harbour, anchorage or town to explore.
For Jack, some of the most memorable moments weren't necessarily the big planned experiences.
They were the moments in between.
“Sitting on deck coming into a new port, or finding a quiet anchorage to swim and paddle board.”
There’s something special about approaching a destination from the sea.
A new town appearing on the horizon feels very different when you've spent the journey sitting out on deck rather than watching a motorway disappear through a car window.
And then there were the places that weren't really destinations at all.
Quiet stretches of coastline. Small anchorages. Somewhere to stop the boat, jump into the water and spend some time swimming or paddleboarding before moving on again.
It gave Jack the chance to see another side of Croatia.
“Seeing some of the unspoilt quiet spots along the coast away from tourists.”
That freedom became one of the best parts of the trip.
From exploring to doing absolutely nothing
The appeal of the trip wasn't just sailing.
Once ashore, there were coastal fortress towns to explore, shops and restaurants to discover, and plenty of chances to enjoy fresh, healthy local food along the way, especially simple seafood, salads and Mediterranean dishes.
Back on the water, everything slowed down again.
Swim. Paddleboard. Sit on deck. Watch the coastline go past.
There was also the social side of travelling on a boat.
Living together, cooking on board and sharing the journey created its own little travelling community. You might start the trip as a group of strangers, but spending your days sailing, exploring and eating together quickly changes that.
As Jack put it, there was:
“A sense of adventure at sea… and a sense of community with new people you meet onboard.”
It's one of the things that can make this style of travel so memorable. You're not simply visiting Croatia; for a while, you're sharing a floating home with a group of people experiencing it alongside you.
Living from one bag
Of course, living on a sailing boat also means space matters.
There isn't a hotel waiting at every stop, and spreading the contents of your luggage across a small cabin isn't particularly practical.
For Jack, travelling with the Zenscape Backpack meant his things could stay organised while the boat moved from place to place.
His verdict after the trip:
“It was perfect for the boat. I could hang the backpack neatly out of the way in the cupboard, with the shelves keeping everything organised and easy to reach. No unpacking, no mess. So simple.”
Rather than repeatedly unpacking and repacking, everything had its place while the journey continued around it.
It’s the kind of travel Zenscape was originally designed for: not staying in one resort for two weeks, but living from your bag while the scenery keeps changing.
One final twist
Just when the trip seemed to have settled into a rhythm of sunshine and calm seas, the weather changed.
A storm was on its way.
Plans shifted, the boat changed port and there was suddenly more time to spend ashore, exploring before heading back out onto the water.
When they did set sail again, things felt very different.
The wind had picked up and the boat started moving properly, building speed and giving everyone a taste of some more serious sailing.
It was a completely different side of the trip: faster, more physical and a reminder that life at sea does not always mean flat water and lazy afternoons.
Then, almost as quickly as it had arrived, the weather cleared.
The sunshine returned, the sea settled and it was back to smooth sailing.
There was even time for one final challenge.
The paddleboards came out and were towed behind the boat, with everyone taking turns to see who could stay standing the longest.
It was much harder than it looked, and sooner or later everyone ended up in the water.
A surprisingly good test of balance, and a fun way to finish the trip.
Would he do it again?
For anyone looking at a sailing trip around Croatia and wondering whether to take the plunge, Jack doesn't hesitate:
“Go for it. It’s got a bit of everything! adventure at sea, quiet beaches, new places to explore and a great sense of community on board.”
And that variety is exactly what made the trip work so well.
Every day brought something slightly different.
There are new towns to explore and places to shop, eat and drink. There are mornings and afternoons spent out on the water. You can swim, paddleboard and find quiet places along the coast that you'd otherwise never know were there.
You can cook on board, meet new people and experience the camaraderie that comes from sharing an adventure together.
Most importantly, every day feels slightly different from the one before.
One moment you're sitting on deck watching a new port come into view.
The next you're anchored somewhere quiet, looking back towards an unspoilt stretch of Croatian coastline and deciding whether it's time to jump in.
And perhaps that's what made this trip stand out.
It wasn't just about where Jack travelled.
It was the way he travelled there.
Got a travel story of your own?
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