Kvarner

Kvarner Bay is situated in the northern Adriatic Sea, sandwiched between the Istria peninsula and the Croatia mainland. It encompasses one part of the Adriatic coast and several islands.

With the Istrian peninsula to the north and Dalmatia to the south, Kvarner Bay is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia. These islands boast sandy beaches similar to those found in the Caribbean, along with the rocky and pebbly coves native to the Adriatic region.

There are several bays and coves dotted around the region, offering safe anchorage for your yacht charter Croatia, sailing yacht charter or motor boat charter.

Kvarner Bay offers some of the best views and an intimate atmosphere. It is this nature that makes Kvarner Bay an ideal tourist destination.

So, if you are planning your sailing holidays, you may want to look into Kvarner Bay.

What’s the Weather Like in Kvarner?

Kvarner lies to the North of the Croatian Adriatic, with the Croatian mainland and Istrian Peninsula as its borders. It is also one of the closest points of the Adriatic Sea to Central and Western Europe. And as such, they enjoy an oceanic climate for most of the year.

Enveloped by Kvarner bay and the Ucka mountain range, Kvarner has a pleasant climate. This arrangement protects the region from climate extremes while maintaining optimum sunshine and warmth.

Unlike the other tourist destinations in this region, Kravner enjoys a longer bathing season, from May until October. However, in May, the water temperatures are still at 16℃, with only the bravest swimmers entering the frigid waters. Therefore, most tourists wait until summer to flock to the beach.

By late July, the Adriatic sea is warm enough to stay in for long hours and cool enough to get refreshed from the midday sun. However, the temperature continues to rise until early September to about 30℃, and the water temperatures peak at 23℃.

Though winter is mild, it is rainy, making it unsuitable for your summer holidays.

What's the Best Time to Visit Kvarner?

August and September are the best months to visit Kvarner.

Despite its pleasant climatic conditions, Kvarner enjoys rainfall most of the year. However, August and September are the driest months, especially on the coast. On the other hand, the high-altitude regions are a few degrees cooler than the hot continental climate of the coastal areas.

Bays and Coves in Kvarner

There are several bays and coves in the Kvarner regions, both small and big—all of them with untouched nature and crystal clear sea.

Anchor your yacht charter Croatia in one of them and enjoy the beauty of Kvarner Bay. They can be a perfect spot for swimming, snorkelling or just lounging.

From luxury sailing yacht charter to motor boat charter and catamaran yacht charter, you are spoilt for choices regarding sailing holidays.

Most of these are untouched and secluded and hence do not contain any amenities. You will have to bring beach necessities, food, and water to last the day.

Hire a yacht and set sail to enjoy Kvarner Bay to its fullest. With some of the most breathtaking sights, coves, and bays, Kvarner Bay is something you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

From luxury sailing yacht charter to motor boat charter and catamaran yacht charter, there are a lot of choices for both veteran and beginner sailors.

Lubenice Cove

One of the most beautiful coves in Croatia is Lubenice, situated on the Cres island in the Kvarner archipelago. Officially called Sveti Ivan, the cove is better known as Lubenice, a 4000-year-old town.

The secluded cove requires a 45-min descent through a steep path in the shrubs. Or you can access it via your boat or yacht. Anchor in the shallow waters and enjoy the Lubenice beach within the cove. The best part of this cove and beach is its pristine nature, isolation, and many scents.

Soline Bay

Located north of Krk, Soline bay is famous for its idyllic beach and pretty little bay. The bay is well-protected from the high waves but not so much from Bora. Unfortunately, the beach has no amenities, so you may have to bring your beach necessities and food.

Furthermore, Soline bay is famous for its mud baths. These soothing mud pools are located along the road from Soline to Cizici and are said to help with rheumatic complaints. Just anchor off-shore, take a mud bath and clean yourself up in the crystal clear turquoise waters.

Krivica

Krivica beach is located in Mali Lošinj, 40 minutes from the city centre. It is a natural beach partially filled with gravel and concrete located within Krivica bay.

Tucked away inside a pine tree forest, the bay has an unbridled beauty flourishing with sea flora and fauna. It is also an ideal spot for diving.

However, the bay is often filled with boats and yachts, especially during the peak season.

Cikat Bay

Not far from the Mali Lošinj city centre is the Cikat Bay with its famous sandy Cikat beach. The bay is surrounded by the Aleppo pine forest on all sides. Apart from the beach and the pine forest, the bay is dotted with historical villas of Austrian nobility.

Furthermore, Cikat bay is a favourite sports destination offering water sports, sailing and diving. And then there’s the famous promenade that runs along the bay, which is ideal for strolling.

Spjaža and Bok

Spjaža and Bok are twin sister bays on the island of Susak, a sandy island with open waters, a reed bed, natural sandy lagoons and above all, peace and quiet. Though the coast of the island is gravelly, the two bays have a shallow sand-covered seabed.

Spjaža is the largest bay on the land and is outfitted with amenities such as umbrellas, deck chairs, and kayaks. It also has quite a few cafes and restaurants adjacent to the beach.

On the other hand, Bok doesn't have any amenities or even coffee shops. Furthermore, Bok was declared a health resort in the 20th century. The combination of sand, sea and sun is considered to have a beneficial effect.

Paržine

Paržine is an uninhabited bay that lies to the south of Ilovik. This side of the island is known for its stunning landscapes and secluded bays. However, it’s not just the beauty that attracts tourists. It is also the home to the remains of an ancient shipwreck.

Though Buro blows strong, it doesn't create any waves, and the waters are surprisingly calm. For the pleasure of the beachgoers, there’s a small, sandy beach at the shallow end of the bay. The best part, its secluded nature means that it isn’t crowded. However, it may become crowded in the peak season.

Tourist Destinations in Kvarner

The main cities in Kvarner Bay are Rijeka (the third largest city in Croatia) and Opatija. And the largest islands in this region include Cres, Krk, Pag, Rab and Lošinj.

In addition, the bay is also home to many bays, coves, and impressive coastal towns. And as such, the main attraction in Kvarner Bay is its spectacular nature and astonishingly beautiful beaches. Due to its low population density and lack of industries, these beaches are still enchanting.

In addition to the beaches, Kvarner bay also has quite a few attractions like:

• Trsat Castle in Rijeka
• Stara Baška in Punat
• St Mary's Campanile in Rab Town
• Lošinj Marine Education Centre in Veli Lošinj
• Risnjak National Park in Risnjak
• St Lucy's Church in Baška
• Croatian Museum of Tourism in Opatija
• Our Lady of Trsat Church in Rijeka
• Košljun Franciscan Monastery in Punat
• Fritzy Palace in Mali Lošinj
• St Vitus' Cathedral in Rijeka
• Učka Nature Park in Rijeka
• Garden of Fine Scents in Mali Lošinj and many more...

Here are some of the towns and/or islands our yacht charter Kvarner stops at:

Opatija

Just west of the port of Rijeka lies Opatija, sheltered by the Ucka mountains from the strong winds. This stretch of the coastal area was once the favoured winter retreat of the Viennese upper classes. It is now lined with seaside resorts and is a favoured tourist destination for tourists.

Additionally, it has numerous historical attractions, including monuments, churches, and buildings. Most historical buildings have been converted to 4 and 5-star hotels where you can stay during your stay at Opatija.

Krk

Apart from being the largest island in Croatia, it is also one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The island is home to picturesque beaches, lovely coastal towns, and high mountains. In addition, there are also many historical attractions such as the Cathedral of Assumption and the impressive Frankopan Castle.

The best part about Krk island is its beaches. Most beaches are natural bays where you moor your motor or sailing yacht charter. Another place you’d want to visit is the wine town of Vrbnik which is the most beautiful in the evening.

Baška

The most important tourist destination on the island of Krk is Baska. It is located to the south of the island in the Baska valley. One of the main highlights of Baska is its beaches, particularly Vela Plaža, a beautiful 2-km long pebbly beach. Other beaches include Stara baška (pebbly), Bunculuka (naturist beach) and Rajska plaza.

Being a resort town, it offers various activities, including hiking, water sports and cycling tours. However, the highlight of Baska is the old town with its narrow alleys, cosy cafes and colourful townhouses.

Punat

Another attractive tourist destination on the island of Krk is Punat, a beautiful seaside town. The attractive part of the coastal town is its location within the protected Puntarska Draga Bay.

The 3-km long Punat bay has one of the country's largest marinas( Marina Punat). Apart from the countless beaches in and around Punat, there are historic churches, monasteries, and buildings.

The highlight of the seaside town is the island of Kosljun, situated inside Punat Bay. The small island is home to the monastery of St. Mary with its cloister, the Franciscan church of the Annunciation and the Ethnographic Museum.

Cres

Cres is the second largest island in Kvarner Bay. The charming island is filled with beautiful cliffs along the coastline, mediaeval towns and oak tree forests. Located in the northern part of Kvarner Bay, Cres is rich in history and untouched nature.

While the south and west side of the island is fertile and lush with vegetation, the north and east coast is bare with mountains. The little island has a few settlements, including the Old Town (with its olive groves), Martinšćica (with the 16th-century monastery of the Franciscan Glagolitic monks of the third order), Valun (with the Valun Plate, an 11th-century Glagolitic monument) and Lubenice (with its mediaeval monuments).

Crikvenica

Crikvenica is a beautiful resort town in the Kvarner Bay famous for its breathtaking beaches, charming bays and romantic harbour. The beaches of Crikvenica and its hinterland are an absolute delight for swimming. Though many of them are pebbly, there are a few sandy bays around.

Some interesting tourist places include the promenade, Badanj Castle and the former Pauline Monastery.

Mali Lošinj

Mali Losinj is the largest town on the island of Lošinj, also known as the Valley of Flowers. Thanks to the optimum weather conditions, rich vegetation, and many coves.

The low population density and its distance from pollution have enabled nature to thrive and flourish. The island is also home to some of the most picturesque beaches, including Veli Zal, Kadin and Valdarke.

Rab

Besides Cres and Krk, Rab is also one of the largest islands in Kvarner Bay. Therefore, Rab has a lot to offer its tourists regarding climate, nature and beaches.

Rab town in the centre of the island is a bustling tourist destination with many churches, historic buildings and the old town. Other things of interest are the beaches of Lopar, especially Paradise Beach, Komrcar Park and the Monastery of St. Euphemia.

Susak

Susak is a small island to the southwest of the island of Lošinj. The speciality of this island is its geological landscape which is sand on a limestone rock base instead of the rock like the other islands on Kvarner Bay.

The sandy nature of the island offers safe mooring for all sailors. With its limited vegetation consisting of vines, blackberries and reeds, Susak stands out from its neighbours.

Susak is also home to the only sandy beach in the Adriatic region, making it a perfect tourist spot.

Unije

Unije is one of the smaller islands to the west of Losinj island. Just under 17 sq. km, Unije is ideal if you are looking for peace and quiet.

The island is also home to historic buildings such as the Church of St Andrew, Roman villa and Vnetak Lighthouse. In addition, there are also the quintessential beaches near the main settlement and Maracol bay.

Ilovik and Sveti Petar

The islands of Ilovik and Sveti Petar are located to the south of the isle Lošinj, separated by the Strait of Ilovik.

The coast has several little bays and beaches, all secluded from prying eyes. Paržine, the largest sandy beach, is located on the island of Ilovik. Sveti Petar is also home to a summer monastery for monks of the Franciscan Order and the remnants of a small 17th-century castle.

Due to its geographical location, it offers safe anchorage for all yachts and boats.