I had a wonderful time. The cruise was amazing...beautiful food, friendly staff and excellent hike guidance by Marte and Andro. I can't say enough to thank everyone for looking after me so well.
- Sue Ashmore, 27/10/2024 07:58, Travelled Solo
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 beauty of the islands/locations we visited/hiked, the delicious Croatian dishes we enjoyed and the intimate nature of our ship Columbo all lived up to our high expectations. What we did not foresee was even more significant in making this a most memorable journey: the wonderful camaraderie that quickly developed amongst our fellow marauders, the warmth and capable leadership of our incredible guides (Mate and Karla), and the ,world class professionalism of Captain Antonio, Bruno and the rest of the crew,, We came in search of some adventure and left with new friends, an immense fondness for Croatia and its proud people. For this , we owe tremendous thanks to Mate and Karla who were the orchestra leaders who helped us all make music. Unforgettable!
- Terry, 09/10/2024 08:44, 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
We sailed on the Colombo last week. It was glorious. Though the weather was changeable, the atmosphere on board remained fun loving. Credit must go to the superb captain and crew for safe sailing and adaptability. Swim stops, meals and wonderful evenings will remain in the memory. Special mention must be made, though, of our two wonderful guides: Mate and Karla, not just because they were instructive experts in their hiking field, but also unifying us as a group. They were special and charmed us all. We were all sad to say goodbye at the end of the tour. We are now looking forward to our next Sail Croatia trip in 2025
- Anonymous, 07/10/2024 17:18, 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
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
travelling solo for the first time was daunting to me, however from start to finish sailing on the Emanuel with the skilled and friendly skipper, the chef, who treated us with delicious meals, to Ivan and the other hands on board this experience got better and better. Tour guides Mila and Anita were passionate about their beautiful home country of Croatia and their enthusiasm for our day to day activities made this the perfect trip to include daily Hikes, swims in stunning locations, local knowledge and ensured everyone on board this lovely, comfortable ship had the best time. Of cause the highlight for me were the other 25 passengers I met. All like minded people from around the globe and im sure we will all remain friends. We had so much fun ! I cant wait to organise my next Sail Croatia Cruise as Ive never had such a rewarding and much needed life changing holiday.....Until next time
- DALE, 05/10/2024 04:41, Travelled Solo
Had the best time with the most amazing 24 fellow passengers from Australia, U.K., Canada, US, South Africa, and New Zealand, Our guides Mila and Anita were fabulous, professional and knowledgeable-thank you both so much! Ship - Emmanuel. The Captain, crew and chef (captains mum) were wonderful. Always professional, hospitable and safety paramount on board. Thank you all for looking after us like family and showing us your beautiful country and incredible islands! Customer service from Sail Croatia in london were great from start to finish - thank you! Cruise hike has been a fabulous experience and highly recommended. Kindest regards Stacey English
- Stacey, 30/09/2024 09:35, Travelled Solo
The Sail Croatia Team and boat crew were superb from beginning to end. Hiking was challenging and rewarding with spectacular views. Meals are home cooked and delicious. The island ports are charming. We had a captain's dinner one night, a pizza night, lots of swimming, etc. It is a n active trip. But what made this cruise so special was making friends with the other travelers. As one person said, " It's the people. It's the people. It's the people! I have traveled a lot and this would rank as one of the best. Do it!
- Brent, 30/09/2024 06:01, Travelled Solo
The sail and hike experience was a great combination! The hikes were reasonably challenging but worth the views at the top and each one was unique. The hiking guides were so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The boat was in impeccable condition and the crew members went out of their way to make the sailing a memorable experience. My wife needed a gluten free menu which was no trouble whatsoever.
- Jeremy, 30/09/2024 05:55, Travelled in a Couple
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
The boat and crew were fantastic as was the scenery of the islands and coastline of Croatia. The best part was being able to get off the boat and hike to peaks or points of interest every day. We saw so much more of Croatia than we would have had we not selected the Sail & Hike trip with Sail Croatia. Thoroughly recommended!!
- Mark, 03/09/2024 07:58, Travelled in a Couple
We really enjoyed the hiking with sail Croatia. With only 30 passengers on board, there is ample opportunity to meet everyone. The staff and crew were excellent and our guides were so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Would definitely recommend this holiday.
- Jenny, 01/07/2024 18:51, 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
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
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
Both guides and all crew were great, the other guests were good fun to be with and the hikes, swimming, food and all the locations were all great. So good we are considering doing the Dubrovnik trip next year 👍😀
- Nigel, 17/06/2024 14:16, Travelled in a Couple
Just back from a Sail Croatia Hike/Sail week. Was a great time. The vessel was very comfortable, the meals were super, and the guides did all they could to ensure that everyone in the group had an excellent time. This was a super week and would easily do this holiday again.
- Andrew, 16/05/2024 17:05, Travelled in a Couple
Really enjoyed this trip. The boat was extremely well taken care of. The cabin was spacious, shower hot and with strong pressure (important!). IThe boat was spotlessly clean at almost times. The crew were friendly and attentive. The hiking guides did an excellent job of taking care of everyone and went over and above what was expected, with Mila organising extra tours on the islands for those who wanted it. We were 27 on board and there was lots of mingling of desired. I would highly recommend this trip.
- Helen, 13/05/2024 10:29, Travelled Solo
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
Lovely group of people. Polite hardworking staff Excellent leaders.Nice boat, great weather . Organisation went like clockwork . Some easier walks option perhaps combined with swims would have been welcome
- David, 09/10/2023 08:54, Travelled Solo
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
First impression on boarding our allocated ship Eos, a three masted motor sailer, was we had drawn the short straw. It wasn’t as modern or sleek as most of the cruisers around us in Split harbour and our below deck cabin was tiny and cramped. However what followed was a week of brilliant fun and adventure that made the shortcomings of the accommodation seem a minor point. A new picture postcard location every day, beautiful ports, swim stops in secluded bays and a great group of fellow travellers from around the globe who we got to know on our daily hikes and evenings in the local bars cafes and restaurants. Our guides Mate and Lola were knowledgeable, responsible but also fun. The crew were great and the food on board was varied and tasty. The hikes were challenging but rewarding too, though I personally would have preferred more climbs with a bar at the top! We made some great friends and have fabulous memories of our week around the Islands of Croatia. Thanks to all.
- Tony, 26/09/2023 06:21, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Tony! Thank you for your 4-star review! We loved reading about your adventures on our Hike cruise and we are really happy to hear you had a wonderful time onboard. We appreciate all your comments regarding the destinations, delicious meals served, daily hikes and swimming out at sea in lovely secluded bays, thank you. Your kind comments will be passed on to the crew to enjoy also. I see you booked a Premier ship, which are more traditional in style. We have a wide range of ships in our fleet and the ships you refer to in the harbour, were likely to be a higher category ship such as Premier Plus ships, as these are more modern in style. We are thrilled to know you enjoyed your cruise overall, and you had a week full of fun and adventure and also made some new friends on your cruise - we're sure memories to last a lifetime! We hope to welcome you back for another Active Adventure soon!
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
Friendly and helpful staff, clean and comfortable boat, good weather and challenging hiking with great views and countryside.
- Philipp, 25/09/2023 09:01, 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!
Hikes, sightseeing and fellowship. And food.
- Tom, 25/09/2023 05:18, Travelled in a Couple
We booked the seven night sail and hike trip, and it exceeded expectations. A wonderful way to visit new and interesting places, and get to see more than the main areas of each town. It also took us to places we wouldn’t have had time to visit on a regular trip. A special mention to the great crew of Eos, our ship for the stay. And to the Sail Croatia reps Ioana and Mate who were enthusiastic and energetic through the week and mate each day lots of fun. Looking forward to out next trip already.
- Stuart, 19/09/2023 20:23, Travelled in a Couple
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 crew on board the ship from the Captain to Lucy behind the bar. Amazing hiking trips and guides from Mate and Ioana. I would definitely recommend this trip either on your own or in a small group.
- Deborah, 18/09/2023 05:45, Travelled Solo
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
From start to finish the whole experience was fantastic , all communication very quick , the boat clean, the crew amazing ,food all excellent , great group of people on board There was nothing negative at all
- Nicola, 19/06/2023 05:03, Travelled Solo
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
The crew looked after us so well. A bad storm meant reconfiguring the route. Very grateful to our captain’s wisdom in keeping us safe and our hike leaders for making sure we got in a hike every day despite the itinerary change. The staff were professional, pleasant, and caring. Food was excellent and varied. I required gluten free accommodation and it was taken care of. I will say that for me, the hikes were too rigorous; all involved a 1+ hour of unremitting climbing on rocky terrain. But I was in the minority. Most found the hikes perfect.
- Mary Jane, 23/05/2023 19:42, Travelled in a Couple
Lovely boat, in great condition, beautiful islands and fantastic walks, but even better were the friendly and helpful crew and guides who couldn't do enough for us and genuinely cared about making guests have the best experience. We had a spacious above deck room which was larger than expected and the rest of the boat was just the right size - big enough to be comfortable without feeling we were on a massive ship. Good food and super service. We didn't get the chance to use the sundeck as much as we would have liked as the weather was patchy with some strong rain storms – however, I believe this is rare for Croatia. And the crew and guides adapted the itinerary so that we had hikes (and other activities) every day - they really did all they could to make us have a good time. The group bonded and when the sun came out we were all the happier for it. Thanks Sail Croatia - we'd love to return!
- Paul, 22/05/2023 18:20, 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
We had an amazing week hiking through the Dalmatian Islands. Weather was not always on our side but the Sail Croatia team modified our itinerary to suit and we managed to get in a hike every day. The food on board was excellent. Our fellow passengers were also amazing. Huge thanks to Captain Vlado, and hike guides Mila and Mare.
- John, 22/05/2023 05:28, Travelled in a Couple
Hi John, this is wonderful - thank you so much for your review and for joining us this season.
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.
We had a great time joining a hike cruise with Sail Croatia! We booked last minute, near the end of the season in October, and had a fantastic time! The crew and guides be were experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable. The other guests were a good mix of ages and nationalities. Everyone on the Hike cruise wanted to explore but also socialize, some good nights but no crazy partying. Matched exactly what we were looking for! The islands were exceptionally beautiful and all the stops were enjoyable. The hikes were good but sightly shorter than we would have liked, but that left lots of time to explore, and eat! The food was amazing, on the ship and on shore. It would be impossible to do this on your own at a similar price point, in a similar amount of time. We visited so many spots, with food, lodging, transport, and guides all rolled into one great week! Would highly recommend!
- Leif, 11/10/2022 13:36, Travelled in a Couple
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
Sail Croatia was one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Everything from the crew to the food, the hikes, the fellow passengers we’re excellent. Totally recommend.
- Bev , 10/10/2022 01:04, Travelled Solo
Everything about my Hike and Sail trip was wonderful. The friendliness and helpfulness of the crew and tour guides, the delicous meals and the beautiful islands we visited were all amazing. The trip far exceeded my expectations and I would do it again in a second. The hikes were breathtaking and fun. The boat is in very good condition and well cared for. I was very sad to leave all of the new friends I made during the week. Cannot wait to return for another trip.
- Jennifer, 05/10/2022 12:30, Travelled Solo
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