
Sail Turkey vs Sail Croatia: Which Sailing Destination is Right for You?
Choosing between a sailing holiday in Turkey or Croatia depends on your travel style, group type, and preferences. Turkey blends rich Eastern culture, ancient ruins, and warm hospitality, while Croatia offers crystal-clear waters, island-hopping, and medieval towns. Whether you're into beach parties or historic tours, this guide compares both destinations to help you decide. Discover what each has to offer - from nature and nightlife to pricing and seasonal tips for an unforgettable yachting experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Croatia is perfect for daily island-hopping with scenic nature, biking trails, and charming towns.
- Turkey offers a deep historical experience with ancient ruins, bazaars, and cultural excursions.
- Party seekers love Croatia during high season, while Turkey has vibrant nightlife in low season too.
- Turkey offers more value-for-money options and better flexibility for food and drink arrangements.
- Croatia has stunning coastlines and top-tier service, with mild temperatures in peak summer months.
Turkey vs. Croatia
Croatia and Turkey both offer unforgettable sailing experiences, but each with its own unique charm. Croatia boasts crystal-clear waters, medieval towns, and over a thousand islands to explore, making it perfect for island-hopping and cultural discovery. Turkey, on the other hand, offers a blend of East and West, with ancient ruins, vibrant bazaars, and secluded bays framed by dramatic landscapes. Whether you sail in Turkey or Croatia, you're in for a stunning mix of history, scenery, and sea.

One of the most popular historical sites in Croatia - Dubrovnik's wall
The Winner Depends On:
- What kind of group are you? (family with kids, seniors, party group, study group, company on a team building, etc.)
- When are you traveling? (low season or high season – you want to swim, party, hike, or have a biking holiday, etc.)
- How much money are you willing to spend (the budget also matters in this comparison)
- What kind of food do you like more (different countries have different food)
Go To Croatia If:
You want to go off the gulet every single day
If you're eager to explore beyond the gulet—wandering through historic towns, charming ports, and picturesque islands—Croatia is the perfect fit. With delicious Dalmatian cuisine, scenic hiking and biking trails, and stunning national parks, every day brings a new adventure ashore.
You like to explore a lot of different islands and see the most amazing nature (Kornati Islands, Krka Waterfalls…)
You will be amazed at how preserved nature is in Croatia. The stunning views of the mountains and the incredibly blue sea will captivate you. You can also swim in the waterfalls' pristine, clear water, go hiking, relax, or go on a bicycle tour.

Krka Natural Park
Go To Turkey If:
You are into historical explorations
From ancient ruins and stunning architecture to guided tours, historic castles, and even diving to underwater archaeological sites, Turkey is a treasure trove for history lovers. Its rich past makes it an incredibly captivating destination—if that’s your kind of adventure.

Discover Turkey's ancient history
You are traveling in the low season, and you also wish to party
While June and September may be quieter months for partying off the gulet, Turkey’s extended season still brings lively crowds to the bar streets of Marmaris and Bodrum. Stay near these vibrant towns, add a few private parties on board, and you’ve got a winning combination.
Okay, so which one is better - Turkey or Croatia?
It depends on what you are looking for at that very moment.
Turkey offers a richer historical backdrop, exceptional hospitality, and a wider selection of value-for-money gulets. You'll enjoy greater flexibility when it comes to organizing food and drinks, more reliable weather in May, June, September, and October, and plenty of shopping opportunities
Croatia boasts one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world—easily rivaling the Caribbean—with over 1,000 islands to explore and countless charming towns and ports to discover. Gulet service is top-notch, though not always budget-friendly, and compared to Turkey, the milder summer temperatures in July and August make it a comfortable choice for high-season cruising.
Now that you have all the info about whether you should sail to Turkey vs Croatia, you can make a better decision about where to go. Watch the video below to find out how we turn your dream charter into reality: