If you drive the coastal road south from Split, there is a stretch where the sea turns almost Caribbean-blue and a wall of mountains rises sharply behind the towns. That is the Makarska Riviera – a line of beaches and villages between Brela and Gradac, with Biokovo mountain standing guard above. For sailors, it is a mainland side-step from the usual island routes, with long beaches, busy promenades and a different angle on the central Dalmatian islands.
This page looks at Makarska Riviera as part of a yacht charter route. It complements the main Split and Trogir guides, where most boats start, and the broader itineraries hub at Croatia sailing itineraries. Here we stay close to this one piece of coast.
Where the Makarska Riviera Fits on a Sailing Map
The Makarska Riviera lies on the mainland shore opposite Brač and Hvar. From a charter point of view it sits between the central Dalmatian island routes to the west and the routes towards Pelješac and Dubrovnik to the south.
Most charter boats that visit come from marinas around Split and Trogir, sometimes combining Makarska with Brač and Hvar in one week. Some longer itineraries use the Riviera as a stepping stone when linking Split with Korčula, Pelješac or Dubrovnik.
Why Sailors Visit Makarska Riviera
The Makarska Riviera is a 60 km stretch of mainland coast between Brela and Gradac, backed by the Biokovo mountain and lined with pebble beaches. It is a day or two on a Central Dalmatian route rather than a week of its own: the harbours are small, there are no islands to hop between, and the Bura falls hard off the mountain behind it.
There are three main reasons skippers deliberately include the Makarska stretch in their plan:
- Beaches and swimming: Long pebbly beaches with clear water and plenty of shade make an easy day for families and mixed crews.
- Promenades and evening life: Towns like Makarska, Baška Voda and Tučepi have lively waterfronts, ice cream stands and bars – a contrast to quieter island anchorages.
- Dramatic scenery: The Biokovo mountain range rises steeply behind the coast, giving every anchorage and mooring a big, cinematic backdrop.
For some crews this region becomes a one-night “beach break” from the islands. Others build a whole day around it – especially if somebody in the crew wants to go paragliding, visit the Skywalk viewpoint or just walk a long promenade in the evening.
Main Towns & Anchorages Along the Coast
The Riviera is essentially a chain of small resort towns and villages. Exact facilities for visiting yachts change over time, but a few names appear on many routes:
- Makarska: The main town with a broad horseshoe-shaped bay, long promenade, plenty of restaurants and bars. Expect more nightlife and a busier feel in high season.
- Baška Voda & Brela: Popular beach towns further north with long stretches of pine-shaded shoreline and smaller harbours.
- Tučepi & Podgora: Smaller resort villages with marinas or jetties used by visiting boats, backed directly by the Biokovo slopes.
- Gradac and smaller villages further south: Quieter options near the southern end of the Riviera, sometimes used on longer routes towards Pelješac.
In most of these places you will moor stern-to on a quay or short pier, sometimes alongside local fishing boats and excursion vessels. In summer it is worth arriving earlier in the afternoon, as places fill quickly with a mix of charter and local traffic.
Where a yacht can actually stop
| Town | What it offers | High-season berth |
|---|---|---|
| Makarska | The main harbour: a proper town, promenade, marina berths | 60 – 110 € |
| Baška Voda | Small harbour, family beaches, quieter than Makarska | 50 – 90 € |
| Brela | The best-known beaches; anchoring off, limited berths | anchor / few places |
| Tučepi / Podgora | Small harbours, good value, ordinary Dalmatian life | 45 – 85 € |
| Gradac | The southern end, near the Pelješac crossing | 45 – 80 € |
None of these are big marinas. In August they fill early and there is little room for a catamaran — which is why one night here is plenty, with Brač or Hvar opposite as the fallback when the harbours are full.
How to Include Makarska in a One-Week Route
On a standard seven-day charter from Split or Trogir it rarely makes sense to spend many nights on the Makarska side – there is simply too much to see on Brač, Hvar and Šolta. But including one stop on the Riviera can balance the week nicely.
A typical pattern might look like this:
- Day 1–2: Islands close to Split – Šolta or western Brač.
- Day 3: Cross to Hvar or continue along Brač, spending a night in a town harbour or bay.
- Day 4: Longer leg to Makarska or another Riviera town for a beach day and evening on the promenade.
- Day 5: Return to the islands (for example, southern Brač) with a quiet bay overnight.
- Day 6: Shorter hop back towards the home marina area.
- Day 7: Checkout.
This way, the Makarska stop becomes a deliberate change of pace rather than a long detour that squeezes the rest of the route. The one-week routes on our itineraries hub and the Split / Trogir pages leave Makarska out, so treat this as the swap: give up one Brač or Hvar night for it.
Two-Week Routes Linking Split, Islands & the South
With two weeks you can be more generous. Makarska Riviera can become a natural mainland segment between central Dalmatia and the southern regions.
Examples include:
- Split – Islands – Makarska – Pelješac – Korčula – back: A loop that mixes Brač and Hvar with a night or two on the Riviera and time in Pelješac channels or Korčula town.
- One-way or extended routes towards Dubrovnik: Longer trips where Makarska is one of several coastal stops on the way south to the Dubrovnik area.
On these longer trips, choose the boat in the Boat Search first, then fit Makarska in without over-extending daily legs.
Wind, Weather & Sea Conditions
The Makarska coast faces broadly south-southwest, with the Biokovo mountains rising steeply behind it. In summer you usually feel the same daily sea breeze pattern as in the surrounding area – a gentle maestral in the afternoon, calmer mornings and evenings.
When the bora (north-easterly) blows strongly, the mountains can funnel gusts down across parts of the Riviera, making certain anchorages and approaches uncomfortable or unsafe. On such days many crews prefer island bays on the lee side of Brač or Hvar instead. Checking the forecast and talking with local harbour staff pays off here.
Most harbours on the Riviera are well protected from normal summer chop but can be lively during special weather situations. Arriving early gives you more choice of position along the quay.
Boat Choice for This Part of the Coast
You will normally approach Makarska Riviera in the same boat you use for the rest of your central Dalmatia route. Still, different boat types feel a little different here:
- Catamarans: Easy for shallow approaches, though berths for a catamaran are scarce in the busy harbours, with plenty of deck space for post-beach evenings. See our Catamarans page for layouts and sizes.
- Sailboats (monohulls): Comfortable and efficient when making the longer crossings between islands and mainland. More forgiving of smaller harbour spaces and slightly cheaper in many marinas. Details on the Sailboats page.
- Motor yachts & power cats: If you sail a motor yacht or power catamaran, it is easy to slot Makarska into a week without pushing daily timings, as you can cover longer legs faster.
Whichever boat you choose, think about how comfortable you are with busy town quays and med-mooring – these skills matter more on the mainland coast than in quiet island bays.
Life Ashore – Beaches, Promenades & Biokovo Views
The Makarska Riviera is very much about life ashore. Long waterfront promenades are lined with pines, cafes, restaurants and stalls selling everything from local sweets to snorkelling gear. In the evenings people stroll up and down with ice creams while children ride bikes or play on small playgrounds.
In the background, the Biokovo mountains catch the late light. On lay days or before/after the charter it is possible to take a road or organised trip up the mountain, including the Skywalk glass platform and hiking routes with big views over the islands.
Food follows the standard Dalmatian pattern – grilled fish, simple seafood, pizza, pasta – with some places catering more to classic holidaymakers and others feeling more local. Ask harbour staff or your skipper for recommendations away from the busiest front rows if you prefer quieter dinners.
Practical Tips for Visiting by Yacht
A few small details make a Makarska stop smoother:
- Arrive mid-afternoon if possible; spaces in town harbours and small marinas fill quickly on summer evenings.
- Prepare fenders and lines early and follow staff instructions – excursion boats and ferries also need to manoeuvre.
- Keep noise on board modest late at night; many apartments and hotels sit close to the harbour walls.
- In strong bora forecasts consider alternative anchorages on the lee of Brač or Hvar instead of exposed mainland harbours.
- Plan fuel and provisioning in larger hubs (Split, Trogir or island marinas) rather than relying solely on Riviera towns.
FAQ – Makarska Riviera for Charter Crews
Is Makarska Riviera a good base to start a charter?
In most cases no – the main charter bases with large fleets are around Split and Trogir. Makarska is better treated as a stop within a route, not as the starting point. You will reach it easily from the standard bases if it fits your week.
How far is Makarska from the usual island routes?
From Bol on Brač's south coast, or from Jelsa and Vrboska on Hvar, Makarska is typically a medium-length day sail in normal conditions. Your exact timing depends on the specific bay or town you start from and the wind on the day. For family crews we usually pair the Makarska leg with shorter days before and after.
Is Makarska Riviera very crowded?
On land, towns can be lively in July and August, with plenty of visitors on the promenades. On the water, there are fewer charter boats than in the most famous island towns, but harbours still fill quickly. If you prefer quieter nights, plan a single Makarska stop and spend the rest of the week in calmer bays.
Can we anchor instead of using harbours?
There are some anchorages and buoy fields along the Riviera, but depths, exposure and local rules vary. In practice many visiting yachts use town quays or marinas for at least one night when they come here. Local knowledge from your skipper or base is valuable when choosing specific spots.
How do we start planning a route that includes Makarska Riviera?
The easiest way is to tell us about your crew, dates and whether you want a “classic islands” week or a trip that deliberately includes this mainland stretch. You can also browse boats that fit your group size in the Boat Search. Send it through the quote form: within minutes you get the boats that fit, each checked live, then an email of sample routes; reply and a person answers your questions about fitting Makarska in.
