Provisioning Your Catamaran in Croatia: What & Where to Buy (Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar)

One of the great joys of a catamaran charter in Croatia is the freedom it offers – not just in choosing your route, but also in enjoying meals onboard amidst stunning scenery. Waking up to breakfast in a quiet bay, enjoying a simple lunch after a swim, or dining under the stars in your cockpit – these are core memories of a sailing holiday. But achieving this culinary bliss requires some planning, especially if you’re on a bareboat catamaran charter.

Effective provisioning – stocking your yacht with food, drinks, and supplies – is key to a smooth and enjoyable trip. Even on skippered charters where guests typically provision for themselves and the skipper, knowing what and where to buy is essential.

This guide provides practical tips on planning your shopping list, suggestions for what to buy (including delicious Croatian specialties!), and information on where to find supermarkets and markets near the major charter bases of Split, Dubrovnik, and Zadar.

Need help planning your charter, including provisioning? Contact the SkipperCity team!

General Provisioning Tips: Planning is Key

Before you hit the supermarkets, a little preparation goes a long way:

1. Make a List (and Check it Twice): Plan your meals roughly for the week (e.g., 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners onboard, accounting for meals ashore). Create a detailed shopping list based on your meal plan and crew preferences. Don’t forget snacks, drinks, and essentials like cooking oil, salt, pepper, coffee, tea, cleaning supplies, and paper goods.
2. Know Your Crew: Account for any dietary restrictions, allergies, or strong preferences within your group. Sailing is hungry work – don’t underestimate snack needs!
3. Check Onboard Inventory: Before shopping, quickly check what’s already onboard. Some basics (salt, pepper, maybe oil, cleaning spray) might be left by previous crews or provided by the charter company, but don’t rely on it. Confirm basic galley equipment (pots, pans, utensils, coffee maker type).
4. Fridge & Freezer Space: Catamarans generally have decent refrigeration compared to monohulls, but space is still finite. Check the size of the fridge and any small freezer compartment when you board. Plan accordingly – don’t overbuy highly perishable items that won’t fit. Prioritize items needing refrigeration.
5. Storage Savvy: You’ll be storing food in lockers and cupboards. Choose items that store well (pasta, rice, canned goods, UHT milk). Remove excess packaging like cardboard boxes to save space and reduce potential pests.
6. Water is Crucial: While marina water is usually potable, buying large bottled water packs is highly recommended for drinking to ensure consistent quality and taste, and for easier onboard access. Calculate roughly 1.5-2 liters per person per day, plus extra for cooking/coffee if preferred.
7. Waste Management: You’ll need to manage your rubbish onboard until you can dispose of it properly ashore (in designated marina or town bins). Minimize packaging, rinse recyclables, and have sturdy bin bags. Never throw rubbish overboard.
8. Keep it Simple: Unless you have a dedicated foodie crew, keep onboard meals relatively simple. One-pot pasta dishes, fresh salads, grilled fish or meat (if your catamaran has a BBQ), and simple breakfasts/lunches are often easiest and most enjoyable.

What to Buy: A Suggested Shopping List & Croatian Flavours

Tailor this list to your crew’s tastes and meal plan:

Breakfast:

• Cereal / Muesli / Oats
• Eggs
• Bacon / Ham
• Yogurt (Greek style is popular)
• Fresh Bread / Toast / Croissants (buy fresh daily/every other day if possible)
• Jam / Honey (Med) / Nutella
• Fresh Fruit (seasonal grapes, figs, peaches, melons are fantastic)
• Milk (Fresh & UHT for backup)
• Coffee / Tea / Sugar

Lunch (Often simple/on the go):

• Sandwich supplies: Bread/rolls, cheese (Sir), sliced meats (Pršut – prosciutto, Kulen – spicy sausage), lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber.
• Pasta Salad ingredients
• Tuna / Canned goods for salads
• Wraps / Pitta bread

Dinner (Mix of onboard & ashore):

• Pasta / Rice / Potatoes
• Pasta Sauces (jars or ingredients for fresh: tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs)
• Meat for grilling/frying (Chicken, Pork, Cevapi – local minced meat sausages)
• Fresh Fish (buy direct from fishermen in smaller ports if possible, or good fish markets ashore)
• Vegetables for cooking/salads (onions, garlic, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce)
• Canned goods (beans, corn, tomatoes)

Snacks:

• Crisps / Nuts / Pretzels
• Biscuits / Cookies (Keksi)
• Chocolate
• Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges store well)
• Cheese & Crackers
• Dried Fruit

Drinks:

• Water: Large bottled packs (still negazirana & sparkling gazirana) – ESSENTIAL!
• Juice / Soft Drinks / Ice Tea
• Beer (Pivo): Local brands like Karlovačko, Ožujsko are popular.
• Wine (Vino): Croatia has excellent wines! Try local whites like Pošip, Grk (Korčula), Malvazija (Istria) or reds like Plavac Mali (Dalmatia). Buy decent bottled wine or boxed wine (Vino u Bag-in-Box) for easy storage/serving.
• Spirits / Mixers (Gin, Vodka, Rakija – local fruit brandy)

Essentials:

• Cooking Oil (Olive oil – Maslinovo ulje is excellent in Croatia)
• Vinegar / Salt / Pepper / Basic Spices & Herbs
• Butter / Margarine
• Dish Soap / Sponges / Kitchen Towels
• Bin Bags
• Toilet Paper / Paper Towels
• Matches / Lighter
• Aluminium Foil / Cling Film
• Sunscreen / Insect Repellent / Basic First Aid items

Embrace Local Products: Don’t miss trying local cheeses (Paški sir from Pag island is famous), olive oils, cured meats, fresh figs, local jams, and wines. They add authentic flavour to your trip!

Where to Buy: Supermarkets Near Major Charter Bases

Most major charter bases have large supermarkets within a reasonable distance (walking, short taxi/bus ride, or sometimes delivery).

Split Area (ACI Split, Marina Kaštela, Trogir Bases):

• Near ACI Split: Several large supermarkets like Konzum, Tommy, and sometimes Lidl or Kaufland are typically located within a short taxi or bus ride from the marina. Some may offer online ordering/delivery (check options beforehand). The large Split Green Market (Pazar) near the palace is excellent for fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, and local products. [Placeholder: Visual – Photo of Split Pazar]
• Near Marina Kaštela / Trogir Bases: Similar large supermarket chains (Konzum, Tommy, Lidl) are usually accessible by short taxi rides from these bases. Trogir also has a good green market near the bridge.

Dubrovnik Area (ACI Marina Komolac):

• Near ACI Komolac: There’s usually a reasonably sized Konzum or Pemo supermarket relatively close to the marina entrance in Komolac/Mokošica, suitable for major provisioning. Larger hypermarkets might require a longer taxi ride towards Dubrovnik proper. Delivery services might be available; inquire with SkipperCity or the supermarket directly. [Placeholder: Visual – Photo of a supermarket near ACI Dubrovnik]

Zadar Area (Marina Zadar, Marina Borik, D-Marin Bases):

• Near Marina Zadar / Marina Borik: Zadar has several large shopping centers and supermarkets (e.g., Supernova center with Interspar/Konzum, Lidl, Kaufland) accessible by taxi or local bus. There’s often a smaller market closer to Marina Borik for essentials. Zadar also has a vibrant Green Market (Tržnica) in the old town peninsula.
• Near D-Marin Bases (Dalmacija/Borik): Large supermarkets are typically a short taxi ride away. D-Marin Dalmacija (Sukošan) often has good facilities nearby or within easy reach.

General Tips for Shopping:

• Opening Hours: Supermarkets generally have long hours in summer, including weekends, but smaller shops may close earlier or on Sundays. Check locally.
• Payment: Credit/debit cards are widely accepted in supermarkets. Markets often prefer cash (Euros).
• Bags: Bring reusable shopping bags or expect to pay for plastic bags.
• Trolleys: You usually need a coin (€0.50 or €1) to use a shopping trolley, which you get back upon return.

Pre-Ordering & Delivery Services

• Ask SkipperCity: Inquire if SkipperCity offers provisioning packages or can recommend reliable local delivery services that can bring your shopping directly to your catamaran at the marina. This can save considerable time and hassle on arrival day.
• Supermarket Delivery: Some larger supermarket chains may offer online ordering and delivery to marinas, but you need to check their specific websites, delivery zones, and arrange timing carefully.

Topping Up Supplies While Sailing

While major provisioning is best done at the start, you can often top up essentials on larger islands:

• Towns like Hvar, Korčula, Vis, Sali: Usually have decent supermarkets (though potentially smaller and pricier than mainland hypermarkets).
• Smaller Villages: May only have a very small shop with limited basics and fresh bread.
• Local Markets/Fishermen: Opportunity to buy fresh local produce, fish, olive oil, or wine directly in smaller ports – a lovely part of the experience!

Enjoy Your Onboard Feasts!

With a bit of planning, provisioning your catamaran can be a smooth process, setting you up for a week of delicious meals and drinks enjoyed in some of the world’s most beautiful sailing grounds. Embrace the local flavours, keep meals simple but tasty, and enjoy the unique experience of dining aboard your floating home.

Have questions about provisioning for your specific charter? Ask the SkipperCity Experts! Start Planning Your Catamaran Adventure