Restrictions for Yachts in Croatia
Any cruisers planning on sailing in Croatian waters during 2025 need to be aware that from April 2025, authorities have implemented new regulations for anchoring and mooring along the coastline as well as for the use of dinghies, tenders and other personal water craft. For more details see the following news item:
Navigation
When underway, all pleasure vessels must keep a distance of at least 50m off the coastline, and when near beaches at least 50m off the enclosure of the marked bathing area (approx. 150m offshore).
Navigation is prohibited in Limski Canal on the western coast of Istria because of a shellfish farm.
Navigation is prohibited in several bays because of fish farms located in them. They are listed in pilot books and are marked by buoys or signs onshore.
Anchoring
The
Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (MMPI) provides a Concession List that lists the official licensed
Nautical Anchorages in Croatia.
The
Nautical Information Service (nIS) app is a multilingual free smartphone software developed by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure for yacht and boat captains, fishermen, divers, swimmers, and those who spend time on the shore and at sea.
In April 2025, new restrictions on anchoring and mooring distance from shore came into effect:
- Vessels between 15-30 meters in length must stay at least 150 meters from the coastline
- Vessels under 15 meters are allowed no closer than 50 meters from shore.
Dinghies
Dinghies are only allowed to travel within 500m of the mother ship and must be insured. Note if larger than 2.5m/6Hp, the Navigation Fee must also be paid for the dinghy. See
documents for details.
Prohibited Areas
Areas prohibited to yachts are listed on the cruising permit or will be specified on arrival at the port of entry. It is strictly forbidden to photograph any restricted areas or military installations i.e. parts of the naval ports of Pula, Sibenik, Split (Lora), and Ploce (Bazine).
The following are prohibited or protected areas: Navigation is prohibited around Brijuni Island, delimited by the following lines:
Zone I
Rt Barbaren - RT Kadulja
Rt Kadulja - Isle of Supiniæ
Isle of Supiniæ - Position A (longitude: 44 52,6'N latitude: 13 42.2'E)
Position A - Position B: (longitude: 44 52.6'N, latitude: 13 45.1'E)
Position B - Position C: (longitude: 44 53.2'N, latitude: 13 46.0'E)
Position C - Rt Kamnik
Zone II
The SE part of the Brijuni Island within the line connecting Rt Kavran and Rt Kozlac.
National Parks
National Parks in Croatia with marine restrictions include:
- Limski Kanal [Limski kanal]
- Brijuni Islands National Park [Brijuni National Park]
- Luka Telascica Nature Park [Nature park Telašćica]
- Kornati Islands National Park [Kornati National Park]
The protected area in the Kornati National Park extends from Prolaz Proversa Vela (south of the island Dugi Otok) to the southern point of Kornat Island. Sailing is permitted throughout the Kornati National Park, except in zones of strict protection. Visitors are not permitted in the zones under strict protection which include: Purara islet, Klint and Volić reefs, Mrtenjak islet, Kolobučar islet and Small Obručan and Great Obručan islets. Last known anchoring and overnight stays permitted in: Stiniva, Statival, Lupeška, Tomasovac - Suha punta, Šipnate, Lučica, Kravljačica, Strižnja, Vruje, Gujak, Opat, Smokica, Ravni Žakan, Lavsa, Piškera - Vela Panitula, Anica on Levrnaka, Podbižanj, and Koromašna.
- Krka National Park [NP Krka]
- Mljet National Park [Nacionalni park Mljet]
National Park Rules
- All activities that may pollute the sea are strictly prohibited and all garbage must be deposited in the bins provided.
- No fauna or flora must be disturbed or damaged.
- A permit must be obtained for fishing or scuba diving. Spear fishing is not permitted.
- There is a daily charge for entering all parks.
- All National Park websites have a section for visiting yachtsmen with a zones map, permitted areas for anchoring/overnight anchorages etc. and a price list for vessels.
Scuba Diving
You may only scuba dive in Croatia if you have a permit issued by the Croatian Scuba Diving Federation. This is valid for one year and is issued to divers with valid certification. The permit costs 100 kunas for organized group diving through a center. Unsupervised driving permits can be purchased via the harbor masters office at a cost of 2400 kunas a year.
Areas requiring a special permit are Kornati, Mljet, and Telascica, issued by the park authorities. There are also a number of areas where you can only dive under the supervision of a licensed diving center.
For more information, visit
Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia - Diving
Fishing
To fish anywhere in Croatia you will need a permit. This can be obtained from the Harbor Master's office.
Other Restrictions
The following activities are prohibited in the interest of safety to swimmers or navigation generally: swimming, windsurfing or waterskiing in ports.
Stand-up paddleboards, jetboards and other personal watercraft (PWC) have clear rules:
- Allowed only between sunrise and sunset
- Maximum distance of 300 meters from shore
- Not permitted in swimming zones
Last updated: April 2025
