8-Day Private Sailing Tour from Split with Meals and Pickup

The unusual appeal here is the switch between motorcycle touring and sailing. You ride coastal and mountain roads, then return to a yacht for a swim, dinner, and a night in a sheltered bay. The route covers three countries, with a captain and chef aboard for the sailing portion.

I like that the trip combines major sights such as Krka, Dubrovnik, and Mostar with smaller stops for wine and oysters. I also like the practical rhythm: your bags can stay with the yacht while you ride, so you avoid packing and unpacking at every stop.

The main consideration is the pace. Eight days include long rides, several border crossings, time on the water, and sightseeing, so this is not a slow beach holiday. The listed price is $10,909.64 per person, a serious outlay that makes most sense if you want both the yacht and the motorcycle experience.

What makes this trip different

• A yacht and motorcycles in one itinerary: Spend much of the week sailing and sleeping aboard, then take guided rides through Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• A change of pace each day: Swim in coves, explore old towns, ride mountain and coastal roads, and visit national parks.
• Local food is part of the plan: Meals include onboard dining and a seven-course dinner at Gastro Mare in Kobaš Bay.
• The luggage handoff is useful: Your belongings travel separately while you ride toward Mostar, then are returned to you in Split.
• The tour is private: Only your group participates, which gives the crew and riding team room to work around your group’s preferences.
• It asks a lot of you: You need to be comfortable with a packed itinerary, motorcycle travel, and a substantial price.

A two-part trip, by sea and road

This is not simply a yacht cruise with a short excursion on land. The motorcycle component is central: you ride through coastal Croatia, cross into Montenegro, and continue into Bosnia and Herzegovina. At sea, the yacht provides your lodging, meals, and a place to unwind between road days.

That mix is the tour’s strongest idea. A road trip gives you access to inland towns and mountain routes that a yacht cannot reach; sailing links the islands and lets you spend time swimming and resting. Several people who had initially planned a motorcycle-only holiday found that adding the yacht made the trip better. Others arrived with little or no sailing experience and valued a patient skipper who answered questions and explained the boat.

The motorcycle fleet has included new BMW GS models, including the GS 1250, according to past participants. Specific bikes can change, so confirm the model and riding arrangements before booking. The tour’s private format also matters: your group is not mixed with strangers, and food preferences are collected ahead of the sailing portion.

One useful tip from the trip’s past riders is to consider doing the motorcycle portion before the more relaxed sailing days, if the operator can accommodate that order. The scheduled route weaves between the two, though, so do not assume you can rearrange it without asking.

Day 1: Krka, Šibenik, and your first night aboard

Pickup can be arranged from Split airport or another convenient location in Split. The team meets you at its office, reviews the route, and introduces the motorcycle fleet. The listed start time is 9 a.m., so give the operator your arrival details early and confirm where your pickup will take place.

The first ride heads to Krka National Park, where you have about two hours to walk among the waterfalls. Swimming beneath them is conditional on the water being warm enough, so treat it as a possibility rather than a promise. This is a strong opening stop: it gets you into the countryside quickly and gives you a break from the saddle before the ride continues.

You then take country and coastal roads to Šibenik and Marina Mandalina, where the yacht is waiting. This detail is worth understanding before you book: although the tour is described as starting from Split, your first night aboard is in Šibenik. The yacht then serves as your accommodation for much of the journey, cutting out repeated hotel check-ins and giving you a steady base.

Day 2: Blue Lagoon and the Pakleni Islands

After breakfast, the yacht sails from Šibenik toward Hvar, with an estimated five hours at sea. A stop at Krknjaši Bay, also called the Blue Lagoon, on Mali Drvenik offers time for a swim. The sailing day is not just transport between ports: you can relax aboard, swim, and have meals prepared around the preferences you have shared.

The night is spent in a cove in the Pakleni Islands, near Hvar. The area has well-known beach bars and restaurants, including Laganini, Hula-Hula, and Carpe Diem. Dinner is prepared on the yacht, and you can choose to visit Hvar’s old town later.

This day shows the trip’s balance well. You get an easy afternoon at anchor, but the nearby nightlife can make the evening livelier if you want it. If quiet is more your style, staying aboard is an option.

Day 3: Hvar’s back roads, wine, and oysters

The day begins with a walk through Hvar’s old town, then shifts to a ride toward Sveta Nedjelja. The route includes gravel, making this a more demanding day than a simple coastal cruise. In the village, you visit Plenković winery, known for its underwater wine cellar.

From there, the route continues by ferry from Sućuraj to the mainland, then along the coast toward Ston and Orebić. A private oyster visit in the Mali Ston area gives you a taste of the region’s oyster farming, with fresh oysters and a boat trip to the farm included in the described experience.

The yacht waits near Orebić, and a short sail takes you to Korčula. Dinner is served aboard, with time afterward to walk the old town. Korčula is often linked with Marco Polo, and its compact streets make an evening wander an easy fit after a long day.

There is a lot packed into this day: gravel riding, a ferry, a winery, oysters, and an old town. I would ask the operator how much riding experience is expected for the gravel section, especially if you are new to larger adventure motorcycles.

Day 4: Mljet National Park and Kobaš Bay

After breakfast and a morning swim, the yacht sails for Mljet, a journey of about two hours. You spend around two hours in the national park, visiting its salt lakes by bicycle or on foot and taking a kayak to an ancient monastery. That short visit gives you a taste of the park, though it is not enough time for an exhaustive exploration.

The afternoon takes you to Kobaš Bay on the Pelješac Peninsula. Here, the pace slows: swim, relax by the beach bar, and settle in for dinner at Gastro Mare. The meal is described as a seven-course menu prepared by chef Antonio Bjelko, using fresh local ingredients and seafood.

Food is one of the most consistently praised parts of the trip, and this is a particular highlight. Past participants have singled out meals such as peka, along with the onboard cooking and wine. Still, the meal plan is not identical every day: the stated inclusions list seven dinners, five lunches, and four breakfasts. Check which meals and drinks are included for your specific departure rather than assuming every meal is covered.

Day 5: Ston, Pelješac wine, and Dubrovnik

After breakfast at Gastro Mare and a swim, you explore Ston and its famous defensive wall. The visit is paired with another oyster-farm stop, where a local guide explains oyster cultivation and you taste the local shellfish. The route also includes Miloš Winery on Pelješac, where you learn about the winemaking tradition and taste its wine.

The motorcycle ride continues toward Dubrovnik, with a stop on Mount Srđ for views over the old town and islands. The yacht is moored at ACI Marina Dubrovnik, and you sail a short distance to spend the evening in front of the city walls. You can walk Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main old-town street, then return to the yacht for dinner.

This is a full day with several transfers between road and boat. Dubrovnik’s old town is a major draw, but it can feel crowded, especially in the height of summer. The yacht’s location offers a different perspective on the walls, while the evening walk gives you a chance to see the city after the riding portion is done.

Day 6: Kotor Bay, Tivat, and Budva

You leave Dubrovnik by motorcycle and cross into Montenegro. The day centers on the Bay of Kotor, with stops in Tivat and Kotor. In Tivat, there is time for coffee at Porto Montenegro; in Kotor, you walk the old town and ride the surrounding hills. Budva adds a visit to its old town and nearby beaches.

The return is to Cavtat, where the yacht waits for the night. Dinner and an evening swim are planned aboard. Cavtat is a small coastal town and a useful overnight stop after a day that includes international travel and several destinations.

This is the tour’s clearest example of the value of a guide and organized transport. Kotor Bay’s roads, towns, and viewpoints would take planning to combine in one day on your own. At the same time, border formalities and the number of stops can make the day feel busy. Bring whatever travel documents you need for crossing borders and confirm requirements with the operator before departure.

Day 7: Leaving the yacht for Mostar

After breakfast and a swim, you leave the yacht and continue by motorcycle toward Bosnia and Herzegovina. Your luggage is sent back to the Desmo Adventure office in Split, so you can ride without carrying your main bags. The route passes through towns including Trebinje, Stolac, and Blagaj before reaching Mostar.

In Mostar, you walk the old town and see the Old Bridge, which was destroyed during the 1990s conflict and later rebuilt. The town’s architecture and religious communities reflect a complicated past, and the tour includes time to learn about the war years. This is not only a scenic stop; it adds important historical context to the coastal holiday.

The yacht portion ends before this inland stretch, and the overnight stay is in Mostar. The specific lodging is not stated, so ask what is arranged and included for that night. It is a practical detail to settle before committing to a trip with a premium price.

Day 8: Neretva Canyon, Jablanica, and Blidinje

The final ride follows the Neretva River canyon toward Jablanica, where you visit a war museum and learn about the conflict in the Balkans. The route then climbs toward Čvrsnica Mountain and Blidinje Nature Park, passing villages damaged during the war.

Lunch is planned at Hajdučke Vrleti, with traditional Bosnian specialties. Afterward, the ride back to Split takes about two and a half hours. Your luggage is waiting at the Desmo Adventure office, with transport arranged from there to the airport or a nearby hotel.

This last day combines mountain scenery, a museum visit, and a traditional meal before a return journey. It is a satisfying end, but it is also a long final day. Avoid scheduling a tight flight connection unless the operator confirms the timing and transfer plan for your departure.

What the price buys, and what to check

At $10,909.64 per person, this is a luxury-level trip, not a budget way to see Croatia. The value lies in combining a private tour, yacht accommodation, a captain and chef, motorcycle touring, meals, and organized transfers into one plan. You also avoid arranging separate hotels, boat charters, and road support across three countries.

The price is easier to justify if you will use both halves of the experience. If you mostly want to sail, a yacht-focused trip may suit you better. If you mainly want to ride, a motorcycle tour without the yacht could offer better value. Here, the combination is the point, and the cost reflects the complexity of moving between sea and road.

Before booking, confirm the motorcycle model, riding requirements, accommodation for the Mostar night, and the exact meals and drinks covered. The listed inclusions specify meals, but not personal spending money, which is excluded. The tour is private, and pickup is offered in Split. It requires good weather; if poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book this Croatia and Balkans tour?

Book it if you want a high-service trip that joins island sailing with serious motorcycle touring, and if the price fits your budget. It is especially well suited to a private group of friends or couples who enjoy both road and sea, value good food, and want to see more than the coast.

Think twice if you prefer a relaxed cruise, want plenty of unscheduled time, or are uneasy on motorcycles or gravel roads. This tour covers a remarkable range of places, but it does so at a brisk clip. If you are comfortable with that tradeoff, the yacht-and-bike pairing offers a memorable way to connect Croatia’s islands with Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup can be arranged from Split airport or another convenient location in Split. The listed start time is 9 a.m., and the first night aboard is in Šibenik.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight days, with the final day ending back in Split.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Are motorcycles part of the experience?

Yes. The tour includes motorcycle riding, with a fleet introduced by the team at the start. Past participants describe riding BMW GS models, but you should confirm the specific motorcycle for your departure.

Is the trip entirely aboard the yacht?

No. The yacht is your accommodation for much of the trip, but the itinerary includes motorcycle journeys and an overnight stay in Mostar after leaving the yacht.

Which countries does the route visit?

The route visits Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Which meals are included?

The stated meal inclusions are seven dinners, five lunches, and four breakfasts. Personal spending money is not included. Confirm the exact meal and drink arrangements for your departure.

Do you get time to swim?

Yes. The plan includes swims at places such as Krknjaši Bay, the Pakleni Islands, Kobaš Bay, and Cavtat. Swimming beneath Krka’s waterfalls depends on the water temperature.

Is the Krka Waterfalls visit included?

The Krka National Park stop is listed as lasting about two hours, with admission included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.