Hvar or Šolta? 2 Perfect Sailing Day Trips for RYA Students
Sailing day trips… One of the most exciting parts of an RYA course in Milna is the moment your instructor says, “You’re the skipper today—where are we going?” Positioned perfectly at the edge of the Brač Channel, Milna serves as the ultimate jumping-off point for exploring the Dalmatian islands. However, for a student skipper, choosing between a passage to Hvar or Šolta is about more than just the destination; it’s about the navigation, the wind, and the “Rule of the Road.”
Planning sailing day trips is a core part of the Day Skipper syllabus. It requires you to look at tidal streams (minimal in the Adriatic but still present), wind forecasts, and hazard identification. Whether you choose the glamorous buzz of Hvar or the rugged tranquility of Šolta, both routes offer unique learning opportunities. Here is how to decide which passage is right for your training day.
1. The Passage to Hvar: Navigation & Traffic
Heading south-west from Milna towards Hvar Town or Stari Grad is a classic route for sailing day trips. This passage takes you through the “Splitska Vrata” (the Split Gate), the narrow channel between Brač and Šolta.
- The Learning Curve: The Split Gate is a high-traffic area. As a student skipper, this is the perfect place to practise your COLREGs (Collision Regulations). You will need to manage the ferry movements and commercial shipping while maintaining your course.
- The Destination: Hvar Town is world-famous, but for RYA students, the Pakleni Islands just across the water offer incredible bays for anchoring practice.
- The Challenge: Finding a berth in Hvar in peak season requires precision and early arrival a great lesson in “logistical skippering.”
2. The Passage to Šolta: Anchorages & Pilotage
If you prefer a more peaceful, nature-focused training day, heading west to Šolta is one of the best sailing day trips you can plan. Šolta is often called the “hidden gem” of the central Adriatic, offering deep bays and charming fishing villages like Stomorska and Maslinica.
- The Learning Curve: Šolta’s northern coastline is indented with deep, narrow bays like Nečujam. This is the ideal environment for practising “Pilotage Plans.” You’ll learn to use transits and clearing marks to enter a bay safely without relying solely on your GPS.
- The Destination: Stomorska is a fantastic, friendly village where you can practise your Mediterranean stern-to mooring without the intense pressure of a larger port. It’s a great place to stop for a lunch break and a debrief.
- The Challenge: The winds around the western tip of Šolta can be gusty. It’s an excellent area to practise reefing and sail trim as the wind funnels through the channels.
Making the Skipper’s Decision
When choosing between these sailing day trips, a good skipper looks at the weather first. If a strong “Maestral” (north-west wind) is blowing, a beam reach towards Hvar might be a comfortable, fast sail. If the “Bura” (north-east) is picking up, the sheltered bays on the south side of Šolta might offer a safer, more educational environment for anchoring drills.
During your time with Yacht Sail Training, your instructor will encourage you to justify your choice. It’s not just about which island has the best coffee; it’s about which route provides the best learning experience for the current conditions.
Final Thoughts
Whether you point your bow towards the spires of Hvar or the olive groves of Šolta, you are winning. Both islands offer the kind of crystal-clear waters and reliable winds that make Croatia the world’s premier sailing classroom. The key is to have a solid plan, a briefed crew, and an eye on the horizon.
