Where are the best places to swim on the Adriatic? A Guide for Sailors

Are you tired of perpetually crowded Croatian marinas and overpriced Italian ports? I certainly am. So I started looking further east—and discovered a destination that took my breath away. Yachting in Turkey is no compromise, but a full-fledged experience that in many ways puts the classic Mediterranean to shame. A turquoise coastline, ancient ruins peeking out from the cliffs, bays straight out of a paradise vacation ad, and prices that won’t break the bank. Let’s see why you should pack your swimsuit and head right here.

When my boss sent me an email with the subject line “ASAP” for the sixth time that day, I knew it was time to get out of there. Anywhere with no cell service, where the only deadline is sunset. I chose Croatia. But not the typical kind, where you fight for a spot to lay your towel at the campsite. I wanted something more. And so my personal Skradin itinerary was born—a plan for a week-long escape from reality, where the wind in my hair and the salt water on my skin take center stage.

When the captain of our crew announced over a beer last winter, “This year we’re going yachting in Corsica, guys,” I pictured the usual sunbathing, the occasional grilled fish, and calm seas. How wrong I was! Corsica, that rugged “Island of Beauty,” doesn’t give you anything for free. But what it offers you in exchange for a little sailor’s sweat will stay with you forever.