5 reasons to sail with kids in Croatia

Do you want to give your kids a real adventure? Learn more on sailing vacations for families in Croatia. Spend an unforgettable week sailing with family on board excellently equipped boats! Go on a family cruise to the most beautiful destinations in Croatia.

Sailing is always an adventure, even for adults. Give yourself and your children a memorable adventure at sea, imagine yourself as Columbus or Magellan discovering uncharted lands. Sailing on a yacht is a real dream come true for kids. Who does not dream of sea adventures in childhood? Sailing with kids is always a great idea and here’s why.

In this blog, we give you top five reasons to sail with your children:

1.  Joy and adventures

Sailing is a great way to distract your kids from gadgets and the internet. Search for pirate treasures, board ships, learn how to operate a yacht and participate in sailing races. Family vacations bring you closer together, you will know better what your children love and what they are fond of. Give your kids an unforgettable yacht adventure. Outdoor activities, swimming, diving, jumping into the water will bring a lot of pleasant memories not only to your children, but also to you.

The Croatian coast is made for sailing with children! An ideal, light summer breeze carries your boat across the Adriatic. Thousands of small islands along the way, most of them uninhabited, provide a convenient place to drop anchor for a while and take a break from sailing. Unforgettable bays and azure sea await you. Plan your holiday with us at Nautika Centar Nava.

2. Educational benefits of sailing vacations for families

Children develop and learn faster when they are on a sea voyage. They learn the basics of sailing, learn more about sails, wind, weather and nature, and all boat parts. Perhaps in the future they might want to become captains or skippers, themselves, someday… Sailing also helps in mastering school subjects such as geography and biology. It is always more interesting to study in practice and not with textbooks at school. That’s why sailing with kids is a great opportunity to teach them about the underwater world, fishes and other sea creatures. Teach them about different winds and weather conditions for sailing, show them the surroundings, different bays, villages and towns on your way. This is hardly taught in school. Your children will develop more comprehensively.

3. Kids become responsible and independent

Children love to be treated like adults, so do not neglect to give them simple, feasible tasks according to their age. For example, let them wash the deck, help you with coiling, prepare mooring lines, help with sails, and so on. They will feel your trust and try to do their best. Furthermore, they will become more responsible and independent. Plus, it’s always fun to be involved in work on the same level as adults.

4. Kids become disciplined

Sailing is a serious kind of sport which requires attention and good discipline. There are different rules and routines on board, and everyone is obliged to abide by them, including children. Your children will learn to be disciplined and become more organized. The most important rule on board is to follow the captain’s instructions.

5. Sailing is healthy for kids

Of course, any parent wants his child to grow up strong and healthy. One of the most effective ways to improve children’s health and boost their immunity is to expose them to sun and sea water. Sea water is full of healthy minerals and salts, which restore the nervous system and have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole. The healing sea air generously flavored with pine scent strengthens the immune system of your children. Say goodbye to seasonal colds and allergies! Also, bathing in the sea contributes to the intellectual development of the child, due to the fact that sea water has a high content of iodine, which is extremely important for the child’s developing body.

Safety First: Peace of Mind for the Whole Family

While sailing is all about fun and adventure, safety is a top priority at Nautika Centar Nava. To ensure your family holiday remains stress-free, here are a few essential safety tips to keep in mind (you’re welcome to read our full blog on the topic of safety):

• Establish rules: Before you even leave the marina, have a “safety talk” with your children. Explain that the captain’s word is law and that certain areas of the boat are off-limits while moving. Some rules to include in the talk: wearing life-jackets (at all times for non-swimmers, and while under way for swimmers), not obstructing the skipper’s view, no running around the yacht, staying inside or perfectly still during mooring procedures. The conscious behavior of your children depends entirely on you and on how well you teach them about the possible dangers and consequences of disobeying the rules on board.
• Life jackets are non-negotiable: Our boats come equipped with life jackets. For toddlers and babies, please let us know in advance so we can have the correct sizes ready for your arrival. It might be a good idea for all crew members to wear them in order to lead by example.
• Safety nets for extra security: For families with small children or active toddlers, we can install a safety net around the deck’s railing. This provides an extra layer of protection to prevent little ones from slipping overboard. Please note that safety nets take at least 60-90 minutes to install so they must be preordered which allows our team to install them professionally before your arrival.
• Stay hydrated and use sun-screen: Kids are at a higher risk of sunstroke and dehydration. Ensure they wear hats, high-SPF sunscreen, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Mind the weather: The Adriatic is generally calm, but we always recommend checking the local forecast regularly. If the weather looks “capricious,” it’s always better to stay in a cozy bay or marina than to push your luck.
• First aid and support: Every boat has a First Aid kit, but we recommend bringing any specific medications your children might need. Remember, our base managers are just a phone call. In case of immediate danger reach out via VHF (Channel 16).

Do you want a sailing vacation for your family in Croatia?

Feel free to contact our team at Nautika Centar Nava. We are here to make sure that your family has a great time on the yacht. Our boats provide all the basics and essential safety equipment needed when sailing, including life vests especially for kids. In case you need life vests for toddlers and babies let us know, and we will prepare them before your arrival. Prepare your kids for two essential rules on board: wear life vests and obey the captain. 

Sailing with kids does not necessarily need to be stressful. Before sailing, prepare some water toys for entertainment. For instanceSUP boards, Tiwals, snorkel sets and many more. Read our previous  blog on how water toys upgrade your vacation, and make your sailing even more fantastic.