Nautical tourism is one of the most important categories in Croatia's tourism offering and is considered one of the strongest tourism products, thus making it a key part of Croatia's economy. Our coast is rugged, making it more interesting and challenging for sailors, and sailing conditions are favourable for much of the year. Therefore, it's logical that the nautical season lasts longer than the classic tourist season, bringing Croatia closer to its goal of becoming a year-round tourist destination.
Over the years, Croatia has established itself as one of the most important European and global destinations for sailors, with the number of tourists and vessels increasing annually, according to data from the Croatian National Tourist Board. As a result, Croatia remains on the list of the world's leading nautical destinations.
One of the important nautical destinations in Croatia is Umag, located on the western coast of Istria. The town is known for its sports and recreational activities, with the most famous being the local tennis tournament – ATP Umag. At the centre of the town's nautical offering is ACI Marina Umag, which has a capacity of 475 berths for boats ranging from five to 20 meters in length and is considered one of the best-equipped nautical centres.
Largest chain of marinas
ACI, the largest chain of marinas in the Mediterranean, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The construction of the marinas began at the end of 1983 and the beginning of 1984. The marinas were built in record time, and their construction was one of the largest construction undertakings of that era. The most beautiful locations on the Adriatic were chosen, which also came with challenges in accessibility and other construction difficulties. However, the effort paid off, as more than 1,000 people were employed in the first two years, and the marinas regularly attracted world-renowned names and members of royal families, just as they do today.
One of the first marinas built was ACI Marina in Umag, which has received the "Tourist Flower – Quality for Croatia" award and carries the Blue Flag, which is a key indicator for many tourists when choosing a destination, as it signifies responsible management of maritime assets and care for environmental preservation.
Meet our faithfull guests
We had the opportunity to speak with the Turk couple, who have been faithfully returning every year to ACI Marina Umag with their sailboat named Nika since the marina's construction. They built the sailboat themselves, says Vladimir Turk, and in 1984, they embarked on their first voyage along the Adriatic.
"We started from Portorož, looking for a place to anchor. We arrived in Umag, saw there was still space, so we moored and stayed. I've been sailing the Adriatic since elementary school. It's the most beautiful place to me. I've sailed the Adriatic many times, and we're not too interested in going to Greece or similar destinations," Vladimir shares.
Before they embarked on building their own sailboat, Vladimir says they considered whether to invest in a camper or a boat. It took them about two and a half years to build, whereas today, buying a vessel is much easier, whether used or new. The couple agrees they have no intention of letting go of their Nika, as it continues to serve them well.
They recall having the opportunity to visit many marinas, but ACI's marina in Umag feels like home. Vladimir praises the friendly staff, from the reception to the people who tie up the boats, and in their 40 years, they haven't had a single unpleasant experience.
"We reach Umag very quickly. It's not a problem for us to come even just for a day or a weekend. If something were to happen, the Lucija hospital is nearby, just across the border," adds Vladimir.
Although they're from the Slovenian city of Celje, they have a permanent berth in Umag and only sail when they go on vacation. They often sail towards Savudrija, and if the wind and weather permit, they venture further south of Novigrad. When their children were younger and on school holidays, the Turk family would sail even further south into the Adriatic with their Nika.
Januša also says that Croatia feels like a second home, though Umag has changed a lot over the years. ACI Marina has also evolved, now described as much larger and offering better amenities. Initially, Umag's marina only had three piers, making the sailing procedures much simpler. Given that the number of rented berths has significantly increased, you now need to reserve a time for lifting the boat in advance due to high demand.
"Things have changed for the better. There are more services, and we are very satisfied. Umag as a town has also changed and improved; it's much prettier than before. The progress is visible and positive," Vladimir added.
ACI Marina Umag is one of the most famous destinations for sailors in Croatia, not just because of its size and number of berths but also due to its proximity to other tourist attractions. A beach is nearby, the sea is very clean, and the town offers a rich sports and recreational scene, a vibrant nightlife, and a diverse restaurant selection.
The Turk couple is not the only long-term ACI client. At ACI marinas across the Adriatic, awards were given this year on ACI Day (July 1st) to many long-time guests, some of whom have been returning for decades. Awards were also given to long-term employees, whom management says are the foundation of the marina's excellent service and attractiveness.