Route Planning for the Adriatic
Know your route, the weather, and how much fuel you need — in minutes. See a sample route: Kornati & Telašćica →
Routes that actually make sense for a motorboat
Sailor calculates the fastest route to your destination while automatically routing around coastal slow zones. If cutting between two islands means navigating a long corridor where speed is restricted, the route will go around instead — saving you time even if the line on the map looks longer.
The result is a route that's genuinely optimal for a motorboat, not just the shortest line between two points. About the 300m coastal rule →
Know the whole trip before you leave
Once your route is set, Sailor shows you everything you need to decide whether to go:
- Distance and travel time — know how long the trip takes at your cruising speed
- Fuel estimate — based on the cruise speed and fuel-per-hour you configure for your boat, so the figure reflects your vessel rather than a generic default
- Weather along the whole route — wind, precipitation, and temperature from start to finish
Fuel estimates are based on your actual boat. Set your cruising speed and fuel consumption, and Sailor calculates accordingly — so the number you see reflects your vessel, not a generic assumption.
Weather along the route, not just at the marina
The weather at your marina in the morning tells you nothing about conditions at your destination in the afternoon, or in the channel between two islands you'll pass midway.
Sailor shows aggregated weather along your planned route — wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature. At a glance you can see if conditions deteriorate at any point along the way, and decide whether to go, wait, or pick a different day.
The Adriatic is known for rapidly changing weather. Knowing what the whole route looks like before you depart is the most practical safety check you can make. About Adriatic weather →
Share the route with the group
Once planned, routes can be shared with other boats on the trip. Anyone with Sailor can follow the same route with live navigation, without needing to plan it themselves.
Related reading
- Croatia's 300m boating rule explained — the rule the route planner is built around.
- Distance from shore on the Adriatic — why this matters at planing speed.
- Boating speed limits in Croatia — the universal 8-knot rule plus where stricter limits apply.
- Croatia boating fines — what operators get fined for and what it costs.
- Adriatic Sea weather for boaters — the winds that change a planned trip.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best navigation app for the Adriatic?
For motorboat operators in Croatian waters, the most useful navigation app is one that's purpose-built for the Adriatic — with the 300 m coastal speed rule baked in, automatic routing around slow zones, fuel estimates based on your actual boat, and weather along the whole route. Sailor Croatia is built for exactly that.
Can Sailor Croatia plan a route that respects the 300m rule?
Yes — that's the default. Sailor's route planner automatically routes around the 300 m coastal slow zones, so the suggested path is designed to keep you outside the coastal slow zones and doesn't make you crawl through long stretches at 8 knots. If a detour around an island is faster overall than going through its slow zone, the route takes the detour.
How does Sailor estimate fuel for a route?
Sailor uses your boat's cruising speed and fuel consumption, which you set in the app. It then computes the time on each leg at the speed allowed by the coastal regulation (full speed beyond 300 m, 8 knots inside) and multiplies by consumption. The estimate reflects your actual vessel, not a generic assumption.
Does Sailor show weather along the route?
Yes. Sailor samples the DHMZ ALADIN forecast in 3-hour windows along the planned route — wind speed and direction (P95), precipitation, cloud cover, and temperature. You can see at a glance whether conditions deteriorate midway, before you cast off.
Can I share a planned route with other boats?
Yes. Once planned, a route can be shared as a link. Anyone who taps the link in Sailor gets the same route with live navigation, without having to plan it themselves. The link also opens in a browser with a preview of the route, weather, and trip stats for crew members who don't have the app yet.
Can I navigate a route from anywhere?
Live navigation works when you're on or near the route's path — the app guides you along the planned line. If your current position is far from the route, you can still open and review the route, but you need to be close to it to start navigating. Routes shared by other boaters work the same way.
Does Sailor work for sailboats too?
Sailor is built primarily for motorboats — the route planner assumes a motorised vessel and respects the 300 m speed band. Sailboats under sail are rarely subject to the coastal speed rule because they don't typically exceed 8 knots, but the distance-to-shore reading and weather forecast are useful for any vessel.
Plan your next Adriatic trip
Smart routing, fuel estimates, travel time, and weather along the whole route — everything you need to set off with confidence.
Sailor Croatia
Routes that respect the 300m zone
⚠️ Safety notice. Sailor is a navigation aid, not a substitute for official charts, a proper lookout, or seamanship. Position, distance, and hazard data are estimates and may be inaccurate, delayed, or incomplete. You are solely responsible for safe operation of your vessel and for compliance with local maritime laws. Full terms apply.
Spotted a mismatch on the water? Send it through the in-app feedback form — we use those reports to refine the coastline data.