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CROATIAN MARITIME RULES · SSVO 2025/2026

Safe Navigation on the Croatian Adriatic

Shore distances, speed limits, swimming zones, anchoring restrictions — the essential rules every boater and yacht operator needs to know.

Browse All Rules Below

Based on SSVO regulation(Pravilnik o sigurnoj plovidbi) — in force March 2025. Published by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.

Croatian Maritime Rules

Croatian Maritime Distance & Speed Rules

All distances and regulations based on SSVO — the official Croatian maritime safety regulation.

Diagram showing minimum shore distances for vessels in Croatia — 50 m for boats under 15 m, 150 m for vessels 15–30 m, and 300 m for vessels over 30 m and seaplanes

Minimum Shore Distance

Boats under 15 m: 50 m off shore. Vessels 15–30 m: 150 m. Vessels 30 m+ and seaplanes: 300 m minimum.

Diagram showing minimum vessel distances from designated swimming zones in Croatia — 50 m, 100 m, and 300 m by vessel size

Swimming Zone Clearance

Vessels under 15 m: 50 m from marked swimming areas. 15–30 m: 100 m. 30 m+ and seaplanes: 300 m.

Infographic showing the 8-knot speed limit within 300 m of shore, channels, ports, and anchorages in Croatia, with a no-planing zone indicator

Speed Limit Zones

Maximum 8 knots within 300 m of shore and inside channels, ports, and anchorages. Navigate with caution.

Infographic showing anchoring restrictions in Croatia — prohibited within 50 m of swimming zones, 150 m of natural beaches, and near underwater infrastructure

Anchoring Restrictions

No anchoring within 50 m of swimming zones, 150 m of natural beaches, or near underwater cables and pipelines.

Infographic showing personal watercraft rules in Croatia — sunrise to sunset operation, 300 m shore limit, 50 m minimum for motorised craft, and pedal boats and SUPs allowed in swimming zones

Personal Watercraft

Sunrise to sunset only, within 300 m of shore, outside swimming zones. Motorised craft: 50 m minimum from shore.

Diagram showing that planing or hydrodynamic lift is only allowed more than 300 m from shore in permitted areas in Croatian waters

Planing Restriction

Hydrodynamic lift (planing) only permitted more than 300 m from shore and in expressly allowed areas.

Illustration showing the 50 m minimum vessel distance from a diver marker buoy in Croatian waters

Diver Safety

All vessels must keep more than 50 m from any diver marker buoy. Only escort vessels are exempt.

Diagram showing the 500 m maximum operating range for tenders and support craft from their mothership in Croatian waters

Tenders & Support Craft

Must remain within 500 m of mothership. Exceptions for shore transfers and moving between anchorage points.

llustration showing swimming boundary rules in Croatia — swimmers must stay within designated areas or within 100 m of natural beaches

Swimming Boundaries

Swimmers must stay within designated areas. At natural beaches without a marked zone: within 100 m of shoreline.

Illustration of personal watercraft operating beyond 300 m from shore under escort of a power-driven vessel during an organised excursion

Organised Excursions

Personal watercraft may operate beyond 300 m when part of an organised excursion escorted by a power-driven vessel.

FREE QUICK-REFERENCE GUIDE

Keep These Rules On Board

All Croatian maritime distance rules, speed limits, anchoring restrictions, and emergency contacts in one printable PDF. Designed to be saved to your phone for quick access while underway.

SafeNavigation

Safe Navigation

Essential Safety Tips

Before you set sail on the Croatian Adriatic

Valid Permits

Operate vessels only with the required and valid permits.

Weather Awareness

Monitor forecasts and sea conditions before and during any voyage.

Vessel Condition

Check safety equipment, fuel, and drinking water before departure.

No Alcohol or Narcotics

Never operate a vessel under the influence. Zero tolerance applies.

Capacity Limits

Don’t exceed maximum weight or number of persons allowed on board.

Official Charts & nIS App

Use official nautical charts. Download the nIS app from the Ministry.

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Your gateway to the Kornati National Park — 89 uninhabited islands across 300 km² of pristine Adriatic waters. Navigate the historic St. Anthony Channel past the UNESCO-listed St. Nicholas Fortress, explore the hidden coves of the Šibenik archipelago, and sail upriver to the waterfalls of Krka National Park.

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2 National parks
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