From Opatija to Cres on the Pardo 43

The yacht: Pardo 43

The Pardo 43 is an Italian day yacht with a low, fast profile and most of its deck given over to sun and shade. You board in Opatija, step down onto the teak swim platform at the first bay and spend the day between the big sunpads and the cockpit under the T-top.

• 13.45 m, for up to 10 guests plus 2 crew
• Sunpads at the bow and stern, shaded cockpit under the T-top
• From €3,200 per day, skipper included, fuel extra

How the day unfolds

1. MorningBoard in Opatija and cruise past the villas of the Riviera, with Učka rising behind you.
2. Late morningCross the Kvarner Bay. The first quiet bays of Cres are about half an hour away.
3. MiddayAnchor in a cove you can only reach from the sea, swim and open a bottle of rosé on deck.
4. AfternoonLunch by the sea in Valun, a last swim on the way back and Opatija by early evening.

Times are approximate. Valun is about 1 to 1.5 hours from Opatija, and your skipper adapts the route to the wind and the sea.

Swimming in your own bay

Much of the Cres coast has no road, only pebble coves backed by pine and holm oak. Your skipper picks one sheltered from the day’s wind, so you can swim in clear water with no one else around and step back on board when you are ready.

The best bays on Cres have no road: you arrive by sea, or not at all.

Lunch by the sea in Valun

Valun is a small fishing village on the west coast of Cres. The yacht anchors in the bay and your skipper takes you ashore, a few steps from our favourite table on the island.

Before you sit down, step into the parish church on the waterfront. It keeps the Valun Tablet, one of the oldest known examples of Glagolitic script. In summer, reserve your table at Na moru in advance and your skipper will arrange the arrival.