Anyone who’s spent a summer aboard a charter sailboat in Croatia knows it well — beautiful, but crowded bays, a constant fight for an anchorage spot, masses of tourists, and endless noise. You can’t help but wonder: “Where did the real sense of freedom that sailing is supposed to bring go?” This year, we decided to try something entirely different — a private cruise on the luxury yacht Hanse 630, which took us from Panama’s mainland to the paradise archipelago of San Blas.
The Reality of Chartering in Croatia
I’ve spent several holidays sailing in Croatia. Every year I hoped this time would be different — that we’d find a quiet bay just for ourselves, enjoy romantic sunsets without neighboring boats, and beaches without crowds. But reality was often quite different.
The bays were overcrowded, boats anchored side by side, and sometimes we literally had to “fight” for a free spot. Instead of romantic evenings, we were disturbed by loud parties from nearby boats; instead of peaceful snorkeling, we dodged anchor lines. It felt more like traffic on a highway than serene sailing.
Hanse 630 and San Blas – Returning to True Freedom
That’s why I decided to try something completely different — a luxury sailing trip on the Hanse 630 from Panama to the untouched islands of San Blas. The concept itself was entirely different. The yacht is rented exclusively as a whole, meant only for one group of friends or family. No strangers, no compromises. Apart from our group of six, only the captain and cook were onboard. The issue of crowds and strangers vanished instantly.
The San Blas Islands – A Different World
My first impression of San Blas was simply breathtaking. As soon as the yacht approached the first islands, I realized this was a completely different world. The archipelago consists of over 350 islands, most of them uninhabited. No marinas, no restaurants, no crowded beaches — just white sandy islets lined with coconut palms and water so clear you could see the seabed right from the deck.
Every bay we visited was almost always ours alone. We never had to fight for an anchorage spot, and there was no noise from nearby boats. In the evenings, we heard only the sounds of nature — the sea and the wind rustling through palms. When I woke up and dove into the crystal-clear water each morning, I felt like an explorer in a pristine paradise.
Service That Spoiled Me
Unlike Croatian charters, where we had to do everything ourselves and often struggled with space, on the Hanse 630 we didn’t have to worry about a thing. The cook prepared delicious meals — fresh seafood, exotic fruit, and gourmet dishes you could only dream of on a regular charter yacht.
The captain was always ready to suggest where to go, where to find the best coral reefs, or where to paddleboard. We had kayaks, snorkeling gear, fishing rods, and even a motorboat for trips — all for ourselves, with no waiting or sharing with strangers.
Encounter with Authentic Culture
One of the biggest differences between crowded Croatia and San Blas is the authenticity of local life. Croatia is beautiful, but tourism has turned many places into attractions. In San Blas, the indigenous Kuna people still live with their traditions, culture, and pride intact. It was amazing to meet people who weren’t trying to sell just another souvenir but humbly and warmly shared their way of life.
Watching Kuna women craft their traditional “mola” textiles, I felt inspired by their calm strength and simplicity of life. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced in Croatia.
I Don’t Want to Go Back Any Other Way
After a week aboard Sailing Freedom among the San Blas islands, I realized I probably couldn’t go back to the typical Croatian charter. This journey gave me a true sense of freedom, space, and an authentic connection with nature — something I’ve long missed in crowded European waters.
