In April 2025, Croatia updated its regulations on "Safety of navigation in coastal waters". The new regulations stipulate, for example, the minimum distances that yachts and boats must keep from bathing areas (an article on this can be found in our sister magazine Yacht)but also affect windsurfers, foilers and stand-up paddlers. The almost 120-page set of rules is not an easy read and leaves room for interpretation in many places.
Distance regulations for windsurfers and paddlers in Croatia
Windsurfers and foilers are now subject to new distance regulations from the coast. They are not allowed to come closer than 50 metres to the coast unless they are heading for a "mooring point". At designated bathing areas, surfers must keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the boundary. This would be acceptable in many places if the regulations had not also stipulated that windsurfers, foilers or SUP paddlers - if travelling without an accompanying boat - may only move up to a maximum of 300 metres from the coast. This would de facto leave a 250 metre wide strip - but stop: in the area up to 300 metres off the coast, the maximum speed for all water sports enthusiasts would be limited to a maximum of eight knots.
SUP paddlers are also categorised as "personal watercraft" in the new regulations. They are allowed to paddle within 300 metres of the coast without restriction, except in designated bathing areas. The use of SUP boards is not permitted in bathing areas. In addition, all riders of "personal watercraft" (windsurfing, foiling, SUP, kayak, etc.) are required to wear a buoyancy waistcoat with at least 100 newtons of buoyancy.
Where there is no plaintiff, there is no judge
Although the Croatian authorities have announced that they will monitor compliance with the new regulations, it is doubtful whether this will actually happen, at least in the case of windsurfers, foilers and SUP paddlers. When SURF asked some locals and centre operators, the unanimous response was that compliance with the new regulations has not yet been monitored or sanctioned. There is therefore justified hope that this regulation will also be just another entry in the long list of absurdities We remind you of the surfing ban in Greece from wind force 6. Nevertheless, the new regulations could of course become relevant, for example if insurance or liability issues have to be decided following an accident.
Spots and areas in Croatia:
- Spot Guide Croatia: Thermal spots in Pelješac - top area for spring
- The best windsurfing spots on the Croatian island of Krk
- Croatia - Flat water & waves in Istria
- With a sailing boat and surfboard through the islands of Croatia
- Spot Guide Dalmatia: Windsurfing around Pirovac - sometimes sweet, sometimes salty
- Preluk - Windsurfing & Wingfoiling at the windiest spot in Croatia
- Spot Guide Istria: The best windsurfing spots in the north of Croatia
- Brač Island - Spots with guaranteed wind
- Mini Spot Guide: Up-and-coming tip Ljubac in Croatia
