Croatia · July 2027
What to pack, and what to leave at home
Croatia in July is hot, rocky, beautiful and slightly unforgiving. Read this once, properly, and you'll arrive with exactly the right things and none of the regret.
This is what every beach looks like. Pebbles, no sand, and sea urchins in the shallows.
If you read nothing else: water shoes, a hat, sunscreen from home, more swimwear than you think, and a small suitcase. Those five things will change your trip more than anything else you pack.
The non-negotiables
01
Water shoes
Every beach in Croatia is pebbles. There is no sand anywhere on this coast, and there are sea urchins literally everywhere - stepping on one is genuinely not fun and can end your swim day. Water shoes are the single most important thing on this list. Shein has great cheap options, and Crocs work too, they're just chunky to pack.
02
Kitten heels, not heels
It's cobblestone streets everywhere - this is Europe. Stilettos will get stuck, snap or roll your ankle. Ladies, bring one or two cute pairs of kitten heels or block heels for the fancier dinner nights and you'll be the comfortable one still standing at midnight.
03
Nice sandals or slides
Croatians don't really wear flip-flops in public, and some restaurants and beach clubs won't let you in wearing them. Bring proper sandals or smart slides - they cover you for day and evening.
04
Sneakers if you hike
There are stunning hiking areas, and hiking down the side of a mountain to a secret beach is going to be somebody's highlight of the trip. Bring one pair of trainers if that's you. (You won't catch me on that mountain.)
05
A hat - especially the bald men
July on the Adriatic is brutal sun with very little shade on the boats. A cap or a straw hat is not a fashion choice, it's scalp protection. Bald gentlemen, this one is for you specifically.
06
Sunscreen from home
Sunscreen in Europe is expensive and you'll be reapplying constantly. Buy it here where it's cheap, bring plenty, and bring a stick or spray for the boat days.
07
Motion sickness meds
The taxis are water taxis and we're on catamarans and a private boat. The first couple of days you may feel queasy before your body adjusts - with motion sickness tablets you skip that phase completely. Take them before you board, not after.
08
Thermal water bottle
It is soooo hot and hydration is the whole game. The boats have water dispensers, so an insulated bottle means cold water all day instead of buying warm bottled water at tourist prices.
09
Beach towel + handheld fan
A quick-dry beach towel for the pebbles and the boat, and a little rechargeable handheld fan. You'll think the fan is silly right up until the first 34°C afternoon in the old town.
10
A light cardigan
Just in case we get a windy evening on the water or one rainy day. Something light you can throw over a dress or shirt - not a jacket.
Swimwear: bring more than you think
Pack more bikinis than you think you need
You'll be in and out of the sea multiple times a day and nothing dries fully overnight in humidity. Ladies, double whatever number you first thought of.
Guys, same with swim shorts
You'll live in them. Shein has so many cute swim shorts without the Billabong price tag - stock up before we go.
Cover-ups you'd actually wear to lunch
Linen shirts, kaftans, a slip dress. We'll go straight from a swim to a harbour lunch, so one good cover-up saves you a trip back to the hotel.
Things nobody tells you about Croatia
€300 fine
No swimwear in town
Walking around the old towns in a swimsuit or just a cover-up is against the law. The old towns are heritage sites and it's about respecting them - the fine is €300, which is roughly R6,000 for a lazy outfit choice. Throw a shirt, shorts or a dress on before you leave the beach.
10%
There's a tipping culture
Tipping is normal in Croatia and the standard is around 10% at restaurants and bars. Factor it into your daily spending budget from day one - it adds up over 12 days of eating out.
No adapter
Croatia uses our two-pin plugs
Same round two-pin sockets we use at home, so leave the travel adapter behind - unless you're bringing something with a big three-prong South African plug, in which case pack one adapter for the group and share it.
Very safe
Croatia is genuinely safe
Pickpocketing and petty crime are close to non-existent, even in the busy old towns at night. You can relax, walk home after dinner and put your phone on the table. Just don't leave your bag unattended on a beach and you're fine.
Ladies (and everyone): pack light, pack carry-on
It's going to be hot - pack light, light clothing, and ideally carry-on only.
Cobblestones and pedestrian-only streets mean Ubers and taxis can't reach most hotels. They drop you on the main road and you roll your luggage the rest of the way, usually uphill.
You do not want to be dragging a huge suitcase over cobblestones, and you don't want to make your partner do it either.
Checked-luggage theft at OR Tambo has gone up. Arriving in Croatia with an empty suitcase would ruin the first days of the trip - keep valuables, meds and one set of swimwear in your carry-on.
Leave real space for the way home: lavender, olive oil, wine and market finds all need room.
Hair, honestly
Wigs are not going to work
Between 30°C+ heat, humidity, sweat and salt water, glue does not hold. Please don't embarrass us on a boat. Braids, cornrows or a half wig you're not worried about are the way to go.
Protect it in the sea
Salt water and sun will dry your hair out fast. Bring leave-in conditioner and a satin scarf or bonnet, and rinse with fresh water when you get back to the hotel to get the tangles that salt water does out.
Keep it low effort
Every extra step in your routine is time out of the sun and off the water. Pick a style you can wet, tie up and forget for twelve days.
If you can't swim, start lessons now
We're paddle boarding, jumping off boats, swimming into caves and getting into water taxis at coves with no beach. There's ten months to learn - book lessons, get comfortable, and don't hold the group back. This is the one item on the list you can't buy at the airport.
The small things that make a big difference
Power bank
Long boat days, full days out, maps and a camera all running.
Reusable tote / dry bag
Markets, beach days and keeping your phone dry on the boat.
Basic medicine kit
Painkillers, rehydrate sachets, plasters, antihistamine, tummy meds, aloe or after-sun for the inevitable burn.
Euros in cash
Croatia uses the euro. Beach bars, water taxis, markets and tips are often cash only.
Sunglasses (a spare pair)
One pair will go into the Adriatic. It's tradition.
Insect repellent
Evenings near pine trees and the water get mosquitoes.
Copies of documents
Passport, visa, insurance and hotel bookings saved offline on your phone.
Travel-size laundry soap
Rinse swimwear and light tops in the room so you can pack less.
Waterproof phone pouch
For boat days, cave swims and water-taxi splashes.
Something for the flights
Neck pillow, eye mask, earphones and layers - the Munich layover is long.
The last thing to pack: good vibes
Come with an open mind. The music won't always be your music, one day might be windy or rainy, a boat might be late, a plan might change and a restaurant might be full. That is travel - it happens on every trip anyone has ever taken. The people who have the best time are the ones who shrug, order another round and go with it.
Say yes to the swim, the hike, the long lunch and the detour. Embrace the whole thing. Twelve days on the Dalmatian coast with your favourite people only happens if we all show up ready to enjoy it - so pack the water shoes, leave the stress at OR Tambo, and let's go.
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