A formal reception was held at the Kaštela City Hall to celebrate Marina Kaštela receiving the prestigious Croatian Tourism Days title of Best Large Marina in Croatia in 2025. This significant recognition confirms Marina Kaštela’s important role in the development of Croatian nautical tourism and its growing international profile.
Attendees included Mayor Denis Ivanović, marina owner Captain Josip Berket, Managing Director Ivona Smoljić, Kaštela Tourist Board Director Nada Maršić, and numerous partners and representatives of local organisations who have contributed to the marina’s development.
Mayor Denis Ivanović congratulated the marina’s management on their exceptional achievement, noting that Marina Kaštela is now one of the City’s most important development projects. He emphasised that, while the City of Kaštela does not offer the hotel capacity of some other destinations, it has a marina that is “not only a sailboat harbour, but also a hub for sport, social life and community activities”. He also highlighted the fact that the marina provides around 400 berths and a wide range of sports and social facilities, including a swimming pool used by residents and local sports clubs.
Captain Josip Berket, owner of Marina Kaštela, drew particular attention with an emotional address, emphasising the importance of the award for the entire team and for him personally, given the project’s long development journey.
„This award means a great deal to us,” Captain Berket said, recalling the very beginning of the project. “The marina grew out of a sporting vision. More than 25 years ago, the late Čedo Mihaljević came to me and said: ‘Captain, we should build a marina and a small sports port here.’ That simple thought was the spark that grew into today’s Marina Kaštela.“
Captain Berket noted that the marina has become an important hub for sport, social life and community activities. It is a home to sailing, rowing, swimming and volleyball clubs, as well as a children and youth sailing school. He added that, in cooperation with the City, plans are in place to refurbish the Rowing Club, further strengthening Kaštela’s sports infrastructure.
Nada Maršić, Director of the Kaštela Tourist Board, highlighted Marina Kaštela’s exceptional importance in shaping the destination’s identity. She noted that the marina’s work and numerous projects enhance the overall tourism offering, attract visitors from around the world, and position Kaštela as an increasingly desirable nautical destination.
Marina Director Ivona Smoljić, who has addressed this recognition in her earlier statements, emphasised that it is a clear endorsement of the Marina Kaštela’s operating standards in quality, safety, sustainability and social responsibility – which are at the core of the marina’s daily operations.
Further development plans were also presented during the reception. A major €9 million infrastructure project is currently underway, including the construction of two new outer docks designed to accommodate yachts over 35 metres in length. Completion is expected before the start of the next boating season, strengthening the marina’s capacity and enhancing services for larger vessels. The Best Large Marina in 2025 title marks the culmination of many years of work and provides strong momentum for further investment, development and continued improvement of standards in nautical tourism. Marina Kaštela is proud to continue its journey as one of the Adriatic’s key nautical centres, committed to innovation, quality and the local community it serves.
