Nautical tourism is a special form of tourism and as such has a special place as a subject of many researchers for years. It is associated to tourists with higher purchase power and contributes to the progress of employment and infrastructure. The main objective of this study was to show the influence of the nautical tourism in the development of coastal cities and in what ways. In the first part of the paper presents the problem and the subject of research, hypothesis, objectives, contribution and the methods that were used inthis work. In order for the empirical research to be conducted, it was necessary to theoretically analyze certain terms. Theoretical analyzes includes: the concept of nautical tourism, its development, types and ports of nautical tourism, as well as the analysis of nautical tourism in Split-Dalmatia County and the basic features of the county. After completing the theoretical part, a questionnaire was made which was filled by privately owned ports and ports under the port authority, as well as the cities where they are located. The results of research through the questionnaire were analyzed in the statistical program SPSS and Microsoft Excel. In accordance with the results of the research all hypotheses were accepted, which means that nautical tourism has a positive effect on the development of the coastal cities of Split-Dalmatia County, and contributes to the increase of employment, development of infrastructure and the development of supporting activities.