Spending time at sea while in Croatia is an absolute must, the question is what is the best way to see the famous Dalmatian coastline? To organize a luxury yacht charter in Croatia is a dream for many, but is it right for you? Many wonder about the cost to charter a crewed yacht and want the inside scoop on the logistics of renting and then living on a boat on the Adriatic Sea before deciding if it’s how they want to spend their time in Central Europe.

The Citrine Compass founder, Kalyn Salinas, wasn’t sure either until a family friend and seasoned traveler told her about Sanja, a magical “boat hostess” with years of priceless experience that runs CroSailing, a business that plans and executes yacht charters through the Adriatic.

Crosailing will do the logistical planning like help you charter a yacht in Croatia, plan your route along the Dalmatian Coast and hire a crew as well as execute the trip for you. After living this experience, our founder is ready to give you detailed insight and advice so you can decide if a Croatia boat tour is right for you!

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CATAMARAN CHARTERS IN CROATIA: FAQS

Should I rent a sailboat or a catamaran?

Seasoned yachters would argue that catamarans (used interchangeably in this post with luxury yachts) are the way to go. You can save some money chartering a sailboat, however sailboats tilt on their side when they sail, which means you are tilted on your side when you sail. This situation could be fun for an afternoon but if you’re out at sea for a week, then comfort is a major factor and catamarans stay level as they cruise. Most catamarans are motor yachts that utilize both sails and powerful engines to help you cover a lot of ground even when the sailing conditions aren't ideal.

How do I choose a charter yacht?

Availability: This will be one of the biggest factors when choosing a boat and will depend on what charter companies have in inventory. Summer season (May through August) is the busiest time in Croatia due to the good weather and warm water for water sports and swimming, with July being the most popular month. The types of boats available dwindle quickly if you try and book a trip last minute so work with your hostess and/or charter company directly to plan ahead.

Size: The size of the boat will dictate how much space there is to dine, relax and sleep. A 38-foot yacht is plenty of space for two, however you may want to consider a 40-foot yacht or 42-foot yacht if you want more space. For four people, larger yachts (44-foot or 46-foot) would be a great option.

Crew: If you are taking a sailing holiday and want to relax, it is advisable to rent a charter yacht. The alternative would be a “bareboat” yacht charter, which is when you lease a boat directly from an owner and manage all sailing and on-board logistics yourself. A bareboat charter might be an option for a seasoned sailor but is probably not the best choice for a novice. Having a crew on board allows for a luxurious yacht charter experience with great service so guests can kick up their feet and relax.

Layout: Catamarans will have different layouts depending on their size and structure, which layout you choose is more about preference than function. For instance, the layout can affect how much space you have in your room, where the crew will sleep, where you eat your meals and where you’ll soak up your sun. Consider the number of cabins and bathrooms so each of your party’s needs are met and don’t forget that the crew has to sleep on board as well.

Amenities: The most prominent amenities during summer months are ice machines and air conditioning; not every luxury motor yacht will be have both. For instance if cocktails will be flowing, guests may want access to ice all day long. If a boat doesn’t have an ice machine on board, the crew can pick up ice whenever you are at a port. The other consideration is whether or not to have air conditioning on board the yacht. You may find that you have mild weather and never need to use it, or you may find that you’re on the boat in a heat wave and that it’s absolutely necessary. If you are traveling in July and August, it is recommended to have a boat with air conditioning. Last on the amenities front, most boats will have a dingy aboard to take you to/from the ship to the islands when you are not docked at a port.

Pick-up Location: Most boats have a port or marina whether they dock so make sure that location aligns with the rest of your trip’s logistics..

Safety: Many boats are advertised online at a deep discount, however Sanja at CroSailing advised that some of the boats advertised are not up to code or are old and are not the safest choice.

Where does the boat pick you up?

Split is a very large port and popular location to pick-up/drop-off passengers going out to sea; the harbor is large and there are direct routes to many of the main islands. Some boats depart out of nearby ports (20-30 minutes away) and will require an additional transfer if you are staying in Split.

Popular boat routes include Split to Hvar, Split to Dubrovnik and Split to Korcula although having a crewed catamaran allow you to visit more private coastlines, coves and villages.

How long should I rent a boat in croatia?

Almost all boats are rented by the week (Saturday to Saturday).

How much does it cost to charter a catamaran in Croatia?

Ah, the question that may be the deciding factor for some. It’s expensive, and there is no sugar coating that. There are several components that add to the final cost. Here is an approximate roll-up:

The Boat: Depending on the size of the boat and the amenities, renting a 38-foot, 40-foot or 42-foot catamaran for a week will run you anywhere from $6,000 - $10,000. The size of the boat and the amenities will factor in to the total cost.

Crew: This may fluctuate with season and caliber but expect to pay $1,000-$1,500 each (that inclusive of their rate and tip) to your hostess , captain and any other staff on board.

Fuel: This varies depending on how far you travel, expect to pay $1,000-$2,000. If you stay close to one island and its surrounding areas, it may be less.

What to cook on a catamaran?

Most days, you will eat your breakfast and lunch on the boat. Sanja over at CroSailing prepares those meals as the chef and inquires with guests prior to departure about food preferences and allergies as well as what you would like stocked on the yacht. You typically pay for what you order (not what you eat) so be mindful when placing your order. The crew refreshes any dwindling basics daily when the boat is at port and Sanja always buy what’s in season from local vendors.

Guests typically eat dinner in whichever town they are visiting that night but if you are going to a very small town with limited restaurant optoins, your hostess may make a dinner reservation for you. Some meals require several hours of preparation (for instance, roasted lamb on the spit and peka, slow cooked fish or meat and vegetables) and need to be requested in order to be prepared in time. This is a great way to experience Croatia’s local cuisine!

What to pack for a catamaran trip?

Boating culture in Croatia is casual and so are the small, coastal villages you will visit. Here are some things you may want to consider:

Swimsuits + Goggles
Sunscreen
Sun hat + sunglasses
Toiletry bag with essentials like soap, shampoo, conditioner
Medicine
Casual beach cover-ups or flowy dresses for downtime on the boat
Coastal casual outfits for dinners
Books + Magazines for leisure time
Sandals
Beach bag

How do I choose where to sail?

Charter destination is something you should consider before setting sail. The CC way is to do as the locals do so if you have a crew of charter experts that know the Adriatic Coast, don't feel like you need to be prepared with the best places, routes, historical sites or even specific islands. There are thousands of islands in Croatia so even on a private yacht, you won't be able to see everything. Furthermore, sea currents or weather are unpredictable and may end up dictating your course for you.

However you can be specific about the type of experience you want. You could have one type of sailing trip visiting small islands on the Mediterranean Sea with medieval towns and villages with populations of less than 100 people, or you could have a completely different trip visiting more upscale port towns like Bol, Hvar and Korcula. You don’t need to know the exact path to know how you want to feel during and after your yacht trip.

You could also request to visit a few national parks like Mljet or Kornati or visit some of Croatia’s amazing underwater shipwrecks if you’re looking for something unique.

What are the best islands to visit?

A good place to start your Croatia yacht charter is Split, the second largest city in Croatia, as you have access to many islands and can move at your own pace. The island of Hvar is only 45 minutes away and is a popular destination (both the port and stari grad, also known as old town, which is one of the oldest in Europe) as is the island of Brac with its olive groves and quiet bays, Solta, Vis and Korcula. You can read our post The Best Islands Near Split: A Complete Guide to learn more about these popular destinations.

If your home base is Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can enjoy some of the best restaurants in all of Croatia, walk along the city's famous medieval walls and see historic sites before hopping aboard your sailing yacht and taking to the sea. Dubrovnik is near Mjlet National Park, complete with pine forests and a monastery floating on an island in the middle of the island, the island of Lopud and the tiny Kolocep. From Dubrovnik you can also easily see Ston and the salt flats and ancient walls that protected it in medieval times.

If you are headed north to visit the Istrian Peninsula, you may pass through the national parks of Brijuni and Kornati National Park (which has over 80 islands and whose reefs and islets make for an amazing sailing vacation) and visit Krk, the largest island in Croatia. Istria is known for their olive oil, wine and truffles so you can enjoy amazing local cuisine and historic cities heavily influenced by Italy across the gulf.

Do you need a crew for your yacht?

If you’re an expert sailor that doesn’t drink any alcohol on vacation, sure you can probably captain your own boat. For the rest of the population, it recommended that you hire an experienced captain. The host/ess will be your main point of communication in planning, will handle all of the back end operations, grocery shop and prepare breakfast and dinner. They ultimately call all of the shots on the boat. The captain is your navigator, seamen and fearless boat handler. They will also usually take you back and forth to the coast in the dingy or motor boat. A bigger professional crew of experienced sailors may also be advisable for larger groups.

The other upside of having a crew with sailing experience is that they have local knowledge and know the Dalmatian Islands inside and out. You will be able to visit uninhabited islands with abandoned sandy beaches, swim in crystal clear waters and encounter natural beauty that you would likely miss trying to navigate the thousands of Croatian islands on your own.

What are the negatives of living on a sailboat?

It is incredibly luxurious to not have to lift a finger for an entire week if you have a chartered yacht and a crew but here are some things to consider before booking your trip:.

You might get seasick
It’s wet (all the time)
You aren’t able to flush toilet paper (including used toilet paper) down the drain
Showering requires a lot of coordination to pump, drain and save water.
It can feel, at times, like you’re glamping

What does a typical day on a catamaran?

Early mornings are usually when the sea is calmest so you can expect to have an Americano and then setting out on the Adriatic Sea to cover some ground and eat breakfast while cruising to your next destinations.

Croatians love to swim so you will get many chances to swim, paddle and snorkel in quiet coves and bays. The Adriatic is also some of the most salty water in the world so you can float and soak with ease.

Enjoy gourmet lunch and white wine on the boat and depending on how much distance you have to cover to reach the evening’s destination, you will either keep sailing or drop anchor for the afternoon to sunbathe, read and relax.

In the evenings, the captain or crew will take you in the dingy to a local town or village to explore, shop and eat a delicious seafood dinner.

How far in advance should I book a catamaran?

There is no such thing as securing your sailing yacht too far in advance. If you choose to work with Sanja at Crosailing, she gets booked up early with new and repeat clients. If you choose to organize your sailing holiday on your own, remember that there are only so many boats available and you will want to have options. We recommend reaching out to Sanja or another yacht company first thing so they can start the search for luxury yachts that fit your needs

THE VERDICT

You cannot put a price tag on an experience so if you want to swim in the crystal clear waters of a quiet bay in the Adriatic, walk along the pristine beaches of a forgotten island and eat local cuisine on the dock of a tiny town, then you should strongly consider renting a boat while in Croatia.

You will experience the country in a way that you just can’t get from renting a boat for a day or ferrying from island to island. If you can afford it and you enjoy being at sea, it’s a once in a lifetime chance to see a side of Croatia than most visitors will never get to experience.

If you don't think that renting a catamaran is for you, our post 14 Days in Croatia: The Complete Itinerary has incredible alternatives for spending time at sea, including the more cost effective and versatile option of using Hvar as a home base to explore islands via motorboat and ferry.

Either way, the Croatian sea is waiting for you!

Charter a Luxury Yacht in Croatia: Everything You Need to Know