Croatia Yacht Charter Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Boatbookings' Most Frequently Asked Questions about Croatia Charters and how to plan your Croatia adventure!

We have compiled the following insider's information to help you plan your Croatia Boat Rental Holiday, and understand the terminology, costs, and general guidelines for Croatia chartering and sailing vacations.

• What are the top reasons for chartering a Yacht in Croatia?
• What is the best season for chartering in Croatia?
• How do I learn about Croatia's attractions and best itinerary options?
• Can the costs of flights or ferries be included in your offer?
• How do I get from the airport to base?
• Do I have to spend the first night in the base port?
• Are there any hidden costs?
• What happens in case of damage or if I am involved in an accident?
• Do I need special licenses to charter a yacht even if I am experienced?
• What provisions do the boats come with?
• Do I have to bring life jackets, especially for the kids?
• Are my little children safe on board?
• Is a dinghy included?
• What are my options when I have technical problems or other difficulties miles away from base?
• What maps and navigation tools are included in Croatia bareboat charters?
• Do I have to bring special sailing gear?
• Is watersports equipment provided on board?
• Which islands or towns along the Dalmatian coast are best suited for running?
• What happens if we cannot be back at base on time due to weather conditions?
• I am an advanced sailor but not familiar with the Mediterranean Sea.
• Can you send me an itinerary and a list of nice restaurants and nightlife options?
• I want to embark/disembark at a different port. Is this possible?
• Do I have to charter weekly, or is a long weekend possible as well?
• Are moorings hard to find at Croatian marinas?
• How do I find what boats are available for the times I need?
• Do I need travel insurance for a Croatia sailing holiday?
• What currency is used in Croatian marinas and towns?
• Can I bring pets on my yacht charter?
• What’s the tipping policy for crews in Croatia?

What are the top reasons for chartering a Yacht in Croatia?

Croatia offers a true yachting paradise. The glorious Dalmatian Islands are only reachable by boat or ferry, and offer an unbeatable Mediterranean experience that includes history (from Greek times through all the major European empires), excellent summer weather and sailing conditions, secluded beaches, historic towns, and fresh local food with an emphasis on fish and seafood. If any of these interests you, Croatia delivers everything simply and effortlessly.

Some of the top attractions of Croatia include the UNESCO ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, seaside towns including Trogir and Split, and extraordinary islands including Hvar (history by day, clubs by night), Vis (secluded beaches, local food), Korcula (birthplace of Marco Polo and an extraordinary old town), and Mljet (miles of pine forest and lakes in a National Park).

What is the best season for chartering in Croatia?

If you can charter outside of the high season, we highly recommend the "shoulder seasons" of May–June and September–early October. You will find calmer winds, fewer crowds, and less worry about finding mooring balls, restaurant reservations, etc., vs high season in the summer. Your charter prices will normally be lower as well!

How do I learn about Croatia's attractions and best itinerary options?

Please see our insiders guide to chartering in Croatia, including information about the cuisine, favorite charter islands, history, customers, geography, key itineraries, and hop top-rated yachts for charter. This insider guide is constantly updated and offers insights from firsthand experience about how to make your Croatia charter extraordinary.

We also offer numerous, continually updated, sailing and yachting itineraries, including our 7-day Crewed Motor Yacht Itinerary and our 7-day Crewed Catamaran Itinerary.

Can the costs of flights or ferries be included in your offer?

No, prices do not include flights or ferry tickets. Convenient, inexpensive flights are readily available from many destinations throughout Europe to Croatia.

How do I get from the airport to base?

Transfer can be organized on request. We'll provide you with the price in advance. Both the Split and Dubrovnik airports are close to the marinas and very convenient. Ride sharing services such as Uber and Bolt are also reliable and inexpensive.

Do I have to spend the first night in the base port?

Yes, this is because check-in is usually between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm, so you would not have time to reach your destination and moor before the sun sets. You need to spend the first night aboard the charter to set sail early the next morning.

Are there any hidden costs?

Our proposals will detail expected extras and options, including marina fees, tourist taxes, customs clearance, cleaning, fuel, transfers, and optional charter items like SUPs or Wi‑Fi. Your holiday budget needs to allow for food, drink, etc., which is not included. You will need to pay mooring fees in ports, between €30 and €120/night, depending on the port, season, and size of the yacht. You will pay nothing for anchorage in one of the many secluded bays with easy access to restaurants and bars ashore with your dinghy.

What happens in case of damage or if I am involved in an accident?

The boats are fully insured, and you are responsible for the amount of the security deposit only. Sometimes, there is an optional non-refundable damage deposit insurance (damage waiver) offered instead of a regular security deposit.

Do I need special licenses to charter a yacht even if I am experienced?

Yes, a recognized boating license is required for all bareboat charters. Accepted licenses include ICC or RYA, plus a VHF radio license accepted across the EU. If you have any questions, you can send us a copy of yours and we will review it for you.

If you don't have a license, you can still bareboat with the addition of a skipper!

What provisions do the boats come with?

Bareboat Charters: Food and beverages are not included in bareboat charters unless you request them. You will normally fill out a preference sheet and pay for this service at base in local currency, or shop for yourselves when you arrive. Fuel and water tanks are full when you embark (make sure you check them), you’ll pay for consumption and need to refill the tanks upon your return.

Crewed Charters: For crewed charters, your Boatbookings charter expert will send you detailed reference sheets ahead of your charter so that the crew can provision your yacht to your exact preferences and requirements. These are best completed 4-6 weeks before your trip. These will be paid for by your Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), and receipts of all expenses will be kept by the captain. The APA, which is normally 20% to 30% of the charter fee, pays for items including food, fuel, dock fees, mooring balls, etc. If you have money left over from the APA, you can apply it toward the crew gratuity.

Do I have to bring life jackets, especially for the kids?

Life jackets are provided for all persons on board, including children's sizes. If you have ones that the children are more comfortable wearing, you're welcome to bring them.

Are my little children safe on board?

Many of our clients have brought their children aboard their charters, with great success. That said, in all cases, children are your responsibility, and adherence to maritime laws and general safety rules, such as wearing life jackets, is important for a safe journey as well as peace of mind. On many boats, a safety net is available on request.

On a crewed yacht, the crew are not babysitters and should not be counted on for the safety of your children.

Is a dinghy included?

On bareboat charters, the dinghy is usually included depending on the yacht you choose. We will be happy to provide the specifications and any costs for the dinghy.

Crewed charters always include a tender large enough to ferry the entire party to shore, and it's often powerful enough for water sports such as waterskiing.

What are my options when I have technical problems or other difficulties miles away from base?

At embarkation, you will receive a mobile emergency number that you call in case of trouble. Depending on the distance to base, your charter company will either send a specialist or will direct you to someone at the nearest port.

What maps and navigation tools are included in Croatia bareboat charters?

Nautical charts of the local waters are always included and are a part of the basic equipment of any charter yacht. You, of course, can bring portable GPS equipment/smartphones to assist you. We've included a number of excellent apps, including navigation charts, on our iPhone sailing and yachting app page.

Do I have to bring special sailing gear?

Bring a wind and water-resistant sailing jacket/pants and boat shoes for the months of April and September/October. Throughout the high season, a windbreaker will normally be sufficient.

Is watersports equipment provided on board?

On request, subject to availability and additional charges, watersports equipment can be provided.

Which islands or towns along the Dalmatian coast are best suited for running?

The islands of Vis, Hvar, and Korčula are ideal with wonderful paved promenades to keep those looking to stay active each morning. Also consider the National Park on Mjet, which features paths ideal for both running and biking, often shaded by pines.

What happens if we cannot be back at base on time due to weather conditions?

You are fully responsible for being back before 5 pm. It is in your benefit to arrive promptly so you can check out, refuel, and then enjoy your final evening onboard or in the local town. If you are late returning, you will have to pay a penalty equal to your security deposit plus a fee equal to the daily rate (approx. 20% of the weekly rate). Plan your cruise with an ample margin for delays and after checking weather forecasts carefully.

I am an advanced sailor but not familiar with the Mediterranean Sea.

The Med normally offers pleasant sailing and fairly reliable weather during the high season (June - September). You will always be provided with a full briefing at embarkation. In case you don't feel confident, you can hire a skipper for a couple of days.

Can you send me an itinerary and a list of nice restaurants and nightlife options?

We have several excellent itineraries for Croatia, such as our Dubrovnik to Split Sailing Itinerary, and are happy to help out at any time. You will also have the option of discussing your itinerary at the base, as they will have suggestions depending on wind and weather conditions. We always recommend flexibility on the itinerary when sailing.

I want to embark/disembark at a different port. Is this possible?

Most charters embark and disembark at the same base. However, many of the charter companies have several bases and allow for a one-way cruise. In this case, you can be charged with fees and you might have to disembark one day earlier to provide for the transfer of the yacht back to base.

Do I have to charter weekly, or is a long weekend possible as well?

Saturday-to-Saturday charters are standard in Croatia and are the only option during high season. You may find some flexibility in low season for shorter, mid-week or 1-way charters. Please enquire if you have specific questions.

Are moorings hard to find at Croatian marinas?

Moorings cannot be booked in advance. The port of Hvar is usually extremely busy during the summer months, so be sure to arrive in plenty of time to avoid disappointment. The charter company provides you with phone numbers on the boat, or you can use the VHF radio.

How do I find what boats are available for the times I need?

Once you have selected your preferred charter yacht, send us an enquiry and one of our expert brokers will get back to you with a bespoke proposal.

Do I need travel insurance for a Croatia sailing holiday?

While not mandatory, we highly recommend travel insurance for all yacht charters. Travel insurance will normally cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and unexpected events such as weather delays or lost luggage. Some policies also include specific coverage for charter deposits and crewed yacht vacations. We can provide the names of recommended insurers for Croatia.

What currency is used in Croatian marinas and towns?

Croatia uses the euro (€). Most marinas, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas accept credit cards, but it’s a good idea to have some cash for small ports, mooring fees, and tips. ATMs are widely available, and currency exchange offices can be found at airports and larger towns.

Can I bring pets on my yacht charter?

Bringing pets is not normally recommended, but some yachts do allow small pets onboard with prior approval and an additional cleaning fee. Be sure to notify your Boatbookings expert early so we can find pet-friendly options. Don’t forget pet passports, especially if you’re arriving from outside the EU.

What’s the tipping policy for crews in Croatia?

Tipping is customary and very much appreciated in the yachting industry. For crewed charters, a gratuity of 10% to 15% of the charter fee is standard for excellent service and is typically given at the end of the trip in cash (so it's best to plan ahead for this). For bareboat charters with a skipper or hostess, tipping around €150–€250 per crew member for the week is a good guideline.

See our Expert Guide to Croatia Yacht Charter