What do you need to sail in Croatia?

To go sailing in Croatia, you need a lake sports boat license or you can rent a yacht with a professional skipper. Make sure you bring with you the required documents, such as the valid boating licence, booking document, and other travel documents. You might need to prepare some cash in a different currency, in Croatia they use Kuna. Other essentials to bring on your trip are the right sailing clothing, toiletries, and sunscreen.

Which boat to rent in Croatia?

Sailboats and catamarans are very popular with holidaymakers in Croatia. But also motorboats, houseboats, gulets and ribs can be rented. For a family holiday, the most suitable sailboat is the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and the most suitable catamaran we would recommend a Catamaran Lagoon 40. If you're planning a holiday with friends, the perfect choice would be Catamaran Fountaine-Pajot Lucia.

Croatia Boat Rental ⛵ ► Affordable Yacht Charter

Q: How much does it cost to rent a boat in Croatia?

The prices to rent a boat in Croatia vary based on the type of boat and season. They usually start with 35 Euro per day for a Speedboat. For a Sailboat with 2 or more cabins prices start at 800 €/week and for a Catamaran with 3 or more cabins prices at 2000 €/week. Of course, it depends on the year the boat was produced, when the booking is made and how many cabins would you need to have on your boat.

Sailing in Croatia

Croatia, also known as the nation of 1,000 islands, remains one of our top sailing destinations. Wandering through the winding streets of walled cities, chartering a boat to tour the country’s diverse landscapes and savouring the local delicacies and wines in local taverns and picturesque vineyards – do all this and more when you charter a yacht in Croatia.

Things to do and see when sailing in Croatia

Around 1,800 km of coastline along the mainland alone make Croatia one of the best destinations to charter a yacht and discover the coast by sailing on water. Many incredible national parks are scattered around coastal Croatia, just waiting to be discovered by you.

Activities in Croatia

Experience watersports in Croatia: It’s a great place for diving enthusiasts as you can easily hop from spot to spot when renting a private yacht. Brac Island is located close to Split, and is the best place for divers in Croatia! In Podgora you’ll find a well-established diving center. If you’re looking for a more adventurous diving experience, head to Alain’s Cliff, which is well-known for its underwater canyon and enchanting caves. Experience another type of diving in Korcula. This is the place for wreck diving, where you can discover many interesting underwater landscapes and diverse marine life.
Adding to the allure of Croatia is, of course, the party scene. Some of Europe’s most popular festivals and concerts take place on the mainland as well as various islands where you’ll also find many celebrities who flock to Croatia’s lively bars and clubs. If you want to go out to spot some familiar faces, your best bet is hanging around the marina of Hvar. Many famous people arrive here on their superyachts. If you’re looking for a little bit of glamor too, find a yacht charter in Hvar and join the fun!
Visit some of the most stunning historical cities in Europe. Roam around the streets of Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula and Sibenik. Luckily you can reach them all by boat, making them the perfect spots to stop on your sailing vacation.
Krka National Park should be on the bucket list of every curious traveller who comes to Croatia. Stunning waterfalls and beautiful castles make this place a true gem.
Don’t miss out on listening to the Sea Organ, which is basically an instrument played by the waves. This will definitely make for a unique experience.
A visit to Pula Arena, a magnificent architectural masterpiece built during Roman times will make every history nerd incredibly happy. Weirdly similar to the Colosseo in Rome, you will have to look at it twice to remember that you are in Croatia, not in Italy.
The Blue Cave on Bisevo Island is a MUST-SEE! Discovering the blue shimmering light will make this an outerwordly experience.

Beaches in Croatia

Croatia is famous for its beautiful beaches and hidden bays - on the mainland as well as on its islands. Sailing with an experienced skipper will be to your advantage as they will be able to show you the most stunning, remote beaches away from the tourist crowds.

Restaurants in Croatia

There is nothing better than tasting some of the local dishes after spending a whole day on a boat. Your stomach will crave the flavour of local delicacies. As Croatia is located on the Mediterranean, it is of course most famous for its tasty fish and seafood dishes. Of course there is also the black risotto you need to try, but we would recommend you to also go for the Brodetto, which may have its origins in Italy’s Marche region, but has become very popular in Croatia throughout the last decades as a dish made popular by fishermen. During the day you sail on the sea, at night you eat the best the sea has to offer.

Casual dining in Croatia:

Preša, a budget-friendly restaurant located in the old city of Dubrovnik, is most known for its juicy burger and crispy fries. This is definitely the place you need to visit if you crave some good old comfort food while on vacation.
Toto's Burger Bar is the equivalent to Preša in Split. The chicken avocado burger is a must, combining exotic flavours with traditional dishes.

Fine dining in Croatia:

360˚ is one of the best restaurants to visit in Dubrovnik. Located in the beautiful port, you will get some stunning views. Naturally their fish dishes are an all time favourite. Chef Marijo Curić is bringing you elegantly presented traditional dishes with a modern twist.
Pelegrini is a Michelin star restaurant located in the coastal city of Šibenik. Influenced by ancient Roman traditions, delicious seafood and carefully selected meat, your stomach will be spoiled here.

Bars and Clubs in Croatia

No sailing trip to Croatia is complete without partying in one of the world famous clubs and bars. After a day of island hopping and sunbathing on the most stunning beaches, shaking your booty to some great tunes is a nice way to end the evening.

Deep Makarska: One of the most popular and unique clubs in Croatia. Located right at the beach in a cave, this spot is perfect for an unforgettable night out and makes for a perfect photo shoot during sunset.
Kiva Bar is THE party hotspot in Hvar. As it is a very well-known spot for a night out, it can get really crowded, but you will be able to enjoy a nice drink and a dance the night away without any care in the world. If you’re into rock, jazz or funk, you can expect to have a fantastic night out here.
Another popular night club in Hvar is Hula Hula Beach & Bar. Delicious drinks, fun people and funky music in a stunning location next to the sea. What more could you ask for when partying in Croatia?

Explore historical Croatia

Croatia might be a small country, but it has plenty of rich history. Head out to the historical city of Split to see Diocletian’s palace and Sant Domnius Cathedral. In Dubrovnik, which is located in Southern Croatia, you get to see the famous walls of the city, which are not only part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, but have never been conquered by a foreign army and are therefore basically still standing in its original form since the Middle Ages (with few alterations throughout the centuries).

Discover mystical Croatia

Legends and mythology might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Croatia, but there are some very interesting stories surrounding the Mediterranean country. One is set in Pula Arena, one of the most popular historical sites in all of Croatia. Historians are certain that the arena was built during ancient Roman times and most likely during the reign of Augustus. However, local legends say that fairies have actually built this stunning architectural masterpiece.

Sailing conditions in Croatia

Croatia, as well as other popular sailing destinations in the Mediterranean, enjoys typical warm weather almost all year round. Summers are dry and hot while winters are mild with a little rain occasionally. If you want to beat the summer crowds, we recommend you to plan on going on your sailing holiday in Croatia in late spring (April-June) or late summer (September-October). August is the most popular month for sailing holidays in Croatia. Sea temperatures are generally warm and it is not uncommon to take a dip in the Adriatic sea even in late October. However, you will also notice that the further you move offshore, the cooler the water will be.

Wind conditions in Croatia are ideal for sailing, averaging at about 10-20 knots. Wave swell is moderate, hovering around the half-meter mark, but it occasionally does peak between 1-2 meters. Even though Croatia offers these perfect sailing conditions, we always advise you to check local and up-to-date forecasts before setting out of the marina as the weather can change on a day-to-day-basis - especially in the more unpredictable winter months.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Croatia?

Croatia is not just a popular sailing destination due to its ideal sailing conditions, beautiful coast and stunning turquoise waters. It is also incredibly cheap compared to other destinations. Renting a speedboat or RIB can cost as little as 30 EUR per person per day. If you are looking at chartering a luxury yacht in Croatia, like a modern and spacious catamaran, it will cost around 460 EUR per person per day. Looking for a cheaper boat? On average it costs 62 EUR per person per day to rent a motorboat in Croatia. Chartering a gulet in Croatia will cost around 75 EUR per person per day.

The cost of chartering a boat will also depend on the month, as prices during high season can be higher than during shoulder season.

What type of boat is best for sailing in Croatia?

Depending on the type of boat holiday you are looking for in Croatia, you need to choose your boat wisely. If you’re looking for an amazing sailing adventure, you will rent a different boat than if your goal is to see as many stunning beaches as possible. It will also depend on the amount of people sailing with you in Croatia and whether you will be travelling with your family or with friends.

Rent a catamaran in Croatia

Pros of renting a catamaran in Croatia

As catamarans don’t have a keel, but a shallow draft, they are perfect for sailing in shallow waters. This makes them the perfect choice for discovering remote beaches, hidden caves and secret bays in Croatia. You will be able to sail quite close to the shore, meaning that you don’t need to put in a lot of energy when trying to swim to the beach.

Catamarans are also more of a luxury option with an average price of 460 EUR per person per day. With plenty of space, comfortable cabins and outdoor space to sunbathe all day long, they are often described as hotel rooms on water.

Cons of renting a catamaran in Croatia

One of the downsides of renting a catamaran might be their size. Spaces for mooring in marinas is limited, also in Croatian marinas, and can make it a little more difficult to find the perfect spot to stop for the night. As they can take up more space than other boats, it might also come at a higher price for mooring.

Rent a catamaran in Croatia

Rent a sailboat in Croatia

Pros of renting a sailboat in Croatia

One of the best things about Croatia are the ideal sailing conditions. If you want to leverage the perfect wind conditions as well as the perfect waves, you should charter a sailing boat in Croatia. This is the perfect boat when you’re more interested in the sailing experience rather than the destination.

Cons of renting a sailboat in Croatia

One of the downsides of renting a sailboat in Croatia is somehow aligned with the pros. Depending on the wind to drive your boat means that you might get stuck if the wind seizes to blow. This might mean a lot of waiting on your boat before being able to set sail again. This might be a bummer if you’re only here on a one-week-holiday.

Rent a sailboat in Croatia

Rent a motorboat in Croatia

Pros of renting a motorboat in Croatia

Love speed more than comfort or adventure? Rent a motorboat to hop from island to island and see as many hidden beaches as you can in a day. Although comfort is not the main thing when looking at motorboats, it is definitely something that can come with the boat, depending on the type of motorboat you look at renting.

Cons of renting a motorboat in Croatia

Sailing as fast as you can is definitely fun, but comes at a price. The faster you go, the more fuel you’re going to need. This is a downside of renting a motorboat in Croatia.

Rent a motorboat in Croatia

Rent a gulet in Croatia

Choosing to charter a gulet probably means that you’re more of an adventurous person. Find out more about the pros and cons of renting a gulet in Croatia below.

Pros of renting a gulet in Croatia

If you want to sail in Croatia with a big group of friends, a gulet might be an amazing choice. Generally being able to host 10-15 people, you can create amazing memories with a large group of people. The cabins might be relatively small, but when you’ve got so many amazing people around you, you will spend most of your time with them chilling on a beautiful Croatian beach rather than your room.

Cons of renting a gulet in Croatia

One of the downsides of renting a gulet in Croatia is the fact that they are relatively difficult to maneuver. If you don’t have a lot of experience sailing, renting a gulet might not be the best choice for you. However, you can always rent a gulet with a skipper to discover the Croatian Mediterranean.

Rent a gulet in Croatia

Charter a luxury yacht in Croatia

Chartering a luxury yacht is one of the most requested boats on a sailing holiday in Croatia. As previously mentioned, chartering a catamaran is one of the most popular luxury yachts people go for when renting a boat in this part of the Mediterranean.

Charter a luxury yacht in Croatia

What kind of boat license do you need when renting a boat in Croatia?

Planning on renting a boat in Croatia? Don’t forget about the requirements for renting a boat in Croatia as you will need to be in possession of a valid boat licence, as well as a valid VHF radio licence. This can be either a boat licence you have acquired in your country of origin, in Croatia or simply an international licence that is valid around the world.

If you plan on getting your boat licence in Croatia, you can do so by passing the tests of the Administration of Maritime and Port Authority authorities.

You are neither in possession of a recognized boat licence nor want to give much thought about planning on where to go or taking care of maneuvering and navigating a boat? Enjoy your sailing vacation without any worries and hire a skipper in addition to your boat is an amazing option for your sailing vacation. If you want to have an even more relaxed holiday, you can also book a cook to join your crew. This will mean that you don’t have to worry about getting nutritious meals - the chef will take care of everything.

Sailing routes in Croatia

Rent a boat in Dalmatia to experience some of the best and most popular spots to start your sailing holiday in Croatia. Charter a yacht from Split if you are closer to the center of Dalamatia. If you are in the northern region of the Dalmatian coast, you can easily rent a boat in Zadar and are perfectly positioned to explore the surrounding islands. If you find yourself on the southern coast of Croatia, your best choice would be to rent a sailboat in Dubrovnik and start your sailing holiday from the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

One option for your sailing holiday in Croatia is a one-way route from Split to Dubrovnik:

Day 1: Start your sailing adventure in Split. Discover some of the best city beaches Croatia has to offer and head into the old city to visit some of the most stunning historical sites.
Day 2: Head to Brac, where you have to visit the stunning beach of Zlatni rat
Day 3: Your next stop is Hvar, known as Croatia’s party island. You can party the night away in some amazing clubs, but Hvar has more to offer than a buzzing nightlife. Here you can find lovely landscapes and boutique wineries that offer some of the island’s finest wines)
Day 4: Vis is the island that is furthest away from the mainland
Day 5: Korcula is definitely worth visiting if you want to enjoy its lovely Venetian architecture
Day 6: Next up is Mljet, where you get to enjoy the beaches and its famous National Park
Day 7: Your last stop is Dubrovnik, where you can taste some delicious local dishes, roam around the historical streets and head outside of the city to Trsteno Arboretum, which was used as a set for ‘Game of Thrones’

Renting a boat in Zadar gives you a great starting point to charter a yacht for island hopping and discovering the coastal cities and beaches of Croatia. Other options we recommend are chartering a yacht in Pula or renting a boat in Sibenik as perfect starting points for a sailing holiday. With Borrow A Boat, you can charter over 3,000 yachts in Croatia.

Island hopping in Croatia can be made all the more enjoyable by having someone else do the hard work so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. So if you don’t wish or are unable to sail yourself, hiring a skipper is an excellent option when you charter a yacht with Borrow A Boat.