If you’re an experienced sailor who enjoys planning your own route and setting your own pace, a bareboat charter in Croatia gives you exactly that — complete freedom and a boat entirely to yourself. No crew, no fixed schedule, just you, the Adriatic, and sailing the way you like it.
A bareboat charter means you sail the yacht yourself. You’re the skipper, you plan the route, decide where to stop, and set the rhythm of each day.
This option is best suited to confident, licensed sailors who enjoy being fully in charge and value flexibility, independence, and the simple pleasure of sailing a well-equipped yacht through the Croatian islands.
Are an experienced sailor comfortable handling a sailing yacht
Want full control of your itinerary and schedule
Enjoy planning routes, anchoring, and docking independently
Are confident in navigation, safety procedures, and weather planning
You’re new to sailing or lack recent practical experience
You prefer someone else to manage navigation and technical decision-making
You’d like insights from a local pro about hidden bays, currents, and best anchorages
To legally charter a bareboat yacht in Croatia, you must meet the following requirements:
You (or a designated skipper in your crew) must hold a recognized sailing or boating license that is valid for Croatian waters. If you’re uncertain whether your license is valid in Croatia, check the official list of recognized licenses here. If your license is not listed, contact the issuing authority in your country and ask them to reach out to the Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs at [email protected] for clarification.
It’s essential to confirm your certificate is accepted by Croatian authorities before booking.
At least one person on board must hold a valid VHF marine radio certificate (e.g., SRC). This is a legal requirement for bareboat charter in Croatia. Secret Adriatic
Having the right licence is one thing, but practical sailing experience is equally important. You should be comfortable manoeuvring the yacht, docking in marinas, anchoring, and sailing in areas with more traffic. If experience is limited, adding a skipper is often the safest and most relaxed option.
Bring original licenses and certificates for check-in at the base — copies alone are not accepted.
The rental price of a bareboat charter includes:
When planning your budget for a bareboat yacht charter in Croatia, you’ll need to account for these additional costs:
Expect to spend approximately 150€–250€ per week for 3–4 hours of motoring per day, depending on the engine’s strength.
If you plan to have breakfast and light lunches onboard (buying groceries in Split or on the islands) and dine out in local restaurants for dinner, you can estimate a daily budget of 60€–90€ per person.
Mooring fees vary widely based on the location, type of mooring, season, and the size of the yacht. Here’s an overview:
You won’t find all mooring options at every destination, so your final costs will depend on the locations you visit and the facilities available.
For detailed information about marinas, visit the ACI Marinas website.
