Sailing in Croatia - The Perfect Cruise

Sailing Holiday in Croatia: Catamaran or Sailboat Cruise Top Tips

A sailing holiday in Croatia is truly a dream. On your cruise sailboat or catamaran you will encounter breathtaking destinations such as Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik. Cruise through beautiful landscapes and enjoy Croatia from the water.

With breathtaking coastal panoramas, crystal clear waters and over one thousand islands, a cruise in a catamaran and sailboat in Croatia is a dream come true. The coastline of Croatia runs 1,700 kilometres along the Adriatic Sea. Discover the idyllic coastal towns and unique natural landscapes of the Croatian Riviera on your sailing adventure!

Destinations and Sailing Routes for your cruise in a catamaran and sailboat in Croatia

The list of dream destinations for a cruise in a catamaran or sailboat along the Croatian coast is endless. The port city of Split and its surroundings, such as the coastal towns of Šibenik or Primošten, are among the most popular travel destinations not just in Croatia, but in Europe. The cities and islands of this sailing area are bustling and lively ensuring a boredom-free trip full of adventure! Discover Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula and much more on a luxurious seven-day cruise in a sailboat or catamaran to the coastal towns and islands around Split! The international airport of Split - also called Resnik airport - is regularly served by countries from all over Europe. A couple of these include Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Romania, Sweden, the UK, and Ireland. From there, you can be at your base in Split within 30 minutes and the surrounding cities can also be reached by car within 45 minutes.

The Kornati Islands are the northernmost archipelago on the Adriatic coast. The archipelago, which has a fantastic range of marine national parks and spectacular landscapes, is perfect for a week-long Croatian cruise in either a sailboat or a catamaran. You will always find a quiet spot for you and your family on one of the numerous islands. Start your Croatian cruise in a catamaran in the beautiful coastal towns of Zadar, Biograd na Moru or Sukošan and sail around the Kornati islands. The Telašćica Nature Park and the diverse underwater world of the islands will take your breath away.

If you want a more peaceful and quieter cruise, we recommend heading to the north of Croatia. The Istrian peninsula lies between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Bay and is considered the largest peninsula in the northern Adriatic. The city of Pula forms the tip of the peninsula and is known for its diverse cultural history and untouched natural beauty. Pula and its surrounding coastal towns such as Mendulin are the perfect starting point for a sailing trip along the beach-lined coast and to the surrounding islands. Discover Krk and Lošinj and the wonders of the Adriatic Sea.

In the south of Croatia, Dubrovnik awaits you. As one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations on the Adriatic coast, there are a plethora of historical sites and the city has a most unique atmosphere. Dubrovnik is the ideal starting point for a sailing trip to the Elaphiti Islands. The breathtaking archipelago consists of 13 small islands separated from the mainland by the Kolocep Canal.

How much does a cruise in a catamaran or sailboat cost in Croatia?

The prices for a cruise in Croatia can vary depending on a number of different factors, including the season, rental period and size, comfort and equipment of the boat. As an experienced sailor with a boat licence, you have the option of renting a bareboat charter and becoming the captain of the boat yourself. With large boats, a skipper is sometimes mandatory to minimise the risk of damage. Even as an experienced sailor, you can benefit from the local expertise of the skipper and his insider tips. For a more luxurious and carefree sailing trip in Croatia, you have the choice to charter a crewed boat. In addition, find out what costs are included in the charter price before booking. A cruise in a catamaran can cost anywhere from around €700 per week in low season or €3,200 per week in high season. A cruise in a sailboat can cost anywhere from around €500 per week in low season or €750 per week in high season.

Included services and additional costs

The charter price usually only includes the rental of the boat. It is important to check beforehand any additional costs that you may have to face. It is best to ask your charter company directly. Mandatory extras can include services such as the charter package and tourist tax. In Croatia the price for the tourist tax is 1.50 € or 10 kuna per person per day. The charter package usually includes: the final cleaning of the boat, administrative expenses and documents for checking in and out, a diving inspection of the boat to determine damage, bed linen, cutlery and crockery, etc.

If towels, WIFI and other extras are not included in the charter package, they can be booked for an extra charge. Depending on the type of boat and the offer, additional extras are available that you can book for your trip: Activities such as paddleboarding (€ 100 to € 140 per week), snorkelling and diving equipment, kayaks and donuts are usually offered on sailboats and catamarans. For larger crew charters such as gulets and yachts, larger water sports accessories such as jet skis, wakeboards, water skis and much more are often even included in the charter price.

Cruise with a skipper and crew for ultimate relaxation

If you want your Croatian cruise in a catamaran or sailboat to be as relaxing as possible, a crewed charter in Croatia is perfect for you! A captain will have special knowledge of the area and can sail you to all the most beautiful places in the Adriatic Sea, while you sit back and relax and enjoy the view! Depending on your preference and the boat, you may even have the choice of travelling with an entire crew on board. The crew typically consists of four to six crew members: a captain, a cook, one or two hostesses, and one or more deckhands.

There are several options for a crewed boat depending on what you want for your sailing adventure.

Crew Charter: Gulets

Explore Croatia on a traditional gulet! These large wooden sailing ships usually have six to eight cabins and can accommodate 12 to 24 guests, making them perfect for large groups and families. You always travel with a crew on a gulet. Depending on the size of the boat, the crew of a gulet consists of four to twelve people. Fun fact: Gulets are mostly family owned, so your crew is likely to be a family.

Crew Charter: Motor Yachts

Large motor yachts are always rented out with a full crew. As a rule, eight to ten crew members work on board a motor yacht due to the size of the boats, which can fit up to 38 people on board. The size of these boats makes them perfect for events such as team building, large family celebrations or similar special occasions.

On large motor yachts it is common to book either half board (350 to 450 € per person per week for breakfast + lunch or dinner) or full board (450 to 550 € per person per week for breakfast + lunch + dinner). The charter price of a large motor yacht usually includes other expenses such as four hours of sailing per day, air conditioning, final cleaning, moorings, WIFI, tourist tax, towels and water sports equipment.

Crew Charter: Small Yachts

If you want more privacy on your Croatian cruise with your loved ones, a smaller yacht is right for you. The boats usually have five to six cabins and are only rented with a captain. So you can enjoy a family atmosphere on the water. Small yachts and crewed gulets usually have an APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): The deposit is usually 30% of the total charter price and covers all additional costs during your sailing trip, such as food and drinks, berths in the marinas, WIFI, and much more.

The best time to travel for a cruise in Croatia

Thanks to the Mediterranean climate on the Adriatic coast, summers in Croatia are long, warm and sunny. The high season for sailing in Croatia runs from late June to early September. During these months, the beaches and coastal towns fill with tourists and popular destinations can get relatively crowded. If you are planning your sailing trip in Croatia during this period, we recommend that you book early. Most boats are often booked six months in advance and availability can be difficult to find - especially when you are looking for a specific boat model or equipment!

For an undisturbed sailing holiday in Croatia, we recommend booking for April, May, September, October or November. In these months you will find more available boats and you can also book two months in advance. Due to the low season, the prices are often cheaper during this period. The best travel time for your sailing trip in Croatia is September and the beginning of October: during this period there is not too strong wind and the cities, beaches and ports are quieter and less crowded. In April, May and November it always depends on whether the weather is good, because it can sometimes get cold and rainy.

Best time for a cruise in Croatia

Similarly to many other European destinations, the best time to sail in Croatia is during the spring and summer. The Mediterranean climates gives you the freedom to sail from April to November. If you want to avoid crowds and the school holidays, you should aim to visit Croatia in April, May, August or November.

Places to visit in Croatia

Discover Split, Brač, Hvar, Vis, the Kornati Islands and a plethora of other spectacular locations as you cruise around Croatia's coastal cities and islands. If you sail south, you can't miss Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, one of the most famous destinations on the Croatian coast.