Yacht Charter Croatia: Charter Guide and FAQs
2. February, 2021
Blog
At Croatia Yachting, we are passionate about helping you have the best sailing holiday ever, which is why we continuously share tips from our years of experience. When booking a yacht charter holiday, there are several things to consider; in this article, we share some of the FAQs of chartering a yacht.
How to Choose Your Yacht
The first decision you need to make is whether you want a sailboat, catamaran or a motor yacht. Are you about the journey or the destination? Do you prefer sitting beneath the sails and enjoying the journey or do you want to cover more ground and visit more destinations? If you decide on sails, the next question is – do you prefer a sailing yacht (monohull) or catamaran? Research both to see what suits you and your group more. We have hundreds of yachts on our website, browse through our offer or reach out to our team for guidance.
What Licenses are Required to Bareboat?
According to Croatian law, at least one person aboard must possess a valid nautical and VHF license. To charter a yacht without a skipper, we require these licenses plus sailing experience. If you are unsure, reach out to us to learn more.
Should I Use a Charter Broker?
The first thing to know is that the cost is the same, as the Charter company (not you) pays the broker’s commission. A knowledgeable broker has experience, industry insights and can steer you in the right direction – particularly if you decide to book a crewed yacht charter.
Choosing Your Crew
A great crew can truly make the difference to your sailing holiday. Experienced AND passionate crew (skipper/hostess/cook) share stories about the history and culture, know the best locations to anchor and explore, cook fresh local cuisine and much more. A great crew will go above and beyond to make sure it is your best holiday ever. When choosing your crew, check whether they are local and experienced, read previous reviews or book through your broker. At Croatia Yachting, we only work with the best in the industry and are happy to recommend the perfect crew for you.
When Should I Charter?
The sailing season in Croatia runs from mid-April until the end of October; July and August are peak season. However, every year the season extends as more discover the joys of sailing ‘off-peak’. Croatia has a Mediterranean climate meaning summer is characterised by hot, sunny days, balmy evenings and warm seas. May, June, September and October have pleasant weather, averaging 20 – 24°C and an average sea temperature of 18°C (65°F), with great winds for sailing. The average temperature in July and August is around 27°C (80°F) and can get as high as 40°C (104°F); there is typically less wind during these months. Depending on your reasons for sailing, you may want to consider sailing off-peak. Also note that prices during these months can be 20 – 50% less with charter costs, mooring fees etc.
The sailing season in Croatia runs from mid-April until the end of October; July and August are peak season.
Where should I Sail?
With more than 1,000 islands in Croatia and an extensive coastline, planning your sailing route is another important factor. Sailing in Croatia can be broken up into – sailing Southern, Central or Northern routes. Be sure to research what each region offers, speak to your broker (if you have one) and check out our examples of sailing itineraries to get an idea of possibilities.
Travel Arrangements
Your sailing route will affect your travel arrangements. Research travel options ahead of time to ensure your travel is as pain-free as possible. For example, there are numerous flights to and from Split airport in peak-season; out of season, they are less frequent. If you are driving, be sure to check estimated travel times and allow for peak-season traffic because you don’t want to be late for your sailing holiday!
Check-in Procedure
Be sure to have all of your relevant documents – passports, licenses (and copies), charter package paperwork, bank cards, cash. Also, BEFORE you arrive, book any extras you want to have aboard (i.e. SUP, kayak, etc.) to save time at check-in. Check-in advice:
- Be on time and have all documents with you.
- Assign one or two people to the check-in, the rest of the group can do provisioning or relax.
- Be thorough and pay attention. You will be shown through the yacht with the technician; this is your chance to learn the ins and outs of the boat and point out any damage.
- Be patient. Allow up to an hour (maybe more in peak-season) for the check-in procedure. At Croatia Yachting, we pride ourselves on giving the best possible service and attention to everyone. It won’t be long ‘til you are on your way; so, be patient, rushing through a yacht check-in serves no one.
Budgeting for Your Sailing Holiday
There are several factors which influence the cost of your yacht charter – which type of yacht you book, which months you sail, which region and route, crewed or bareboat… That is why we have written a dedicated article to this, check out Budgeting for Your Sailing Holiday to learn more. And keep an eye out for our blog, “Sailing on a Budget” for more tips on how to reduce the cost of your sailing holiday.
What to Pack
We will write a dedicated article to this another day, in the meantime, let us say “less is more”. Remember you will be on a yacht, mostly living in light clothes or your swimsuit. Also, remember that there is limited storage space on a yacht, so we recommend bringing duffel bags over hard suitcases.
Book, Plan, Sail, Enjoy
We hope this charter guide has helped answer some of your questions. For more information, please feel free to contact our dedicated team and follow our blog for more advice and tips on sailing and yacht charter in Croatia.
