Croatia Yacht Charters

Croatia is the one destination that makes experienced yachting enthusiasts’ eyes glass over as they go into nostalgia mode.

Without exaggeration, Croatia yacht charters are a sailors paradise. You’ll think you died and went to heaven.  The Dalmatian Coast as it is also called, has several excellent starting points, from North to South: Pula, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. Each one of these locations has an airport so you get a choice.

A crewed Croatia yacht charter will take you to many of the greatest sailing and cruising destinations on the planet.

The Dalmatian Coast is one of the most popular cruising destinations in the Mediterranean.  Hundreds of little islands, friendly locals and great food make for an unforgettable yachting holiday.

Charters can be one-ways that either start or end in Dubrovnik. You do not want to miss Dubrovnik, trust me.  Nevertheless, the many beautiful green islands around Split and, frankly the whole coast is unbelievable. Many charters start in Split or Hvar where there are excellent marinas.

The Croatian coastline, also called the Dalmatian Coast, is a relatively long and thin stretch of coast-line that stretches about 250 miles from the Istrian peninsula all the way South to Dubrovnik.  Must see places, from North to South, include Rovinj, Pula and Rijeka (on the Istrian Peninsula) Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir and Split, all the way down to Dubrovnik at the Southern tip of Croatia.

The good news is that all these places offer the traveler or yachtsman a wide variety of local culture and dining experiences. Croatian food is for the most part absolutely delicious and healthy. The bad news is that the long coast-line and the considerable distance to Dubrovnik, makes it more suitable for a one-way charter.

Typically, a charter yacht itinerary can start in Split and go Southwards to Dubrovnik, or if Dubrovnik is not ESSENTIAL, then you can do a Split – Split charter and limit your visits to the adjoining islands around or opposite Split like, Hvar, Solta and Vis, all of which have neat little towns and villages with great food.

Pula is situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula and is the area’s largest city. Located beneath seven hills and with views of the Adriatic, Pula’s unspoiled natural surroundings are magical. Known for its mild climate and tame, beautiful sea, Pula also has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing and shipbuilding. It is also home to many ancient Roman buildings, including the well-preserved, magnificent amphitheater.

Split is the the largest city on the Adriatic Coast and is an absolute seaside delight. The city has been under Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French, Italian and Yugoslav control. There is an abundance of restaurants and wine cellars.

Sites such as Diocletian’s Palace and Mausoleum, the Grgur Ninski Statue and the Cathedral and Bell Tower of St. Domnius justify its position as a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. The city’s coves offer several lovely beaches, including central Bacvice. Ferries link Split to Dalmatian summer resorts.

Dubrovnik has now well recovered from the war damage it suffered during the 1990s, and visitors have returned to this tranquil city. Nestled between the Adriatic and the Dinaric Alps, it’s an accessible and affordable city break for many European travelers. The pedestrian-only Old Town is especially charming.

If you are bareboating, you will need to show your ASA or equivalent sailing certifications (originals, please) at the base so you can be issued a temporary cruising permit. Of course, if you are chartering a fully crewed yacht, this is not applicable, just kick back and enjoy. The weather along the Dalmatian coast is typical of the Adriatic.

There are occasional summer storms coming from the West but they pass quickly and there is normally cooler air behind them. The waters are generally calm in Summer and if things get churned up due to a summer storm the waves subside quickly. This is also typical of the Adriatic Sea.

Local government restrictions limit foreign flagged yachts to EITHER a pick-up OR a drop-off in Croatia. So if you are booking a charter on a non-Croatian flagged vessel, you will need to either be picked up or dropped off OUTSIDE Croatia (say, in Montenegro which is just South of Dubrovnik) or in Venice, Italy.

If your yacht is Croatian flagged, no problems. The regulatory issue is a moving target and several regulatory changes have recently been instituted, especially those relative to the larger yachts over 40m in length. If you have a question about this, call us for the latest updates.