Yacht Charter Croatia — FAQ

The Croatian charter season runs from May to October. June and September offer the best balance — warm 24–27 °C seas, calmer marinas and lighter prices than the July–August peak. May and early October are quieter and ideal for cruising without the crowds, though some beach bars wind down.

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For July and August, book six to nine months ahead — the most-requested yachts and dates sell out by late winter. For shoulder-season weeks in May, June, September or October, two to four months is usually enough. Last-minute weeks do appear, but choice narrows fast.

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The standard charter is one week, Saturday to Saturday, which suits the Saturday marina turnaround in Croatia. A week gives you time to reach the Kornati, Hvar and Vis without rushing. Shorter three- or four-day charters are possible in the shoulder season, subject to availability.

Our home port is Šibenik, at the D-Marin Mandalina marina in central Dalmatia. It sits between Split and Zadar, an hour from both airports, and opens straight onto the Kornati and Krka national parks — so your first anchorage is reachable within the first afternoon aboard.

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Yes. Croatia has over a thousand islands within short, sheltered hops, reliable summer weather and well-equipped marinas, so passages are rarely more than a couple of hours. With a professional crew aboard, first-timers get the navigation, mooring and local know-how handled while they simply enjoy the cruise.

Our crewed motor yachts typically sleep six to twelve guests in three to six en-suite cabins, plus separate crew quarters. Smaller Azimut flybridges suit couples and families of six; larger Maiora and superyacht models host up to twelve for celebrations or corporate groups.

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Yes — birthdays, honeymoons, anniversaries and corporate incentives are a large part of what we do. The crew arranges everything from a private chef dinner at anchor to decorations and water toys. Tell us the occasion and guest count and we will match the right yacht and itinerary.

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Weekly crewed charter rates start around €7,500 for a compact Azimut flybridge and rise to €80,000 or more for a large Maiora superyacht. Price depends on yacht size, age and season: the same yacht can cost 40–50% more in peak August than in May or October.

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The base charter fee covers the yacht, its professional crew, insurance for the vessel and standard water toys. It does not include fuel, food and drink, marina fees, the tourist tax or crew gratuity — these are paid through the APA. Always confirm the exact inclusions per yacht before booking.

The APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — is a running fund, usually around 30% of the charter fee, paid before boarding. The captain uses it for fuel, food, drinks, marina berths and the tourist tax, then accounts for every expense and refunds any balance at the end of the week.

Charters that begin in Croatia carry 13% Croatian VAT on the charter fee, which we state clearly in every quote. Because the cruise starts and stays in Croatian waters, this rate applies rather than the higher 25% standard rate. APA expenses are settled separately by the captain.

Fuel is the most variable extra and is drawn from the APA. A relaxed week hopping between nearby Dalmatian islands burns far less than long, fast passages. As a guide, budget a few thousand euros of the APA for fuel on a mid-size motor yacht cruising at a leisurely pace.

A gratuity is customary but discretionary. The widely used guideline in Croatia and the Mediterranean is 5–15% of the charter fee, given to the captain at the end of the week to share among the crew. Tip toward the higher end when the crew has gone clearly above and beyond.

Demand drives Croatian charter pricing across four tiers. Low season (May, October) is the most affordable; mid (June, September) a little higher; high and peak (July, August) command the top rates. On one of our yachts the spread between low and peak weeks can exceed €4,000.

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There should be none if the quote is transparent. Beyond the base fee and VAT, the recurring extras are the APA (fuel, food, marinas, tourist tax) and an optional crew gratuity. We itemise all of these upfront, so the only "surprise" at the end is usually an APA refund.

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From Šibenik you can reach the Kornati archipelago and Krka waterfalls within hours, then continue south to Primošten, Trogir, Split, Šolta, Brač, Hvar and Vis. A classic week loops out to the islands and returns to Šibenik, balancing national-park anchorages with lively island towns.

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Yes — the Kornati National Park is roughly two hours from our Šibenik base, making it the natural first stop. Its 89 stark, uninhabited islands offer dramatic cliffs, quiet bays and konoba restaurants in hidden coves. A park entry ticket applies and is covered through the APA.

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Yes. Dubrovnik is the highlight of our southern Grand Voyage, which embarks in Dubrovnik and cruises north through Mljet, Korčula, Hvar and Vis back to Šibenik. Reaching Dubrovnik and returning within one week is tight, so we usually run it as a one-way itinerary.

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A well-balanced week from Šibenik often takes in the Kornati, Vis with its Blue Cave, Hvar town for nightlife, the Pakleni islets for swimming, and Brač or Šolta on the way home. The crew tailors the exact stops to the weather and the pace you want.

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Completely. A crewed charter has no fixed schedule — you decide whether to chase beach clubs, quiet anchorages, diving spots or gourmet konobas, and the captain adapts daily to the wind and your mood. Share your priorities before departure and the crew builds a flexible plan around them.

Krka National Park lies up the river just inland from Šibenik. Yachts anchor or berth nearby and you reach the waterfalls by tender or a short transfer. It pairs perfectly with a Šibenik start — many guests visit Krka on day one before heading out to the Kornati.

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On a motor yacht you can comfortably cover central and southern Dalmatia in a week — Šibenik down to Vis, Hvar and Korčula and back — because islands sit close together and faster hulls cover ground quickly. The crew keeps daily passages short so most of the day is spent at anchor.

We specialise in crewed luxury motor yachts — flybridge cruisers and superyachts from 14 to over 40 metres. As the official Azimut Brand Ambassador and exclusive Maiora dealer, our fleet centres on those marques, alongside selected partner yachts across the Croatian and wider Mediterranean coastline.

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Yes — Azimut is at the heart of our fleet, as Splendid Yachting is the official Azimut Brand Ambassador. Options range from compact Azimut flybridges for six guests, such as our Azimut 47, up to larger models, all offering the brand’s signature blend of styling, comfort and performance.

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Yes. As the exclusive Maiora and Next Yacht Group dealer, we offer Maiora superyachts for charter — generous full-displacement motor yachts built for long-range comfort, large entertaining decks and high-end interiors. They suit larger groups and guests wanting a true superyacht experience in the Adriatic.

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Crew size scales with the yacht. A smaller motor yacht for six guests typically carries a captain and one or two crew; a larger Maiora superyacht may have four or more, including a dedicated chef and steward or stewardess. The crew ratio is listed on each yacht’s page.

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Most do. Standard inventory includes a tender, paddleboards, snorkelling gear and often seabobs, jet skis, water skis or inflatables. The exact toy list varies by yacht and is shown on each listing, so you can choose a yacht whose equipment matches how active your group wants to be.

A motor yacht prioritises speed, deck space, air-conditioned comfort and a steady, level cruise — reaching distant islands quickly and predictably. A sailing yacht trades some of that for the quieter, slower experience of being under sail. Our fleet focuses on crewed motor yachts for fast, comfortable Dalmatian cruising.

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Yes — every yacht in our crewed fleet has full air-conditioning in cabins and saloons, which matters in the Croatian summer when daytime temperatures often top 30 °C. Generators usually run the system at anchor; the crew manages it so cabins stay comfortable through the night.

The crew runs everything: the captain navigates and chooses anchorages with the weather, the chef cooks to your tastes, and the steward or stewardess handles service, cabins and drinks. You simply enjoy the cruise — no sailing experience, cooking or cleaning required at any point during the week.

On yachts with a chef, yes — breakfasts, lunches and most dinners are cooked fresh aboard to a menu agreed with you in advance, covering dietary needs and preferences. Many guests still dine ashore a few evenings at island konobas, which the crew books and tenders you to.

Yes. Before the charter you complete a preference sheet covering allergies, intolerances and diets — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and more — plus favourite dishes and drinks. The chef provisions and plans the week’s menus around it, so every meal aboard suits your group.

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Very. Sheltered short hops, swim platforms, water toys and a crew to keep an eye on logistics make crewed motor yachts ideal for families. The chef caters easily for younger palates, and the captain picks calm, shallow bays for safe swimming. Mention ages when booking so we match the right yacht.

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Most days begin with a quiet breakfast at anchor, a morning cruise to the next island, then swimming, water toys and lunch aboard. Afternoons are for a beach club or a town stroll, and evenings split between dinners on deck and nights ashore. The crew shapes the rhythm to you.

Yes. Professional charter crews are trained to be present when needed and invisible otherwise, and they sleep in separate crew quarters with their own access. Guest cabins and the main deck spaces remain yours. If you want a fully private dinner or stretch of the day, simply say so.

Not for a crewed charter — the licensed captain handles the yacht, so guests need no qualifications at all. A skipper’s licence is only required for a bareboat charter, where you operate the yacht yourself. For luxury motor yachts, crewed charter is by far the most common choice.

On a bareboat charter you skipper the yacht yourself and need a valid licence; on a crewed charter a professional captain and crew run everything while you relax. Splendid Yachting specialises in crewed luxury motor-yacht charter, where comfort, service and an effortless week are the priority.

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Croatian authorities require the skipper to hold a recognised certificate of competence — such as an RYA Day Skipper or ICC — plus a VHF radio licence. At least one other crew member usually needs basic competence too. Crewed charter avoids all of this, since the captain is fully licensed.

A refundable security deposit, or a damage-waiver fee in its place, is standard and covers any accidental damage during the charter. On crewed luxury yachts the amount is set per yacht and confirmed in your contract; it is returned in full after a clean end-of-charter inspection.

The tourist tax is a small per-person, per-day charge for cruising Croatian waters, paid through the APA on a crewed charter. On bareboat charters it is bundled with a transit log issued at check-in. Either way it is a modest, fixed cost rather than a variable one.

Split Airport is about a 50-minute drive south and Zadar Airport roughly an hour north, so both serve a Šibenik departure well. Split has the widest choice of direct European flights. We can arrange a private transfer from either airport straight to the yacht at D-Marin Mandalina.

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Boarding is typically from 12:00 on the first Saturday, after the crew has provisioned and prepared the yacht, with disembarkation by 12:00 the following Saturday. Many guests spend the first night aboard in the marina and set off the next morning. We confirm exact times in your booking.

Usually yes. After an evening boarding it is common to spend the first night berthed at D-Marin Mandalina in Šibenik, settle in, meet the crew and have dinner aboard, then depart relaxed the next morning. Confirm this when booking, as it depends on the yacht’s schedule.

D-Marin Mandalina in Šibenik has secure parking on site, so guests arriving by car can leave their vehicle for the week. Let us know your arrival method when booking and we will arrange the parking and direct you to the right berth on the day.

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Pack light in soft bags, not hard cases, as cabin storage is limited. Bring swimwear, light layers for cooler evenings, soft-soled or non-marking deck shoes, high-factor sun protection and a hat. Smart-casual outfits cover island dinners. The yacht supplies towels, linens and usually snorkelling gear.

Most of our yachts carry onboard Wi-Fi over the mobile network, which works well along the populated Dalmatian coast and drops only in remote bays far from shore. If staying connected matters for work, mention it when booking and we will confirm the connectivity on your chosen yacht.

Yes. Crewed yachts make a memorable base for corporate retreats, client entertaining and incentive trips, combining private meeting space with island cruising. For larger groups we coordinate several yachts together. Share your group size, dates and objectives and we will design a programme around them.

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Croatian summers are settled, but when wind such as the bura or jugo blows, the captain reroutes to sheltered anchorages and adjusts the day’s plan. Safety guides every decision. Serious disruption is rare between May and October, and the crew always has calmer alternatives close at hand.

Absolutely. On a crewed charter the captain and crew handle all navigation, mooring and boat-handling, so no experience is needed — this is the whole point of chartering with a crew. You are free to relax, swim and explore while the professionals take care of running the yacht.

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It depends on the individual yacht and owner’s policy — some welcome well-behaved pets, others do not. Because it varies, always ask before booking so we can match you to a pet-friendly yacht and confirm any conditions. Croatia itself has no barrier to pets cruising aboard.

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Tell us your dates, guest count, budget and the kind of week you want, and we propose suitable yachts with seasonal pricing. Once you choose, we confirm the contract, take the deposit and collect your preference sheet. Our Šibenik team then handles provisioning, transfers and the full itinerary.

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