Top 5 Places To Rent A Catamaran In Croatia

You want stable decks, wide living space, and a calm plan. You want short legs between islands and clear pricing. This guide shares the five best Croatian bases for a first charter or a return trip. I speak as a local charter expert. We board guests at Split on Saturday from 17:00. Handover finishes by 19:00. Shore support stays online every day.

Quick Answer: When A Catamaran Fits Your Trip

• Stability: twin hulls reduce roll. Families relax faster.
• Space: a big cockpit, flybridge seating, and equal cabins bring harmony.
• Shallow draft: access to sandy coves, lagoon-style bays, and mooring fields close to beaches.
• Easy berthing: wide stern platform and good visibility support safe stern-to landings.

How Booking Works With Our Team

1. Inquiry: share dates, headcount, start base, and service level.
2. Shortlist: receive three to five yachts matched to group size, budget, and season.
3. Hold: a short option reserves a favorite hull while flights lock in.
4. Contract: e-sign plus first installment on a secure link.
5. Prepare: crew list, dietary notes, transfers, and toys.
6. Board: Saturday from 17:00 at the selected base. Safety brief and systems walkthrough follow.

Review line items before payment using this quick checklist of what is included in the rental agreement.

How To Choose The Right Catamaran Layout

Layout drives comfort every hour of the week. Equal cabins reduce friction between couples. A shaded cockpit protects lunches and late evenings. A flybridge adds views and breeze. A generator supports air-con during still nights. Watermakers help on park-heavy routes.

• 40–42 ft: four double cabins, two to four heads. Sweet spot for a family or two couples with kids.
• 45–50 ft: six to ten guests, larger galley, bigger tender, more toys.
• 50–55 ft: chef service, extra fridges, and stronger power systems.

Match layout to group size with this step-by-step guide to how to choose the right catamaran.

Safety And Experience Levels

• Bareboat: skipper license and VHF where required, strong Med-mooring practice, and a crew member dedicated to lines at bow and stern. Read the list of bareboat requirements in Croatia.
• Skippered: a professional captain shapes routes around wind, crowd levels, and berth availability. See formats under skippered charter options.
• Fully crewed: captain, chef, and often a hostess manage docking, menus, toys, and housekeeping.

For bareboat, a radio operator card sits next to the skipper license. Review a simple VHF certificate guide if you plan to skipper yourself.

Season And Weather Overview

Pick months that match your crew, budget, and crowd tolerance. Croatia follows a friendly summer rhythm.

• June and September: warm seas, softer crowds, steady NW sea breeze most afternoons.
• July and August: hottest weeks and busy town quays. Afternoon breeze often rises to 10–18 knots.
• Wind names: maestral from the NW, bora from the NE with gusts, jugo from the SE with swell.

Study local patterns around Split with this short note on weather in Split area. Month-by-month comfort and pricing ideas sit here: best time to charter in Croatia.

Split: ACI Split And Nearby Marinas

Split works for first-timers and mixed groups. ACI Split sits near the Riva. Marina Kaštela offers wide fairways and a fast fuel dock. SCT Trogir lies one short hop away with modern piers and quick checks.

Why Split Works

• Short legs to Šolta, Hvar, and Vis.
• Strong service network for parts and repairs.
• Early fuel runs on Friday keep queues short.

Trip flavor and shore ideas live under Split catamaran charters.

Sample 7-Day Route From Split With Distances

1. Day 1: Split to Šešula Bay, Šolta, 12 NM. Safety brief at anchor. First swim and dinner onboard.
2. Day 2: Šolta to Pakleni and ACI Palmižana, 20 NM. Tender to Hvar Town for sunset.
3. Day 3: Palmižana to Vis Town, 14 NM. Stiniva swim stop if swell stays low.
4. Day 4: Vis to Biševo Blue Cave then Komiža, 6 + 8 NM. Early entry for best light.
5. Day 5: Komiža to Korčula, 38 NM. ACI Korčula near old walls.
6. Day 6: Korčula to Brač, 40 NM. Zlatni Rat in settled weather or Milna for shelter.
7. Day 7: Brač to Trogir or Split, 20 NM. Fuel early and return by late afternoon.

Budget Notes For Split

• Marinas: €120–€300 per night for 45–50 ft in peak weeks.
• Buoys: €60–€120 per night.
• Fuel: €200–€600 for a standard loop.

For a simple overview of inclusions on day one, open what is included in the rental agreement.

Trogir: Heritage Port And Kaštela Zone

Trogir gives a fast exit toward Šolta and the Pakleni islands. Old town streets sit a short walk from SCT Trogir. Marina Kaštela fits larger groups thanks to deep berths and wider fairways.

Why Trogir Works

• Close to SPU airport.
• Modern base infrastructure.
• Quick reach to Hvar routes without long first legs.

Trip ideas and shore tips appear in this primer on Trogir catamaran charters.

Sample 7-Day Route From Trogir With Distances

1. Day 1: Trogir to Maslinica, Šolta, 11 NM. Quiet first night.
2. Day 2: Maslinica to Palmižana, 19 NM. Tender to Hvar Town.
3. Day 3: Hvar Town morning, then Stari Grad, 12 NM. Secure a berth along the promenade.
4. Day 4: Stari Grad to Vis Town, 20 NM. Evening stroll.
5. Day 5: Vis to Komiža with Blue Cave early, 14 NM total.
6. Day 6: Komiža to Milna, Brač, 30 NM. Dinner at the marina quay.
7. Day 7: Milna to Trogir, 14 NM. Fuel, return, and overnight at base.

Budget Notes For Trogir

• Similar pricing to Split for berths and buoys.
• Transfers from SPU often €30–€60 per vehicle.

Šibenik: Gateway To Kornati, Skradin, Krka

D-Marin Mandalina in Šibenik sits inside a sheltered bay. River scenery toward Skradin and the Krka waterfalls offers a gentle first leg. Kornati National Park lies a day south by short island hops.

Why Šibenik Works

• Protected waters for families or first-timers.
• Ticket systems for park zones with mooring fields.
• Rich mix of towns and quiet anchorages.

Route sketches and mooring tips appear here: Šibenik catamaran charters. For park navigation and buoy fields, use this Kornati route guide.

Sample 7-Day Route From Šibenik With Distances

1. Day 1: Šibenik to Skradin, 10 NM upriver. National park visit by excursion boat.
2. Day 2: Skradin to Prvić, 15 NM. Quayside dinner.
3. Day 3: Prvić to Zlarin and Kaprije, 15 NM total with swims.
4. Day 4: Kaprije to Kornati entrance, 18 NM. Mooring field inside the park.
5. Day 5: Kornati inner loop, 12–18 NM. Ranger ticket checks in late afternoon.
6. Day 6: Kornati to Murter area, 16 NM. Supplies and water.
7. Day 7: Murter to Šibenik, 18 NM. Fuel and return.

Budget Notes For Šibenik

• Park tickets: priced by length and date. Crews keep stubs onboard.
• Mooring fields: ranger-managed lines in park zones reduce anchor stress.

Zadar: Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Kornati North

Zadar opens routes toward Ugljan, Iž, Dugi Otok, and northern entrances to Kornati. Fuel docks at D-Marin Borik and Tankerkomerc Marinas help with Friday returns.

Why Zadar Works

• Quick reach to sandy coves and blue lagoons.
• Balanced week with town nights and quiet bays.
• Optional one-way northbound legs if schedules align.

Start planning with this overview of Zadar catamaran charters.

Sample 7-Day Route From Zadar With Distances

1. Day 1: Zadar to Ugljan (Muline), 12 NM.
2. Day 2: Ugljan to Iž, 14 NM.
3. Day 3: Iž to Telašćica, Dugi Otok, 12 NM. Park ticket at the reception quay.
4. Day 4: Telašćica to Sali, 8 NM. Quayside dinner.
5. Day 5: Sali to Kornati northern loop, 16–20 NM.
6. Day 6: Kornati exit to Vrgada or Pašman, 18 NM.
7. Day 7: Pašman to Zadar, 15 NM. Fuel at Borik and return.

Moorings And Fuel Stops

• Park mooring lines in Telašćica and Kornati.
• Fuel at Borik, Tankerkomerc, and Biograd options for southern loops.

Dubrovnik: Elaphiti And Mljet

ACI Dubrovnik sits upriver with strong shelter. The Elaphiti chain offers short first hops. Mljet National Park adds lakes and forest walks. Old Town Dubrovnik shines before or after the week.

Why Dubrovnik Works

• Short legs on day one reduce fatigue.
• Park moorings on Mljet reduce anchor drama.
• Strong transfer links from DBV airport.

Shore ideas around beaches and bays sit inside Dubrovnik catamaran charters. For island day plans, open this Elaphiti route guide.

Sample 7-Day Route From Dubrovnik With Distances

1. Day 1: Dubrovnik to Koločep, 8 NM.
2. Day 2: Koločep to Lopud and Šipan, 12–14 NM with swims.
3. Day 3: Šipan to Mljet (Pomena), 18 NM. Park ticket at the kiosk.
4. Day 4: Mljet to Polače, 6 NM. Hike or bike around the lakes.
5. Day 5: Polače to Kobas or Ston, 20 NM.
6. Day 6: Ston to Dubrovnik area, 24 NM.
7. Day 7: Short hop back to ACI Dubrovnik, fuel, and return.

City Quay Notes

• Old Town quays face swell on windy days. River marina offers safer berths.
• Book dinners early in high season. Crews help with shore reservations.

Paperwork Basics In Croatia

• Licenses: a skipper license covering sailing yachts plus coastal scope.
• Radio card: a VHF or SRC certificate. See the VHF certificate guide.
• Port checks: passports, crew list, yacht papers ready at the nav desk.
• Tourist tax: a small daily charge per guest.
• Park permits: Kornati, Telašćica, and Mljet use tickets and ranger checks.

Budget Ranges And What Drives Price

• Size and year: larger and newer hulls raise base rates.
• Season: July and August sit at peak. June and September offer better value.
• Service level: skipper, hostess, and chef add weekly wages plus a cabin.
• Route profile: more town marinas and longer legs lift mooring fees and fuel.
• One-way fees: point-to-point plans bring relocation charges.

Before payment, review inclusions and extras with this clear article on what is included in the rental agreement. Month selection support sits here: best time to charter in Croatia.

Provisioning And Menu Planning

Simple menus reduce stress. Heavy items arrive by delivery to the pier by 16:00. Top up bread, fruit, and water every second day. A chef on fully crewed weeks follows a preference sheet. For self-stocked plans, use quantities and lists inside this provisioning guide.

• Regional tastes: Paški sir, pršut, Korčula olive oil, Hvar rosé, Pošip, Grk.
• Family lunches: grilled fish, blanched greens, pasta with shrimp, chicken wraps.
• Onboard dinners: peka nights in calm anchorages.

Packing List And Smart Add-ons

• Soft bags. No hard cases.
• Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, polarized sunglasses.
• Non-marking deck shoes and a light waterproof top.
• Waterproof phone pouch and a compact power bank.
• SUP boards, snorkel sets, and a towable for teens.
• Wi-Fi upgrade for work or streaming on quiet nights.
• Kids’ lifejackets labeled on day one.

Support And Service Standards

• 24/7 phone and WhatsApp for route changes, parts, and table bookings.
• Daily weather note with a morning plan and a backup plan.
• Vetted partners at ACI and D-Marin marinas for technical support.

Ready to start planning? Browse our catamaran fleet to compare layouts, pricing, and availability for your dates.

FAQs

Do I need a license for bareboat in Croatia

Yes. A recognized skipper license plus a VHF or SRC card. Review the list under bareboat requirements in Croatia.

What base suits a first family charter

Split or Trogir. Short first legs and many sheltered options. For Split flavor, scan Split catamaran charters. For Trogir detail, read Trogir catamaran charters.

How many marina nights should a one-week plan include

Two to four nights work well. Balance with buoys and anchorages for quiet evenings and lower spend.

What fuel spend should I expect

Typical week for 45–50 ft sits around €200–€600. Long generator hours or longer legs push totals upward.

How do tips work for crews in Croatia

Skippered format often sees €10–€20 per guest per day for the skipper. Fully crewed format runs 10–15 percent of the fee for the team as one envelope. See norms inside tipping in Croatia.

Where do park permits apply along these routes

Kornati, Telašćica, and Mljet. Rangers check tickets in the afternoon and evening. Keep stubs ready.

How To Book A Croatia Catamaran

1. Share dates, headcount, preferred base, and service level.
2. Receive three to five yachts with pricing, photos, and layout notes.
3. Hold a favorite hull while flights confirm.
4. Confirm with contract and first installment.
5. Prepare crew list, transfers, and a simple preference sheet.
6. Board Saturday from 17:00. Safety brief and systems tour before sunset.

► Contact our team

Extra Planning Aids

• Select a hull with a methodical tool: how to choose the right catamaran.
• Pick a month with fewer crowds: best time to charter in Croatia.
• Consider a captain for peak weeks: skippered charter options.
• Follow local wind rhythm around Split: weather in Split area.
• Plan marina nights and anchorages across Šibenik routes: Kornati route guide.
• Review etiquette on gratuities: tipping in Croatia.

About this guide

This guide was prepared by the Catamaran Charter Croatia editorial team — a group of charter brokers and sailors who have been organizing yacht charters in Croatia since 2007. Every itinerary, marina, and pricing range described here reflects current first-hand fleet experience and direct partnership with licensed charter agencies. Last reviewed: May 2026.

If a detail looks out of date, write us at www.wp.catamaran-croatia-charter.com/contact — we update guides quarterly.