Money-saving Guide to Yacht Charters in Croatia

1. Sail out of season
2. Save on flights
3. Take an Uber!
4. Provision wisely
5. Charter away from Split and Trogir
6. Pick your Marinas
7. Avoid mooring fees altogether
8. Dine like a local
9. Take a skipper

Sailing holidays and Croatia...a match made in heaven! With her countless off-shore islands, striking national parks and over 1000 miles of beautiful coastline, a sailing holiday is the ideal way to experience Croatia.

We have seen a huge increase in the demand for yacht charters in Croatia over the past few years and with the abundance of things to do and places to visit, our clients love that they can return time and time again with each trip being different to the last.

Despite her popularity (or perhaps because of it) many clients question the affordability of sailing holidays in Croatia and are troubled by the misconception that your charter will be accompanied by spiraling Marina fees and tourist taxes (which, although unavoidable, are currently only €1.33 per person / per day (children under the age of 12 go free and 12-18 year olds are half price - Tourist tax for boaters)).

There is no denying that since the move from Kuna to Euros in 2023, prices in Croatia have changed somewhat and marina fees in Croatia can be higher than other sailing areas in the Mediterranean (but with a much higher standard of facilities we would like to add!). However, the cost of a sailing holiday in Croatia needn't be excessive and there are many ways to explore this wonder of a country whilst keeping to a sensible budget.

Below is our guide and top tips for enjoying your time on the Dalmatian coast without it costing a King's ransom.

1. Sail out of season

If you are happy to sail outside of the peak season there are huge savings to be had. Sailing between the end of September and the middle of May can give you access to boats at a third of the price that they would be in peak season. During the shoulder seasons, daytime temperatures are usually still in the mid-twenties and the cool evenings ensure a comfortable mosquito-free sleep. Late season prices are one of the many reasons Nautilus Yachting staff will sail in October/November - Trogir Sailing Journal. 

2. Save on flights

Flight costs are usually one of the largest expenses when booking a holiday, however there are a great selection of airlines which fly to Croatia, including many of the low-cost airlines, giving you access to very competitive flight prices. Fantastic deals can be found by shopping around with airlines such as Ryanair (Pula, Trieste and Zadar), Easyjet (Split and Dubrovnik), Wizz Air (Split) and Jet2 (Split).

3. Take an Uber!

For some, the convenience of having a person holding a board with their name on waiting at the arrivals lounge is the ideal start to their holiday. For others, it is an unnecessary expense. If you fall into the latter category, Uber is a very popular service in Croatia and taking an Uber from the airport to the marina can be half the cost of having a designated transfer on arrival.

For longer transfers, it could be the case that hiring a car for the week and leaving it in the marina while you sail costs you less than two lengthy one-way transfers. Use a comparison site like Rentalcars to check the best deals on car hire in Croatia.

4. Provision wisely

Online provisioning is available throughout Croatia with Jam Yacht Supply. With the click of a button, you can order food and drink to be delivered to your boat before you set off. Ordering your provisioning online prior to the start of your yacht charter is a very simple process and is great for convenience but it often comes at a cost.

To keep costs down, consider shopping when you arrive and take a look at the shopping facilities close to the marina. Many marinas will have shops where you can find the bare essentials for your holiday but these shops are often small and have higher prices than the local stores or supermarkets. A short walk or inexpensive Uber journey to a large local supermarket can save you a huge amount of money on your weekly shop versus shopping in the Marina.

5. Charter away from Split and Trogir

Split is the most popular sailing area in the Med with thousands of yachts available to charter. However, Split and Trogir have some of the highest marina fees in the country. If you are flexible with where you sail in Croatia, just a 30-40 minute drive up the coast to Rogonizca or Primosten or even sailing out of the Kornati can make identical yachts more economical to charter, especially in the off-season.

6. Pick your Marinas

ACI marinas are the most popular marinas in Croatia. They have the luxury of online booking and fantastic facilities. However, keep in mind that ACI marinas are also some of the most expensive in the country. Other marinas in the region may not charge as high a rate as the well-known ACI Marinas so it is worth considering these as an alternative option. Seasy, mySea and Navily are great tools to use to check moorings and prices in advance of your charter and can be a great help in planning a cost effective itinerary.

You can also use the above sites or pilot guide to locate mooring buoys, which will be less than half the cost of mooring in a marina or town quay.

7. Avoid mooring fees altogether

If you like the idea of getting back to basics and enjoying free mooring, consider spending nights at anchor. Staying on anchor is still free in Croatia and having at least a few nights on anchor throughout your yacht charter can make a big difference to your overall exenses.

Head towards the Kornati National Park for some of the best nights on anchor in Croatia. The park is home to 89 islands, islets and reefs as well as numerous idyllic anchorages. There is a National Park fee to sail in the area, however the five day National Park fee will cost you less than one night in an ACI Marina. Sibenik, Zadar, or Biograd are all great starting points for a yacht charter in the Kornati.

8. Dine like a local

When it comes to dining, seek out the local gems rather than the tourist traps in order to get the best value meals (not to mention the most delicious!). The local restaurants will often serve a wide array of dishes, thanks to Croatia's varied history, and use seasonal and local produce which keeps the cost down. Local is also best when it comes to drinks, with house wines in Croatia usually being sourced directly from local vineyards and offering great value for a quality product.

Of course one of the delights of a sailing holiday in Croatia is dining on delicious fish and seafood, caught fresh that day. Bear in mind however that when ordering fish in Croatia, often the price displayed is not per dish but a price per weight which can lead to surprises when receiving the bill at the end of the meal. Speak to the servers in the restaurant for their recommendations, as often there will be a choice of locally caught options, some more economically priced than others. 

9. Take a skipper

It may seem counterproductive to spend roughly €200/day on a professional skipper when on a money saving trip to Croatia but believe us when we say taking a skipper could in fact save you money! The knowledge and local insight that a skipper possesses can be invaluable. Everything from where to find free anchorages to which restaurants offer great value or have free moorings/private pontoons. Nothing beats the knowledge of a person who has sailed the area hundreds of times.

If the skipper removes the need to spend €240 a night on mooring fees or can suggest a great restaurant that reduces your evening meals by €10/person it isn't too long before they pay for themselves. Never mind the hours at the helm and the stress and strain they take off the holiday, a great skipper can be a wise investment.

If you are happy to take heed of the above list, you are well on your way to sailing in Croatia without the financial dread that no doubt the unadvised have talked about. With a few simple considerations, you will be able to explore what is arguably the most popular sailing area for us here at Nautilus Yachting.