If you are planning bareboat charter in Croatia and want to sail in the Adriatic sea, please find below some useful tips and information for the perfect sailing holiday in Croatia:

With 1,800 km of coastline and over 1,200 islands and islets, Croatia truly is a sailing paradise. Sailors are drawn to the freedom of the open sea, the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic, and the countless secluded bays and beaches.
Destinations and airports:
It’s important to clear where you would like the start your sailing vacation in Croatia. We can offer 4 starting marinas for our sailing boat or catamaran rental in Croatia
- DUBROVNIK – airport Dubrovnik (distance approx. 25KM) – South Adriatic
- TROGIR – airport Split (distance approx. 8KM) – Middle Adriatic
- SPLIT – airport Split (distance approx. 25 KM) – Middle Adriatic
- POMER – airport Pula (distance approx. 10KM) – North Adriatic
All airports are very well connected with airports from Europe. Transfer from the airport to the base can always be arranged through our booking office.
As mentioned, with 1800 km of coastline, the variety is quite large, so you should make the decision according to your wishes and preferences. When it comes to yacht charter, we divide the sailing areas into Istria (Pula, Pomer), Kvarner Bay (Krk, Cres), North Dalmatia (Zadar, Sibenik), Central Dalmatia (Split, Trogir) and South Dalmatia (Dubrovnik). All mentioned sailing areas offer a good quality of the nautical infrastructure (ports, marinas, buoy fields) and are rich in tradition, culture, historic old towns, local gastronomy and much more.
How to book a bareboat yacht charter in Croatia:
If you’ve already decided on your sailing area and know the type of sailing boat or catamaran you’re looking to rent, you can use our “search engine” to check availability. While price is always an important factor, we recommend doing some research on charter companies by reading online reviews to ensure a quality experience.
Our booking department is at your service to provide all the information and advice you need for your sailing holiday in Croatia. Feel free to reach out directly to our booking office at booking@ultra-sailing.hr. The office is open from 08:00 to 20:00 (Mon-Fri) and partly during the weekend, cause we strive to respond to all inquiries as soon as possible.
If you need some time to finalize your plans with your crew, we can hold the boat for you under “reservation” for 3-4 days.
Once you’ve decided to proceed with your bareboat charter, our booking team will send you a confirmation with all the payment and bank details. After receiving the advance payment, you’ll get a contract confirming the transaction. Upon settling the balance, we will send you a boarding pass with all the necessary details about the charter base. We’ll also request your marina arrival time (important for scheduling) and crew list details, including the skipper’s license number and the names, birth dates and passport numbers of all crew members.
Read more information about renting a sailboat or catamaran in our blog:

Renting a boat in Croatia – tips and everything you need to know
Choosing a suitable charter vessel, prices and everything it includes, moorings, charter rules, choosing your ideal location and time of year for sailing

Instructions for handover of the vessel check in/out
Vessel takeover procedure, vessel equipment, navigational instruments, sails, safety on the vessel…
Which license is required for bareboat charter in Croatia:
For a bareboat charter in Croatia, you’ll need a valid sailing license and a VHF radio license. It’s a good idea to verify that your license is accepted by checking the “Recognized Certificates for Operating Boats and Yachts” on the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure’s website. Alternatively, you can send us your documents, and we’ll confirm the validity of your license for you.
Check-in for your yacht is at 17:00 on Saturday and by that time, all boats should be ready. If you arrive earlier, please visit our office to complete the paperwork:
- You’ll receive the boat’s documents and a weather forecast
- You’ll need to present your original skipper’s license.
- We will confirm the crew list and charge the tourist tax (payable by credit card or cash).
- Leaving deposit (can be made by card or cash)
- You’ll also receive instructions for using our support line.
After the paperwork is completed, we can proceed with the technical check-in on the boat. This process includes reviewing the technical equipment list, which must be signed by both the client and Ultra Sailing staff. We always aim to have the boat ready as early as possible and we’ll let you know if it’s available before 17:00.
For a smoother process, we recommend that just the skipper and co-skipper handle the technical check-in with our staff, as this speeds things up. In the meantime, the rest of your crew can take care of shopping or enjoy a drink.
You do not have a valid sailing license yet ?
You can obtain an international license by attending the ISPA Day Skipper course at our Sailing School in ACI Marina Split. Learn more about the course here : Sailing school Croatia – Day Skipper.
Safety Deposit for Bareboat Yacht Charter in Croatia:
All boats are fully insured and the safety deposit can be left in two ways:
Refundable deposit
It can be left as a credit card pre-authorization or in cash. Upon returning the boat, the deposit amount will be unblocked and returned to you. The deposit covers damages that are not insured, such as a lost dinghy or a broken window. If the damage is minor (e.g. a lost boat fender worth around 70€), we will still unblock your card and only charge you the actual cost (i.e. 70€ for the fender). Please report all damages immediately using our support number. In case of significant damage, the maximum charge will be limited to the deposit amount specified in your confirmation and the price list.
Non-Refundable deposit (Damage Waiver)
For those preferring a non-refundable deposit, we require a copy of the skipper’s license, passport or ID and address details for insurance purposes. The non-refundable deposit is divided into two parts:
- A non-refundable amount (ranging from 180€ to 440€, depending on the boat) paid directly to the insurance.
- A 100€ refundable part, paid in cash, which will be returned after checkout, provided there is no damage.
If you need further details about the deposit options when booking one of our boats, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help!
Help protect the Adriatic while sailing in Croatia
We all want future generations to enjoy the beauty of the Adriatic Sea, so it’s crucial to respect nature and the environment while on your sailing vacation in Croatia. Here’s how you can help:
- Never throw rubbish into the sea or along the coast.
- Avoid discharging black-water tank near the shore and in protected areas.
- Respect Croatia’s fishing laws and avoid disturbing marine life.
- Protect aquatic plants and animals by maintaining a respectful distance.
- Report any environmental pollution you notice to the proper authorities.
- Open fires are strictly forbidden in coastal areas.
- Save water, especially on the islands where fresh water is limited. Avoid washing boats excessively or taking long showers.
- Croatia’s tap water is safe to drink, so refill your water bottles when needed (but avoid using water from boat’s tanks, not safe to drink).
- Save energy: sail as much as possible
By following these simple steps, you’ll help preserve the natural beauty of Croatia’s stunning coastline and ensure that it remains unspoiled for years to come.