Croatia yacht charter guide
By Jason Carter, Sea Sun Vacations · October 7, 2026 · 21 minute read
For most groups, the honest answer is this: a crewed yacht charter in Croatia costs anywhere from about $16,000 to well over €150,000 for a week, depending on the size of the yacht, the season and what the price includes. The yacht you choose sets the base charter price. The extras, from provisioning to gratuities, can add another 25% to 40% on top.
For Sea Sun’s own sailing dates and prices, see Croatia by private yacht.
That range is so wide that it is almost useless on its own. A week on a small crewed sailing boat for six people and a week on a 40-meter motor yacht are both called a yacht charter, but they are not the same experience and they are not the same cost. This guide breaks the price of a Croatian charter down into the parts you can actually compare, so you can work out what a week will cost your group.
We are Sea Sun Vacations, a travel agency in Canton, Georgia, and we book weeks on an 18-cabin yacht in Croatia, both as single cabins and as a Croatia yacht charter for a whole group. We use our own prices as one worked example in this guide, alongside published prices from other charter companies. Read more about Jason Carter and Sea Sun Vacations.
IN THIS GUIDE
01The short answer: yacht charter prices in Croatia by type of boat02What decides the price of a yacht charter in Croatia03Where you start, and what it does to the price04Sea Sun's published sailings and prices05What the money buys on different yachts06What the base price includes, and what it does not07The extra costs to budget for08How much a week costs per person09What a charter in Croatia costs for different groups10Costs ashore in the islands and destinations along the route11When a yacht charter in Croatia costs less12How payments usually work13The best value depends on your group
The short answer: yacht charter prices in Croatia by type of boat
These are published starting prices from yacht charter companies in Croatia. They are a guide, not a quote. Every charter yacht is priced by its owner, and charter prices change by date.
| Type of charter | Typical guests | Published weekly price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bareboat sailing yacht, no crew | 2 to 10 | About $1,900 in low season to $16,600 in high season | The Moorings, Croatia cost guide |
| Skippered charter (bareboat plus a skipper) | 2 to 10 | The boat, plus about $330 per night for the skipper | The Moorings |
| Sailing catamaran with crew | 2 to 10 | About $16,000 in low season to $36,000 in high season | The Moorings |
| Motor yacht charter, under 20 meters | Up to 8 to 10 | €13,550 to €32,950 | Splendid Yachting, 2026 Croatia cost guide |
| Motor yacht charter, 20 to 30 meters | Up to 10 to 12 | €18,500 to €110,000 | Splendid Yachting |
| Motor yacht charter, 30 to 40 meters | Up to 12 | €35,000 to €189,000 | Splendid Yachting |
| Sailing yacht and gulet charters, 22 to 43 meters | Up to 12 to 16 | €16,000 to €95,000 | Splendid Yachting |
| A cabin on Sea Sun’s 18-cabin yacht | 2 per cabin | €3,800 to €5,000 per person for seven nights | Sea Sun Vacations, Croatia by Private Yacht page |
| Sea Sun’s whole 18-cabin yacht | Up to 36 | Quoted for your dates and group size | Sea Sun Vacations |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Two things stand out. First, the price of luxury yachts climbs much faster than the number of guests they can take. Most motor yachts in Croatia are licensed for no more than 12 guests, however large they are. Second, a crewed charter is priced for the whole boat and the whole experience, so the cost per person depends entirely on how many people share it.
Bareboat and skippered charters
A bareboat charter is the cheapest way onto the water in Croatia. You rent the boat, you sail it, and you buy your own food and fuel. Croatia requires the skipper to hold a recognized boating license, so it only works if someone in your group is a qualified sailor. Adding a hired skipper keeps the boat price but adds a daily skipper fee, plus the skipper’s food and a cabin.
Bareboat sailing suits experienced sailors. For a group that wants to be looked after, it is not really a comparison, because the group does all the work.
Crewed charters
A crewed charter in Croatia comes with a captain and crew who sail, cook and clean. The charter price is higher, but you are paying for a different experience. On luxury motor yachts the base price usually covers the yacht and crew, and the running costs of the week are paid from a separate fund, which we explain below.
Cabin charters
A cabin charter, sometimes called a small ship cruise, means you book one cabin on a crewed yacht and share the boat with other guests. The yacht sails a set itinerary on set dates. This is often the best value for couples and small groups, because you pay per person instead of for the whole yacht. On Sea Sun’s sailings, a cabin costs €3,800 to €5,000 per person for seven nights, based on two people sharing.
What decides the price of a yacht charter in Croatia
The same charter week in Croatia can cost twice as much on one yacht as on another. These are the factors that matter most.
The size and type of yacht
Size is the biggest single factor in the charter price. A 30-meter motor yacht has more crew, more fuel, more space and higher marina fees than a 15-meter sailing yacht. Motor yachts cost more than sailing yachts of the same length, because they burn far more fuel and cruise much faster.
The season
The Croatian charter season runs from late spring to mid-autumn, and July and August are the most expensive weeks of the year. Splendid Yachting’s published example shows one 24-meter motor yacht at €39,950 for a week in low season and €52,950 in high season, a difference of €13,000 for the same yacht. On Sea Sun’s own sailings the gap is much smaller: a cabin on the May and October sailings costs €3,800 per person, and a cabin in July costs €4,000.
The age and finish of the yacht
Newer yachts with better finishes, more space and features such as a hot tub or water toys cost more. Ask when a yacht was last refitted, not only when it was built.
The crew
A small sailing boat may have a skipper and a cook. A large luxury yacht may have a captain, engineer, chef, stewards and deckhands. Every member of crew is part of the price.
The route
A round trip, starting and ending in the same port, is the simplest and usually the cheapest itinerary. A one-way charter, such as Split to Dubrovnik, can carry a repositioning fee on some yachts, because the yacht has to return to its base. Longer routes on fast yachts also use more fuel.
The number of guests
On a whole-yacht charter in Croatia, the number of guests does not change the base price much. It changes the cost per person. That is why group size is the most important number in the whole budget.
Where you start, and what it does to the price
The Croatian coast has three main starting ports for yacht charters in the south and center of the country: Split, Dubrovnik and Šibenik. The port you choose changes the itinerary, the flights and sometimes the price.
Split
Split is the busiest charter port in Croatia, with the most yachts and the most flights. A week from Split reaches the best-known islands and destinations of central Dalmatia: Brač, Hvar, Vis and Šolta. Because so many charters start and end on the same day of the week, Split’s marinas and roads are crowded on changeover days. That does not usually raise the charter price, but it can add time and taxi costs.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is the southern start or end point for most one-way charters. Marina fees in Dubrovnik, and in Hvar Town, are among the highest in Croatia, according to Splendid Yachting, which matters on yachts where marina fees come out of the provisioning allowance. From Dubrovnik, the nearest islands are the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet and Korčula.
Šibenik
Šibenik sits between Split and Zadar, close to Krka National Park and the town of Skradin. It is quieter than Split on changeover days, and it is the start port for most of Sea Sun’s sailings, including round trips that begin and end there.
One way or round trip?
Splendid Yachting puts the distance between Split and Dubrovnik at about 120 nautical miles each way. On a round trip, the yacht covers that distance twice, or turns back halfway. On a one-way route, the yacht covers it once, but on some yachts the charter company adds a fee to bring the yacht back to its home port. Sea Sun’s yachts sail one-way routes in both directions between Šibenik and Dubrovnik, so a one-way week does not leave the yacht in the wrong place.
The route also decides the flights. A one-way itinerary means flying into one city and home from another, which is easy from the United States but worth pricing before you choose.
Sea Sun's published sailings and prices
Prices on Sea Sun’s sailings are per person for seven nights, based on two people sharing a cabin. These are taken from the sailing dates published on our Croatia by Private Yacht page. Dates and prices change, so check the current list before you plan.
| Yacht | Dates | Route | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swallow and Lastavica | May 1 to 8 | Round trip from Šibenik | €3,800 |
| Swallow and Lastavica | May 8 to 15 | Šibenik to Dubrovnik | €3,800 |
| Nera | July 3 to 10 | Dubrovnik to Šibenik | €5,000 |
| Swallow | July 10 to 17 | Šibenik to Dubrovnik | €4,000 |
| Swallow | July 17 to 24 | Dubrovnik to Šibenik | €4,000 |
| Lastavica | October 2 to 9 | Dubrovnik to Šibenik | €3,800 |
| Swallow | October 9 to 16 | Round trip from Šibenik | €3,800 |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Two things are worth noticing. The difference between the low-season and peak-season price is €200 per person, much smaller than the gap on most private yachts. And the same yacht sails both directions along the coast of Croatia, so you can pick the direction that gives your group the best flights.
What the money buys on different yachts
Price only makes sense next to what you get for it. These are the differences that change the experience of a charter week in Croatia, more than the size of the yacht.
Space for each guest
The space you get changes the whole experience on board. A 20-meter yacht for eight guests has small cabins and a compact deck, but very few people share it. An 18-cabin yacht has cabins of 130 to 187 square feet each, every one with its own bathroom, and a much larger deck shared by up to 36 guests. A small sailing yacht or catamaran is the tightest of all.
What is on deck
Hot tubs, saunas and water toys are common on large yachts and rare on smaller charter yachts. On Sea Sun’s yacht, the hot tub, the sauna and water toys without a motor are part of the price. On many charter yachts in Croatia, jet skis and sea scooters are an extra charge.
Where the nights are spent
Some yachts anchor in bays most nights, which is quiet but means taking a small boat ashore for dinner. Sea Sun’s yacht spends every night in port, so the group can walk straight into town in the evening, when the destinations of Croatia are at their best.
Speed and freedom
The pace of the week is part of the experience, too. A fast yacht can cover more islands in a day and change plans easily. A larger yacht sails a steadier, planned itinerary. Neither is better. They suit different groups and different budgets.
What the base price includes, and what it does not
When you compare yacht charters in Croatia, the base charter price is only the start. The question is what the base price covers.
The base charter price
On most crewed yachts in Croatia, the base charter price covers the yacht, the crew and the yacht’s insurance. Splendid Yachting notes that Croatian charter prices include value added tax at 13%, which is lower than Croatia’s standard rate of 25%. Food, drinks, fuel and marina fees are usually not part of the base charter price on these yachts.
The provisioning allowance
On most luxury motor yachts, you pay an advance provisioning allowance on top of the charter fee. It is a fund the captain uses during the week for fuel, food, drinks and marina fees. Splendid Yachting quotes 30% of the charter fee as the usual figure. Anything not spent is refunded at the end of the week. If the group spends more, it pays the difference.
The allowance is a fair system, but it makes the true cost hard to predict. A week with long passages, busy marinas such as Hvar and Dubrovnik, and a lot of wine can use all of it.
What Sea Sun's price includes
In Croatia, Sea Sun prices its sailings with a published list of what is included. For seven nights, that list is:
- Seven nights on board, with daily cabin cleaning
- The captain and crew
- Seven breakfasts and six lunches
- The captain's dinner
- Swim stops along the way
- Coffee, tea and purified water
- Air conditioning and Wi-Fi
- The hot tub and the sauna
- Water toys that do not have a motor
The list of what is not included is short: drinks that are not on the list above, the Croatian tourist tax of €60 per person paid on board, gratuities for the crew, flights, transfers and travel insurance. Dinners ashore are also your own, apart from the captain’s dinner. We list each item in detail in our guide to all-inclusive yacht charters in Croatia.
The extra costs to budget for
Whichever charter yacht you choose in Croatia, a few costs sit outside the charter price. Build them into the budget from the start, and the week has no surprises.
Gratuities
Tipping the crew is expected on crewed yacht charters in Croatia. Published guidance ranges widely: Splendid Yachting suggests 5% to 10% of the base charter fee for luxury yachts, and The Moorings suggests 15% to 20% on its crewed charters. On a €50,000 charter week, 10% is €5,000. On Sea Sun’s sailings, the recommended gratuity is €250 per guest for the week.
The tourist tax
Croatia charges a tourist tax on overnight stays, including nights on a yacht. On Sea Sun’s sailings it is €60 per person for the week, paid on board. On other yachts, ask whether the tax is in the price or charged separately.
Drinks
Drinks are the most common item left out of a charter price in Croatia, and on a week with a big group they add up fast. Ask how drinks are paid for before you book. On Sea Sun’s sailings, coffee, tea and purified water are included, and other drinks are paid for on board.
Dinners ashore
Many crewed charters in Croatia leave several dinners off the menu on purpose, so guests can eat in a different harbor town each night. On Sea Sun’s sailings, dinner is ashore on most nights, apart from the captain’s dinner. The Moorings’ cost guide gives €10 to €35 per person for a casual meal in a konoba, a family-run Croatian restaurant, €15 to €40 for fresh seafood and €15 to €50 for a good bottle of local wine. For a couple eating ashore on six nights, that is roughly €200 to €500, plus wine.
Flights and transfers
The Moorings estimates $800 to $1,500 for a round-trip flight to Croatia from the United States. On a one-way route, such as Šibenik to Dubrovnik, you fly into one city and home from another. Airport transfers add a little more. The Moorings quotes €50 to €80 for a taxi from Dubrovnik’s airport.
Hotels before and after
Hotels in Croatia are rarely part of a charter price. Most groups add a night in Split or Dubrovnik, the two main gateways to Croatia’s islands, before or after the charter, because flights rarely line up with boarding times. Dubrovnik hotels in July and August are among the most expensive in Croatia, so book early.
Excursions
In the destinations along the route, national park tickets, wine tastings, guided walks and small-boat trips are usually extra. Groups sailing past destinations such as Krka, Mljet and the Blue Cave on Biševo often plan at least two or three of these in the week.
Travel insurance
Sea Sun strongly recommends travel insurance for every sailing in Croatia. On any charter, check what happens to your money if your group has to cancel, and cover that risk.
How much a week costs per person
This is where group size changes the cost of a charter in Croatia. A whole-yacht charter has one price, and it is divided by the people on board.
Example 1: a couple booking a cabin on a sailing
| Cost line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cabin for two on a May or October sailing | €7,600 (€3,800 per person) |
| Tourist tax | €120 (€60 per person) |
| Recommended gratuity | €500 (€250 per person) |
| Dinners ashore on six nights | About €200 to €500, plus wine |
| Drinks on board | Depends on the couple |
| Flights, transfers and insurance | Extra |
| Total before flights and drinks | About €8,400 to €8,700 |
That works out at about €4,200 to €4,350 per person for seven nights on a crewed yacht with breakfasts and lunches, before flights and drinks.
Example 2: a group of 30 chartering the whole yacht
| Cost line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Whole-yacht charter, seven nights | Quoted for your dates |
| Tourist tax | €1,800 (€60 per person) |
| Recommended gratuity | €7,500 (€250 per person) |
| Dinners ashore, drinks, flights and insurance | Extra |
Once Jason quotes the whole-yacht price, divide it by the number of guests, then add €310 per person for the tax and the recommended gratuity. The more of the 18 cabins your group fills, the lower the cost per person. Read more about planning a private yacht charter in Croatia for a group this size.
Example 3: eight guests on a luxury motor yacht
Splendid Yachting publishes a full budget for one 24-meter motor yacht with eight guests for seven nights. In peak season, the total came to between €71,483 and €74,130, or about €8,935 to €9,266 per guest, once the provisioning allowance, tax and gratuity were added. In low season, the same week came to about €6,742 to €6,991 per guest. Their rule of thumb is to budget 135% to 140% of the base charter fee.
These three examples are not the same experience. A yacht for eight is faster and more private, and it can anchor in places a larger yacht cannot. An 18-cabin yacht carries a much bigger group and has features, such as a sauna and a hot tub, that are rare on smaller yachts. What the comparison shows is how much the per-person cost depends on how many people share the yacht.
Want a real price for your dates and your group? Call Jason at (404) 465-4081.
What a charter in Croatia costs for different groups
The right charter depends on who is coming. These are the groups we hear from most, and how the cost of a week usually works for each.
| Group | Typical size | Usual best fit | How the cost works |
|---|---|---|---|
| A couple | 2 | A cabin on a set sailing | Per person, two to a cabin |
| Two or three couples | 4 to 6 | Cabins on a sailing, or a small crewed charter | Per person, or one charter price split three ways |
| A family of four to six | 4 to 6 | Cabins on a sailing | Per person, with one or two cabins |
| A multi-generation family reunion | 12 to 36 | The whole 18-cabin yacht | One charter price, split across the family |
| A wedding party | 20 to 36 | The whole yacht | One charter price, often paid by the hosts or split by guests |
| A company or incentive trip | 15 to 36 | The whole yacht | One charter price, paid by the company |
| A club or special interest group | 15 to 36 | The whole yacht, or a block of cabins on a sailing | One charter price, or per person |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
For a group in the middle, around eight to 12 people, it is worth pricing both options. A block of cabins on a set sailing may cost less than a private yacht of that size, but you share the yacht and the itinerary with other guests.
Costs ashore in the islands and destinations along the route
A week of sailing in Croatia is also a week of harbor towns, and the time ashore has its own costs. None of these are part of any charter price, so budget for them separately.
National parks
Krka National Park, reached from Skradin, and Mljet National Park, reached from Pomena, both charge an entry fee. Prices change by season, so check the park websites before you go.
Small-boat trips
The Blue Cave on the island of Biševo is reached by small boat from Vis, and the trip is paid separately. In the busiest weeks, book it the day before.
Beach clubs and sunbeds
Sunbeds and umbrellas on the most popular beaches, such as Zlatni Rat on Brač, are charged by the day. The Moorings’ cost guide gives €10 to €40 per set.
Wine tastings
The islands of Hvar, Brač and Korčula, and the Pelješac peninsula, are known for their wines. Tastings are usually priced per person and are often the highlight of the week for wine groups.
Dubrovnik's old town walls
Walking the walls of Dubrovnik is one of the best experiences in Croatia, and it has its own ticket. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
How much each guest spends ashore depends on how many dinners, tastings and trips they plan. Set a rough budget per person for the islands and destinations before the charter starts, so nobody is surprised during the week.
When a yacht charter in Croatia costs less
Sail in May, June, September or early October
The shoulder months are cheaper on most charter yachts in Croatia and much less crowded in Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik. On Sea Sun’s sailings, the May and October weeks are the lowest-priced sailings of the season. June and September offer the best balance of warm water and smaller crowds.
Fill the cabins
On a whole-yacht charter in Croatia, every empty cabin raises everyone else’s share. If your group is close to the size of the yacht, it is worth asking a few more friends or family members.
Choose a round trip if flights are expensive
A round trip from Šibenik lets you fly in and out of the same airport, which is often cheaper than two one-way flights.
Book a cabin if your group is small
If you are a couple or a family of four, a cabin on a set sailing costs far less than a whole yacht of any size. You still get a week with a full crew, swim stops and nights in port.
Book early
The best weeks of the summer go first, and the earliest bookers get the widest choice of cabins and dates. On Sea Sun’s sailings, cabins are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
How payments usually work
Charter companies in Croatia set their own payment schedules, and the terms matter as much as the price.
On a private charter yacht in Croatia
Most luxury yacht charters in Croatia ask for a deposit at booking, often half the charter fee, with the balance and the provisioning allowance paid a few weeks before the charter. A security deposit may also be held against damage.
On a Sea Sun cabin booking
Sea Sun’s published terms for cabins are a non-refundable deposit of €1,500 per cabin, 50% of the balance six months before the sailing and the final payment four months before. Cabin rates are based on two people sharing. For a whole-yacht charter, the payment schedule and the cancellation terms are set out in writing in the quote.
Questions to ask before you compare prices
Two quotes for yacht charters in Croatia can look the same on paper and turn out very differently. Ask every company these questions in writing.
1. Is the price for the whole yacht or per person?
2. How many guests is the yacht licensed to carry, and how many cabins does it have?
3. Is there a provisioning allowance, and what percentage of the price is it?
4. Which meals are included, and which are not?
5. How are drinks charged?
6. Is the tourist tax included?
7. What gratuity is recommended?
8. Is there a fee for a one-way route?
9. What is the payment schedule, and what are the cancellation terms?
10. Who do you call if something goes wrong before or during the charter?
The last question matters more than people expect. Many charter companies are based in Croatia itself and work through a booking website. Sea Sun handles your booking from the United States, with Jason Carter as your one contact from the first question to the last night.
The best value depends on your group
There is no single best price for a yacht charter in Croatia. There is a best fit for your group.
For two to six experienced sailors
A bareboat or skippered sailing yacht is the lowest-cost way to spend a week sailing the Croatian coast and islands.
For a family or a few couples who want privacy and speed
A crewed motor yacht charter in Croatia for eight to 12 guests gives you the most privacy, the most freedom with the itinerary and the most luxury, at the highest cost per person.
For a couple or a small group who want a week with a crew
A cabin on a set sailing gives you the crew, the meals and the itinerary at a per-person price.
For a group of 12 to 36
An 18-cabin yacht keeps the whole group together on one yacht. Larger groups that would need three or four smaller yachts can often travel for less per person on a single larger one, with the whole group at the same table every day.
Questions people ask about the cost of a yacht charter in Croatia
What is the cheapest way to charter a yacht in Croatia?
A bareboat sailing yacht in low season is the cheapest charter in Croatia, if someone in your group holds a recognized skipper’s license. Without a license, a cabin on a crewed yacht is usually the lowest-cost option.
How much is a crewed yacht charter in Croatia for a week?
Published prices start at about $16,000 a week for a crewed sailing catamaran in low season and run past €150,000 for a large luxury motor yacht in high season, before extras.
Does the price include food?
It depends on the yacht. Many luxury charter yachts in Croatia charge food and drink to the provisioning allowance. On Sea Sun’s sailings, seven breakfasts, six lunches and the captain’s dinner are included, along with coffee, tea and water.
How much should we tip the crew?
Published guidance ranges from 5% to 20% of the charter fee on private crewed yachts. On Sea Sun’s sailings, the recommended gratuity is €250 per guest for the week.
When is the cheapest time to charter a yacht in Croatia?
May and October are usually the lowest-priced weeks of the season. July and August are the most expensive.
Is a yacht charter in Croatia cheaper than in Greece or Italy?
It varies by yacht and date. Croatia has a large charter fleet and short distances between islands and destinations, which keeps fuel and passage costs down. For most groups, the price of the yacht itself matters far more than the country.
Is a cabin charter in Croatia cheaper than a private charter?
For a couple or a small group, yes, by a wide margin. You pay for your own cabin instead of the whole yacht. For a large group that can fill most of the cabins, a private charter of the whole yacht gives everyone the same experience with no other guests on board, and the cost per person can come close to the cabin price.
Do charter prices in Croatia include fuel?
On most motor yachts in Croatia, fuel is paid from the provisioning allowance, not the charter price. On a sailing yacht, fuel costs are usually small. Always ask how fuel is charged before you compare charter quotes.
Do the best islands cost more to visit?
The most famous islands and destinations, such as Hvar and Dubrovnik, have the highest marina fees and the busiest restaurants. On a yacht where marina fees come from the provisioning allowance, an itinerary full of famous ports costs more than one built around quieter islands such as Vis and Mljet.
How far ahead should we book?
For charters in Croatia in July and August, book as early as you can, especially for a large group. For a whole-yacht charter, your group needs the yacht to be open for the full week you want, and the best summer weeks go first.
Summary: what a yacht charter in Croatia really costs
The price of a yacht charter in Croatia depends on three things: the yacht, the season and what is included. Small crewed sailing boats start in the low tens of thousands of dollars a week. Luxury motor yachts run from around €13,500 to well over €150,000, plus about 30% for provisioning and a gratuity on top. A cabin on a crewed sailing costs a few thousand euros per person.
Compare the full cost of the week, not the headline price, and divide it by the number of people who will share it. Then add the costs every charter leaves out: gratuities, tax, drinks, dinners ashore and flights.
Sources: The Moorings, “Guide to Yacht Charter Costs in Croatia” (moorings.com); Splendid Yachting, “How Much Does a Yacht Charter in Croatia Cost? 2026” (splendidyachting.com); Sea Sun Vacations, “Croatia by Private Yacht” (seasunvacations.com).
Price a week in Croatia with Sea Sun Vacations
Tell us the size of your group and the dates you have in mind. Jason will send you a written quote for a cabin or the whole yacht, with every included and excluded cost listed.
Call (404) 465-4081, email [email protected], or see current sailing dates and prices.
Plan the week itself with our 7-day Croatia sailing itinerary.
