Vacations aboard a catamaran in Croatia

Types of catamarans available for hire in Croatia

Depending on your budget, the size of your crew and your sailing preferences, several types of catamarans are available in Croatia:

• The catamaran between 30 and 40 feet: ideal for a crew of 6 to 8 people. More accessible than the larger models, it already offers significantly greater stability and living space than an equivalent monohull sailing boat.
• The catamaran between 40 and 50 feet: the most common configuration in Croatia for groups of 8 to 10 people. It offers an excellent balance between comfort, space and budget, with spacious cabins and large outdoor living areas.
• The luxury catamaran (50 feet and +): for those who wish to sail on a high-end boat with premium finishes. These large models generally have a professional crew and offer a standard of service close to luxury yachting.

Services available for your catamaran hire in Croatia

Here are the different options we offer for hiring a catamaran in Croatia: 

• Bareboat catamaran hire: if a member of your crew has sufficient sailing experience, they will be able to handle the catamaran. The boat will be entirely private and you will be able to enjoy your cruise in Croatia as a family or with friends, at your own pace and according to your wishes.
• Skippered catamaran hire: this is the ideal option if no one in your crew can handle the navigation, or if you simply want to relax and enjoy the scenery. The professional skipper takes care of handling the boat and shares with you their in-depth knowledge of the Croatian coast, the best anchorages and the must-visit restaurants.
• Fully crewed catamaran hire: on luxury catamarans, a crew consisting of a captain, a chef and a hostess will be at your service to guarantee you an unforgettable cruise. This option can also be offered as an add-on on certain catamarans between 10 and 20 metres.
• Cabin cruise on a catamaran: you book a cabin on board a high-end, human-sized catamaran that you share with other travellers and a professional crew responsible for navigation, cooking and hospitality services on board. This is the ideal option if you wish to travel as a couple or if you do not have the budget to charter an entire catamaran.

What is the price for a catamaran hire in Croatia?

The table below gives an indication of average prices for a catamaran hire for a week in Croatia. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model and age of the catamaran.

The price includes: the catamaran hire and the main equipment on board (sails, crockery, wifi, dinghy, bedding and outboard engine).

The price does not include: insurance, port and anchorage fees, skipper, hostess, cleaning which is often included in a mandatory pack, extras (kayak, paddle sup…) and provisioning.

If you wish to hire a luxury catamaran in Croatia, we invite you to contact us directly to obtain the rate schedule. The price range for this type of vessel is indeed very wide. Lina, our specialist in the crewed and luxury boat segment, will be able to send you the best offers.

We recommend taking out our cancellation insurance for your boat hire in Croatia. It covers all crew members, whereas individual cancellation insurance or insurance through your bank card only covers its holder.

We also encourage our clients to take out damage waiver insurance. On a catamaran, breakdowns happen even to the best sailors. This insurance will allow you to recover a significant portion of your deposit in the event of a navigation-related breakdown.

Where to sail by catamaran in Croatia?

Four main sailing areas are accessible by catamaran in Croatia:

• Istria and the Gulf of Kvarner in the north. This is the least frequented area and boasts very lush vegetation. You can depart from Pula and visit the Brijuni archipelago as well as the islands of Cres, Losinj and Rab.
• The Kornati islands in the centre. These islands are among the most beautiful islands in Croatia. This archipelago is made up of numerous wild and arid islands. In this area you will find Telašćica park, the islands of Dugi and Žut as well as the Krka waterfalls near Skradin.
• Dalmatia south of the Kornati. This is the most frequented area, and for good reason! On site you can visit many islands such as Vis, Hvar, Brač, Šolta and the Pakleni islands.
• The Dubrovnik region in the south. Probably the most beautiful city in Croatia with its medieval style. It hosted the filming of many scenes from Game of Thrones. Do not forget to visit Korčula and Mlijet park, which is home to the greenest islands in Croatia.

When to go by catamaran in Croatia?

The dry and sunny climate of Croatia makes it an excellent destination for sailing by catamaran from April to October. In summer, temperatures range between 20°C and 30°C. Water temperature is around 24°C.

Here is an average of temperatures recorded in Croatia in recent years:

Winds rarely exceed 12 knots (20 km/h), making sailing conditions very favourable throughout the summer season.

Sailing conditions by catamaran in Croatia

Sailing in Croatia is easy, with very little wind in summer, rarely beyond force 3 (<12 knots, 20 km/h). The catamaran, thanks to its stability and low heel, is particularly well suited to these conditions and will suit both experienced sailors and crews discovering sailing.

The prevailing winds are the afternoon thermal breeze from the north-west, and the Jugo or Sirocco, a warm wind from the south blowing from North Africa towards the low-pressure systems formed over central Europe. Occasionally, the Bora can blow for short periods; it is a cold wind coming from the Alps in the north, similar to the Mistral in the south of France.

The climate is warm and dry in May, June, July, August and September. Air temperature ranges between 20ºC and 27ºC, while water temperature is generally above 20ºC. Passages between the islands are short and within sight of land.

Documents required to hire a catamaran without a skipper in Croatia

You will need a coastal skipper licence as well as a VHF certificate if you opt for a catamaran hire without a skipper in Croatia. This is the equivalent of the CRR (Restricted Certificate of Radiotelephony) in France, which you can obtain for €78. To hire a catamaran of 45 feet (14 metres) or more without a skipper, you will need an offshore skipper licence or equivalent.

Useful information for your catamaran hire in Croatia

What language is spoken in Croatia?

The official language is Croatian, but a large part of the population, particularly in marinas and large cities, speaks English.

What currency is used in Croatia?

The currency used in Croatia is the Euro (€) since 1st January 2023.

How to get to Croatia?

Many direct flights are available from Paris. Each sailing area has an airport near the departure port: Pula airport (PUY) in the north, Zadar airport (ZAD) near the Kornati, Split airport (SPU) in Dalmatia and Dubrovnik airport (DBV) in the south.

How do I finalise my catamaran booking in Croatia?

Once we have received your hire request, an adviser will contact you by telephone to understand your sailing plans. They will then send you catamaran proposals by email. Once the boat has been found, you can pay a deposit in your client area to confirm the hire and secure the boat.

Why are there ACI Marinas in Croatia?

Some marinas in Croatia are grouped within the ACI (Adriatic Croatia International Club) company, founded in 1983, whose primary goal is to develop and modernise nautical tourism in the country. They are therefore modern and well-equipped marinas, with pontoons adapted to welcoming catamarans.

If I hire a catamaran in Croatia, am I allowed to sail to Montenegro?

This is possible, subject to two conditions:

• The hired catamaran must be approved for sailing in Montenegrin waters. This is often the case for boats based in Dubrovnik, near the border, but please note this is not always guaranteed.
• Pay a tax (customs clearance) of a few tens of euros upon arrival in Montenegro.

Good to know