Yes, Croatia’s marinas are among the best equipped in the Mediterranean. In 2025, the coast had 86 marinas (official Croatian statistics), including 21 dry marinas, and the ACI network operates 22 of them. Every marina with in-water slips offers water, electricity, restrooms and showers, and help with docking. The only real catch is the price: in 2026, a night in a marina costs between $90 and $460 in high season, depending on the size of the boat. To keep costs down, most crews alternate between marinas, town harbors, mooring balls and anchorages.

What amenities do Croatian marinas offer?

Croatian marinas are built for recreational boating and charter yachts. The level of service mostly depends on their size.

Onboard outlets use European two-pin plugs at 230 V, which are different from US plugs. You will need a US to EU plug adapter to charge your devices on board, and your chargers must support 230 V (most phone and laptop chargers do).

Which marinas are the best equipped?

ACI marinas are a safe bet for a sailboat charter in Croatia as well as a catamaran vacation. This long-established network covers the entire coast, from Istria to Dubrovnik, with facilities designed for charter yachts.

• Large marinas (Split, Trogir, Dubrovnik…): full services, stores, restaurants and laundry on site. Split has several of them, which makes it a convenient starting point for a catamaran charter in Split.
• Small marinas and island marinas: basic amenities, more limited services.
• Blue Flag marinas: this annual award recognizes water quality, environmental management and safety, as at ACI Umag, ACI Rovinj and ACI Pula in Istria.

Are the marinas open year-round?

Most of them, yes. Of the ACI marinas, four only open in summer: Palmižana, Piškera, Rab and Žut. If you are planning to sail in spring or fall, often considered the best time to visit Croatia by boat, ask our advisors which marinas are open along your route.

What is a marina stop like in Croatia?

Do you need to reserve a slip in advance?

Off-season, it is usually not necessary. In July and August, it is best to reserve a few days ahead at the most popular marinas, especially around Hvar, Vis and Southern Dalmatia, toward Dubrovnik.

• With a captain: they handle the reservation.
• Through the base manager: they know the local marinas and can call ahead for you.
• On your own: the ACI app shows available slips and lets you book directly.

In high season, arriving in mid-afternoon gives you more choice of slips.

How do you dock in a Croatian marina?

In Croatia, as everywhere in the Mediterranean, boats dock stern-to, without finger piers.

• Hail the marina on VHF before entering: they will assign you a slip.
• A marinero will be waiting on the dock to take your stern lines.
• At the bow, the boat is held by a lazy line, a rope attached to a weight on the seabed, which the marinero hands to you.
• Bring gloves: lazy lines are often slippery and covered in shells.
• Put fenders out on both sides before entering the harbor.

Shore lines (tied to a tree or a rock) are prohibited in Croatia.

Are the nights at the charter base included?

For the vast majority of charters, the first and last nights at the departure marina are included at no extra charge. Check-in is on Saturday in the late afternoon, between 5 and 6 p.m., and check-out the following Saturday morning, between 9 and 10 a.m. Conditions vary by charter company: our advisors will confirm what applies to your boat.

How much does a night in a marina cost in Croatia?

Croatia is one of the most expensive destinations in the Mediterranean for marina nights. In high season 2026, expect to pay from $90 a night for a monohull to $460 for a very large catamaran. The price depends on the size of the boat, the marina and the region. With a catamaran charter in Croatia, slips cost more than for a monohull, since the boat takes up more width at the dock.

Average 2026 prices for a 43 ft (13 m) boat in high season.

Prices vary widely from one marina to another, even within the same region. Our advisors can give you an estimate for your boat and your route.

Town harbor, mooring ball or anchorage: what are the alternatives to a marina?

Anchoring is free in most coves. It becomes chargeable in concession bays, where you tie up to a mooring ball, and in national parks. The concession holder must be able to show you their permit.

Over a week, most crews sailing in Croatia split their nights like this:

• 1 to 2 nights in a marina, to rest, take on water and recharge the batteries;
• 1 to 2 nights in a town harbor, steps from the old towns;
• 2 to 4 nights on a mooring ball or at anchor in the most beautiful coves: Vis, Lastovo and the Kornati are among the must-see stops in Croatia.

With a captain, alternate one night at anchor and one night in port: at anchor, they have to stay alert all night, whereas in a marina they can fully rest.

What to know before you go

• Documents: on arrival, the marina may ask for the boat’s papers and the crew list.
• Fuel: around 70 fuel docks along the coast can be reached by boat. Some close from time to time, so it is best to call ahead and not wait until the last day to fill up. Spare fuel cans are not allowed.
• National parks: a ticket is required as soon as you anchor, swim or spend the night in the park. In the Kornati, ACI Piškera is the only marina inside the park.
• Draft: on a monohull, some stops require you to check the depth in advance. Our advisors will tell you whether your route is affected.
• Pets: when they are allowed on board, a cleaning fee of $230 to $460 applies, regardless of the size of the animal. Conditions depend on the charter company, so check with our advisors.
• During your trip: our concierge service liaises with the base manager for any questions while you are sailing.

Yes, the all-inclusive package is part of our offering with certain partners! It is available for yacht charters that include at least a skipper and a hostess. It generally includes:

• Full board (meals and non-alcoholic beverages)
• Customs and anchorage fees
• Consumables (diesel, gasoline, gas)

It does not include:

• Flights (can be booked through our advisors, 20% above the public price, with free replacement in case of cancellation)

Please note:

• This is a premium option with significant additional costs
• In certain destinations (e.g., Polynesia), the skipper and hostess must stay in a cabin, which requires a larger boat

“Semi-inclusive” alternative:

• Anonline provisioning service (groceries prepared and delivered on board on the day of embarkation)
• You choose your provisions while saving time
• More economical than all-inclusive, but does not cover fuel or other consumables

The engine power of a dinghy generally ranges from 2.5 to 5 horsepower, depending on several factors, such as the size of the main boat. The larger the sailboat or catamaran, the more powerful and spacious the dinghy is likely to be.

As a general rule, most dinghies are equipped with an engine under 6 horsepower, as anything above that requires a boat license.

Exception: In the Bahamas or The Caribbean, trips between the anchorage and the shore can be longer due to coral reefs. It is therefore recommended to have a more powerful dinghy, between 10 and 15 horsepower, for greater comfort.

On some large sailboats, you can even find dinghies with 40-horsepower engines, allowing for activities like water skiing.

Need specific information? Contact our advisors to learn about the features of the dinghy included with your boat.

Estimated rates:

• Mediterranean: approx. €350/day
• The Caribbean: approximately €290 per day

These rates apply only to the skipper’s services. They do not include his provisions, i.e., his meals during the cruise.

Please note:

You are responsible for providing meals for your skipper. You have two options:

• Invite him to join you for a meal (on board or at a restaurant)
• Pay him a meal allowance (approximately €20 per meal) if he eats on his own

It depends on your itinerary and your preferences: just remember to include the skipper in the logistical planning of your trip.

The charter price includes:

• Use of the boat for the selected duration.
• Booking fees.
• The dinghy is generally included, but the outboard motor is often offered as a paid option.
• End-of-cruise cleaning is generally not included: this is a mandatory extra in 95% of cases, as indicated in your quote or contract.

Other fees may apply depending on the boat or destination: bedding, towels, visitor’s tax, port fees, skipper, fuel, etc. All this information is specified in advance.