General tips about sailing in Croatia

After you set the date and preferred destination (Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar or Pula), it is time to book a reliable sailing charter to fit your budget and travelling style.. But before you hire a suitable yacht for your holiday adventure, there are 4 things that you should keep in mind:

• What type of a yacht do I rent - a catamaran a sailboat or a motor boat
•  How many people are coming  - is very important, so that you book the yacht of suitable size and capacity for the whole group
•  Your estimated budget - probably the most important before renting a boat. You can choose from economy to luxury line yachts
•  Your expectations and habits - do you need a full board crewed yacht charter, or only a private skippered tour

Please consider, that you will be on a sailing yacht for one week. There will be other people aboard and everybody should be comfortable and have a great time. This is why is advisable to take a comfortable vessel with enough space for all the guests and a cabin for skipper. If you are not sure about the yacht type and size, we can recommend best possible option for your group.

That mostly depends on your traveling style, your budget and how much space and comfort you need on board. To help your decision, find some facts about sailboats and catamarans below:

RENTING A SAILING BOAT

• renting a sailboat in Croatia is much cheaper than chartering a catamaran
• lower cost on fuel and marina fees
• sailing experience is more exciting, fun and genuine
• easier to find place to moor, especially in crowded marinas
• sailing yachts sail better upwind and generally assure more sailing pleasures
• more opportunities if you wish to learn sailing
• newer sailboats are wider and provide enough space even for larger crews

RENTING A CATAMARAN

• impressive volumes guarantee abundance of space and on board privacy
• catamarans have more buoyancy and are practically unsinkable
• more stability on water means more cruising comfort
• double hulls assure easier and safer movement around the yacht
• constant 360^o view from inside are welcoming if you are sea sickness inclined
• cushioned flybridge the bow and the stern also mean extra lounging areas and better views
• average fuel consumption is still lower than on a motor boat

If you wish to secure your sailing trip in Croatia, there is always a certain deposit that you need to pay in advance. For all Croatia yacht charters it is mandatory to pay the sailing yacht cost and base fee beforehand. 50% of down payment should be transferred within 2-3 days after you confirmed the booking, the balance payment 4 weeks before your departure.

How do I pay the deposit?

In Croatia yacht charters, the most common payment method is wiring the money through the bank account. Lots of our clients also use REVOLUT and WISE apps to send the money. These are the safest, fastest and also cheapest options to pay for your charter.

What are the additional costs I need to pay at spot?

• Skipper service from 980€-1.330€ weekly (depends on yacht's length)
• Local tax 1.35€ per person daily
• Safety deposit for your vessel 
• Fuel per consumption (varies from 50-150€ per week)
• Food for you and skipper 
• Port and marina fees (vary and depend on the stops and the marina services; usually 70€ per night for a 45 foot sailboat)

The sailing season in Mediterranean runs from April to October. There are, however, some different factors to consider before you set sail, such as the weather, your holiday expectations and budget. Prices between preseason an peak-season can fluctuate considerably. This will not only have an effect on your travel plans, but your overall holiday budget too.

1. Budget Croatia is still considered one of the cheapest sailing destinations in Europe. There is definitely a yacht charter affordable for every pocket. Yachting holidays are comparable in price to many other summer holidays for example a 4-star hotel. But instead of a hotel, you have a "apartment that moves and floats". Charter yacht prices and skippered packages, can be considerably cheaper during the off season in April or  May, even mid. June. Peak of the season is in July, August until middle of September. The yacht prices (and the prices in general) reach its top from middle  July until middle of August. For example - a 40-foot economy sailing yacht that can accommodate up to 6 people is app.1.850€ in peak season. Plus the extras (see our skippered programs). At the end, it is up to you haw far are you willing to strech.

2. Expectations

Your tastes and vacation preferences can also influence your budget.

Are you a type of person that likes vibrant cities and harbours rammed with ships, crowds and buzzing summer Riviera? Or someone who would like to avoid masses and prefers tranquillity and less traffic at sea. If you are adventure seeker that likes more action at sea, then our Croatia activity yachting tour in May or September is you cup of tea. 

If you wish, you can either sail away from the crowds in summer months, or you can visit the vibrant cities Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar or Pula in off season. You have variety of options. We will be privileged to recommend the itineraries considering your expectations and personalise your tour.

If you sail with kids, we recommend summer months August and July. It its warmest across the region, there are plenty of hours of daylight for various outdoor activities. For experienced sailors, that want to sail Croatia on a bareboat yacht, Spring or Autumn is also an excellent choice.

3. Weather

The weather conditions in certain region play the main role when you are considering of setting the date. What season to choose, is entirely your decision. If you prefer boiling under the warm sun, taking a sailing trip in summer is your best decision.  But if you are sensitive to heat, then you should consider taking  your trip in April, May, September or October. The air temperature in April and May can reach  25 degrees, however the sea is still a bit cold 15-20. The peak season from middle June until September, the mercury is at consistent 30+ degrees, with often peaking well into the 40's. Pushing towards Autumn, temperatures drop to the mild 25, however the sea until the end of October can still hold the temperatures above 20.

The prevailing wind in Summer is landward-blowing wind "Maestral (NW) which gives pleasant sailing.

The weather along the Croatian coast can be quite tricky though. Mostly due to the closeness of mountain barriers, a complete calm air can easily turn into the near gale force thunderstorm coming from West or cold Bora wind (NE) from the mainland. Even though that only happens rarely, and there is always a weather warning issued beforehand. 

For the first-time visitors/sailors we highly recommend the summer season in July or August. Generally because the weather on Adriatic is hot, the water is warm, cool soothing breeze comes from the seas and no precipitation or temperature extremes are expected.

For citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, USA or Canada visas are not required. Citizens from South Africa require visas, including a Schengen visa since Croatia joined the EU in July 2013.

It is highly recommended to arrange the traveller's insurance policy in your country. Every person is sailing at their own risk. Your skipper will give you some basic safety instructions at the embarkation. And if you follow them, everything will be fine. Generally, how to move aboard, what to be careful of while sailing,... Most of the guidelines are for your own safety! Please bear in mind that a vessel is a moving object affected by the waves, current and the winds. ACTIVE SAILING charter agency does not carry any further responsibilities for injuries or accidents of clients during the sailing period, before or after your embarkation.

Until the end of 2022 the official local currency is still KUNA. From January 1st. 2023, the official currency in Croatia will be EURO.

Current exchange rate: 1€ = 1.1$ = 7.5 KUNA.

Credit cards are always accepted in marinas and mainland restaurants, while some secluded island restaurants only take cash! Buoy anchorages and some port fees you can only pay in cash.

ATMs are installed in almsost every marina and town port in Croatia. In any case, we recommend to have some CASH in you pocket at all times. Don't leave you money and valuable things aboard when you leave your yacht. It can attract unwanted attention.

How much you want to spend depends upon your budget, holiday habits and your expectations.

We recommend a budget of 30€/day per person for food and extra 10-20€ for transfers, bars and harbour fees.

You will receive all the details in your boarding pass at least 4 week before your charter starts. Your boarding pass is issued when the booking is payed in full. If you travel by car, you can always find free space in marina. If you are coming by plane, there is always enough transfers and taxis to take you to marina on time. Please inform us beforehand if you need your transfer.

Adriatic sea is among the calmest seas in the Mediterranean. Especially in summer months, the winds don't exceed 20 knots, which menans that the waves are smaller. Between June and September a light NW Maestral wind causes smooth, sparkling waves that rarely reach moderate level (4 Ft.) Adriatic is blessed with over 300 cloudless days per year. You can say that Croatian seas are a true pleasure for experinced sailors or beginners. Be careful on the gusty BORA winds in the off-season. When at sea, it is necessary to monitor the weather forcasts, since th weather can shift quickly.

Croatia is blessed with warm Mediterranean climate. The weather during the main season between June and September is with one word glorious. The air temperature often peaks 30 degrees (86F) and the sea is at constant 25 (77F). 

Generally, the temperatures on Adriatic also vary from north to south. In the northern parts (Istria, Kvarner) it can be extremely hot during summer months with almost no winds. Though the thunderstorms can be mor frequent in Istria. More to the south in Split or Zadar region, a passing storm is less likely. A constant light westerly wind in Dalamtia during July and August also cools the air down a bit.

Yes. Although the official check in and check out charter days in Croatia are Sturdays, we've launched a special Wednesday - Wednesday charter program! You get plenty more by coming on Wednesday such as:

• less crowd at the airports and marinas
• more space to park your car in the marina
• a full weekend at sea
• no queues on gas stations
• faster check in and check out