What do you Need to Hire a Boat in Croatia?

Croatia is perfect for a sailing holiday. Its warm weather and mild winds create optimal conditions for sailing. On top of that, Croatia has a long coastline and over 1 300 islands to explore. How do you organise your yacht charter in Croatia? What are the requirements to hire a boat and to travel there? Our article explains everything you need to know.

With or Without Skipper

You will first need to decide if you want to charter a bareboat or hire a skipper.

If you prefer to relax and just enjoy your holiday without worrying about getting from one point to another, you should opt for a skipper who will take care of the boat navigation. A local skipper can be useful to get the most out of your cruise, as he/she can show you all the hidden gems of the area such as beautiful virgin beaches or stunning natural reserves. As a local, skipper can also point out the best recreational non-touristic spots in nearby towns that will allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture. Croatian skippers usually charge approximately 150 euros per day and need their own cabin during the charter.

If you wish to charter a bareboat in Croatia, the legal requirements are the following: you must have a valid boat and VHF licence and be at least 18 years old. However, charter companies will usually still require having a skipper for any particularly large boat. This is due to the insurance terms and conditions, and there is often little flexibility. You can find out more about the bareboat charter requirements in Croatia by reading our blog article.

Required Documents


To rent a boat in Croatia you need to provide your passport details and to fill out our special form. We will ask you questions that are important for your booking such as the number of crew members, your estimated itinerary, and any other sailing preferences. If you wish to rent a bareboat charter, we will also ask you to fill out the Sailing CV and provide all the required licenses (your boat and VHF licences).


As for visa requirements, please check the specific conditions for your country of origin. For example, there is no visa required for EU citizens. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa if they are travelling to Croatia for tourism for less than 90 days within a 180-day period. This is the same for Canadian citizens. However, EU regulations require U.S. and Canadian passports to have no less than three months validity from the date of your planned departure from Croatia.


In the context of the pandemic, a negative Covid-19 test result is necessary for all travellers to enter Croatia: PCR within 72 hours or rapid antigen test within 48 hours. You will also need a certificate of vaccination which is valid within 365 days from when the final dose was given. This information is subject to change by the authorities of the country visited. We therefore strongly advise you to refer to official websites.


Insurance

What are the most important insurance policies for a yacht charter? When renting a boat, you might want to opt for deposit insurance. Generally, it covers damage to the yacht caused by the charterer, usually up to the deductible of the owner’s comprehensive insurance. There are other types of insurance that cover your deposit. For example, we offer a special Pandemic Cancellation Insurance which can be handy when planning your charter, as travel rules can change so quickly during this global pandemic. To learn more about your options please contact one of GlobeSailor’s advisers.

Conclusion

We hope you now have a good overview of the most important aspects of a yacht charter vacation in Croatia and we wish you an amazing cruise.

To get the best deal for your yacht charter vacation, just search via GlobeSailor’s website with more than 10 000 sailing boats online.

On our website, you can explore the range of yacht charters in Croatia. Compare the boats’ specifications, prices, itineraries and choose a yacht charter that is perfect for you. Thanks to the help of our dedicated advisors, it will be easy to rent a boat in Croatia online.

To sum up

To rent a boat with a skipper you will need the following:

Passport
• Fill out the form (number of crew members, preferences etc.)
• Credit card or bank account

To rent a bareboat charter you will need the following:

• Passport
• Fill out the form (number of crew members, preferences etc.)
• Sailing CV
• VHS license
• Skipper’s license
• Credit card or bank account
• Be at least 18 years old

Useful articles about Croatia:

When to sail in Croatia?

What Croatian islands to explore?