Boat rental & yacht charter in Split, Croatia

Rent a boat with or without captain in Split, Croatia

If you chose to go to Croatia we bet you already know a lot about it. Crystal blue waters, sandy and pebbly beaches, charming small towns and historical sights. Croatia’s coast has been recognized by all travellers for its beauty, excellent nautical infrastructures and safe harbours and ports. Sea lovers will definitely enjoy Croatia’s mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate, its culinary specialities and its rich culture.

Of all the things you could plan on doing in Croatia, nautical trips along the coast are pretty famous. Indeed, the islands and islets you will find on your way will ravish you and give you a chance to explore on a flexible schedule, jumping from one island to the other. A boating trip will allow you to see many beautiful places in just one visit and is ideal for plenty of purposes: a family trip, a romantic holiday with your lover, an adventurous getaway or for those wanting to just let loose. As you probably understood, Croatia is one of the best destinations in the world for renting a boat or go on a cruise.

On top of that and for thirty years now, Croatia has been known as a destination that offers boaters lots of very good infrastructure.
On the coast, there are over sixty marinas with sixteen thousand sea berths and almost nine thousand berths on land for sailing boats. You will also find what are called seasonal marinas on remote islands, and docks in coves, which all include facilities for boaters.
You will always find a spot in a safe harbour almost anywhere along the coast.

If we are going deeper, in Croatia, Split has always been a great destination for sailing holidays. With the popularity of the port and the docking area, you'll have a wide selection of boats when it comes to both day boats and yacht charters. Rent a crewed yacht in Split, untie the knots and leave the bay to explore the beautiful historic region from a different perspective. 

Split has always been one of the most popular departure points for a private yacht cruise in Croatia for a perfect holiday. Prior to renting a boat and starting your adventure in Split, take a trip to the centre of the city and appreciate the areas listed on the World Heritage Site. With the variety of buildings and different styles of architecture, you truly feel the history of the city. Among the various places to visit, we highly suggest stopping by the Cathedral of St. Domnius, the Diocletian’s Palace and the museum of the Croatian sculptor and architect Ivan Meštrović.  To reach Split by sea you have two options, rent a boat in Trogir and explore the underwater reef or rent a sailboat in Rogoznica and sail between the islands of Sola and Otok. Split provides a lot of water sports activities too, you could rent a powerboat and do some waterskiing, scuba diving or even some snorkelling.

Pricing and Information of boat hire in Split

The sailing season in Split typically runs from May all the way into October. As in most of Croatia, you'll notice that the majority of tourists will arrive in Split in the months of July and August. If you wish to avoid the busy city centre and the packed ports, we suggest you travel outside of these two months. The weather will still be very nice and the winds will still be relatively timid. 

The prices to rent a boat in Split will vary depending on the type of boat and the previously discussed sailing season. As mentioned, the prices will be the highest during July and August due to the demand. During this period, you'll see the highest level of nautical activity. If you would like to charter a yacht, expect to pay on average between 350€ per day for a sailboat and around 450€ for a catamaran. For these boats, you should keep in mind several require a week minimum rental and require booking a few months in advance. 

For dayboats, the prices will have a much higher range. You'll have a range of prestigious boats to rent in Split from small boats to motor boats to full yachts.  If you have a specific nautical activity in mind, there will be boats that are better geared for each. You can sort through ribs, motorboats and yachts and find the boat that best fits your needs. 

Do you need a license to charter a boat in Split? 

To hire a boat in Split, you will need to hold a valid license and this applies to all boats regardless of length and engine size. If you are chartering a bareboat yacht, be sure that you have a valid license as well as a VHF certificate, as they are both required. Port authorities will check both of these documents along with your nautical CV to determine if you have enough experience. For example, if you charter a catamaran, you will have to prove that you had previous experience with a similar boat. 

If you do not have a license to rent a boat in Split or want a stress-free vacation, then hire a boat with a captain. The captain will take full control and will let you sail with peace of mind. 

Overview of Split 

Aside from the stunning architecture and rich culture and history, Split offers numerous events throughout the year. If you rent a boat and visit during the summer, you’ll have a perfect excuse to attend the Split Summer Festival, a longstanding festival devoted to performing arts. You’ll be able to go to concerts, the opera, see a ballet performance, or visit an exhibition.

As a sailor, it is impossible for you to miss the annual Mrduja Regatta at the end of September consisting of 22 nautical miles. The race started in 1927 and has always been a spectacle due to the number of sailboats that participate along with the Croatian landscape. Luckily, this isn’t the only competition taking place in Split, there are many more in the spring and fall. The port of Split is perfect for renting a motorboat or sailboat as it offers excellent services and a perfect location. For example, you can boat to Dubrovnik if you are sailing for a week and spend a few days in the south of Croatia.

When planning your itinerary from Split, you'll immediately realize the proximity of some of the most historic cities in the world. If you are going out for a day, sail to Hvar, which is perfect for a day trip. If you need more options, be sure to explore the other offers when renting a boat in Croatia. 

You could also : 

- Rent a boat in Makarska

- Charter a Yacht in Zadar

Information about boat rental in Split

Boat responsibly

The sea gives us unique moments. Enjoying it also means respecting it: protecting marine ecosystems, reducing our impact, and preserving the places we explore. Discover how SamBoat is working alongside Fondation de la Mer to protect marine biodiversity, preserve coastal ecosystems, and fight plastic pollution.