Yacht charter questions, answered.
Booking, licences, check-in, provisioning, weather, kids and pets, straight answers for your charter week in Croatia.
Booking & payment
How do I book a yacht?
Send us an inquiry through any yacht page, or contact us directly via WhatsApp, phone, or email. We respond within 24 hours with a tailored offer. To confirm the booking, you pay a 30% deposit within 7 days. The remaining 70% is due 28 days before your charter. Read the full booking process →
What is included in the charter price?
Included:
- Transit log & final cleaning
- WiFi on board, dinghy with outboard, 5 L starter fuel
- Cookinggas,toiletpaper,pre-madebeds,twotowelsperperson
- Full hull insurance and all VAT
Not included:
- Personal travel insurance, optional skipper, provisioning
- Marina fees on route, fuel beyond initial 5 L
- Tourist tax (~€2/person/night)
- Refundable damage deposit (returned after handover)
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel, 30% of the charter price is retained as a cancellation fee; within 4 weeks of the start, 50% is retained; within 2 weeks, 100%. You can instead transfer your booking to someone who assumes your dates and obligations, with our written consent, with no cancellation fee. We strongly recommend travel insurance. Full terms in our Charter T&C.
What is the payment schedule?
To confirm a booking you pay to the account on your booking confirmation:
- 30% within 7 days of the booking confirmation, to secure your dates and your specific yacht.
- 70% no later than 28 days before the charter start.
- Bookings made within 28 days of the start are payable in full immediately.
VAT is included in all prices. Payment is by bank transfer to KEK Yachting d.o.o., never to a personal account, and always to the account shown on your signed confirmation.
What is the security deposit?
A refundable deposit, from €1,700 (Sun Odyssey 349 “Novara”) to €2,500 (Jeanneau 54 “Blue Dream” / Bali 4.2 “Mirjana”), is held before boarding by card pre-authorisation or in cash. It covers your liability for damage or loss up to that amount. After a clean handover it is released in full; we never withhold it for fair wear and tear.
Can I change my dates or yacht after booking?
Yes, where availability allows. Date changes carry no penalty more than 60 days out and a small fee within 30 days. Boat changes are possible if an alternative is free, with the price difference applied either way. Crew-list changes are no problem, just send the updated list at least 7 days before arrival.
How far in advance should I book?
For July and August, 4–6 months ahead is normal. For June and September, 2–3 months. For shoulder season (May, October), even 2–3 weeks often works. The most popular yachts and weeks go first, so earlier is always safer.
Before you sail
Do I need a sailing license?
Yes, Croatian maritime law requires a valid sailing license for the skipper of record, plus a VHF radio operator certificate. We accept RYA Day Skipper and above, ICC, and equivalent national licenses. Bring originals to check-in. Without a license, we can refer a professional local skipper.
Can you arrange airport transfers and provisioning?
Yes to both. Airport transfers (Zadar ~50 min, Split ~1 h) are arranged via trusted local drivers, send your flight details and we’ll quote a fixed price. Provisioning is handled by a partner who delivers your shopping list to the boat before arrival, so you can sail straight away.
Can we rent water-sports gear?
Yes, SUPs, snorkelling gear, towables and other extras can be added at booking or check-in. Tell us what your group enjoys and we’ll have it stowed on board.
Can you arrange a cook or hostess?
We can. A hostess keeps the boat running and meals flowing; a cook turns the galley into something special for the week. Both are popular with families and larger groups, ask at the inquiry stage as availability is limited in peak weeks.
On the water
What happens at check-in and check-out?
Check-in: Saturday from 17:00 at Marina Pirovac. Bring originals of skipper licenses, VHF certificate, and IDs for all crew. We do a documents check, full briefing, and walk you through the boat, allow 45–90 minutes depending on the yacht. Check-out: back in berth by Friday, off the boat by Saturday 09:00, boat in the same condition you found her. Final cleaning is included.
Is the Adriatic safe for first-time charterers?
Yes. The Croatian coast is one of the world’s friendliest cruising grounds, short hops between islands, well-marked anchorages, predictable wind patterns, and reliable VHF coverage. Our briefing covers local conditions, your route, and what to do if weather changes. We’re on the phone all week if you need us.
Licences & crew
What if no one in our group has a licence?
We work with a small group of trusted local captains from Pirovac and Šibenik. Tell us at the inquiry stage and we’ll match you with one whose week fits yours. The daily rate is paid directly to the skipper, with no markup from us; the skipper’s meals on board are not included in the rate. Hostess, cook and provisioning services are also available on request.
How many people can sail on each yacht?
The maximum aboard, including children, is set in your contract and cannot be exceeded (for example 10 on the Jeanneau 54 “Blue Dream”, 6 on the Sun Odyssey 349 “Novara”). All crew names and details must appear on the legally-required crew list.
Do I need sailing experience to enjoy it?
If you take a skipper, none at all, sit back and learn as much or as little as you like. For a bareboat charter you need a confident skipper, but the Adriatic’s short hops and sheltered routes make it one of the friendliest places to build experience.
Check-in & check-out
When and where is check-in?
Check-in is at Marina Pirovac, normally Saturday from 17:00. We verify the crew list and travel documents, check the boat and equipment with you, and run through the yacht’s features, your route and our suggestions. The briefing takes 45–90 minutes and can be done in English or German.
When is check-out?
The yacht is back in base by Friday 17:00 so it can sit in its berth overnight for inspection. Check-out control is done on arrival, and disembarkation is Saturday by 09:00. Please return with a full fuel tank from the nearest fuel station. Final cleaning is included.
What documents do I need at check-in?
Passports for everyone on board (including children), the skipper’s sailing licence and VHF certificate, your booking confirmation, and a credit card for the security-deposit pre-authorisation (or cash).
Can we sleep on board the first night?
Yes, a berth in the KEK marina on the first and last night is included. Most guests stay in the marina the first night and cast off Sunday morning; if the weather and the hour suit, you can also leave for a nearby anchorage the same evening. Both are great.
Your week on board
How do the sailing days actually feel?
Unhurried. Most days are short hops of two to four hours between islands, with plenty of time for a lunchtime swim, a hike ashore and an early sundowner on the foredeck. You set the pace, we’re on the phone all week if you want a route tweaked to the forecast.
What about fuel, water and gas?
Tanks are full at handover. You pay for the diesel you use (most weeks €100–250) and refuel before check-out. Water tanks are topped up, refill at marinas during the week if needed. Two gas bottles are on board, plenty for a week, and switching them is explained at handover.
Do the national parks cost extra?
Yes, Kornati, Telašćica, Mljet and Lastovo require entry tickets. Bought in advance they’re cheaper than at the entrance, and we can purchase them on your behalf. Follow the anchoring and seabed-protection (Posidonia) rules and use mooring buoys where required.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes, on every yacht. Reception is good in marinas and most coastal areas; expect the occasional drop in remote bays. It’s plenty for messages, maps and weather, less so for streaming films in the middle of the Kornati.
Is there support during the week?
Always. Phone and WhatsApp coverage is 24/7 throughout your charter, Ante handles the boat side, Kristina handles bookings. Most issues are solved within an hour. Need a route idea for tomorrow’s weather, or a restaurant in Žut? Ask, we live here.
Weather & safety
What if the weather is bad?
The Adriatic has reliably stable summer weather, but conditions change. The skipper decides whether to sail or stay in port; weeks with one or two stormy days are normal, weeks of non-stop bad weather are extremely rare in summer. Check the forecast each morning (Windy, PredictWind, the DHMZ service). We never refund for weather, but we’ll always help you re-route.
Is sailing in Croatia safe for first-timers?
It’s one of the friendliest places to sail: short hops, sheltered routes, predictable afternoon winds and a marina or anchorage always close by. Croatia also has a well-run search-and-rescue service (MRCC Rijeka on VHF Channel 16).
What happens in an emergency?
Save Ante’s and Kristina’s numbers the moment you arrive, most issues are solved with a phone call. For genuine emergencies, the all-purpose line is 112 and maritime rescue (MRCC Rijeka) is +385 51 195 / VHF Channel 16. The nearest hospitals are in Šibenik (~30 min) and Zadar (~50 min).
Are the yachts insured?
Yes, every yacht carries full hull insurance plus statutory third-party liability cover. Your financial liability for damage is capped at the security deposit, except in cases of gross negligence. Personal belongings and travel/cancellation are not covered, so bring your own travel insurance.
Kids pets & groups
Can I bring children?
Yes, we’ve hosted families with kids of all ages. We can add a safety net (around €150) for younger children, and the skippers we work with are wonderful with families. Children count toward the boat’s maximum capacity.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, by prior arrangement, with a €120 pet fee per booking. Bring their bowls, a familiar blanket and fresh water. Most dogs love the boat, shaded deck, swim stops, and the whole family in one place.
Can we have a celebration on board?
Absolutely. Tell us at the booking stage if you’d like flowers, a cake or anything special arranged for a birthday, anniversary or proposal, we love helping make the week memorable.
Do I need to speak Croatian?
Not at all. Our team is fluent in English and German, and most marina staff and restaurants along the coast speak good English. Check-in and the briefing are done in English or German.
Are tips expected?
Never expected, always appreciated. If you’ve booked a skipper, tipping at the end of the week is customary, around 10–15% of the skipper rate is typical for a great week.