For your first charter, choose a yacht with one cabin more than you think you need, short daily legs and a route with sheltered water. If nobody in the crew holds a licence, sail with a skipper.
1. Yacht and week
1Count one cabin for two adults; the saloon is not a bedroom for a whole week.
2May, June and September are quieter and cheaper than July and August, and the sea is warm from June.
3A catamaran gives more space and less heel; a monohull costs less and sails better. The guide Catamaran or monohull compares the two.
2. With or without a skipper
Without a skipper, a crew member with a recognised licence and a VHF radio certificate is in charge; details are in the guide Licences and papers. A skipper knows the anchorages, the weather and the marinas while you relax. See the price for your week on the skipper page.
3. What the price includes
The price on the yacht page includes the charter and the obligatory items paid in advance; you pay 50% when you book and the rest 30 days before departure. Fuel, berths, buoys and park tickets are paid on site. A sample week with figures is in the guide Cost of a charter week.
4. A day at sea
- 8–9 am: forecast, breakfast, leave while the sea is calm.
- Noon: swim and lunch in a bay.
- 2–4 pm: arrive at the marina or buoy, before the afternoon maestral and the crowds.
- Evening: a konoba or dinner aboard.
Pack
Frequently asked questions
When are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is on Saturday afternoon and check-out the next Saturday morning; you bring the yacht back to the base on Friday by 18:00. The guide Check-in in Biograd walks you through the handover.
How far do you sail in a week?
For a relaxed week, 50–100 NM, about 10–20 NM a day. Ready-made routes with computed miles are on the Itineraries page.
Do I need sailing experience?
Not with a skipper. Without one, you need a licence and basic experience of mooring and anchoring.
