Charter Planning Guide

Crewed vs Bareboat

Everything you need to decide which Adriatic charter type is right for your group, experience level, and budget.

Quick Comparison

Which Charter Is Right for You?

The answer depends on three things: your sailing experience, your budget, and how hands-on you want to be. Here's the full breakdown.

Factor Bareboat Charter Crewed Charter Day Charter
Sailing licence needed? Yes — ICC or national equivalent Required No — captain provided No experience needed No
Starting price/week €3,000–5,000 Best value €8,000–15,000 €200–800/day per person
Cooking/provisioning You provision and cook Chef included All meals provided Snacks / own provisions
Group size (ideal) 4–10 people 2–12 people 1–12 people
Best for Experienced sailors, friends groups, budget travellers Couples, families, corporate, luxury travellers First-timers, add-on to land holiday
Book via Boatbookings / SkipperCity Boatbookings Local operators / GetYourGuide

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Premium Experience

Crewed Charter

A crewed charter includes a professional captain, and often a chef and additional crew. You arrive, relax, and let someone else handle navigation and provisioning. The most popular option for couples, families, and corporate groups.

Search Crewed Yachts — From €8,000/week

Catamarans are the most popular crewed charter vessel — stable, spacious, and perfect for families or groups who want comfort. Sailing yachts and motor yachts also available.

Shorter Experience

Day Charter

Not ready for a full week? Day charters from Split, Dubrovnik, or Kotor let you experience the Adriatic islands without the commitment. Excellent as an add-on to a land-based holiday in Croatia or Montenegro.

Common Questions

Charter Type FAQs

You'll need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or a nationally recognised sailing licence. Most countries accept ICC equivalents from RYA (UK), ASA (USA), or ISAF-affiliated bodies. You'll also need a VHF radio operator certificate and typically a logbook showing sea miles. If you don't have a licence, hire a professional skipper through your charter company for €150–200/day.
Yes — this is a very popular option called a "skippered charter." You rent the bareboat but hire a professional captain. This removes the licence requirement and lets you sail in unfamiliar waters with local expertise. Skipper cost is approximately €150–200/day on top of the base charter rate. You still provision yourself.
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. Typically 30–35% of the base charter rate, it covers running costs during the trip: fuel, harbour fees, food, drink, and crew gratuity. Unused funds are returned at the end of the charter. On a €15,000/week charter, expect to set aside €4,500–5,250 in APA.

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