guide to yacht charter

Sail Dalmatia is one of the largest charter brokers in the Adriatic with access to over hundred locally owned yachts. Our team members are all Croatian-born who speak the local language and have an unrivalled local knowledge and sailing expertise. This means Sail Dalmatia is ideally placed to put together the ideal yacht charter experience for you. Working with experienced local crews, we hand-pick gulets, yachts and motor yachts and create bespoke Dalmatian yacht charter experiences arranging everything from childcare and wine tastings to guided tours and scenic helicopter flights – all done in complete privacy.

Your charter booking process with Sail Dalmatia is always completely personalised and handled by our experienced brokers who will provide expert advice, act as the main line of communication and handle every detail on your behalf. If this is yoru first yachting experience, we will talk you through all you need to know and provide with useful information. You can simply pick up a phone to us on 00 44 800 124 4176 or send us an email at charter@saildalmatia.com. Alternatively, you can visit our website to get an idea of the charter yachts and gulets available in our Adriatic portfolio. 

• 1) Look at the yachts on our website and choose which ones suit your taste and requirements. You can use a search button to help you to narrow down your choice. You simply select the number of cabins you require or the number of guests. If you do not find something you like please get in touch. Every season we update new yachts and gulets and some might not be available on the website. 
• 2) Think about what you want to do. Would you like to have an active week or you simply want to sleep, get disconnected from the world and take it easy. 
• 3) Contact us and let us know your choices
• 4) We will advise on the availability and provide you with the information about the crew, routes, check in/out and all other information you need to know. 
• 5) Once you decided on your preferred yacht choice, we would ask you to sign the Charter Agreement. We require a 50% deposit to secure the week. Once we received the deposit, we will send a client's preference sheet and a guest list. The guest prefrence sheet is used to find out about your dietary requirements, your lifestyle, hobbies and interest so that we can ensure you have the best possible time onboard.

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WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY CHARTER?

We suggest that you book your charter at least six months in advance in order to be sure of getting your preferred yacht and dates. However, bear in mind the local charter market is relatively small and some of the most popular yachts get booked up to a year in advance. 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CHARTER?

The Adriatic summer season starts from mid May and ends mid October. April is normally reserved for regattas - competitive sailing - and if you are a well experienced sailor you will be able to charter sailing yachts or catamarans in April. However, most of our guests are families, couples or a group of friends who are looking for a summer vacation. The peak season is July and August. The air temperature can reach late 30's Celsius and the sea temperature can reach 26 Celsius. August and July are also the busiests months where you would need to plan a little more to get a mooring space, book a restaurants or any local activities. We handle all arrangements on your behalf so no input from yur side is required. 

CHARTERING IN A LOW SEASON 

May, June, September and October are considered the low season. It is not as hot as in August and July and it is less busy. The low season is popular with our mature market - over 50 who prefer more quiet time of the year and less crowds. The prices also tend to be lower in the low season. 

WHAT CAN WE DO ONSHORE?

The onshore opportunities are endless from exploring the island villages to truffle hunting. In additon to this, you can sample the local wines, learn about the honey production on Solta, hike on Vidova Gora, cycle across the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain, climb the Struga Lighthouse, visit some of Olive orchards, the opportunities are endless. 

WHAT CAN WE DO ON BOARD?

The life on board will depend on what you want to do. If you prefer an active day, why not use some of the water sport such as Jet ski, water skiing or SUP. Some yachts will have a gym and a yoga instructor on board. If you want to sunbathe, relax and read a book, then a shaded sundeck is the best place for you. Breakfast and lunch is served on board, there is no better way to wake up in the morning than jumping in the sea followed by a breakfast. Yachts are ideal places to spend some quality time with your family and friends, they offer full privacy where you can enjoy those special moments with your loved ones. 

HOW LONG IS A CHARTER?

A standard yacht charter is normally seven full days, so if you board at 5pm on a Saturday you can stay until 9am the following Saturday. Charterers may choose to book the yacht for a longer or shorter period, although some yachts will not accept shorter bookings during the peak season. 

WHAT ROLE WILL THE CREW PLAY?

The professional crew offers personal service around the clock. They’re at your disposal and ready to serve from the moment you board. We normally develop a route proposal in collaboration with your Captain, but it is up to you when and where you want to go. Your chef will provide a sample menu and will be delighted to meet your dietary preferences.

CAN WE RECEIVE EMAILS ON BOARD?

Don’t be worried about staying in touch with your business, family and friends. All yachts will have Wi-Fi on board and access to emails and social media is at your fingertips.  Alternatively, yachts or gulets in the Adriatic are a perfect way to disconnect from the world. 

WHAT IS AN APA?

APA is an additional payment set by MYBA. MYBA is the oldest yachting association that brings owners, brokers and yachting professionals together and ensures the highest ethical and technical standards. According to MYBA, the APA is an extra payment added to the charter rate.

Whilst the charter price includes the cost of chartering the yacht, the crew and the yacht’s insurance, other items such as fuel, dockage, food and beverages are paid separately by the charterer through the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). This is normally estimated at an additional 20-30% of the charter rate. All expenses are accounted for by the Captain and if, at the end of the charter, there are any unused funds they will be returned to the charterer.

WHAT TO PACK? 

Depending on the nature of your charter. If you charter a fully crewed catamaran in Croatia, you might have a very casual charter. Sun glasses, flip flops, swimming suit, hat, sun block, beach kaftans and shorts for men. If you are having your children with you a few pairs of swimming shorts are useful. Your days will be very 'bohemian' without worrying to much about putting a make up on, doing your hair or dressing up. If you are chartering a large yacht with 8 crew and more and with an opportunity for fine dinning, your charter will be more formal. Every evening you will dress up for an evening meal, and your interaction with the crew will be very formal. The yachts have 'no high heels' policy meaning you are not allowed to walk in your stilettos on the teak deck. However, you will most probaly have a one or two evening meals when you will be taken with the yacht tender onshore for dinner in one of local restaurants so do bring a pair with you. 

WHAT ARE CHARTER RATES? 

Yacht charter rates are quoted per week for the hire of the yacht. Seven days is generally the minimum yacht charter period accepted by yachts, but charters can be for any duration over seven days. Yacht charters over seven days are calculated pro-rata against the weekly rate divided by seven and multiplied by the number of yacht charter days.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE CHARTER RATE?

Some charter rates that appear on this website are based on Croatia charter terms, which imply the charter rate includes a week charter, fuel for 4 hours of cruising per day, fuel for generator and AC, tender, local taxes, water and electricity. Others are a classic MYBA charter with the charter rate including a week charter and the rest is paid from the APA. 

IS TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUDED?

No, however we strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances. We also recommend that everyone on the charter has a travel and health insurance policy in place that covers any countries you may visit on the charter.

ARE CREW TIPS INCLUDED IN THE CHARTER RATE?

No. It is customary to tip the crew between 10 – 15% of the charter fee in recognition of a high standard of service. To ensure the less seen but essential crew members are equally rewarded, it should be handed to the Captain when you leave the yacht.

WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT CONDITIONS FOR A YACHT CHARTER? 

A deposit of 50% of the charter rate only is payable upon signing the Charter Agreement. This confirms the booking. The remaining 50%, plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance, together with any taxes, delivery/redelivery fees and any additionally agreed charges, is payable by bank transfer one month before the charter commences.

DO I HAVE TO CHARTER FOR A WEEK?

Whilst pricing for yachts is generally listed as a weekly rate, most yachts are available for shorter or longer periods to suit your requirements.  Often guests like to extend their holidays to 10 or 14 days, and sometimes they only have a long weekend or short break available. We are able to source the right yacht for your specific requirements, so contact us to let us know what these are and we shall do the rest!

CAN I SPECIFY THE FOOD AND WINE SERVED ONBOARD? 

Every detail counts. Several weeks before the charterer steps on board the yacht, we will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire, usually called preference sheet, describing the preferences and special needs of all the members of your party, such as dietary or medial requirements, cabin arrangements, allergies, and your sporting or entertainment requests etc.

This will enable us and the crew to ensure that everything possible is done to make your charter a fabulous experience.

WHAT STANDARD FEATURES CAN I EXPECT ONBOARD? 

Although each and every yacht, catamaran or gulet is unique, most will come equipped with facilities such as air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen (known on board as the galley) for use by the chef, Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor seating areas, water sports equipment and at least one tender (boat) to take you from the yacht to shore if anchored in a bay, satellite TV and an entertainment system.

WHAT IS MYBA?

MYBA is an acronym for the ‘Mediterranean Yacht Broker Association’.It is a trade association founded in 1984 by a group of prominent yacht brokers with the aim of promoting standards of professionalism and ethics in the yachting industry throughout the Mediterranean, and worldwide. MYBA only endorses membership to brokerages with a proven track record of professional excellence in the yachting industry, thereby offering valuable benefits and safeguards to clients choosing to purchase, sell, build or charter a yacht through a MYBA brokers. Sail Dalmatia is a MYBA broker.