Book your yacht charter in Croatia.

From first message to stepping off the boat, how booking works, what's included, payment terms, check-in and 24/7 support.

Last updated10 May 2026
AudiencePre-booking · pre-arrival · on the boat
LanguagesEN · DE · HR
01From first message to sailing

Three steps to your week.

The whole booking, in three moves. The full detail of each lives in the sections below, open any of them when you want it.

Tip

Bookmark this page or save it as a PDF. You'll want to come back to specific sections in the weeks before your trip, and once you're on the dock.

In the price

What's included in the charter price.

One price, fully itemised. Here's exactly what the charter fee and transit log cover, and what to budget separately.

Included

  • Transit log & final cleaning
  • WiFi on board
  • Dinghy with outboard + 5 L starter fuel
  • Cooking gas, toilet paper, ready-made beds, two towels per person
  • Cockpit cushions
  • UNIQA hull insurance and all VAT

Not included

  • Personal travel insurance, optional skipper, provisioning
  • Marina fees on route, fuel beyond the first 5 L
  • Tourist tax (~€2/person/night)
  • Refundable damage deposit (returned after handover)
02Step 1

The inquiry stage.

What we need from you

  • Preferred dates, or a flexible window, e.g. "first or second week of July"
  • Number of adults and children, with ages of children if any
  • Sailing experience of the skipper-to-be (or a request for a professional skipper)
  • Preferences: type of boat (sailboat / catamaran), cabins, must-haves (AC, SUP, etc.)
  • Anything special: pets, dietary needs, mobility considerations, celebration on board

What you'll get back

  • A reply within 24 hours from a real person, Kristina or Ante, never an auto-responder
  • 2–3 yacht options that fit your group and dates, with starting prices
  • A complete cost breakdown: charter + transit log + selected extras + estimated total
  • Honest availability, if your first choice is booked, we say so and offer alternatives

If you need a professional skipper

KEK Yachting doesn't employ skippers in-house. Instead, we work with a small group of trusted local skippers from Pirovac and Šibenik. Tell us at the inquiry stage and we'll match you with one whose schedule fits your week. Daily rate is paid directly to the skipper. Skipper meals on board are not included in the rate. Hostess, cook, and provisioning services are also available on request.

03Step 2

Booking confirmation & deposit.

The booking confirmation

Once you've chosen a yacht and dates, we send a booking confirmation with everything we've quoted you, fully itemised, no hidden additions, along with your base info and a crew-list link. Confirm it back to us and your dates are locked in.

Securing your dates

First payment30% of the charter price, due within 7 days of the booking confirmation
MethodBank transfer to our company account (details in your booking confirmation and in §16 below)
What this confirmsYour dates and your specific yacht, both held exclusively for you from the moment payment lands
What you get backA confirmation email with payment receipt + welcome pack (§4)
04Before you arrive

The welcome pack.

After your deposit is in, we send a digital welcome pack covering everything you need before flying out. Most of it is included on this page too, so you can refer back any time.

What's inside

  • Crew list form (legally required, names, DOB, passport numbers)
  • Skipper's sailing license + VHF license forms
  • Optional extras order form (SUP, snorkel gear, safety net, late check-out, pet)
  • Packing checklist
  • Travel directions to Marina Pirovac
  • Provisioning options if you'd like groceries waiting on board
  • Skipper introduction (if you've booked one)

Final balance

  • Second payment: 70% balance + transit log + pre-ordered extras
  • Due: 28 days before charter start
  • Method: Bank transfer (or cash on arrival by prior agreement)
  • Receipt: Email PDF; printed receipt also available at check-in
  • Bookings made within 28 days of start: full payment due immediately
05Pack smart

The packing checklist.

Cabins on a yacht are comfortable but compact. A soft bag fits under a berth; a hard suitcase doesn't. The list below is realistic, tested over many seasons by our guests. And if you'd rather arrive to a stocked galley, see Provisioning & transfers.

Essentials

  • Soft duffel or backpack, not hard suitcases (won't fit)
  • Sailing license + VHF license (skipper)
  • Passports for everyone on board
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Cash + card · Croatia is mostly card-friendly; cash useful for small konobas

Clothing

  • Quick-dry swimwear (2–3 sets)
  • Light layers for evenings, a thin sweater is enough
  • Boat shoes or sandals with a soft, non-marking sole
  • A simple windbreaker or light rain jacket
  • One smart-casual outfit for nicer dinners ashore

Sun & sea

  • Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum)
  • Hat and good sunglasses (with strap)
  • Reusable water bottle
  • After-sun lotion or aloe gel

Don't bring

  • Bed linen, provided
  • Towels, 2 per person provided (extras can be added)
  • Cooking utensils, fully equipped galley
  • Beach towels, quick-dry travel towels useful but not strictly needed
Tip

Pack lighter than you think. After three days on a sailing holiday, most guests realise they're wearing the same two outfits in rotation. That's not a complaint, it's part of the rhythm.

06Getting here

Travel & directions to Marina Pirovac.

Marina addressMarina Pirovac · Obala Rtine 1A · 22213 Pirovac · Croatia
By carFree parking at the marina. GPS: search "Marina Pirovac", works on Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze.
Nearest airportsSplit (SPU) · 1h 15min by car  ·  Zadar (ZAD) · 1h by car
Airport transferOn request. Quote depends on group size, ask Kristina at booking.
By busFlixBus and Croatian carriers stop in Pirovac on the Šibenik–Zadar route. Bus station is a 10-minute walk from the marina.
Closest train stationŠibenik · 30 min by car or local bus. Connects through Knin from the Zagreb–Split line.
Driving from ZagrebAbout 4 h via the A1 motorway. Exit at Pirovac. Tolls €25–35 one-way.
Tip

If you're flying in on charter day, give yourself a buffer. Adriatic summer flights occasionally run late. Many guests fly in the day before and stay one night in Pirovac, Vodice, or Šibenik. We can recommend places.

07Saturday

Check-in day · what to expect.

At the marina our team welcomes you personally and walks you through every detail, how everything works, where things are stored, how to make the most of your week at sea. Even if this is your first time sailing in Croatia, you'll feel supported and ready. We share practical tips, weather guidance and route ideas, all based on local knowledge.

Saturday is the busiest day of the week at the marina. Here's what happens, hour by hour:

Up to 1 PM
Yacht being prepared

Cleaning crew, tank refills, full inspection, beds made, all standard supplies stocked.

12–4 PM
If you arrive early

Drop bags at our office, walk to a café, swim in the marina beach, do final shopping. Pirovac old town is 5 minutes away.

From 5 PM
Official check-in opens

We meet you at the office or directly at the boat. Crew list verified, license checked, security deposit pre-authorised.

5:30 PM
Boat handover & briefing

Ante walks you through every system: engine, water, gas, electrics, navigation, safety, sail handling. Allow about 30 min.

6:30–7 PM
You're ready to sail

If weather and the hour suit, leave the marina the same evening for a nearby anchorage. Most guests stay the first night and depart Sunday morning, both are great.

Documents we need to see at check-in

  • Passports of everyone on board (yes, even kids)
  • The skipper's sailing license
  • The skipper's VHF radio license
  • Your booking confirmation (we'll have a copy too)
  • A credit card for the security deposit pre-authorisation (or cash)

The security deposit

AmountVaries by yacht. Range: €1,700 (Sun Odyssey 349 "Novara") to €2,500 (Jeanneau 54 "Blue Dream" / Bali 4.2 "Mirjana").
How it's heldPre-authorised on a credit card (preferred), the amount is reserved but not actually charged. Or cash, returned on check-out.
What it coversDamage caused during your charter, lost equipment, severe cleaning beyond normal use. Not used for anything else.
ReturnReturned on check-out after a clean handover, in person for cash. Card pre-authorisations are released by your bank within a few working days.
08The week

Your week on board.

The Saturday-to-Saturday rhythm

  • Main season (15 June – 1 October), all charters run Saturday to Saturday. Check-in from 5 PM Saturday, check-out by 9 AM the following Saturday.
  • Pre and post-season (mid-April to mid-November), 3-night minimum stays available. More flexibility on start days.

Daily support from our team

  • Phone & WhatsApp coverage 24/7 during your charter, Ante (base manager) handles the boat side, Kristina handles bookings
  • If anything goes wrong with the boat, call us first. Most issues are solved within an hour.
  • Need a route suggestion based on tomorrow's weather? Ask. Need a restaurant recommendation in Žut? Ask. We live here.

Weather

The Adriatic has reliably stable summer weather, but conditions change. Check the forecast every morning, official sources are DHMZ (Croatian Meteorological Service) and the Pirovac harbourmaster. Apps that work well: Windy, PredictWind, Windfinder. The skipper is always responsible for weather decisions; if conditions look unsafe, stay in port.

Fuel, water, gas

FuelTanks full at handover. You pay for what you use and return with a full tank; the nearest fuel station is on Murter. Most weeks consume €100–250 of diesel.
WaterTanks full at handover. Refill at marinas during the week if needed (free in most marinas, small fee in some).
Cooking gasTwo bottles on board. Plenty for a week's cooking; switching bottles is straightforward and explained at handover.

National parks & protected areas

  • Kornati, Telašćica, Mljet, Lastovo: entry tickets required
  • Guests buy national-park tickets themselves; we recommend the MySea app for tickets and berths
  • Anchoring restrictions apply: use mooring buoys where required, follow seabed protection (Posidonia seagrass) rules
Tip

Save Ante's and Kristina's numbers in your phone the moment you arrive. You probably won't need them, but if you do, you don't want to be searching through emails.

09Saturday

Check-out day.

Friday by 5 PM
Return to Pirovac

All charters end in Marina Pirovac. Plan to be back by Friday late afternoon, the boat needs to be in its berth Friday night for inspection.

Friday evening
Final dinner ashore

Many guests choose to spend the last night in the marina, dine in Pirovac, and pack at a relaxed pace.

Saturday by 9 AM
Disembark

All personal items off the boat, cabins emptied. Leave the boat as you'd want to find it: dishes done, no waste left, fridge wiped down.

Saturday morning
Boat inspection

Ante walks the boat with you. Equipment counted, hull checked, fuel topped up. If all good, security deposit is released.

By 11 AM
Goodbye

If you need help with onward travel, taxi, transfer to airport, late-checkout café recommendation, just ask.

Late check-out options (paid)

  • Friday late check-out (return up to 5 PM Friday), €100 / booking
  • Saturday late check-out (disembark by 1 PM Saturday), €150 / booking · on request
  • Late check-out in main season has limited availability, book at the inquiry stage when possible
10Money matters

Payment terms · in one place.

CurrencyEUR. Croatian banks process EUR transfers natively (Croatia is in the Eurozone since 2023).
First, 30% depositWithin 7 days of the booking confirmation. Bank transfer.
Second, 70% balance+ extras + transit log. 28 days before charter start. Bank transfer.
Last-minute (<28 d)Full payment due immediately. Cash on arrival possible by prior agreement only.
Security depositHeld at check-in (card pre-auth or cash). Released at check-out if no damage.
Skipper rateIf applicable, paid directly to the skipper at the start or end of the charter, not to KEK.
ReceiptsEmail PDF receipts after each payment. Hard-copy receipts available at check-in.
VAT / PDVIncluded in all prices shown. The Croatian VAT rate on charter is 13%.
11Plans change

Cancellation, changes & insurance.

Cancellation by you

If for any reason you can't start the charter, you're free to find a person who assumes your rights and obligations, with our consent. If you don't find a replacement, the standard scale from your booking confirmation applies:

Cancellation fee30% of the charter price is retained as a cancellation fee
Up to 4 weeks before50% of the charter price is retained
Up to 2 weeks before100% of the charter price is retained
Found a replacement?They simply assume your dates and obligations with our written consent, no cancellation fee
Force majeureWar, natural disaster, epidemic or official travel ban, payments are held as a credit toward a future charter that never expires; no cash refunds (per our Terms & Conditions)

These terms are summarised here for clarity; the binding version lives in your booking confirmation and the full Terms & Conditions.

Changes to your booking

  • Date changes, possible if the new dates are available. No penalty more than 60 days out, small fee within 30 days.
  • Boat changes, possible if the alternative is available; price difference applied either way.
  • Crew list changes, no problem, just send the updated crew list at least 7 days before arrival.

Travel insurance, strongly recommended

  • Standard travel insurance covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and lost luggage
  • Sailing-specific cancellation insurance is worth considering for high-season bookings, we recommend providers
Cancellation by us · extremely rare

Mechanical issues that prevent the booked yacht from sailing are exceptionally rare with our fleet. If it does happen, we offer either an alternative yacht of equivalent or higher class at no extra cost, or a full refund. We'll never leave you stuck.

12Charter rules

What's required, what's not.

Sailing license requirements

  • The skipper must hold a valid sailing license accepted in Croatia (ICC, RYA Day Skipper, US Sailing Bareboat Cruising, Croatian Skipper License "B")
  • The skipper must also hold a valid VHF radio operator license (SRC or equivalent)
  • Both licenses must be presented at check-in. Photos aren't enough, bring the actual cards.
  • If you don't have a license: book one of our recommended local skippers, see §2 above.

Crew rules

  • Maximum number of people on board cannot exceed the boat's registered capacity (10 for Blue Dream, 6 for Novara)
  • Children count toward the max
  • All crew names and details must appear on the crew list (legal requirement)

Where you can sail

  • Within Croatian territorial waters, no border crossings without prior arrangement
  • National park entries: Kornati, Telašćica, Mljet, Lastovo, tickets required
  • Some military zones near the islands have restricted access, marked on charts

What you can't do

  • Smoking inside the boat (anywhere on deck is fine)
  • Sub-let the boat or take paying passengers
  • Use the boat for racing or commercial purposes
  • Pets are welcome by prior agreement, €120 fee, treat the boat with care
13Your home base

Marina Pirovac.

Full addressMarina Pirovac · Obala Rtine 1A · 22213 Pirovac · Croatia
GPS43.8265° N · 15.6810° E
Marina facilitiesShowers · toilets · laundry · provisioning shop · café · restaurant · free parking · WiFi
Pirovac town5-minute walk. Old town with churches, restaurants, bakery, ATM, supermarkets.
BeachesMarina has a small beach right next to it. Other swimming spots within 10–15 min walk.
SupermarketsKonzum and Plodine in Pirovac, both open 7 days a week in season.
PharmacyPirovac centre, ~5 min walk from the marina
Doctor / clinicPirovac, ~10 min walk · larger hospitals in Šibenik and Zadar
ATMPirovac centre, ~5 min walk
Tip

If you're arriving on Saturday afternoon and want to do final shopping, go to Konzum or Plodine in Pirovac, they're better stocked than the marina shop and 5 minutes away.

14Save these numbers

24/7 emergency contacts.

Booking office · Kristina +385 91 608 1305 Office 8 AM – 8 PM CET in season. WhatsApp answered evenings too.
Base manager · Ante +385 99 362 5266 Available all week during your charter, including evenings and weekends.
Email info@kekyachting.com Replies within 24 hours, typically same day
Croatian general emergency 112 All-purpose emergency line
Maritime rescue (MRCC Rijeka) +385 51 195 VHF Channel 16
Coast Guard / harbourmaster VHF Channel 16 Local harbourmaster offices reachable from any marina

Nearest hospitals

  • Šibenik General Hospital, ~30 min · 24/7 emergency department
  • Zadar General Hospital, ~50 min · 24/7 emergency department
One-tap reassurance

Print this section, screenshot it, save it to your phone wallet. You'll never have to use it, but knowing it's there is the difference between an anxious guest and a relaxed one.

16For the record

Company information.

Registered nameKEK YACHTING d.o.o.
Registered seatKamenita 12, 22000 Brodarica-Šibenik, Croatia
Operational baseMarina Pirovac, Obala Rtine 1A, 22213 Pirovac, Croatia
OIB (tax number)78185168916
MBS (court register)110104186
IBANHR27 2402 0061 1010 0803 3
BankErste & Steiermärkische Bank d.d.
SWIFT / BICESBCHR22
VAT statusRegistered for Croatian VAT (PDV); VAT included in all charter prices
Charter licenseIssued by the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure
InsuranceAll yachts insured for hull, third-party liability, and crew. Certificates available on request.
17Real questions

The questions guests actually ask.

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 works.

Can I bring children?

Yes. We've hosted families with kids of all ages. Add a safety net (€150) for younger children.

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.

What if the weather is bad?

The skipper decides whether to sail or stay in port. Weeks with one or two stormy days are normal; weeks with non-stop bad weather are extremely rare in summer. We never refund for weather.

Can I add an extra night before or after my charter?

We can recommend hotels and apartments in Pirovac and nearby. We don't operate accommodation ourselves.

Is there WiFi on board?

Yes, on every yacht. Reception is good in marinas and most coastal areas; expect occasional drops in remote bays.

Can I rent water sports gear?

Yes, SUP, snorkeling gear, and other extras can be added at booking or check-in.

What if I need to extend my charter mid-week?

Call Ante. If the yacht has availability the following week and our schedule allows, we'll find a way.

Are tips for staff expected?

Not expected, always appreciated. If you've booked a skipper, tipping the skipper at the end of the week is customary (10–15% of the skipper rate is typical).

Can I bring my own paddleboard / kayak / wakeboard?

Yes, with prior agreement. Storage on board can be tight; check with us first.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, by prior arrangement, with a €120 pet fee per booking. Bring their bowls, a familiar blanket, and freshwater. Most dogs love it.

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.

18We're here

Still have a question? A small team that actually answers.

There's no question too small. If something on this page is unclear, that's our fault, please ask, and we'll fix it. The same local team replies to every message, usually within the hour.

Come sail with us online.

Daily snapshots from the fleet, the routes and the team, and the bays we can't stop posting about.