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.
02 · Step 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.
03 · Step 2
Booking confirmation & deposit.
The charter agreement
Once you've chosen a yacht and dates, we email you a charter agreement (PDF, electronically signable). It's a standard Croatian charter contract and includes everything we've quoted you — no hidden additions. Read it, sign it, send it back.
Securing your dates
First payment50% of the charter price, due within 7 days of agreement signing
MethodBank transfer to our company account (details in the agreement 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)
Legal
All payments go to KEK YACHTING d.o.o., the registered Croatian charter company. Bank details are on every invoice and in the legal section of this page. Never wire payment to a personal account, and never to an account that doesn't match the details on your signed agreement.
04 · Before 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: 50% balance + transit log + pre-ordered extras
Due: 30 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 30 days of start: full payment due immediately
05 · Pack 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.
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.
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.
07 · Saturday
Check-in day · what to expect.
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 45–60 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
The signed charter agreement (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.
Insurance alternativeDamage waiver / deposit insurance — significantly reduces or eliminates the deposit. We can arrange this; ask at the booking stage.
ReturnCash deposits returned on check-out, in person. Card pre-auths released by the bank after inspection — usually 3–10 working days.
08 · The 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; refuel at the marina before check-out. 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.
Tickets bought in advance are cheaper than at the entrance — KEK can purchase on your behalf
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.
09 · Saturday
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 (until 8 AM Saturday) — €150 / booking · on request
Late check-out in main season has limited availability — book at the inquiry stage when possible
10 · Money matters
Payment terms · in one place.
CurrencyEUR. Croatian banks process EUR transfers natively (Croatia is in the Eurozone since 2023).
First — 50% depositWithin 7 days of charter agreement signing. Bank transfer.
Second — 50% balance+ extras + transit log. 30 days before charter start. Bank transfer.
Last-minute (<30 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%.
Legal
All transfers to: KEK YACHTING d.o.o. · IBAN HR27 2402 0061 1010 0803 3 · Bank Erste & Steiermärkische d.d. · SWIFT ESBCHR22. Always check the IBAN on your transfer matches the IBAN on your signed agreement.
11 · Plans change
Cancellation, changes & insurance.
Cancellation by you
More than 60 d beforeRefund of deposit minus a small administrative fee (covers bank costs)
30–60 d beforePartial refund — typically 50% of paid amount
Less than 30 d beforeNo refund, but we will try our best to re-book the dates and refund whatever we recover
Force majeureWar, natural disaster, official travel ban — handled case by case according to the charter agreement and Croatian law
These terms are summarised here for clarity; the binding version lives in your signed charter agreement.
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
Charter damage waiver insurance reduces or eliminates the security deposit — separate from travel insurance
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.
12 · Charter 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
13 · Your home base
Marina Pirovac.
Full addressMarina Pirovac · Obala Rtine 1A · 22213 Pirovac · Croatia
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.
Coast Guard / harbourmasterVHF Channel 16Local 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.
15 · The fine print
Legal terms · summary.
This section summarises the binding terms in your charter agreement. The agreement itself remains the legal source of truth — these are guest-friendly versions of the same content.
Charter agreement
Each booking is governed by a charter agreement signed by both parties before the deposit is paid
The agreement is in English and Croatian; the Croatian version prevails in case of legal dispute
All disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Šibenik, Croatia
Liability
The charter operator (KEK YACHTING d.o.o.) is liable for the seaworthy condition of the yacht and standard equipment
The skipper is responsible for safe operation, weather decisions, and the safety of crew on board
Damage caused by negligent operation is the skipper's responsibility (this is what the security deposit covers)
Personal items on board are not insured by the charter operator — bring travel insurance for that
Personal data
Crew list information is held only as long as legally required (typically 5 years per Croatian record-keeping law)
Marketing emails are opt-in only (newsletter sign-up)
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.
Watch out for fraud
Always cross-check the IBAN and OIB on any payment request against the data on this page. KEK YACHTING never asks for payments to other accounts, to crypto wallets, or via personal payment apps. If you receive such a request, contact us directly via the office number above.
17 · Real 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.
18 · We're here
Still have a question? We're a phone call away.
There's no question too small. If something on this page is unclear, that's our fault — please ask, and we'll fix it.
