What It's Like to Charter a Luxury Yacht in Croatia
This video takes you aboard the Ohana, a 160-foot, $15 million yacht operating in Croatia's stunning Adriatic waters. Filmmaker Shelby Church joins her friend Enes for a week-long charter to explore what makes yachting in Croatia far more affordable than the same experience elsewhere in Europe or the Caribbean. The video reveals both the price shock—and the reasons behind it—while showing exactly what a luxury week at sea looks like, from the cabins and dining to daily activities and shore excursions.
This experience suits travelers who want luxury without the ultra-premium price tag, couples seeking an all-inclusive escape where meals and crew are included, and groups who can split costs across multiple cabins. The calm, island-dotted waters mean you're never far from shore, making it less isolating than open-ocean cruising. If you've wondered whether yacht charters are truly only for billionaires, this video answers that question with real numbers and genuine footage of a week-long stay.
Highlights From This Croatian Yacht Charter
- The primary cabin tour, complete with a freestanding bathtub and full-beam design spanning the yacht's entire width
- The sun deck's hot tub, lounging areas, and 20-foot jump platform, showing the most-used social space aboard
- Water activities including jet skis, an electric surfboard, a water slide, and inner tubes available directly from the boat
- An early-morning sunrise from the water followed by a crew-prepared buffet breakfast with fresh fruit, eggs, waffles, and smoked salmon
- A full-day shore visit to the island of Hvar, including a rooftop restaurant with Adriatic views and a public beach accessible by tender boat
- Multi-course dinners prepared and served by the crew, featuring fresh seafood, pasta, and dessert pairings each evening
Before You Book: What You Need to Know
- Price range: The yacht shown costs €80,000 to €100,000 per week (roughly $85,000–$110,000), which works out to €2,600–€3,300 per person when split among 14 cabins and 30 guests
- What's included: Four hours of motoring daily, most food and beverages, and full crew service (chef, stewards, captain)
- Cabin capacity: Croatian-flagged yachts can accommodate more guests than international-standard vessels, which are capped at 12 guests—this is why Croatian charters are significantly cheaper per person
- Limitation: These yachts cannot leave Croatian waters; they operate only in the Adriatic, though the waters and islands make this less of a drawback than it sounds
- Water conditions: The Adriatic around the islands is calm and shallow (often less than 30 feet), making it safe for swimming and water sports year-round
- Booking and discounts: The charter company Goolets offers a 5% discount code for bookings; availability varies by season, with pricing higher in peak summer months
Frequently Asked Questions About Croatian Yacht Charters
How much cheaper is a Croatian yacht charter than other regions?
Croatian charters work out to roughly €3,000–€4,000 per person when split among the maximum guest count, compared to at least €20,000 per person elsewhere. In comparison, a week-long charter in the Caribbean or south of France for 12 guests can exceed €200,000, whereas the same yacht in Croatia costs €80,000–€100,000 and accommodates up to 30 guests.
What food and meals are provided?
The crew prepares full breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, included in the charter price. Breakfast is buffet-style with eggs, waffles, smoked salmon, and fresh fruit. Lunches may be served on deck or ashore, and dinners are multi-course meals with seafood, pasta, and dessert. The menu can be customized based on guest preferences.
Can you leave the yacht to explore?
Yes. The video shows a full-day visit to Hvar, a nearby island town, accessed by tender boat. The crew can plan daily shore excursions, and because the yacht stays in Croatian waters surrounded by islands, there is always something to explore nearby. You are never stuck in the middle of open ocean.
What water activities are available?
The yacht is equipped with jet skis, an electric surfboard, a water slide, and inner tubes for towing. Guests can also jump directly from the sun deck (a 20-foot drop), snorkel, or swim in the calm Adriatic. The crew maintains and operates all equipment as part of the service.
Why are Croatian yachts so much cheaper than international ones?
Croatian-flagged yachts follow local maritime standards that allow more cabins to be built on the same-sized vessel compared to international standards. International regulations cap occupancy at 12 guests regardless of yacht size, while Croatian yachts can accommodate 14–30 guests. More people splitting the cost means a dramatically lower per-person price, though the yacht cannot leave Croatian territorial waters.
