Skippered vs Bareboat Charter in Croatia

The difference comes down to who is responsible for the yacht and everyone on it.

On a skippered charter, the skipper is in command. They plan the route around the weather, handle the yacht in and out of harbour, anchor, moor, check the forecast and make safety calls. Guests can help sail and learn as much as they like, or simply relax. Read more about what the skipper does.

On a bareboat charter, the charter company hands the yacht to your group after a check-in and briefing. The person named as skipper is responsible for navigation, berthing, weather decisions, the crew's safety and the condition of the yacht until it is returned.

To charter a yacht bareboat in Croatia, the skipper generally needs a recognised skipper licence that covers the size and type of vessel and the sea area. At least one person aboard usually also needs a VHF radio operator's certificate, such as a Short Range Certificate.

Which licences are accepted, and any extra conditions, are set by Croatian rules and by each charter company. Confirm the exact requirements with the charter company well before you book, and check that your documents are valid for the dates of the trip.

Paperwork is only part of it. Charter companies expect the skipper to have real experience: berthing stern-to in a crowded marina, anchoring, reading the forecast and handling the yacht in a strong breeze. Croatia's winds, such as the bura, can arrive quickly and demand sound judgement.

A bareboat week gives a group full control: you choose the route, the pace, where to stop for lunch and where to spend each night, within the limits of the weather and your skills. The flip side is that someone has to do all the planning, provisioning, berthing and weather watching, which can turn the holiday into work for the skipper.

On a skippered trip, local knowledge comes built in. The skipper knows which bays shelter from which winds, which harbours fill up early and how to change the plan when the forecast turns. Guests get more time to swim, explore and enjoy the evenings. See a typical day on a sailing week for how that usually looks.

Prices vary by yacht, season and company, so compare the total cost of each option rather than the headline figure. The main categories are:

• Yacht charter fee for the week
• Skipper fee, if a skipper is hired separately, plus the skipper's food and a berth on board
• Security deposit or deposit insurance, usually required for bareboat
• Check-in extras such as final cleaning, bedding and an equipment pack
• Fuel used during the week
• Marina, town quay and mooring buoy fees
• Provisions: food, drink and water
• Tourist tax and any national or nature park fees

On a sailing week sold by the cabin or whole yacht, some of these may be included in the price. Check what your trip covers on dates and prices, and our guide to the cost of a sailing holiday in Croatia explains the rest.

Bareboat suits groups with an experienced, qualified skipper who wants to plan and sail the trip themselves and enjoys the responsibility. A competent crew to help with lines and fenders makes a big difference.

Skippered suits almost everyone else: first-time sailors, groups without a licensed skipper, solo travellers joining a cabin, and experienced sailors who would rather relax or learn local waters from someone who sails them every week. If you have never sailed, our guide to your first sailing trip explains what to expect.

Whichever option you choose, read the contract carefully. Check who is responsible for damage and what the deposit covers, what insurance is included and what you should arrange yourself, the cancellation terms, and what happens if weather stops the yacht leaving. Our guide to travel insurance for sailing trips covers the personal side.