Sailing Holidays for Beginners in Croatia: Flotillas, Skippered Charters and Day Trips

Have you ever dreamed of hopping between Croatian islands on a sailing boat, but you have no idea how to sail? Don't worry, neither do I! Tom has a Day Skipper licence, but I am far from being a sailor. Still, some of my favourite days in Croatia were spent on the water.

In summer 2018 we spent two weeks in Croatia. We went on a small-group sailing day trip from Split, a big catamaran trip to Brač and a week of sea kayaking around the Elaphiti Islands. We haven't done a week-long flotilla yet, but it is next on our list. So in this guide I explain the three easiest ways to sail in Croatia as a beginner: day trips, skippered charters and flotillas. I also cover licences, costs and what we learnt on our trips.

Quick answer

• Easiest taster: a skippered day sailing trip from Split. Opcija Tours costs €150–€170 per person (2026), with swimming and snorkelling stops.
• Your own boat, zero experience: a skippered charter. A professional skipper sails the yacht, and you join in as much or as little as you like.
• Sailing with company: a flotilla, where several yachts follow a planned route with a lead crew. Sunsail runs flotillas from Marina Agana near Split and from Dubrovnik.
• Complete beginners on a flotilla: hire a skipper, or book a learning package such as Sunsail's Flotilla Starter.
• Licence: to sail a yacht yourself you need proof of competence. The RYA says a valid ICC should be accepted in Croatia, but check it covers the size of your boat.

Three ways to go sailing in Croatia as a beginner

Day sailing trips from Split

If you have never been on a sailing boat, start here. It is how I started too!

We wanted a small-group trip with a skipper, and Opcija Tours offered exactly that. There were only six guests on the boat, so we had plenty of space. The route depends on the wind, so no two trips are the same. Our first stop was Stomorska, a cute little seaside town on Šolta. We had about 45 minutes to wander around and have an ice cream. Then we anchored in a wild bay on Brač to swim and snorkel. Guests can help with the boat as much as they want. I was happy to relax in the sun, but Tom loved trying out the tiller.

We had a lovely time jumping off the boat, snorkelling and swimming around. I decided on that trip that I much prefer swimming from a boat than from a beach.

Opcija Tours in 2026:

• Prices: €170 per person if there are only two of you, or €150 per person for three or more.
• Season: daily from 15 March to 31 October.
• Times: it leaves Split waterfront (the Riva) at 10 am and is back around 5 pm.
• Included: skipper, coffee, snacks, wine, fuel and snorkelling gear. Lunch is no longer included, so you eat in a restaurant in Stomorska.
• The boat: a 10 m yacht registered for 7 guests and 2 crew.

The other option is a big catamaran trip. We did one with Summer Blues to Brač, with 60–80 people on board in high season. We didn't regret it, but it was a very different day. On the small sailing boat we had plenty of space, while the catamaran was much busier. So if you want a relaxed day on the water, I would pick a small boat. Summer Blues no longer runs the Brač trip. As of 2026 its catamaran goes to Hvar and the Pakleni Islands, from €99 per person.

Skippered charters

On a skippered charter you hire the whole yacht for your group, plus a professional skipper. Sunsail describes it nicely: the skipper is always in complete control, and you can get involved as much or as little as you like. The skipper can also suggest the best places to visit.

This is a great option if you are a family or a group of friends and nobody has a licence. It is also a good middle step if one of you has some experience, but you don't know the local marinas yet. That is exactly why we chose a skippered day trip from Split. Tom has a Day Skipper licence, but it had been a while since he last sailed, and we didn't know the sailing habits in Croatia.

When you book, ask what the skipper's fee includes. For example, ask whether the skipper needs their own cabin and who pays for their meals. These extras can change the total cost quite a lot.

Flotilla holidays in Croatia

A flotilla is a group of yachts sailing a shared route. Each party has its own boat, but a lead crew sails with you. With Sunsail that is a skipper, a host and a technician. They give a briefing every day, help with mooring and sort out any problems. During the day each boat sails on its own, and Sunsail also mentions evening activities with the rest of the flotilla.

Where flotillas sail from

Sunsail has two flotilla bases in Croatia:

• Marina Agana, near Split: about 20 km from Split airport. Routes include Brač, Hvar, Krka National Park and a 14-day Vis flotilla.
• Dubrovnik: island hopping with gentle winds and line-of-sight navigation, close to the Elaphiti Islands.

What a week looks like

Here is Sunsail's 7-day Brač Dalmatia flotilla from Agana as an example:

1. Start at Marina Agana
2. Maslinica on Šolta (about 2 hours, 10 nautical miles)
3. Bobovišća on Brač (about 2 hours 45 minutes, 13.5 nm)
4. Pučišća on Brač (about 3 hours 30 minutes, 18 nm)
5. A free sailing day around Brač, for example Bol
6. Milna on Brač, where the flotilla meets up again
7. Back to Agana (about 4 hours, 19 nm)

So most days you sail for only 2–4 hours. That leaves lots of time for swimming, lunch in a bay and exploring the towns. In 2026 this route had departures from June to August. Sunsail says routes can change because of the weather.

What if you can't sail?

Each yacht needs someone in charge who meets the operator's requirements, so check them when you book. If nobody in your group is qualified, you have two options:

• Hire a skipper for your yacht for the week.
• Book a learning package. Sunsail's Flotilla Starter needs no experience. Flotilla Hero is for people with some experience. On a Hero week, up to two people can earn the RYA Day Skipper certificate, or up to three can earn RYA Competent Crew.

How much does a flotilla cost?

Sunsail says a 7-day flotilla charter for two people starts from about £1,869, based on its April 2026 information. That does not include food, drinks, or mooring and marina fees. Sunsail suggests budgeting an extra 25–50% for these. Flights and transfers are extra too, so do your calculations before you book.

Learn to sail first

If you would like to skipper your own boat one day, an RYA course is the classic route. Sunsail's sailing school at Agana runs from April to November:

• RYA Competent Crew: the beginner course, from age 12.
• RYA Day Skipper practical: the next step, from age 16. You need to do the Day Skipper theory course first, or have the same knowledge.

Anyone under 18 needs to be on a full yacht charter. You can also do RYA courses in the UK before you go. Even one course makes you a much more useful crew member on a skippered trip.

Licences and rules for sailing in Croatia

You only need to worry about this if you want to skipper a yacht yourself. On day trips, skippered charters and flotillas with a hired skipper, the operator takes care of it.

• Proof of competence: the RYA says Croatia has adopted Resolution 40, so a valid ICC should be accepted. However, check when you book that your certificate covers the size and tonnage of the boat. The RYA warns that some people have been caught out by this just before departure.
• Get it in writing: the RYA recommends asking your charter company to confirm in writing what certificates it needs, as companies can ask for more than the legal minimum.
• Alcohol: Croatia has a zero-tolerance approach to being drunk in charge of a boat, with heavy penalties. Don't drink if you are skippering.
• Anchoring and mooring fees: anchoring is not always free. You may pay in managed areas, such as near town harbours or in mooring fields.
• Tourist tax: sailors in Croatia pay a tourist (sojourn) tax. Your charter company can explain how it works.

When to go sailing in Croatia

Opcija Tours sails from mid-March to the end of October, and the Agana sailing school runs from April to November. Flotilla dates are mostly in summer. We went in high season, and it was hot and busy. If I went again, I would look at June or September for a quieter, cooler trip. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months.

If you would like to see more of Croatia before or after your sailing week, read our tips on things to do in Omiš, Dubrovnik's city walls and cable car and walking routes in Plitvice Lakes. Our post on prices in Croatia shows what our two weeks cost.

Tips for your first sailing trip

• Choose a small group. Fewer guests means more space, and you can sit wherever you like.
• Be flexible. The wind decides the route, so don't book a trip if you must see one particular place.
• Pack light and soft. A soft bag is easier to store on a boat than a hard suitcase.
• Bring swimwear, suncream and a hat. There is very little shade on deck.
• Tell the company about allergies. On our trip there was a vegetarian guest, and the crew made sure she had plenty to eat.
• Try it in the UK first. We have also sailed the Carrick Roads in Cornwall, with me as a happy passenger. It was a great way to get a feel for life on a boat.

FAQ

Do I need a licence to sail in Croatia?

Only if you skipper the boat yourself. Then you need proof of competence, and the RYA says a valid ICC should be accepted. On day trips, skippered charters or a flotilla with a hired skipper, you don't need one.

Can complete beginners join a flotilla?

Yes, if you hire a skipper or book a learning package. Sunsail's Flotilla Starter needs no sailing experience.

How much does a sailing holiday in Croatia cost?

A day trip from Split with Opcija Tours costs €150–€170 per person (2026). Sunsail lists 7-day flotillas from about £1,869 for two people, plus 25–50% for food, drinks and mooring fees.

Where is the best place to start sailing in Croatia?

The Split area is great for beginners. Brač, Šolta and Hvar are all close, so the sailing days are short. Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands are another lovely option.

Is a sailing day trip worth it?

Definitely! It was one of the highlights of our Croatia trip. It is the easiest way to find out whether you enjoy sailing before you book a whole week on a boat.

Have you been sailing in Croatia? Would you choose a flotilla or a skippered charter? Let me know in the comments!