Croatia has over 1,000 islands and one of the best ways to see them is by chartering a gulet! These wooden boats are originally Turkish fishing boats but have been re-fitted and are now used for luxury travel. They typically have large wooden decks and range from 60-100 feet so are perfect for large groups looking to explore the Dalmatian coast.
Here are my tips for exploring Croatia by gulet!
Book in advance
While there are many gulets and gulet charter companies to choose from, many of the preferred gulets get booked up 6 – 12 months in advance! Beginning the search for your gulet early will help ensure all your preferences are met.
Pick the right time of year and route for your travel style
Do you prefer secluded coves and quiet towns or are you interested in music festivals and beach clubs? Croatia has become a top European summer destination and home to many music festivals and Game of Thrones tours! The official sailing season is from April – October and between late June and early September is peak season. Before picking a week and route to explore Croatia by gulet, consider what events and festivals might be happening and how popular each destination is.
Understand what amenities your gulet provides
Understand what amenities your gulet providesWhen selecting a gulet for Croatia, there are a few things to consider. Do you need a three person crew or a five person crew? Are you expecting hotel-type amenities like air conditioning, towels and toiletries? Would you like to include water sports like jetskis, paddleboards or kayaks? Do you plan to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard or just 1-2 meals a day? Will your gulet allow you bring your own wine and spirits?
These are all things to consider when deciding on a gulet and ultimately, it’s all up to your personal preference!
Make your crew aware of any food allergies or preferences in advance
If you have any food allergies or preferences and your gulet will be providing meals, make sure to let them know in advance so they can plan accordingly. Our chef was very accommodating to our needs and was prepared for our group when we arrived onboard!
Communicate your travel preferences upfront
Would you prefer to spend your days swimming in the sea or on land exploring or a bit of both? Would you like to set up activities and tours at each destination or would you prefer go with the flow? Let the team know and they can make informed suggestions for your itinerary.
Chartering a gulet in Croatia allows for some flexibility in your itinerary and we really enjoyed being able to change course if we found a place was too crowded — and this was how we found some of our favorite spots!
Decide on any preferences for docking vs anchoring
Depending on the size of the marina and the number of boats, the docking set up and fees can vary. For popular destinations, the docking fees and number of boats will be higher at these marinas. In Croatia, gulets dock adjacent to one another and — unless you are one of the first gulets there — to access the marina, you’ll have to cross through several gulets.
At some of the most crowded marinas, we had to cross through five or six gulets to access the shore. These gulets are your neighbors for the evening so it’s important to be respectful and keep the noise to a minimum. Ultimately, it didn’t take away from our trip but was something that we weren’t aware of prior to the trip!
Alternatively, gulets can anchor outside of a marina –usually in a quiet cove — and then guests can be brought to shore by a tender boat.
Understand what costs are included in your charter
The costs included in gulet charter fees can vary so it’s important to understand what is included and what you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket. Some of the costs to inquire about are: fuel fees, VAT, docking fees, skipper fees, cleaning fees, transfer fees and crew. Don’t forget to tip your crew for all their hard work at the end of the charter!
Great! I rented one for this June and was very nervous. Your trip looked fantastic, thank you for all the wonderful suggestions.
You’re going to have an amazing time!! Croatia is fantastic especially by boat 🙂
Did you rent your gulet through Goolets?
Yes, we did!