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In recent years, Croatia has become one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. Cities like Dubrovnik or Split are amongst the most popular tourist destinations in the country - especially after the hit TV show “Game of Thrones” was filmed here. Charter a yacht in Dubrovnik to see the city from a different perspective and to explore all the natural wonders the Adriatic sea has to offer. Your private boat rental in Dubrovnik is going to ensure that you can take your time and see everything at your own pace.
Of course you can spend all your time in the city chasing all the filming locations of “Game of Thrones” or strolling around the old town, but there is so much more to discover in Dubrovnik and the surrounding areas.
Casual dining in Dubrovnik:
Beach restaurants in Dubrovnik:
Fine dining in Dubrovnik:
Did you know that the historic name for Dubrovnik is Ragusa? The story behind it stems from the time when the prehistoric settlements in the area of what was then called Laus were destroyed by Slavs who were invading the area. Under Slavic rule the name first changed from Laus to Raus and later to Ragusa. Don’t get mixed up though, Ragusa and Dubrovnik were not the same place. Ragusa was located off of the mainland and only became part of Dubrovnik later on. Dubrovnik was founded around the same time that Raus became Ragusa. The name Dubrovnik comes from the word ‘dubrava’ meaning wood or ‘dub’ which means oak. Some historians are suspicious of the theory that Dubrovnik was only founded back then and believe that the city flourished from a Greek settlement that has been here before. The City Walls of Dubrovnik are one of the most impressive sights to see in the city.
The old town of Dubrovnik is an impressive remnant of the 13th century and basically hasn’t changed since then - at least what remained since the earthquake in 1667 destroyed part of the old town and what tolls the city took in the Yugoslawian war of 1991/1992. Stradun is one of the streets that has been rebuilt after the earthquake and hasn’t changed much since. Stroll around the city’s streets to travel back in time. Even though Venice ruled over the city for a while the city remained a republic in its own right until Napoleon entered the city.
The Minceta Tower is an impressive fort that was built in the 15th century. You should visit this building for the history as well as the views and if you’re a “Game of Thrones”-fan. Another impressive fortress that remains from the 15th century is Bokar Fortress.
Legend has it that the island of Mljet which is located just off the coast of Dubrovnik is the place where Odysseus fell for the nymph Calypso after being shipwrecked on the island in the midst of a terrible storm and she bewitched him. He stayed here for seven long years before finally being able to return home.
Sailing around Dubrovnik means you are facing the weather conditions of South Croatia. Sailing season is between May and September, although some people opt for heading out at sea in April and October when the winds can be stronger.
Expect around 300 days full of sunshine throughout the year. The summer months June, July and August are most popular among tourists. Hot temperatures, warm water temperatures and less wind make Dubrovnik the perfect destination for a summer boat vacation. If you want to avoid the crowds, but still enjoy nice weather and water temperatures, September is the best time to travel to Dubrovnik.
Renting a boat in Dubrovnik doesn’t have to be expensive - in fact, Croatia is one of the cheapest sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. The price to rent a boat in Dubrovnik and Croatia highly depends on the season, the type and size of the boat you want to rent, the number of passengers and the age of your boat.
On average it will cost just 30 EUR per person per day to rent a speedboat in Croatia. Charter a motorboat in Croatia for 62 EUR per person per day. You see that it really doesn’t have to be expensive to rent a boat in this part of the Mediterranean and can be even cheaper than booking a hotel room. Renting a gulet in Croatia will cost 75 EUR per person per day on average. At an average price of 460 EUR per person per day catamarans are the most expensive types of boats you can rent in Croatia. However, keep in mind that these are only average prices and you can always find cheaper and more expensive boats here.
What type of boat you should rent in Dubrovnik highly depends on the type of boat holiday you would like to experience in this part of the Adriatic sea. A relaxing beach holiday would require you to rent a different kind of boat than the one you would rent when you want to practice your sailing skills and go on an adventure.
Pros of renting a catamaran in Dubrovnik
One of the advantages of renting a catamaran in Dubrovnik is the fact that catamarans have a shallow draft. This makes them the perfect choice to explore the Adriatic coast with all its hidden and secluded bays and beaches. You won’t risk hitting something deep under water.
Another advantage of chartering a catamaran in Dubrovnik is the fact that catamarans are equipped with sails as well as motors. You get the best of both worlds. Sail with the winds when they are blowing and use the motor when they suddenly stop blowing. This ensures that you won’t suddenly get stuck in the middle of the sea with no means to drive to your destination.
If you prefer to have a very relaxed sailing vacation in Dubrovnik, you should rent a catamaran because of its size. They are more spacious than other types of boats and can feel more like a hotel room than a boat cabin.
One of the most popular catamarans to rent in Dubrovnik is Catamaran Lagoon 400 S2 which offers space for up to 11 people and can be chartered with or without a captain. Hiring a captain in addition to your bareboat charter means that you can enjoy your sailing vacation fully without having to worry about navigating and operating your boat. The catamaran also comes with a deck shower, meaning that you can rinse off the sea water right after climbing back on board.
Cons of renting a catamaran in Dubrovnik
One of the downsides of renting a catamaran in Dubrovnik can be their size. While it might be extremely comfortable to have a proper room to sleep in, the size of a catamaran might come with difficulties of mooring at the marinas, especially during the busy summer months. It might also come with a higher price. Try to find a quiet bay instead to anchor for the night. It will save you a lot of hassle and money - and comes with much better views when waking up in the morning.
Charter a catamaran in Dubrovnik
Pros of renting a sailboat in Dubrovnik
One of the advantages of renting a sailboat in Dubrovnik is the fact that they are equipped with a sail, meaning that you can use the wind as fuel rather than paying for actual fuel. It is going to save you quite a bit of money.
One of the most popular sailboats to rent in Dubrovnik is Sailboat Bavaria Cruiser 51 . Up to 11 people can fit on board the boat. One of the amenities on board is the deck shower which means that you can rinse yourself quickly after swimming in the sea.
Cons of renting a sailboat in Dubrovnik
One of the downsides of chartering a sailboat in Dubrovnik is the fact that sailboats completely depend on the wind. Some sailboats might be equipped with a small motor, but it’s not made to last for long distances. During the summer months the winds are not as strong as during the winter months - something to keep in mind when thinking about chartering a sailboat in this part of the Adriatic.
Another downside of sailboats is the fact that they don’t leave a lot of space on deck. The sailing equipment takes up most of the space here, meaning that you don’t get to sunbathe here too comfortably.
Charter a sailboat in Dubrovnik
Pros of renting a motorboat in Dubrovnik
One of the advantages of renting a motorboat in Dubrovnik is the fact that they have a shallow draft. Like catamarans they are the perfect boats to discover all the hidden bays and beaches the Croatian coast and the surrounding islands have to offer. There are so many stunning islands in close proximity to Dubrovnik that you will be happy to rent a motorboat to explore them all.
Another advantage of motorboats is their speed. As they are faster than other types of boats, motorboats are taking you faster from one place to another. This means that you get to see many different places in a short amount of time.
One of the most popular motorboats to rent in Dubrovnik is Motorboat Jeanneau Leader 8 which offers space for up to 8 people on board and comes with a professional captain as well as wifi on board. The snorkelling equipment on board ensures that you are prepared for some additional fun activities.
Cons of renting a motorboat in Dubrovnik
One of the downsides of renting a motorboat is the fact that they solely run on fuel. It is not cheap to pay for the fuel you’re going to use on your sailing adventures around Dubrovnik. It is not a cheap undertaking considering the ever-increasing fuel prices.
If you have the cash and want to experience a sailing holiday in Dubrovnik that is a bit more exclusive, you should charter a private luxury yacht in Dubrovnik. Party and relax on a boat like the rich and famous for a week. Create beautiful memories with your favourite people that you won’t ever forget. A fantastic luxury yacht you can charter in Dubrovnik is a motorboat named MS ADRIATIC PRINCESS . This luxury yacht has a jacuzzi on board and offers space for up to 40 people. Other amenities on board include a sundeck, a coffee machine, snorkelling equipment and wifi. A dishwasher on board ensures that you don’t waste your time doing the dishes.
Charter a luxury yacht in Dubrovnik
If you want to hire a boat in Dubrovnik, you need to have a valid boat licence as well as a VHF radio licence. If you are unsure about the validity of your boat licence in Croatia, you should ensure that you’re on the safe side and carry an International Certificate of Competency or short ICC.
You can always get your boat licence in Croatia through the Administration of Maritime and Port Authority authorities. Simply take the test, pass it and start your sailing adventure.
One of the most popular routes starting from Dubrovnik is taking you around the islands just off the Croatian coast.
Day 1 - Sail from Dubrovnik to Šipan: Before heading out on your boat, discover the historical old town of Dubrovnik. Stroll around the streets, grab a quick bite to eat and sail to Šipan, a magnificent island filled with lush green trees and surrounded by turquoise water. Visit the Trsteno Arboretum to get a glimpse of the life of rich patricians in the area. Visit Suđurađ and go for a swim.
Day 2 - Sail from Šipan to Ston: Take a refreshing swim in Šipan before sailing to Ston, where you can go for a walk along the historic City Wall and discover Fort Kaštio.
Day 3 - Sail from Ston to Polače in Mljet: From Ston sail to Polače which is a stunning spot on the island of Mljet and surrounded by an impressive lush green forest. Discover Rimska palača, an ancient Roman palace.
Day 4 - Sail from Polače in Mljet to Zaklopatica in Lastovo: Wake up in Polače and enjoy the stunning view. Breathe in the clean air and start your sailing adventure to Zaklopatica. Zaklopatica is another Croatian town surrounded by wonderful green forests. Additionally to admiring the natural beauty of this vegetation, you should also take the time to go snorkelling and see the beautiful underwater world.
Day 5 - Sail from Zaklopatica in Lastovo to Korčula: Before leaving Zaklopatica, have a delicious meal at Augusta Insula restaurant. It’s the perfect combination between tasty food and a stunning view. In Korčula you should visit the towns of Vela Luka and Lumbarda which are often referred to as ‘little Dubrovnik’ - not surprisingly they are filled with beautiful churches and stunning historical buildings that you get to admire from up close. Like many islands of this part of the Adriatic, Korčula is blessed with a beautiful forest that covers almost the entire island.
Day 6 - Sail from Korčula to Saplunara bay in Mljet: Before leaving Korčula, make sure to stop by Pupnatska Luka Beach for a quick dip in the refreshing water. It’s a beautiful beach lying in a quiet bay. When you reach Saplunara bay, you should ensure that you get to take a walk around the forest, swim in the turquoise waters and sunbathe on deck your boat rental.
Day 7 - Sail from Saplunara bay in Mljet to Dubrovnik: As this is your last day on your boat make sure to wake up super early to watch the sunrise over Saplunara bay before heading back to Dubrovnik. When you arrive in Dubrovnik, your vacation doesn’t have to be over. Stroll around the historic streets and admire the stunning architecture. Be sure to try some traditional local food.
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