Sukosan is a coastal town in central Dalmatia, about 13 kilometres south of Zadar. Its sheltered bay (Zlatna Luka) and modern harbour have made it a popular base for yacht charter Croatia and boat rental Sukosan. In particular, Marina Dalmacija (often called Marina Sukosan) is the largest marina in the Adriatic – with roughly 1,200 berths – and offers full services (fuel, chandlery, restaurants, parking, etc.). The marina lies only about 12 km (a 15–20 minute drive) from Zadar Airport, and about 7 km from Zadar city, making Sukosan very easy to reach by air or car. Many charter companies operate from Marina Dalmacija, so visitors can book boats and plan sailing routes right from Sukosan’s harbour.

Types of Boats Available

Sukosan’s charter fleet is diverse, ranging from traditional monohull sailboats to modern catamarans and small powerboats. In general, sailing yachts (monohull sailboats) of 30–50 feet are available for week-long charters – these typically have 2–4 cabins and are skippered by your party or rented with a skipper. Catamarans (two-hulled yachts) are especially popular for groups and families because of their extra living space and stability at anchor. For example, one charter site advertises “69 Catamarans for rent in Sukosan”. (Catamarans in Sukosan range from about 35–50 feet long, often with 4–6 cabins.) Catamaran charter Sukosan rates are typically higher than for monohulls but offer more comfort and outdoor deck space.

• Sailboats Sukosan: Classic charter sailboats (e.g. Bavaria, Hanse, Jeanneau brands) with 2–4 cabins, ideal for couples or small crews. They require some sailing skill if rented bareboat.
   
• Catamarans Sukosan: Wide, multi-hull yachts (often Lagoon, Bali, or Fountaine Pajot models) with multiple double cabins. These provide spacious cockpits and saloons. Catamaran charter is very common in Sukosan and is often chosen for group trips or luxury charters.
   
• Motorboats Sukosan: Small day-boat rentals or larger motor yachts. Local companies in Sukosan offer small open speedboats (4–8 m) for day trips, fishing or watersports – sometimes called boat rental Sukosan. Larger motor-yachts (30–50 feet) can also be chartered, some with crew.

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Marina Sukosan (Marina Dalmacija)

Marina Dalmacija (in Sukosan/Bibinje) is one of Croatia’s premier marinas. It has 48 concrete piers, deep-water access (2–6 m depth), and can accommodate everything from small yachts to 40 m+ superyachts at the transit dock. The marina’s facilities include good electricity/water services at each berth, six modern sanitary blocks (including accessible facilities), laundry services, restaurants, bars and a grocery store. There is also a large boatyard with heavy-duty cranes (up to 65 t) and full repair services, and six fuel pumps at the entrance. In short, Sukosan’s marina has everything charterers need to prepare their boat. (The reception desk can even advise on local itineraries and sightseeing.)

Marina Dalmacija is not just for local owners: roughly 15 piers are dedicated to charter fleets. Numerous charter companies (both Croatian and international) keep boats here. The harbour’s sheltered location in Zlatna Luka bay, plus the attractive seaside promenade and small beach nearby, make it a pleasant place to start or end a charter. As one guide notes, Sukosan’s marina has become “a real draw for boaters”.

Charter Options: Bareboat, Skippered and Luxury

Charter customers in Sukosan can choose from different styles of charter:

• Bareboat charter Sukosan: This means renting the yacht without crew. You (or someone in your party) skipper the boat yourselves. Croatia is a top sailing destination, but legally at least one person on board must hold a valid sailing licence. Charter companies will verify your qualifications and may refuse bareboat rental if you lack experience. In practice, bareboat charters in Croatia are recommended only for experienced sailors. As one guide explains, a bareboat charter is “renting a yacht without the services of a professional skipper or crew… [perfect] for experienced sailors seeking privacy, independence and the thrill of skippering their own journey”. Bareboat rates are generally the most economical (no skipper fee), and give you maximum freedom to set your own itinerary. However, you are fully responsible for navigation and boat handling.
   
• Skippered charter Sukosan: If you prefer to relax, you can hire a professional skipper along with the boat. Many charter companies label this option as “charter with skipper” or “skippered yacht charter.” An experienced local skipper will helm the boat and help navigate. This is a popular choice for newcomers or those who want local knowledge on tap. (In fact, one charter guide advises: “if you’re less experienced or want a more relaxed vacation, you might consider hiring a local skipper – many are not only seasoned sailors but also fantastic local guides”.) Skippers often know the best bays, anchorages and local regulations. Skippered charters cost more (a skipper daily rate) but let everyone on board enjoy the cruise without responsibility for sailing.
   

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Popular Sailing Routes from Sukosan

From Sukosan’s harbour, a wide variety of sailing itineraries are possible. The surrounding Dalmatian coast and islands offer sheltered waters and scenic stops. (Sailing distances tend to be short and islands plentiful.) Some common destinations and routes include:

• Kornati National Park: A chain of about 89 rocky islands to the west, famous for crystal-clear water and virtually uninhabited nature. Most charters from Sukosan allow a day or two in Kornati, where you can anchor near unspoilt coves.
   
• Telašćica Nature Park (Dugi Otok): A natural harbour and salt-water lake on Dugi Otok island, with dramatic cliffs. It’s only ~10–15 NM from Sukosan and a favourite stop.
   
• Zadar Archipelago (Ugljan, Iž, Dugi Otok): Immediately offshore from Sukosan is the Zadar island group. The islands of Ugljan, Iž and Dugi Otok lie to the north and west. These islands have quiet villages, nice anchorages (Mali Iž, Zverinac, etc.) and sandy beaches. Many crews spend their first night on a nearby island (e.g. Mali Iž) before heading further west.
   
• Šibenik Region (Šibenik Islands, Zlarin, Vodice): To the south-east lies the Šibenik archipelago. One itinerary segment often leads to the little coral island of Zlarin and nearby bays, or to the coastal town of Šibenik itself. The maritime park around this area is good for diving and sheltered anchors.
   
• Coastal towns (Zadar, Biograd na Moru, etc.): On your way back or as a stopover, the cities of Zadar (just north) and Biograd (to the south) are within easy reach. For example, some sailors cruise down to Biograd na Moru (on Pašman channel) for town facilities and to visit nearby Kornati or Kornati-like islands.
   
• Other islands: Nearby islands like Pag (famous for cheese and salt), Ist, Škrda or the Murter/Tribunj area are also accessible from Sukosan.

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Booking a Charter in Sukosan

Sukosan’s busy charter scene means there are many ways to book a boat. Local agencies in the marina can arrange charters directly, but nowadays it’s common to use online platforms. For example, Boataround and other booking sites list dozens of boats (sailing yachts, catamarans and motorboats) available in Sukosan. When using such a service you can compare prices, see customer reviews, and often get free cancellation options. This simplifies planning, especially for non-Croatian speakers. (Most listings will specify if a skipper is included or extra.)

Boataround recommendation: To avoid hidden costs and language issues, consider using Boataround (or a similar booking platform). It handles the reservation process and often provides 24/7 customer support in English. Boataround lists many Croatian boats with transparent pricing. In short, using an online broker can make the final booking easy – you just pick the dates, boat, and extras (skipper, transfers) you need.

Catamaran charter in Sukošan

Charter a catamaran and explore Sukošan! Prices start from 174 € per day. Experience the authentic charm of Sukošan by renting one of our 83 available catamarans. Multihulls in Sukošan offer you ultimate comfort and space and are ideal for a relaxing family holiday. With great stability, catamarans are easy to sail and a pleasure to live a holiday afloat.

It’s ideal for a family with children as it can anchor in a bay just a few meters from the shore at a depth of only 2 meters.

Our fleet of catamarans in Sukošan includes popular brands such as Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and Bali.

Catamarans in Sukošan range from 11 to 16 m (36.1 to 52.5 feet) in length. Whether you’re an experienced sailor seeking a bareboat catamaran charter, or a novice desiring a skippered catamaran, we ensure a seamless and memorable sailing experience.

These are some of the best places to charter a catamaran in Sukošan:

• Catamaran rental D-Marin Marina Dalmacija