Zadar, in northern Dalmatia, is one of the most convenient starting points for a yacht charter Croatia holiday. The city sits opposite a chain of islands and lies close to Kornati National Park, so you can reach varied sailing grounds within a few hours under way. Modern marinas, an international airport nearby and a large charter fleet make yacht charter Zadar a practical choice for both first-time and experienced crews.

Boat Hire Zadar – Types of Boats Available

Zadar’s charter market is broad, with options for different budgets and levels of experience. Online brokers list hundreds of boats here, mostly sailboats and catamarans available bareboat or with crew.

Sailing yachts and catamaran charter Croatia

Monohull sailing yachts Zadar are the classic choice if you enjoy traditional sailing. Typical boats range from 30–50 ft, with 2–5 cabins, and are popular for week-long family trips and small groups.

If you prefer more comfort and space, a catamaran charter Zadar is worth considering. Catamarans have two hulls, a wide saloon and generous cockpit space, which makes movement on board easier and anchoring more comfortable. This layout suits mixed-age crews and anyone planning longer stays on board.

Motorboats and speed boat Zadar

Motorboats Zadar are ideal if you are planning shorter trips or quick island hops from the city. You can choose from small open motorboats and RIBs suitable for simple day trips along the coast, move up to mid-size cabin cruisers that work well for weekend getaways, or opt for larger motor yachts designed for longer, faster itineraries. If your goal is to explore beaches and bays within a single day, a speed boat Zadar rental is a practical choice, particularly for routes along the Zadar Channel and out to nearby islands such as Ugljan or Dugi Otok.

Luxury yacht charter Zadar

For guests seeking higher comfort and service, luxury yacht charter Zadar options include larger sailing yachts, catamarans and motor yachts, generally with professional crew on board. These boats often feature air-conditioning, en-suite cabins, water toys and upgraded interiors. They are frequently booked for corporate trips, multi-family holidays or special occasions.

Charter Styles: Bareboat Charter Croatia vs Skippered

Bareboat charter Croatia from Zadar

A bareboat charter Zadar means you rent the yacht without professional crew and skipper it yourself. Croatian regulations require at least one person on board to hold a recognised sailing licence and VHF certificate. Bareboat is suited to experienced sailors who are comfortable handling navigation, mooring and route planning. From Zadar you can sail independently through sheltered channels and island chains; many published bareboat routes use Zadar as their starting point for Kornati and the northern archipelago.

Rent a boat with skipper Zadar

If you do not have the right licence or simply prefer to relax, you can rent a boat with skipper Zadar and leave the handling of the yacht to a professional. A local skipper takes care of manoeuvres in harbours and tight bays, keeps an eye on the weather and adjusts the plan when needed, and can recommend suitable anchorages, local restaurants and quieter spots based on experience. Skippered charters are common on both sailing yachts and catamarans and are a practical choice for first-time visitors or crews with mixed levels of experience.

Crewed and high-end options

At the top end, fully crewed yachts combine a professional captain with a hostess or chef. These luxury yacht charter Croatia packages focus on comfort and service: the crew manages sailing, provisioning and housekeeping while you concentrate on swimming, shore visits and downtime.

Zadar Sailing Itinerary Ideas

The region around Zadar offers a mix of short hops, protected waters and more open legs towards Kornati. Published Zadar sailing itinerary suggestions usually combine northern “wild” islands with the national parks further south.

Short itineraries: Zadar Channel and nearby islands

For a 3-day or long-weekend route, common stops include:

• Ugljan – just across the channel; bays like Muline offer a protected first night at anchor.
   
• Dugi Otok – reachable in a few hours; known for bays such as Sakarun and the entrance to Telašćica Nature Park
   
• Ugljan or Pašman on the return – quiet island villages and short hops back into Zadar or nearby marinas.

Check our Sailing from Zadar itinerary.

One-week route: Zadar – Molat – Ist – Premuda – Kornati – Žut – Pašman

A typical 7-day circuit proposed by charter operators and Boataround looks like this: 

• north from Zadar towards Molat, Ist and Premuda – sparsely populated islands with small harbours and quiet bays
   
• south to Dugi Otok and into Telašćica Nature Park, a long sheltered bay with high cliffs at its entrance
   
• onward into Kornati National Park, a labyrinth of more than 100 rocky islands and channels, ideal for scenic line-of-sight sailing
   
• back via Žut or nearby islets, and then through the Pašman channel towards the mainland

Marinas and Charter Bases in Zadar

Zadar itself has multiple marinas and several more within a short drive.

Marina Zadar – Tankerkomerc

Tankerkomerc Marina lies close to the old town and is naturally sheltered. It has around 300 sea berths and 200 dry berths and can handle boats up to about 40 m in length.The marina is open year-round and serves as a home port for several charter companies, making it a common check-in point for yacht charter Zadar. Its position near the city centre means shops, restaurants and historic sites are within walking distance.

D-Marin Borik

A few kilometres west of the centre, D-Marin Borik is described as a “boutique marina” and a gateway to the island-dotted Zadar archipelago.It offers a quieter atmosphere, a nearby beach and easy access by taxi from town. Some charter fleets are based here, particularly for smaller sailing yachts and motorboats.

D-Marin Dalmacija (Sukošan)

About 7 km south of Zadar, between Bibinje and Sukošan, lies D-Marin Dalmacija, the largest marina in Croatia with extensive charter operations. Many Zadar-region charters technically check in here rather than in the city itself. The marina is only around 10 km from Zadar Airport, has a large boatyard and multiple piers dedicated to charter fleets, and is a strong alternative base if urban marinas are full.

Practical Tips for Boat Rental Zadar

Planning around weather and season

The main charter season in Zadar runs from late April to October. July and August are warmest and busiest; May–June and September offer milder temperatures and less crowded marinas. Wind patterns are generally favourable, with predictable afternoon sea breezes, but you should always monitor local forecasts, especially when planning open-water legs around Dugi Otok or outer Kornati.

Licences and safety

For bareboat charter Croatia, ensure your licence is accepted by Croatian authorities; if not, book a skipper. Even for small boat rental Zadar options, clarify whether a licence is required, as rules differ by engine power. Check that safety gear (lifejackets, flares, VHF) is on board and in good condition before departure.

Booking Your Yacht Charter Zadar with Boataround

Zadar’s combination of historic town, nearby islands and access to Kornati makes it one of the most flexible bases for yacht charter Croatia. Whether you are planning a relaxed week among sheltered bays on a sailing yacht, a catamaran charter Croatia focused on comfort, or a quick coastal trip by motorboat, the local charter infrastructure supports it.

To simplify the process, you can use Boataround to compare boat rental Zadar options from multiple charter companies in one place. Boataround lets you filter by boat type, size, price, and crew option – from bareboat charter Croatia to rent a boat with skipper Zadar and fully crewed luxury yachts. Once you find the right boat and dates, you complete the booking online and arrive in Zadar with your charter already organised.

If you are ready to plan a zadar sailing itinerary that fits your crew and timeframe, booking through Boataround is a practical way to secure the right yacht and start exploring the islands with confidence.

Yacht charter and Boat rental in Zadar

Charter a yacht and explore Zadar! Prices start from 82 € per day. Choose from the largest selection of sailboats, motor boats, motor yachts, catamarans and gulets.

Popular marinas are Tankerkomerc Marina Zadar, D-Marin Marina Borik, City pier Zadar, Jazine Bay, Uvala Dražanica, Uvala Maestral, Marina Sveti Klement, Marina Foša and Marina Vitrenjak.