If you imagine Croatia as long days on deck, the smell of wood and sea, and a crew that simply takes care of everything, then a gulet or motorsailer is probably what you are looking for. These traditional-style wooden ships offer wide decks, comfortable cabins and a fully crewed experience – more like a boutique hotel on the water than a classic bareboat charter.
A gulet is a traditional-style wooden motorsailer, usually with two or three masts and strong engines. In practice, most of the movement is done under power, with sails raised occasionally when conditions and schedule allow. Gulets are designed for comfort and socialising rather than high-performance sailing – big decks, shaded dining areas and generous cabins are the focus.
Motorsailers and mini-cruisers in Croatia follow the same philosophy, but can be built from steel or modern materials and sometimes carry more cabins. All of them are fully crewed boats: captain, deckhand, cook and often additional staff. Instead of shopping, cooking and dealing with moorings yourself, you simply agree the route with the captain and enjoy your time on board.
Compared with a private catamaran or motor yacht, a gulet feels more like a small ship. Cabins are usually not huge, but they are comfortable, air-conditioned and all have private bathrooms. The main living area is outside – large tables under awnings, sun mattresses on deck and plenty of space for everyone to spread out.
Most gulets are booked on a half-board or full-board basis, which means that breakfast and lunch or dinner are included. You can still go ashore for some meals, but many guests quickly discover that the best food of the trip is often cooked by the onboard chef.
When people compare options, gulets usually sit somewhere between a private yacht charter and an organised small-ship cruise. You have your own boat just for your group, with a crew that adapts the route to you, but you also enjoy the structure of set menus, housekeeping and a clear weekly package price.
If you prefer more independence and want to be active in handling the boat, a sailboat or catamaran may fit better. If you want higher speeds and a very modern feel, consider a power catamaran or luxury motor yacht. But if your dream is long, lazy meals, swimming stops and evenings at anchor with good wine, a gulet is hard to beat.
Gulets and motorsailers usually operate along the Dalmatian coast, where islands sit in long chains and distances suit the comfortable cruising speeds of these vessels. The exact route is always adapted to weather, harbour availability and your preferences.
Many gulets start their week from Split or Trogir. From here you can sail a relaxed loop that includes Šolta, Brač, Hvar, Vis and the Pakleni islands. Distances are short enough for two or three swim stops per day, and there is always a sheltered bay nearby if the afternoon wind picks up.
Another classic area for gulet cruises is the south, starting in Dubrovnik. The Elafiti islands, Mljet National Park and the southern side of Korčula all offer quiet bays, small ports and plenty of green scenery. Here, gulets often combine scenic anchorages with evenings in historic towns.
Some motorsailers and mini-cruisers operate further north towards Šibenik, Zadar and the Kornati archipelago, or run themed cruises – wine routes, cycling, yoga, family weeks. If you have a specific idea in mind, SkipperCity can check current options in the wider Croatia destinations overview and match you with a suitable vessel.
The Croatian gulet and motorsailer fleet ranges from simple, authentic wooden boats to fully refitted luxury vessels with high-end cabins and rich water-toy collections. The right choice depends on your expectations around comfort, budget and group size.
Traditional gulets are built from wood, often with a warm, slightly rustic interior. Cabins tend to be compact but cosy, with double or twin beds, private bathrooms and air-conditioning for a certain number of hours each day. These boats are perfect for families or groups of friends who value atmosphere and time together over polished designer details.
Larger motorsailers and mini-cruisers offer more cabins, bigger saloons and multiple deck levels. They may host 12–20 guests in comfort and feel close to a small private cruise ship. Many of these vessels are popular with multi-generational families, corporate groups or celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.
At the top end of the market you will find luxury gulets with spacious cabins, stylish lounges, jacuzzis on deck and a full set of water toys: SUPs, kayaks, seabobs and more. Service level is similar to a boutique hotel – attentive but relaxed – and menus can be tailored to your preferences well before departure.
A typical gulet day starts with breakfast on deck while the crew prepares the boat for departure. After an easy cruise to the next bay you swim, snorkel, read or nap while the cook works on lunch. Afternoons can be active – exploring ashore, using water toys – or completely slow. Evenings are usually spent moored in a quiet bay or tied to a small town quay, with dinner on board or in a local konoba.
Cabins are not as large as hotel rooms, but they are comfortable and private. Most gulets in Croatia have en-suite bathrooms, plenty of storage and air-conditioning during agreed hours. The real luxury is on deck: wide beam means huge outdoor living areas, and everyone in the group can always find a favourite corner – sun or shade, front or back of the boat.
The crew is a big part of the gulet experience. A good captain knows the coast intimately and will suggest bays and timing that avoid the worst crowds. The cook and deckhands keep the boat tidy, serve meals, mix drinks and help with water toys. You quickly fall into a relaxed rhythm where all the practical details are taken care of for you.
Every gulet trip is customised, but this sample route from Split / Trogir shows what a comfortable week might look like. Distances are modest so there is always time for swimming and long meals.
Arrival, welcome drink and safety briefing. Short cruise to a quiet bay on Šolta for your first swim. Dinner on board and a calm first night at anchor.
Morning cruise towards Brač with a swim stop in a secluded cove. Afternoon arrival near Bol or one of the quieter bays on the northern side. Sunset walk ashore or a relaxed evening on deck.
Easy run to the Pakleni islands and Hvar. Lunch at anchor, then choose between a quiet night on a buoy or an evening visit to Hvar town. Your captain times arrivals to avoid the busiest periods as much as possible.
Longer leg to Vis, with options to visit the Blue Cave or simply enjoy bays on the south side of the island. Gulets often anchor in peaceful coves where you can dine under the stars with little light pollution.
Short hops around the island – maybe Stončica in the morning, then a late afternoon mooring in Vis town. Guests can explore the old streets, enjoy a drink ashore and return to the boat for dessert.
Start the return leg towards Split, with a relaxed day on the water and one or two favourite swim stops along the way. Final festive dinner on board.
Short cruise back to base, breakfast underway and final coffee in town before checking out. Many guests choose to add a night in Split or Trogir after disembarkation.
Gulet charter prices are usually quoted for the whole boat per week, including crew and basic operations. Smaller classic gulets may start around 10,000–14,000 € per week in low season, while larger or newer vessels range between 18,000 and 35,000 € in summer. Luxury gulets and mini-cruisers can go significantly higher, especially when offering all-inclusive service and a large crew.
Food, drinks and port fees can be organised as a separate advance provisioning allowance (APA), a fixed package per person or a mix of the two. Before you book, SkipperCity will prepare a clear cost structure so you know exactly what is included and what remains flexible.
Most Croatian gulets are offered on a half-board basis – breakfast and lunch, or breakfast and dinner – with water and sometimes basic soft drinks included during meals. Some yachts also offer full-board or all-inclusive beverage packages. Details vary from boat to boat, so we always check the latest terms in the offer.
Port fees, marina stays and fuel for longer routes are usually covered from the APA or paid directly along the way. Additional services such as water toys with engines, national park tickets or one-off special dinners are agreed with the captain and settled transparently.
Gulets and motorsailers are perfect for groups who want maximum relaxation and shared time together. Multi-generational families, groups of friends celebrating an anniversary, or small corporate teams often find that a gulet gives them the right balance of privacy and easy social spaces.
If you prefer not to worry about provisioning, cooking or operating the boat, but still want a private atmosphere instead of sharing a larger cruise ship, a gulet charter is an excellent choice.
SkipperCity is a Croatian-owned agency that works across all main yacht types – from catamarans and sailboats to motor yachts and luxury yachts. That means we can give you honest advice on when a gulet is the right answer – and when another option might suit you better.
We know the local fleets, captains and typical standards on different vessels. When we send you offers, we explain clearly how each gulet compares in terms of comfort, food style, crew language skills and value. Our wider fleet overview on the Our Fleet page makes it easier to see how gulets fit into the full Yacht Charter Croatia picture.
Because gulets and motorsailers are more specialised than standard charter yachts, the best way to start is with a short brief. Tell us your dates, number of guests, preferred departure area (for example Split or Dubrovnik) and whether you prefer a more traditional or more modern style of boat. We will then check current availability and send you a shortlist of suitable vessels.
If you want to explore other boat types in parallel, you can also use our online boat search tool to see catamarans, sailboats and motor yachts for the same dates, and compare ideas side by side.
Most Croatian gulets and motorsailers travel mainly under power, with sails raised when conditions, timing and route allow. If you are looking for active sailing every day, a classic sailboat or performance yacht might be better – but if comfort and easy movement between bays are the priority, gulets work beautifully.
Typical private gulets in Croatia host 8–12 guests in 4–6 cabins, while larger motorsailers and mini-cruisers can take 16–20 guests or more. Safety rules, cabin layout and comfort level all influence the final capacity – we always confirm the exact maximum for each boat.
Yes, many families cruise on gulets every summer. Wide decks, shaded areas and easy access to the water make them very family-friendly. As with any boat, parents should supervise young children, and we can arrange life jackets in suitable sizes in advance.
The main gulet season in Croatia runs from late May to early October. July and August are warmest and have the liveliest atmosphere in towns, while June and September often offer calmer bays and slightly milder temperatures – very comfortable for long meals on deck.
Within reason, yes. Weather, port reservations and fuel range set some boundaries, but captains are usually flexible. If you discover that your group loves quiet bays more than towns, or wants to focus on certain islands, the crew will adjust the plan as conditions allow.
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