If you love the idea of speed but do not want the boat to lean, a power catamaran is your sweet spot. Wide, stable and surprisingly economical for their size, power cats are made for island-hopping in Croatia. From Split, Trogir, Zadar or Dubrovnik you can glide from bay to bay in comfort, with plenty of deck space for family and friends and almost no rolling at anchor.
Croatia is a natural playground for power catamarans. Distances between islands are short, the sea is usually calm, and there are countless bays where a catamaran can tuck in close to shore. With two hulls and a wide beam, a power catamaran feels steady underfoot even when motor yachts and monohulls are rocking nearby.
Compared with traditional displacement motor yachts, most power cats cruise efficiently at moderate speeds. You still move much faster than a sailing catamaran, but with lower fuel burn than a heavy planing yacht. For many families this balance of comfort, speed and economy makes the power catamaran the ideal charter boat.
On a power catamaran, almost every square metre is usable living space. The saloon flows into the cockpit, cabins are spread out in the two hulls for privacy, and the foredeck and flybridge become natural social zones. When you anchor in a bay, the boat barely moves – children, older guests and anyone sensitive to motion usually feel much better on a cat than on a narrow monohull.
Modern power cats in Croatia typically cruise between 15 and 20 knots, with the option to go faster when conditions allow. That means Split to Hvar in well under two hours, or Trogir to Vis as a comfortable morning run. At the same time the wide hull spacing softens the motion in small waves, so the ride feels calmer than on many mono-hull motor yachts at similar speed.
If you are not sure whether to choose a sailing catamaran, a power catamaran or a motor yacht, it helps to think about your priorities. All three options exist in the Croatian charter market, and SkipperCity works with each category – from classic catamarans and sailboats to motor yachts and luxury yachts.
A sailing catamaran is perfect if you love sails, do not mind slower passages and want the lowest fuel costs. A classic motor yacht is ideal if you want high cruising speeds and the feeling of a traditional motor boat. A power catamaran sits in between: more speed than a sailboat, more stability and living space than a mono-hull yacht, and a modern, relaxed vibe on board.
Power cats are especially popular with families, mixed-age groups and friends who value comfort over pure nautical tradition. If you want level decks, big cabins, lots of shaded seating and the ability to move quickly between islands without worrying too much about the sails, a power catamaran is likely your best choice.
The whole Adriatic coast can work beautifully for power catamarans, but a few regions stand out because of their island density and the number of quiet anchorages.
Most of our power catamaran guests start in Split or Trogir. From here you can build an easy route that includes Šolta, Brač, Hvar, Vis and the Pakleni islands – with short legs and many alternative bays if the wind changes. The marinas are well organised, provisioning is simple and transfer times from the airport are short.
If you prefer a slightly calmer atmosphere, Trogir is a great base. The old town is within walking distance of the marina, and you are still only 20–30 minutes from Split airport by car or taxi.
Starting from Dubrovnik gives you a different flavour of Croatia. The Elafiti islands, Mljet and the southern tip of Korčula are all within comfortable reach for a power catamaran. Longer legs are easy to handle thanks to your speed and stability, and there is always a quiet bay waiting at the end of the day.
Further north, the Zadar and Šibenik area opens the door to the Kornati archipelago and nearby national parks. This is a dream area for slow exploring: glide between rocky islets at low speed, then use the extra power of your catamaran to reach the next region quickly if you wish. Calm anchorages, good marinas and plenty of natural beauty make this area ideal if you prefer nature to nightlife.
The Croatian charter fleet includes a growing number of power catamarans – from compact two-cabin boats for couples up to large, luxurious motor cats with full crew. The right yacht depends on your group size, budget and expectations around comfort and service.
Smaller power cats offer two or three cabins and are easy to handle, especially with a professional skipper. They are perfect for couples, small families or two friendly couples travelling together. You get the stability and deck space of a catamaran without paying for size you do not really need.
The most popular category are family power cats in the 40–50 ft range. These usually come with four cabins, a bright saloon and several outdoor zones – cockpit, flybridge and foredeck. They strike a good balance between price, comfort and fuel consumption, and are available from most major bases along the coast.
If you want a more premium experience, consider a larger power catamaran with crew. On these yachts you often have a captain, hostess and sometimes a chef. Cabins feel like hotel rooms, there is plenty of storage for toys like SUPs and snorkelling gear, and the crew takes care of navigation, mooring and daily housekeeping.
As with other yacht types in Croatia, you can choose between bareboat, skippered and fully crewed power catamarans. Your licence, experience and stress tolerance will decide which option is realistic.
Bareboat is possible if you have a valid skipper licence, VHF certificate and recent experience with twin-engine boats or catamarans. Manoeuvring a wide cat in tight marinas takes practice, especially in wind. If you are not fully confident, it is smarter – and more relaxing – to add a skipper.
For many guests, booking a skipper is the best solution. You still have the privacy and flexibility of your own yacht, but a Croatian skipper handles navigation, berthing and communication with marinas and restaurants. Most skippers are happy to let you drive under supervision when conditions are calm, so you still get the fun of being at the helm without the stress.
On larger power cats a full crew transforms the trip into a floating boutique hotel experience. A hostess keeps cabins tidy and serves drinks and snacks, and a chef can prepare fresh meals from local ingredients. This is an excellent option for multi-generational families or groups who want maximum comfort and minimal logistics.
Here is a sample route for a week on a power catamaran starting in Split or Trogir. It is only a framework – we will adapt the plan to weather and to what your crew actually enjoys once you are on board.
Arrival, provisioning and handover in the marina. Short afternoon hop to a bay on Šolta. First swim, first sunset on board, dinner either on the boat or in a small konoba.
Cruise across to the Pakleni islands near Hvar. Swim stops along the way, then choose between a quiet buoy in the archipelago or an evening visit to Hvar town by taxi boat.
A longer but very comfortable leg to Vis island. Depending on conditions you can visit the Blue Cave or simply explore bays on the south side of the island before entering Vis or Komiža.
Run eastwards towards Korčula. With your power cat you can cover this distance quickly, leaving time for a swim stop on the way and a relaxed afternoon exploring Korčula town.
Flexible day. Depending on your mood, either quiet bays around Pelješac peninsula or the green landscapes and lakes of Mljet National Park.
Head back towards Brač, maybe stopping in one of the quieter anchorages on the north side of Hvar along the way. Enjoy long swims and a final dinner on board.
Short return leg to your base marina. Refuel, final checks and an unhurried coffee in town before departure.
Prices for power catamaran charter in Croatia depend on size, age, season and whether crew is included. As a rough guide, smaller two- or three-cabin power cats might start around 4,000–6,000 € per week in low season, with popular family models ranging between 7,000 and 13,000 € in summer. Larger, crewed motor cats easily go above 20,000 € per week plus expenses.
Fuel costs will be higher than on a sailing catamaran but generally lower than on a comparable mono-hull motor yacht, especially if you choose moderate cruising speeds. Before you confirm a booking, your SkipperCity consultant will walk you through a realistic budget so there are no surprises later.
The base charter price normally includes the yacht with standard equipment, basic dinghy, insurance and support from the charter base. Obligatory extras such as transit log, final cleaning and outboard engine are listed separately in the price list.
Fuel is always paid according to actual consumption, so if you spend more time at anchor and cruise at moderate speed your total cost will be lower. Mooring and marina fees depend on yacht size and chosen ports. National park entrances, private moorings and restaurant buoys are usually paid directly on the spot.
For skippered and crewed charters, skipper and crew fees are either included in the package or shown as a mandatory extra. Gratuities are not obligatory but are customary if you are happy with the service, typically 5–15% of the charter fee depending on yacht category.
SkipperCity is a Croatian-owned agency with a simple goal: match you with the right boat and the right route, not just any available yacht. We know the local fleets, the marinas and the less obvious bays where a power catamaran really shines. If a certain boat or itinerary is not a good fit, we will tell you honestly.
Because we also work with monohull motor yachts, sailing catamarans and classic sailboats, we can help you compare options across all main yacht types. Our wider fleet overview on the Our Fleet page makes it easy to see how power cats sit in the bigger picture.
From your first enquiry through the main Yacht Charter Croatia page to the moment you step off the boat, we are only a message away – helping with route ideas, transfers, provisioning tips and any small questions that appear along the way.
The easiest place to start is our online boat search tool: view available power catamarans in Croatia. Select Croatia as destination, choose “Power catamaran” or “Motor catamaran” as boat type, add your dates and group size, and you will see a list of available yachts from different bases.
If you prefer a personal recommendation, simply send us a short brief with your dates, preferred departure area and approximate budget. We will prepare a shortlist from our trusted partners and from the wider fleet shown on our Croatia destinations overview, so you can compare several good options side by side.
Once you have chosen your yacht, we place it on a temporary hold while you organise flights and finalise plans with your crew. After confirmation, a deposit secures the booking. Closer to departure we help you with crew lists, transfer suggestions and a flexible route plan that suits the forecast.
In Croatia, the same skipper licence and VHF certificate rules apply to power catamarans as to other motor yachts. If you charter bareboat, your licence must be recognised by the Croatian authorities and your recent experience should match the size and type of yacht you are taking.
For many guests, yes. The wide beam reduces rolling at anchor and underway, cabins are more spread out for privacy and there is usually more outdoor space on the same length of boat. Classic mono-hull motor yachts may offer higher top speeds, but power cats win on stability and living areas.
Fuel consumption depends on yacht size and cruising speed. At moderate speeds, power cats are often more efficient than similar-length mono-hull motor yachts. Your skipper and our team can estimate expected fuel usage for your planned route before you confirm the booking.
Yes. Level decks, wide walkways and reduced rolling make power cats very family-friendly. There is usually plenty of shaded seating and safe swimming platforms close to the water. We can arrange safety nets and children’s life jackets on request.
The main season runs from late May to early October. July and August are warmest and busiest, while June and September offer slightly cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. For power catamarans, the shoulder months are excellent – the sea is warm enough for swimming, but marinas and bays are more relaxed.
Absolutely. Many of our guests spend a few nights in Split, Trogir or Dubrovnik before or after their charter. We can help you coordinate transfer times and suggest how to combine your land accommodation with the best possible route on the water.
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