Croatia Named Top Sailing Destination

24th November 2022: Sail Croatia has launched its inaugural ‘Yacht Charter Report’, revealing the call of the sea is as strong as ever with a huge rise in demand for Sailing Charter Holidays in 2022, and a clear preference for Croatia as the ideal destination for one.

The report* confirms Croatia as the most popular sailing destination in 2022 – with over 38% of yacht charter bookings worldwide taking place in the country and Google search interest increasing by 124% compared to ‘sailing in Croatia’ searches in 2021.

The small ship operator noted that overall online searches for ‘sail boat charter’ and ‘catamaran charter’ increased by 22% and 21% respectively, compared to 2021, and that there were over 27,000 average monthly searches for keyword ‘Yacht Charter’. 

Grant Seuren, Sail Croatia Director, explains: “With bucket list holidays firmly back on the agenda, we’re seeing many more families and groups of friends looking to reconnect and recharge on relaxing Private Yacht Tours… and this trend is set to continue into 2023 with Private Yacht Tour bookings up by over 100% already. There’s no better way to sit back, unwind and explore the stunning Croatian coastline independently and at your own pace.”

The report offers the most comprehensive look at the global yacht charter market in 2022, revealing the average price of a yacht charter in 2022 was €4,420. 

Monohulls were shown to be the preferred choice of vessel, with Sailboats making up a whopping 65% of global yacht charter vessels, and Bavaria named the most popular yacht brand in the world, making up 19% of the global yacht charter fleet in ‘22. 

58% of sailing vessels worldwide are under 5 years old, showing a clear rise in new builds from across the industry. Continuing to innovate in this space, Sail Croatia will be introducing three brand new catamarans in 2023:

·         Spellbound – an innovative Lagoon 50 catamaran, offering a luxurious and spacious sailing experience

·         Alley Cat – a sleek Lagoon 46 catamaran, ideal for family sailing and socialising onboard. This stunning catamaran is well equipped for longer holidays at sea

·         Jubilo – a modern Lagoon 42 catamaran, with a stunning interior and open plan layout, this spacious catamaran is ideal for entertaining at sea

Sail Croatia offers Bareboat Yacht Charters and Private Yacht Tours, all departing from Split, Croatia, and sailing around the breath-taking coastline and nearby islands. 

Skippers are included in all Private Yacht Tours, meaning no sailing experience is necessary. Itineraries are flexible and prices start from €2,989 for a seven day private sailing experience.