Speedboat, catamaran or yacht? A simple framework.

Choosing a boat comes down to three questions: how many people are in your group, how far you want to go, and whether you prefer speed or space.

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Speedboats: fast island-hopping

Our Excursion 34 and 36 speedboats are open boats for island-hopping, with sun pads at the bow and stern and a bimini for shade. At a cruising speed of about 25 knots they reach the Elaphiti Islands in about 20 minutes. They take up to 12 guests and are most comfortable with 6–8.

Catamarans: deck space and big groups

The Lux Cat Allegra (up to 12 guests) has two bow trampolines, a large saloon and stable decks. That makes it a good choice for birthdays, hen parties and guests prone to seasickness. The Cat 17 Epidaurum is our events boat, with the largest deck in the fleet, also for up to 12 guests.

Motor yachts: the luxury choice

The Ferretti 591, Azimut 43 and Jeanneau Prestige 440 are the luxury boats of our fleet, with a crew focused on top service. They are the best choice for anyone who wants the most comfortable day on the water, even a couple on their own. They also suit longer routes such as Korčula and the Bay of Kotor, and anyone who wants an air-conditioned saloon in the August heat. They are also the only boats with cabins for overnight stays, which is where multi-day charter begins.

The trade-offs

• Speedboats are fast, but open. On a windy afternoon you feel the waves more.
• Catamarans are stable and roomy. The Cat 17 Epidaurum is slow (about 12 knots), so plan fewer, longer stops; the Lux Cat Allegra cruises at about 22 knots.
• Yachts are the luxury option: the most comfort and service, at a higher price. Every boat is quoted in advance, so you can compare.

Not sure? Tell us your group size, route and occasion and we will recommend a boat.

Which boat for which route

The choice is easier once you know where you want to go, because distance changes what matters. Group size tells you how much deck you need; the route tells you how much speed and shade you need. A rough guide from the routes we run most:

• Elaphiti Islands, Blue Cave, Lokrum and Cavtat: short hops with several swim stops. Any boat works; a speedboat gives you the most stops in the time.
• Mljet and Korčula: long open-water legs. The speedboats are fast enough for both, and a motor yacht adds shade, an air-conditioned saloon and a proper bathroom for the hours on the water (the speedboats have a small toilet on board).
• Bay of Kotor: a full day with a border crossing. The motor yachts suit it best. Bring a passport; EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may also cross with a national ID card.
• Celebrations close to Dubrovnik: a catamaran, where the group stays together on one wide, steady deck.
• Sunset cruise: any boat. A flybridge on one of the yachts gives the best view over the walls.

Speed differs more than people expect. The Cat 17 Epidaurum cruises at about 12 knots, while the speedboats and the Ferretti 591 cruise at around twice that. On a short route the difference hardly matters; to Korčula it is the difference between a relaxed lunch and a rushed one.

Day rental or multi-day charter

A day rental is one day on the boat with a skipper. You board in the morning at Cavtat, Lapad, ACI Marina Komolac or the Old Port, and you are back the same day. Every boat in the fleet can be rented this way, for up to 12 guests.

A multi-day yacht charter is a different product. You sleep on board in private cabins with ensuite bathrooms. A captain and a hostess look after the boat and breakfast. Each evening you moor in a harbour town such as Korčula or Hvar. Most guests choose three, five or seven days, though any length is possible. Some practical differences:

• Motor yachts only. The speedboats and catamarans are day boats without cabins.
• Fewer guests overnight. The Ferretti 591 sleeps up to six in three cabins; the Azimut 43 and Jeanneau Prestige 440 sleep up to four. During the day all three take up to 12.
• Costs work differently. On a charter, fuel is charged by consumption and island mooring is paid on top, along with national park fees if you visit Mljet. We send an estimated range with the offer.

What every rental has in common

Whichever boat you choose, you do not need a licence: every boat comes with a licensed local skipper, and we do not do self-drive rentals. On a day rental, the skipper, fuel for the agreed route, insurance and final cleaning are always included. On most boats, drinks, towels, snorkelling gear and the hotel transfer are too, while SUP, snacks and fruit depend on the boat. Each boat page lists what is aboard, and we confirm it with the quote.

Prices are on request. The boat is quoted as a whole, not per person. The season, the boat and the route set the price, so we send an itemised quote for your exact day by email or WhatsApp.

Seasickness, children and the August heat

• Seasickness: at anchor and on short routes the catamarans are the steadiest; on open water to Mljet or Korčula a heavier motor yacht rides the swell best. Tell us in advance and we plan a calmer route as well.
• Small children: a boat with a saloon or a large covered area gives them somewhere to nap out of the sun. Lifejackets are on board for every guest.
• Heat: in July and August an open speedboat relies on its bimini for shade. If your group wants air conditioning at midday, choose a motor yacht.

Before you enquire

A short message with these points gets you the right boat in one reply:

• Your date, or a flexible window.
• The number of guests, and the ages of any children.
• Where you would like to go, or simply “islands and swimming”.
• The occasion, if there is one.
• Anyone prone to seasickness or a nervous swimmer.

Send these details through the contact form, by e-mail to info@boat-dubrovnik.com or on WhatsApp.

Inside the boat: shade, toilets and a place to sit

Photos of boats are usually taken from the outside, at speed. For the day itself, what matters more is what happens when you stop: where the shade is, where you eat and where you change. A short way to think about it:

• Speedboats are open boats with a bimini (a canvas sun roof) over the seats. They are about the sea and the speed; you spend the day outside. See the Excursion 36 page for the layout and photos.
• Catamarans give the most flat deck space and a covered area, which is why groups and families with small children like them: nobody has to hold on while walking around.
• Motor yachts have an indoor saloon, cabins and two or three bathrooms. That makes the boat a place to rest out of the sun, too. You can change in private or sit at a table with a drink between swims. Lunch itself is at a restaurant ashore.

Wind, waves and the route

The Elaphiti Islands and the coves around Cavtat are sheltered, and any of the boats is comfortable there on a normal summer day. Longer routes such as Mljet and Korčula cross open water, where the boat type matters more. Faster boats shorten the time at sea; bigger, heavier boats move less when there is a swell.

The afternoon maestral is a normal summer breeze. The two winds to watch are the jugo from the south, which brings swell, and the bura from the north-east, which comes in strong gusts. The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service publishes the marine forecast in English; we check it the day before every trip and tell you if the route or the boat should change.

If anyone in the group gets seasick, say so when you enquire. The answer is usually a steadier boat, an earlier start and a route that keeps to the islands. Our packing list has a few more tips for the day.

Keep reading

• Elaphiti Islands guide: the route most first-time guests choose.
• Korčula in a day: the longest single-island day, and which boat suits it.
• Quiet coves near Dubrovnik: where each boat can anchor.
• Compare the fleet: speedboats, catamarans and motor yachts.

Questions