A skippered catamaran charter in Croatia from Trogir offers comfort and local knowledge. This guide covers costs, models, and island cultural highlights.
A skippered catamaran charter in Croatia aboard the new Lagoon 47 MANAIA begins every Saturday at Marina Baotić near Trogir. The precise costs for your stay consist of the fixed base price for your chosen week, mandatory packages, and variable additional expenses paid via the boat kitty. You can calculate the fixed daily rates transparently using the price calculator on our website. Split Airport is only a 15-minute drive from the marina. A licensed, locally experienced captain takes full nautical and legal responsibility for the vessel. Guests spend their time on deck, swimming, or exploring the Dalmatian coastal towns ashore, while the skipper handles all navigational duties.
The owner-managed company MANAIA YACHTING & EXPERIENCE d.o.o. operates the MANAIA, deliberately focusing on personal boutique charters away from mass tourism. Hosts Werner and Ines rely on a well-conceived concept that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and local Dalmatian products. Werner brings over 35 years of professional experience as an engineer, pilot, and executive in aviation and industry. He has several offshore sailing licenses and more than 10,000 nautical miles of experience in the Mediterranean on monohull yachts and offshore catamarans. Ines contributes her extensive expertise from management roles in large Swiss companies and oversees planning, organization, and guest relations. This model differs fundamentally from the anonymous fleet management of large agencies. Guests step onto an individually maintained vessel whose condition and equipment are personally checked by the hosts.
The Central Dalmatia region around Trogir features a remarkable density of large and small islands. Places like Šolta, Brač, Hvar, and Vis are geographically close and form a diverse sailing area. A trip in this region means a constant variety of bright karst landscapes, old fishing villages, sweeping vineyards, and deep water. Without needing your own nautical experience, the skipper provides you with organized access to family-run konobas and the complex cultural history of the area. This format is ideal for families, couples, or groups of friends who want to leave their daily work routine behind. The flexibility of the itinerary allows the crew to adapt to local weather conditions and guest preferences on the spot, since there are no rigid schedules.
MANAIA is a new premium catamaran from the French shipyard Lagoon, designed by VPLP and Patrick le Quément. The 47-foot yacht has wide hulls and four spacious double cabins. Each cabin has a 180 cm wide double bed, reading lights, storage for soft travel bags, and an en-suite bathroom with a separate shower. The aft VIP double cabin has its own entrance from the aft cockpit. The owner cabin is accessed from the salon.
The bright salon sits at deck level between the two hulls. The cabins are below deck inside the hulls. Wide panoramic windows bring plenty of daylight into the salon. The fully equipped galley includes a large refrigerator, oven, and stove. The aft cockpit, foredeck, and flybridge provide additional living areas. While underway, the lowerable swim platform carries the dinghy. At anchor or on a buoy, it provides easy access to the water. A Bluetooth sound system and television are available on board.
Technical self-sufficiency plays a central role on the MANAIA. A powerful watermaker efficiently converts salty seawater into utility and drinking water. A large solar array on the hard bimini and an additional generator continuously charge the high-capacity batteries. Large diesel and water tanks enhance the vessel's autonomy. Standard equipment includes stand-up paddleboards, complete snorkeling gear, and a fast tender with a 30 HP outboard motor. High-performance water toys expand the options upon request. The Seabob F9 costs 1,300 euros per week, and the electric AWAKE Ravik Jet Board is priced at 1,800 euros per week. These premium extras must be requested and reserved in advance.
Choosing the right charter model lays the foundation for the entire itinerary and defines the social fabric on board. Tour groups, families with children over the age of six, or couples traveling together usually opt for the private charter. With this option, you rent the entire catamaran exclusively for a closed group. Groups of up to six guests can also book a hostess. Apart from the booked crew, there are no strangers on the boat. You have all four double cabins at your disposal and use the saloon, cockpit, and foredeck entirely for yourself and your companions. How you design your days depends on the needs of your group and the meteorological conditions. Up to eight people can be accommodated in the cabins at full capacity.
If you are traveling alone, as a couple, or in a very small group, the cabin charter is an excellent choice. Here, you book a single double cabin and share the yacht with other guests who are initially strangers. A dynamic, social community develops on the water. Guests meet new people, prepare breakfast together in the galley and share onboard tasks, and spend the evenings together at the large cockpit table or in local Dalmatian restaurants ashore. The cabin charter appeals with a simplified cost structure. Essential components such as the Premium Charter Package, final cleaning, and the skipper's fee are already included in the cabin price. When booking, you choose between the slightly more spacious VIP cabin and the standard cabin.
An extended stay on the water involves fixed base amounts and variable, consumption-based costs. Fixed charter fees vary greatly depending on the season. MANAIA explicitly starts operating in July 2027. From then on, the hot peak season in July and August and the milder, often windier late season in September and October determine the available weeks. You can calculate the exact prices for the private charter or the cabin charter daily via the price calculator on our website.
| Cost Type | Private Charter | Cabin Charter |
|---|---|---|
| Skipper | Mandatory (1,750 euros) | Included in cabin price |
| Premium Charter Package | Mandatory (610 euros) | Included in cabin price |
| Fuel and harbors | Boat kitty (variable) | Boat kitty (variable) |
| Provisioning | Boat kitty (APA) | Boat kitty (APA) |
Variable extra costs are added to the fixed amounts. These are traditionally and transparently settled via the boat kitty. At the beginning of the trip, all guests pay a deposit known as the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA). Ongoing expenses are covered from this fund. Experience shows that yacht fuel totals 250 to 300 euros per week. Added to this are fees for fully equipped marinas, mooring buoy fields, or berths at city piers. A night at the highly frequented pier of Vis Town or in the ACI Marina Palmižana sometimes requires high amounts during peak season, while more remote locations or the off-season offer cheaper rates. Groceries for provisions on board are also paid from this fund. A rough estimate is 200 euros per guest for the week, heavily dependent on individual preferences for food, fresh fish, wine, and beverages. Pure drinking water is always available in sufficient quantities aboard the MANAIA.
The skipper takes on far more duties aboard than merely managing the yacht. He acts as captain in the strict legal sense and bears sole legal responsibility for the safety of the entire crew, the equipment, and uninvolved third parties. His decisions regarding the itinerary and safety, based on current weather patterns, are binding. An experienced skipper is also characterized by deep local knowledge. He knows the operators of family-run restaurants along the coast, reserves a table early for the time-consuming peka, and knows which alleys in the old towns have small merchants selling local olive oil.
The skipper takes a normal part in life on board and steps back when private moments arise. When everyone dines together at a konoba, the skipper or crew naturally belongs at the table. Meals for the skipper or crew are paid from the boat kitty like the other shared onboard expenses.
Tipping is not mandatory. After a successful week, a crew tip of 8 to 10 percent of the charter price is customary, with 5 percent regarded as the minimum. The skipper carries responsibility around the clock, checks anchors and buoys at night when necessary, organizes the daily schedule, and remains available to guests throughout the trip. Guests may recognize this extensive service voluntarily at the end of the week.
Logistical accessibility often determines whether a vacation starts smoothly. Trogir scores highly due to its immediate proximity to Split International Airport (SPU). The historical harbor town itself is an architectural jewel made of smoothly polished, light limestone. The historic core of Trogir lies on a tiny island connected by bridges to the Dalmatian mainland to the north and the much larger, hilly island of Čiovo to the south.
Trogir's densely built old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and preserves a medieval street network. A walk through the winding alleys inevitably leads to the central square and the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Its famous Radovan portal from the 13th century is a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture, featuring detailed lion figures, biblical scenes, and allegorical representations of the months. Cafés line up along the wide waterfront promenade, the Riva, while the massive Kamerlengo fortress rises at the western edge of the old town. This defensive structure was built by the Venetians in the 15th century to control maritime access to the city. When the swallows dive low over the tiled roofs in the late afternoon and the massive stones of the houses radiate the heat of the day, the town unfolds its quiet, Mediterranean atmosphere. Split, the largest city in the region, is just a few kilometers east and attracts visitors with the lively Diocletian's Palace, the Peristyle, and the large Pazar for fresh groceries.
Directly west of Brač and in the immediate vicinity of Trogir lies the island of Šolta. To this day, it retains a rugged character heavily influenced by small-scale farming, standing in contrast to the tourist centers. Dense macchia, resilient holm oaks, and extensive olive groves dominate the hilly interior. The administrative center is Grohote, an old village in the middle of the island with narrow stone streets and wide, walled courtyards. Šolta is regionally renowned for its excellent olive oil, intense rosemary honey, and the local, deep red wine of the Dobričić grape variety.
On the west coast of Šolta lies the picturesque fishing village of Maslinica. The town is bordered by an archipelago of seven small islets that lie off the coast and significantly shape the landscape. The townscape of Maslinica is dominated by the Martinis Marchi castle, a massive fortified estate of the Marchi family from the 18th century that now serves as an exclusive hotel and restaurant. On the north coast is Rogač, the island's main ferry port, which ensures the vital connection to the mainland in Split. In the northeast, Stomorska stretches into the landmass as a long, deep harbor bay. Here, the residents look back on a long trading tradition, in which wooden sailing ships called trabaccolos once transported the island's limestone and wood across the Adriatic to Italy.
Brač is one of the largest and highest islands in the entire Croatian Adriatic. It is dominated by Vidova gora, which rises 778 meters above sea level. On clear days, the view from this unwooded, rugged karst peak drops steeply down to the south coast and the neighboring island of Hvar. Directly at the foot of the mountain lies the famous town of Bol, in front of which the Zlatni rat extends into the deep blue sea. The Golden Horn is a striking, white pebble peninsula whose tip constantly changes its characteristic shape slightly over time.
The light, fine-grained limestone of Brač shapes the architecture of the entire region. In Pučišća, a deep bay in the north of the island, a renowned traditional stonemasonry school trains young artisans on massive stone blocks. The material from Brač can be found in Diocletian's Palace in Split and in numerous historic buildings across Europe. Culinarily, the island stands out for its Brač lamb, which grazes on the herb-rich, barren karst pastures in the interior, producing particularly flavorful, salty meat. On the west coast, the town of Milna extends deep inland. The branching bay looks back on an old shipbuilding and seafaring tradition and houses historic, sometimes weathered stone buildings from the era of long Venetian rule over Dalmatia.
South of Brač stretches the very elongated island of Hvar. In midsummer, the vast lavender fields in the interior smell intensely, while steep vineyards drop directly to the rocky coastlines. The island has deep historical roots. Stari Grad on the northern coast was founded in the 4th century BC by Greek settlers under the name Pharos. The geometrically exactly parceled cultural landscape, the Stari Grad Plain, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The stone dividing walls, known as gromače, bear witness to ancient agricultural structures that have remained almost unchanged for over two and a half millennia.
On the other side of the island lies the historically and culturally vibrant Hvar Town. The massive, smoothly paved St. Stephen's Square and the formidable old Arsenal testify to the era when the town was a central winter berth for the Venetian fleet. High above the town sits the Fortica fortress, reached after a steep walk and offering sweeping views across the sea. Immediately off Hvar Town lies the archipelago of the Pakleni Islands. According to historical sources, the name does not derive from hell, but stems from the dark pine resin (paklina) that was historically boiled in large cauldrons and used to waterproof wooden ship hulls. Sveti Klement is the largest island in this archipelago. The village of Palmižana offers an extensive botanical garden where tall aloes, agaves, cacti, and old pine trees grow.
Vis lies far out in the open sea, significantly more isolated than the other Central Dalmatian islands. This exposed geographical location meant that the island functioned as a strictly restricted military zone of the Yugoslav army for decades until 1989. Foreign visitors were not allowed to set foot on Vis during this long period. This isolation saved the island from the construction of large hotel complexes and preserved a quiet, heavily agricultural character. The ancient settlement of Issa, founded by the Greeks, testifies to the early strategic importance of the island in maritime trade. Today, the wide harbor bay of Vis Town with its old districts Luka and Kut, as well as the old fishing village of Komiža on the west coast, shape daily life.
Komiža has a deeply rooted fishing culture and is home to the Komiška pogača, a hearty baked pie with tomatoes, onions, and salted fish. Southwest of Vis, the very small, barren island of Biševo rises from the Adriatic. The Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is located on Biševo, not on Vis. Access to the cave is strictly regulated by nature conservation authorities. Visits take place exclusively with small, licensed excursion boats from local providers, usually from Komiža or from the small port of Mezuporat on Biševo. Entry permissions, time slots, and ticket prices change regularly. In unsuitable weather, the cave remains closed for safety reasons, meaning access can never be planned as a guaranteed certainty on any trip.
If you extend your stay further south, you reach the South Dalmatian islands, which feature noticeably lusher vegetation. Between Hvar, Šćedro, and the elongated Pelješac peninsula lies Korčula. The eponymous town clusters tightly on a small peninsula and impresses with thick defensive walls and round watchtowers. The streets of the old town are laid out in a herringbone pattern, a historic principle of local town planning. Korčula is home to the Moreška, an ancient sword dance, and is regionally known for excellent white wines like Grk from the sandy soils of Lumbarda, and the robust Pošip. A culinary specialty of the island is Žrnovski makaruni, hand-rolled pasta traditionally served with a hearty meat goulash.
Stretching south of this is Mljet, one of the most densely forested islands on the entire Croatian coast. The western part forms a large national park containing two interconnected saltwater lakes. On the small island of Sveta Marija in the large lake stands an old stone Benedictine monastery from the 12th century. Places like Pomena, Polače, and Sobra offer small harbors and simple konobas. Even further out on the open sea lies Lastovo. This very remote island belongs to the Lastovo Islands Nature Park and is characterized by distinctive cylindrical chimneys called fumari, which individually adorn every old stone house and displayed the wealth of their former owners.
Geographically, the waters north of Trogir belong to North Dalmatia. Coastal towns like Primošten, whose densely built historic core is situated on a former island surrounded by the extremely steep vineyards of the Babić wine, mark the transition. Further north along the coast lies Šibenik, famous for the massive Cathedral of St. James. This UNESCO World Heritage site was built entirely from solid blocks of Brač and Korčula stone without any binding material in the 15th and 16th centuries. Off this highly indented coastline spread the Kornati, a dense, mostly vegetation-free archipelago of bright karst.
According to park management, the Kornati National Park encompasses 89 islands, islets, and reefs, protecting a large part of the archipelago. The harsh karst landscape offers hardly any freshwater sources and is defined by its stark reduction to stone and sea. The entry and behavioral rules in this large protected area change regularly, and tickets often need to be purchased in advance. The island of Murter, connected to the mainland by a short bridge, is considered the traditional gateway to the Kornati and maintains historic wooden shipbuilding in the village of Betina. North of the Kornati is Dugi Otok, a long and narrow island with a steeply descending outer coast. In the south of Dugi Otok stretches Telašćica, an independent nature park that borders the Kornati National Park and is known for its deep bays.
The Mediterranean climate on the Croatian coast brings warm to very hot, often dry summers and milder, significantly wetter winters. Precise temperature and precipitation values vary greatly depending on the year and weather station, which is why climate averages do not allow for reliable forecasts for a specific week. The heart of local gastronomy lies in the small, family-run konobas. An outstanding specialty is the peka. In this method, meat or octopus is cooked together with potatoes, onions, and vegetables under a heavy cast-iron bell, which is completely covered with glowing coals. This slow process takes several hours and requires advance ordering the day before or early in the morning in almost all establishments. Another classic dish is škampi na buzaru, large scampi braised in an intense reduction of white wine, garlic, fresh parsley, and olive oil.
For a starter, hosts slice paper-thin pršut. This air-dried ham differs greatly by region. Dalmatinski pršut is lightly smoked over a wood fire, whereas istarski pršut from Istria is not. This is accompanied by paški sir, a hard, very spicy sheep's cheese from the island of Pag, alongside olives, capers, and salted anchovies. The extensive meals are accompanied by strong, tannin-rich red wines from the Plavac mali grape, which grows on the barren, sun-drenched slopes of Central Dalmatia. White alternatives include the Pošip from Korčula, the fruity Vugava from the island of Vis, or the Žlahtina grown in Vrbnik on the island of Krk. A clear distillate, rakija, traditionally concludes the dinner in the konoba.
Life on the MANAIA follows a decelerated rhythm that differs starkly from conventional forms of vacation. The day often begins with a coffee on the wide trampoline of the foredeck while the morning sun warms the wood. After a communal breakfast prepared in the large galley, you might read a book on the flybridge or take the stand-up paddleboards for a lap around the ship. The generous spaces of the catamaran offer ample retreats for all guests. In the afternoon, the bathing platform lowers, and the waters of the Adriatic invite you for a swim.
This rhythm fosters a specific Dalmatian state of mind known as fjaka. This is a relaxed, almost contemplative state where the heat of the day throttles activity and you enjoy the moment without haste. Fjaka is not laziness, but a cultural adaptation to the Mediterranean climate. Aboard the MANAIA, Werner and Ines support this approach through a focus on sustainability. Whenever possible, the engine stays off. There is no single-use plastic, and high-quality organic care products are available in the bathrooms. In the evening, life often shifts ashore, where the crew visits small, local establishments that process regional products.
Packing for a sailing vacation on the MANAIA is fundamentally different from preparing for a classic hotel trip. Hard-shell suitcases are entirely unsuitable on board. They cannot be stowed in the compact cabin closets and damage the delicate wooden surfaces when carried. Use only soft, foldable travel bags or backpacks that can be rolled up flat once emptied. Your wardrobe should remain flexible and functional. During the day, swimwear, light T-shirts, and shorts are sufficient. MANAIA starts operating in July 2027. In October, pack a warm fleece and a lightweight windproof jacket. In midsummer, these are only needed for thunderstorms or cool rainy days; nighttime temperatures can still exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
On deck, you walk barefoot or wear special boat shoes that have light-colored, absolutely non-slip soles. Street shoes remain in the cockpit to protect the light deck covering and avoid bringing in dirt or small stones. For shore excursions on uneven paths, visiting national parks, or climbing up to the Fortica in Hvar Town, you need sturdy, comfortable footwear. The sun beats down intensely on the water and reflects off the bright surface, which is why polarized sunglasses with a strap, protective headgear, and microplastic-free sunscreen belong in your luggage. Children aged six and up are welcome on board, with parents taking full responsibility for their supervision. Dogs are not allowed on board, without exception. Unfamiliar boat motion can cause seasickness, and dogs need regular exercise and trips ashore that cannot be reliably guaranteed on a yacht. We provide high-quality natural care products that are free from microplastics and at least 95 percent biodegradable. We protect the sea just as carefully as ourselves.
You can always find more detailed articles about the sailing area, the yacht, and preparation in our central hub Skippered Catamaran Charter in Croatia. If you are specifically interested in the technical specifications, visit the showcase of the Lagoon 47.
You can calculate the exact daily charter prices for the Lagoon 47 using the price calculator on our website. For a private charter, there is an additional 1,750 euros for the mandatory skipper, 610 euros for the Premium Charter Package, and variable extra costs for fuel, berths, and provisions, which are settled fairly via the boat kitty.
The MANAIA comes standard with two stand-up paddleboards, complete snorkeling gear, and a fast tender with a 30 HP motor. High-performance motorized equipment such as the Seabob F9 for 1,300 euros per week or the electric AWAKE Ravik Jet Board for 1,800 euros per week are premium extras.
Meals for the skipper or crew are settled through the boat kitty like the other shared onboard costs. When everyone dines together at a konoba, the skipper or crew naturally belongs at the table.
No, the Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is located on the very small, barren island of Biševo, which lies southwest of Vis. Access is strictly regulated and takes place exclusively with small licensed excursion boats from local providers. In heavy swell or unfavorable weather, the cave remains closed.
Split Airport is about a 15-minute drive from Marina Baotić near Trogir. Every trip starts on Saturday, and you receive the exact boarding and disembarkation times with your booking confirmation. We are happy to help you arrange transfers, a rental car, or parking.
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