Gulet Charter · Croatia
Gulet Charter in Dubrovnik
Crewed gulet charters from Croatia's southernmost harbour, at the doorstep of the Elaphiti Islands and Mljet.
Dubrovnik is the rare charter base where a UNESCO-listed walled city sits within sight of your first anchorage. Boarding here puts you immediately among the Elaphiti Islands and the wooded inlets of Mljet, with the Montenegrin coast and Korčula within comfortable reach. It is the natural starting point for the southern Adriatic, away from the busier mid-Dalmatian crowds around Split.
Why charter a gulet from Dubrovnik
Private boarding at ACI Marina Dubrovnik in Komolac, a sheltered deep-water base on the Rijeka Dubrovačka inlet roughly 6 km from the Old Town and equipped for larger gulets and yachts
The Elaphiti archipelago, Šipan, Lopud and Koločep, lies barely an hour from harbour, so your first day aboard is spent swimming rather than steaming to open water
Direct, uncrowded access to Mljet National Park and its two saltwater lakes, a southern cruising ground that fleets sailing out of Split rarely reach within a week
A genuinely international airport (DBV) at Čilipi with direct seasonal flights from across Europe, around 30 to 40 minutes by road from the marina
Sample Itineraries
Where you’ll sail
The Elaphiti Islands & Mljet (7 nights)
Board near Dubrovnik and sail north-west through the Elaphiti chain, anchoring off Šipan and Lopud, before crossing to Mljet to swim in the saltwater lakes and visit the Benedictine islet of Sveta Marija. Continue to Korčula's walled town and the Pelješac wine coast before returning south.
Southern Adriatic & the Bay of Kotor (7 nights)
A cross-border route pairing the Croatian islands with Montenegro. From Dubrovnik, clear into Montenegro and sail the fjord-like Bay of Kotor past Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, then return via Cavtat and the Elaphiti for sheltered final-night anchorages close to the airport.
Dubrovnik to Split, one way (7 nights)
A point-to-point passage up the Dalmatian coast taking in Mljet, Korčula, Hvar and the Pakleni Islands, with Vis or Brač before disembarking at Split. Ideal for guests flying into one city and out of the other.
The Fleet
Gulets for charter in Croatia
When to go
Best time to charter from Dubrovnik
The Adriatic warms slowly here: the sea is still fresh in May, comfortable for swimming from mid-June, and at its warmest through August and into September, when it holds the day's heat long after the northern Dalmatian channels have cooled. Late May to early October is the charter window, with the settled, swim-led days concentrated from June onwards.
Gulet charter Dubrovnik: your questions
How many nights should I charter a gulet from Dubrovnik?
Because Dubrovnik sits at the very foot of the coast, the length you choose decides whether you loop or run north. A seven-night round trip is the natural fit, taking in the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet and Korčula at an unhurried pace, or pairing the islands with a cross-border leg to the Bay of Kotor. Three or four nights covers the Elaphiti and Kotor alone, while a one-way passage up to Split and Hvar is the reason to consider ten nights or more.
Where will we sail to from Dubrovnik?
Most southern Adriatic itineraries begin with the Elaphiti Islands (Šipan, Lopud and Koločep), then take in Mljet National Park, Korčula and the Pelješac peninsula. Many guests add a cross-border leg to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro before turning back. A typical week ends with a quiet night on the hook at Šunj bay off Lopud or in the pine-fringed inlet of Saplunara on Mljet's eastern tip, both within an easy morning's sail of the marina.
Where does the gulet board, and how far is it from the airport?
Crewed gulets typically board at ACI Marina Dubrovnik in Komolac, a sheltered deep-water marina about 6 km from the Old Town, though some charters arrange boarding closer to Gruž harbour or the city. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) at Čilipi is roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive from the marina, and a private transfer is included in every charter we arrange.
What are the best months for a Dubrovnik gulet charter?
June and September are the most rewarding months to be here. They sidestep the height of the cruise-ship season, when the walled Old Town is at its most crowded by day, and they ease the competition for the most sought-after gulets and the popular berths at Korčula and Lopud. July and August bring the warmest seas and the liveliest harbours, but also the highest demand both afloat and ashore.
How many guests can a gulet take?
The southern-Adriatic fleet here runs from intimate four-cabin gulets up to larger vessels of eight cabins, the latter readily handled by the deep-water berths at ACI Komolac. We match the gulet to your party size, with a dedicated crew including captain, chef and deckhands aboard throughout.
What is included in a Dubrovnik gulet charter?
The notable extras to budget for here are the Croatian sojourn tax, charged per guest per night, and entry to Mljet National Park, which is payable for each guest who goes ashore to the saltwater lakes; both are typically added to the charter rather than included. Beyond these, the charter covers the gulet, professional crew, fuel for a typical cruising itinerary and use of the onboard equipment such as tenders, paddleboards and snorkelling gear. Food and beverages are usually arranged on a separate provisioning basis, and we confirm exactly what is covered for each gulet before you book.