We Rented a Yacht with Friends — and It Was the Best Vacation Ever

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We Rented a Yacht with Friends — and It Was the Best Vacation Ever

It all started in a regular group chat:
“How about not a hotel this year?”
“What if... a boat? Like, a real yacht?”

We laughed. Us? Rent a yacht? But the idea stuck. We didn’t want the usual beach with sunbeds. We wanted a sea that moves. To wake up in one bay, and have lunch in another.

How We Organized Everything

We found a platform where you can rent a yacht — with or without a skipper. It’s just like Airbnb, but instead of an apartment, it’s a boat.

We chose a region (we went with Croatia, but we also considered Greece and Sardinia), dates, and the number of people. We got a list of boats, routes, photos, and reviews.

It came out to about €400 per person for a week, including fuel and a skipper. Cheaper than a hotel in Europe in summer — and 100 times more memorable. Without skipper ~€200

Why It’s Perfect for a Group of Friends

Together 24/7 — no screens, just real conversations, music, food, and the sea
A new place every day
No crowds, no noise
Surprisingly affordable when you split the cost

🧭 Our 7-Day Sailing Route: Dubrovnik → Hvar → Korčula → Hidden Islands

This is the actual route we took — starting from the iconic Dubrovnik and sailing through some of the most beautiful spots on the Dalmatian coast.

Day 1: Dubrovnik → Šipan (Elaphiti Islands) We left the marina in Dubrovnik and set sail for the Elaphiti Islands — calm, green, and totally underrated. Šipan is quiet and perfect for your first night onboard.
💡 Grab breakfast at the Dubrovnik Old Town before setting sail — early mornings are the best time to explore without crowds.

Day 2: Šipan → Korčula A longer sail (4–5 hours), but worth it. Korčula is a mini-Dubrovnik, with its own Old Town, medieval walls, and narrow stone streets.
💡 Locals claim Marco Polo was born here — check out the tiny museum in the old town. 💡 Try Grk wine — grown only on this island.

Day 3: Korčula → Lovište (Pelješac Peninsula) This sleepy fishing village sits in a peaceful, protected bay — perfect for anchoring and swimming.
💡 Anchor right off the beach and cook onboard. You’ll feel like you have the bay to yourself.

Day 4: Lovište → Hvar Town Hvar is the glamour stop — nightlife, cocktails, and a buzzing old town. But also great nature, lavender fields, and charming alleys.
💡 Avoid the pricey marina by anchoring near the Pakleni Islands and taking the dinghy into town.

Day 5: Hvar → Pakleni Islands (anchorage) After the buzz of Hvar, we sailed just 20 minutes to anchor between the Pakleni Islands — a dreamlike archipelago with no roads, no noise, just nature.
💡 Bring goggles — the snorkeling here is amazing. Expect sea stars, colorful fish, and totally clear water.

Day 6: Pakleni → Mljet (National Park zone) We started early and made our way to Mljet — a forest-covered island with saltwater lakes, monastery ruins, and almost no tourists.
💡 Rent bikes in Pomena and ride around the lakes. The water here feels like a thermal spa.

Day 7: Mljet → Dubrovnik A longer sail (~5 hours), but smooth if you leave early. Return to the marina, fuel up, and enjoy one last dinner in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
💡 Book a late dinner in the Old Town walls — the post-sail hunger is real.

Lifehacks for This Route

Pre-order park tickets for Mljet online to save time and skip lines
Use Navily app to find anchoring spots and mooring buoys along the way
Avoid Hvar weekends if you want peace — go midweek for a more relaxed vibe
Buy ice blocks at the first marina — they last longer than regular ice in a boat fridge

Isn’t it super expensive?

Not really. For 6 people, the yacht + skipper came to about €400 per person for the entire week. Without a skipper, it’s as low as €200 per person — cheaper than a summer hotel.

Where to rent a yacht for the required date?

We decided not to charter a yacht directly from a private owner because if plans change or something breaks – you are on your own.
Plus, it is scary to take an untested boat, we would like to have some guarantees and support. That is why we looked for a reliable service with full service and zero risk. You can check available dates, prices and yachts on Searadar   

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