For self-drive in Croatia you need a valid boat licence to operate any boat over 5 HP. If you don't have a licence, you can still rent a small boat up to 5 HP and drive it yourself — no licence, no experience, no paperwork needed. Anything more powerful than that you either bring a licence or take a skipper, which we include in the price.
Can Americans, Brits and other foreigners use their boat licence in Croatia?
Yes. We accept boat licences from all over the world — American, British, German, Australian, wherever you're from. A valid foreign licence is fine for renting a self-drive boat in Hvar. Just bring a physical copy with you on the day so we can check it. If you don't hold any licence, the largest boat we can rent you for self-drive is a 5 HP boat — for anything bigger we put a skipper on board.
What's the difference between self-drive and skipper, and do I need experience?
Self-drive means you captain the boat yourself. With a skipper, we drive and you sit back and enjoy the day. The smallest boat you can rent self-drive with no experience and no licence is 5 HP — easy to handle and perfect for a quiet day around the bays. Anything more powerful than 5 HP needs either a valid licence or one of our skippers. If you've never driven a boat before, take the skipper.
Is fuel included in the boat rental?
It depends on what you book. If you rent a boat and drive it yourself, you pay for fuel unless we state otherwise — though the smaller boats normally include it. Every guided tour includes fuel, skipper and the boat in the price. Food and drinks are never included on any option.
Is a skipper included, and are there any hidden costs?
Tours always include the skipper, the fuel and the boat — there are no surprise costs waiting for you at the end of the day. Self-drive rentals don't come with a skipper, that's the whole point of them. The only things to budget separately are fuel on self-drive boats that don't already include it, and your own food and drinks, which are never included on any booking.
What happens if the weather is bad? Can I cancel or reschedule?
If the weather is bad we reschedule your trip to another day that works for you. If rescheduling isn't possible and the tour has to be cancelled completely — meaning you don't get to go at all — your money is returned. We won't take anyone out in unsafe conditions, and you're never left out of pocket for weather we can't control.
What boat fits my group, and what's the cheapest option for a large group?
Our boats carry anywhere from 1 to 12 people. For a bigger group the cheapest option per head is usually a cruiser or larger speedboat where everyone splits one day rate, rather than booking two small boats. If you need to fit more than 12 people, larger boats do exist — contact us for a special request and we'll arrange it.
Is the Blue Cave worth it from Hvar, and how long does it take?
Short answer: it's not a tourist trap if you do it right, but it's a full-day commitment. The Blue Cave is on Biševo island near Vis, roughly 1 to 2 hours each way by boat, so plan for a full day from about 10 AM to 6 PM. It's only worth it if your timing hits the midday light and you avoid the worst of the queues. We wrote an honest breakdown here: Is the Blue Cave worth it from Hvar? If you go, do it as a private Vis day rather than a packed group tour.
How do I book and pay? Is there a deposit?
Booking is done directly with me over WhatsApp — message your dates, group size and which boat or tour you want, and I'll confirm availability and payment details. For the big boats a deposit is required to hold your date. Smaller rentals are more relaxed. The quickest way to lock in a day is a WhatsApp message on +385 99 790 0196.
Where do I meet, what time, and how long is the rental?
All boats depart from Hvar Harbour. A standard rental day runs from 10 AM to 6 PM. Leaving earlier or coming back later can usually be arranged — just ask in advance and we'll sort it. We'll confirm the exact meeting point and time with you when you book.
