What Is a Gulet?
A gulet (sometimes spelled goleta) is a traditional wooden ketch-rigged motor-sailing vessel, originally from the Aegean coast of Turkey. They are beamier and slower than sailing yachts — built for comfort and sociability rather than performance. What distinguishes a gulet from other charter vessels is the crew: every gulet operates with a captain and at minimum a cook or hostess. You are a guest on the boat, not the skipper.
In Croatia, gulets range from modest 18-metre vessels with 4 cabins sleeping 8 guests, to purpose-built 35-metre luxury builds with 8 cabins, air conditioning in every stateroom, stabilisers, and professional catering. The experience scales with the vessel size and specification, but the fundamental appeal is the same: someone else handles the boat while you handle enjoying Croatia.
Most Croatian gulets follow a weekly itinerary agreed between your group and the captain before departure. The captain proposes a route based on season, wind, and your preferences; you adapt it as the week unfolds. No fixed schedule, no alarm clocks, no marina check-in deadlines. The gulet moves when you are ready to move.
Gulet vs Catamaran: Which Is Right for Your Group?
| Factor | Gulet | Catamaran |
|---|---|---|
| Service level | Full crew, meals included | Self-catered (or add skipper/host) |
| Deck space | Very large, shaded aft deck | Large, bridge deck platform |
| Sailing experience | Limited (motor-sailing) | Genuine sailing, heel-free |
| Speed | Slower (8–12 knots motor) | Faster (8–14 knots sailing) |
| Guest capacity | 6 to 16+ guests | 8 to 12 guests |
| Licence required? | No | Yes (bareboat) / No (skippered) |
| Best for | Celebrations, mixed-age groups | Sailors, active groups |
| Weekly cost (10 guests) | €8,000–16,000 all-in | €5,000–9,000 + food + crew |
The gulet wins on service and social atmosphere. The catamaran wins on sailing performance and per-boat cost before crew. Once you add a skipper and provisioning to a catamaran for 10 guests, the all-in cost often lands within 15–20% of a comparable gulet. At that point, the decision comes down to whether you want full service or full independence.
Gulet Charter Costs in Croatia
Gulet prices are quoted as a weekly boat rate, with additional running costs handled through an APA (see below). The rates below are indicative vessel-only charter fees.
| Gulet Size | Cabins / Guests | Low Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–22 m (standard) | 4–5 cabins / 8–10 guests | from €5,000/wk | from €8,500/wk |
| 22–26 m (mid) | 5–6 cabins / 10–12 guests | from €7,500/wk | from €12,000/wk |
| 26–30 m (large) | 6–7 cabins / 12–14 guests | from €10,000/wk | from €16,000/wk |
| 30 m+ (luxury) | 7+ cabins / 14–18 guests | from €15,000/wk | from €25,000+/wk |
Per-person reality check: A 22m gulet at €9,000/week split among 10 guests is €900/person for the boat. Add APA (provisioning, fuel, ports: typically €150–250/person/week) and the total trip cost lands at €1,050–1,150 per person per week — competitive with a mid-market European resort holiday with full board.
What Is Included in a Gulet Charter
Standard inclusions on a Croatian gulet charter:
- The vessel for seven nights (Saturday to Saturday in most bases)
- Captain and crew (minimum captain plus cook/hostess)
- All bed linen, towels, and cabin amenities
- Use of water toys (kayaks, snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboard on most boats)
- Croatian cruising permit arranged and paid
- Third-party liability insurance
Not included (covered by APA):
- All food and drinks on board
- Fuel for engine and dinghy
- Marina and port fees
- National park entrance fees (Kornati, Mljet)
- Restaurant and shore excursion expenses
Understanding APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
APA is a cash fund held by the captain and used for all running costs during the charter: fuel, port fees, provisioning, and incidental expenses. At the end of the week, the captain presents a full itemised account. If APA is underspent, the balance is returned. If overspent, you settle the difference.
Standard APA on a Croatian gulet is 25–30% of the weekly charter fee. On a €9,000/week boat, expect to put up €2,250–2,700 in APA. This covers a week of full provisioning, daily port fees, and normal fuel use. Groups that eat and drink heavily ashore rather than on the boat often come in under APA; groups with elaborate provisioning requests may slightly exceed it.
Provisioning preference: Discuss your preferences with the captain before departure. Most gulet cooks will provision breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board for all seven days if requested — this is included within the APA budget and is typically the best value way to eat during the week.
Best Gulet Routes in Croatia
Split to Dubrovnik (One-Way)
The flagship gulet route. Depart Split or Trogir, head south via Brac, Hvar, Vis, Korcula, Mljet, and arrive Dubrovnik. Seven nights, eight days. Covers the best of central and southern Dalmatia. Note that one-way charters carry a repositioning cost (typically €500–1,000); confirm whether this is included in the charter price or added separately.
Central Dalmatia Islands Loop (from Split)
Return charter covering Hvar, Vis, Brac, and Solta. Suits groups wanting social sailing and well-serviced anchorages. Hvar Town for nightlife, Vis for character, Stiniva Cove for the most photographed beach in Croatia, Bol on Brac for windsurfing and the famous Zlatni Rat beach.
Southern Islands Circuit (from Dubrovnik)
Elaphiti Islands (Sipan, Lopud, Kolocep), Korcula, Mljet National Park, and Lastovo. Lastovo is the least visited inhabited island in Croatia — the gulets that make it there anchor in near-empty bays that are simply not accessible in the peak charter boat season further north. A longer passage route requiring a capable captain.
Best Time for a Gulet Charter
Gulets operate May through October. The full-service nature of a gulet makes the shoulder season more appealing than it is for bareboat sailing — you do not need to worry about finding open restaurants or marina facilities, because your cook is handling meals on board.
- May: Lush, uncrowded, prices low. Sea is cooler (17–19°C) but swimming is possible from mid-May. Best month for the Kornati if you want the park almost to yourself.
- June: The best all-round month. Warm enough for swimming, consistent mistral, still-affordable pricing before peak season kicks in.
- July and August: Peak demand, peak prices, busiest anchorages. Book 6+ months ahead. The experience is still excellent but you will be sharing the best spots.
- September: The favourite month of experienced gulet charterers. Sea retains summer warmth, crowds thin dramatically from the first week, prices drop. Lastovo and the outer islands become genuinely achievable.
- October: Late season. Quiet, affordable, variable weather. Suits groups who want total peace and do not mind the risk of a changeable forecast.
How to Find and Book a Gulet
Use a Specialist Broker
Unlike catamaran charter, where aggregator platforms work well, gulet booking benefits from working with a broker who actually knows the vessels. A gulet is a significant investment of time and money; the difference between a well-run vessel with a talented cook and a poorly maintained boat with a disengaged crew is enormous. Brokers who regularly inspect and place guests on specific vessels give you a genuine quality filter.
Visit Gulet Directories
Platforms including Gulet Croatia, Click&Boat, and GetMySailboat list Croatian gulets with photos, specifications, and owner contacts. Use these for initial research and shortlisting. Always follow up with direct conversation before committing — ask about the cook's provisioning approach, the captain's experience of your intended route, and the age and condition of the vessel.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
- When was the hull last surveyed and antifouled?
- Does the cook prepare meals for all guests or only breakfast?
- Is air conditioning available in all cabins? Does it require shore power or can it run from a generator?
- What water toys are included?
- Is Wi-Fi on board, and how reliable is it?
- What is the captain's experience of our intended route?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a sailing licence for a gulet charter?
No. All gulets are fully crewed. The captain holds all required maritime licences. You book as a guest and have no navigational or vessel responsibilities.
What is the difference between a gulet and a yacht charter?
A gulet is a specific type of traditional wooden motor-sailer, always crewed, designed for comfort and social living rather than sailing performance. A yacht charter covers sailing yachts, catamarans, and motor yachts — some crewed, some bareboat. Gulets occupy the mid-luxury tier: more service than a skippered catamaran, more character than a modern motor yacht.
Can gulets access all the same places as sailing yachts?
Mostly. A gulet draws more water than a catamaran and has less maneuverability in tight spaces. Some very shallow anchorages and narrow channels are not accessible in a 25m gulet that are easily reached by a 42ft catamaran. A good captain will know which anchorages suit their vessel and plan accordingly.
Is tipping expected on a gulet?
Yes. Standard gratuity for a well-run gulet is 10–15% of the weekly charter fee, split between the captain and crew. On a €9,000 charter, a €900–1,350 tip divided among two or three crew members is appropriate. Tip in cash at the end of the week. If the crew has been exceptional, tip more.
How far in advance should I book a gulet?
For July and August, 6 months is a minimum for the best vessels. Well-regarded gulets at those prices book out by February. For June and September, 3–4 months is usually adequate. October and May can often be booked 6–8 weeks in advance.