How to Book a Boat in Dubrovnik · 5-Step Guide
The exact 5-step process for booking a boat in Dubrovnik direct — no Viator, no commission. Includes pricing comparisons and how to spot fake operators.
I handle every booking that comes into Dubrovnik Boat Yacht Rentals. Here’s exactly how to book direct, save 15-25%, and avoid the three traps most first-time visitors fall into.
The 5 steps
Step 1 — Pick your boat (or let us pick)
If you have a boat license: any boat, any size. If you don’t: the Pasara (€150/day, 4 pax, 5HP) is your only no-license option — Croatian maritime law caps licence-free operation at 5 HP.
Group of 6 or more? You need a skipper anyway, so the boat license is irrelevant. Pick by passenger capacity:
- 6 pax: Quicksilver 675 (€300) or Barracuda 545 (€250)
- 9 pax: Quicksilver 755 SD (€400, cabin + WC)
- 10 pax: Quicksilver 805 SD (€450, cabin + WC + Bimini)
Step 2 — Pick your date and route
Check the best-time guide. Decide if you want:
- Half-day (4-5 hrs): Lokrum + Cavtat or Blue Cave
- Full-day (8 hrs): Elafiti loop (Koločep + Lopud + Šipan)
- Long day (10+ hrs): Mljet National Park
Step 3 — Submit the booking
Two ways:
- Online: booking page → Stripe checkout → instant confirmation email. 90 seconds total.
- WhatsApp: +385 91 600 1201 — I reply within 30 minutes during operating hours (08:00-20:00).
For premium yachts (Quicksilver 805) or anything overnight, WhatsApp is faster — there are details to confirm that the form can’t capture.
Step 4 — Get your pre-trip pack
The night before your booking, I send you:
- Live pickup pin for Marina Frapa
- Your skipper’s name and WhatsApp (if applicable)
- Weather forecast for the day
- A reminder of what to bring (towel, swimsuit, hat, sun cream, ID)
- Cancellation/reschedule reminders
Step 5 — Show up
Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Captain or I will meet you at the dock. Quick safety briefing (2-3 min for self-drive boats), then you’re off.
How to spot a fake operator
Three red flags:
- No physical address. We’re at Lapadska obala 21a. You can walk to our dock today. Operators with only a phone number are usually OTAs reselling someone else’s boat.
- No captain photo / name. If you can’t see who’s running the company, you’re dealing with a faceless reseller. Our crew page has photos and credentials.
- Round review counts (“400 reviews”). Real review counts are weird numbers like 437 or 198. Round numbers are usually fabricated.
Direct vs OTA pricing
Same boat, same day, different platform:
| Boat | Direct | Viator | GetYourGuide | Booking.com Experiences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasara, full day | €150 | €195 | €185 | €210 |
| Quicksilver 675, full day | €300 | €385 | €370 | €410 |
| Blue Cave 4hr tour | €250 | €320 | €310 | n/a |
| Sunset cruise | €200 | €260 | €255 | €280 |
The OTAs charge 15-30% commission and pass it to you. Booking direct sends 100% of the money to the operator — and lets you reach a real human if something changes.
Payment methods
We accept:
- All major credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex)
- Apple Pay & Google Pay
- PayPal
- Cash at pickup (max €1000)
- Bank transfer for premium yacht charters >€2000
All online payments via Stripe — PCI DSS compliant, GDPR-safe, EU-hosted.
What if I need to cancel?
See /cancellation/. Short version: 48+ hours = 100% refund, 24-48h = 50%, under 24h = no refund. Weather cancellation is always free — captain’s call by 07:00 the day of.
Frequently asked
Can I book 1 day in advance? Usually yes April-June and September-October. In July-August, only mid-week and only for smaller boats.
Do you take deposit at booking? No — Stripe Checkout takes the full amount upfront. Refundable per the cancellation policy.
Can I add a skipper after I’ve booked? Yes — WhatsApp me anytime up to 24h before. €120-150/day depending on boat size.