Traditional wooden motor-sailers with crew and chef. The ideal way for larger groups to cruise the Croatian Adriatic in style.
A gulet (pronounced "goo-let") is a traditional wooden motor-sailing vessel originally built for sponge diving and coastal trading in the Eastern Mediterranean. Today, gulets have been adapted for leisure cruising and are one of the most popular ways to explore Croatia's coastline with a larger group.
Modern charter gulets are beautifully finished vessels with polished wood decks, comfortable cabins with en-suite bathrooms, large communal dining areas, and sunbathing decks. They come with a professional crew including a captain and a chef who prepares fresh meals on board.
Gulets are the go-to option when you have a larger group — families travelling together, milestone birthday celebrations, corporate retreats, wedding groups, or any gathering of friends. A typical gulet has between 4 and 16 cabins, accommodating groups of around 8 to 34 guests.
Because you charter the entire vessel, the itinerary is yours. The captain will work with you to plan a route that suits your group, whether that's a leisurely cruise through the Dalmatian islands or a more ambitious voyage from Split to Dubrovnik.
Gulets are crewed charters: the captain/skipper and vessel crew are part of the charter. An obligatory half-board package is commonly charged separately, with full-board available on some vessels. Drinks are additional unless your quote specifically includes a package.
Port, marina and anchorage charges, visitor tax, one-way fees and other local costs are additional unless they are specifically listed as included. Many gulets include a defined cruising-fuel allowance, often stated as a number of engine hours per day; cruising beyond that allowance can cost extra. Your individual quote is the authority for every inclusion.
Gulets in Croatia are typically graded into categories based on their age, condition, cabin size, crew quality and overall standard of fittings:
Most gulet cruises in Croatia operate along the Dalmatian Coast between Trogir/Split and Dubrovnik, visiting islands such as Hvar, Brac, Vis, Korcula and Mljet. One-way itineraries (northbound or southbound) are common, allowing you to see a broad stretch of coastline without backtracking. Return cruises that loop through the islands and return to the starting point are also available.
Cabins: 4–16 per gulet
Guests: 8–34
Crew: Captain/skipper and vessel crew included
Meals: Half-board generally an obligatory extra
Season: April – October
Charter type: Private (whole vessel)
Use the Charter Costs calculator to estimate the gulet, obligatory half-board, drinks, visitor tax, marina costs and other typical extras.
Charter Costs & Calculator