Dubrovnik offers something that few charter destinations can match: you can begin your holiday beside one of Europe's most impressive historic cities and, shortly after leaving the marina, find yourself surrounded by islands and beautiful natural landscapes.
In our opinion, Dubrovnik is particularly appealing for travellers looking for a more relaxed cruising experience. The nearby islands make it possible to enjoy relatively short sailing distances while combining swimming, sightseeing, local food and time at anchor.
The Elaphiti Islands Koločep, Lopud and Šipan are close to Dubrovnik, while Mljet, Korčula and Pelješac can easily be incorporated into a longer itinerary.
For families and groups, a private gulet is also an excellent choice. The yacht is exclusively chartered for your group and normally comes with a professional crew, so guests can simply relax and enjoy the holiday.
The final itinerary will always depend on the length of the charter, weather conditions and the preferences of the guests. However, these are some of our favourite options.
In our opinion, this is one of the best routes for a one-week gulet charter.
After boarding in Dubrovnik, the journey can begin with the Elaphiti Islands. Šipan, Lopud and Koločep offer a relaxed start to the holiday, with small villages, sheltered bays and plenty of opportunities for swimming.
Mljet is usually one of the highlights of the trip. Much of the island is protected, and its green, peaceful landscapes provide a completely different atmosphere from Dubrovnik. The island's national park, saltwater lakes and forested coastline make it a particularly memorable stop.
Korčula adds another dimension to the holiday. Its historic walled town, restaurants and Mediterranean atmosphere make it an excellent place to spend an afternoon or evening before beginning the journey back towards Dubrovnik.
For guests who prefer less time travelling and more time enjoying each destination, this can be an excellent alternative.
The Pelješac Peninsula is particularly interesting for food and wine lovers and can be combined with a visit to the Ston area.
Our opinion: do not try to include too many destinations in one week. A private gulet charter is at its best when guests have time to enjoy the journey. It is usually better to visit fewer places properly than spend every day rushing to reach the next destination.
If you have more time available, a one-way charter can be a fantastic option.
This type of itinerary allows you to explore a much larger section of the Croatian coast, starting in Dubrovnik and finishing in Split. It is generally better suited to charters of 10, 12 or 14 days, although gulet availability and possible repositioning costs should be checked well in advance.
The main sailing season in Dubrovnik generally runs from May to October. For 2027, if your dates are flexible, our first choices would be June and September.
May and June
May is a good option for travellers looking for pleasant temperatures and fewer visitors. June offers an excellent balance between warm weather, comfortable sea temperatures and lower levels of congestion than the peak summer period.
July and August
These are the ideal months for travellers who want hot weather, warm water and the full Mediterranean summer atmosphere. They are also the busiest months of the season.
Tip: if you are planning to charter a particular gulet in July or August 2027, do not wait too long to enquire. The best yachts and the most popular dates can be booked well in advance.
September
In our opinion, September may be one of the best months of the year for a gulet charter in Dubrovnik. The sea has retained the warmth of the summer, temperatures remain pleasant and the busiest tourist period has usually started to ease.
It is an especially attractive option for couples, groups of friends and families who are not restricted by the school holiday calendar.
Yes, particularly if you want to enjoy Croatia without constantly changing hotels, packing and unpacking or organising every transfer.
One of the biggest advantages of a gulet is that your accommodation, transport and a major part of the holiday experience are all combined in one place. During the day, you can sail, swim in a quiet bay and enjoy water sports; later, you can visit an island village or go ashore for dinner.
We also believe Dubrovnik is a destination where a private gulet makes particular sense for groups. The overall charter cost can be shared between several guests, while the level of privacy is significantly higher than on a conventional cruise.
However, choosing the right yacht is important. Do not select a gulet based on price alone. A cheaper yacht that is too small for your group may be less comfortable during a full week on board.
Dubrovnik deserves more than a quick visit. If possible, we recommend spending at least one or two nights in the city before boarding or after disembarkation.
This allows you to explore the Old Town without trying to fit everything into your arrival or departure day.
One of the most common mistakes is trying to visit Dubrovnik, every Elaphiti island, Mljet, Korčula, Hvar and several other destinations during a single week.
Leave time to change plans according to the weather, spend longer in a favourite bay or simply enjoy a full day on board.
Before booking, make sure you understand what is included and what will be charged separately.
Depending on the gulet and charter agreement, additional costs may include fuel, food and drinks, marina and berth fees, local taxes, water toys or provisioning.
Some crewed yacht charters also use an advance expense system to cover certain operational costs. The important thing is to receive a clear explanation of the expected budget before confirming the booking.
Would you like to dine ashore regularly? Do you prefer quiet anchorages? Are you travelling with children? Would you like to spend more time snorkelling, paddleboarding or exploring historic towns?
The more information you provide before the charter, the easier it will be to tailor the itinerary and onboard experience to your group.
A good route is important, but weather and sea conditions always come first.
The Elaphiti Islands and Mljet offer a variety of sheltered areas, allowing the captain to adapt the route when necessary. Keeping some flexibility can often make the holiday safer and more enjoyable.
Seeing Dubrovnik from the water offers a completely different perspective. The historic walls and terracotta rooftops create one of the most memorable views in the Adriatic.
The Elaphiti Islands are perfect for the beginning or end of a charter. Their proximity to Dubrovnik allows for comfortable cruising, while the islands offer small villages, bays and excellent swimming stops.
Mljet is one of Croatia's greenest islands and one of the major highlights of the region. It is an excellent destination for travellers who want to combine sailing with nature and exploration.
Korčula combines history, architecture and a lively restaurant scene. It is a great choice for an afternoon or evening ashore after several days spent swimming and relaxing in secluded bays.
A particularly interesting stop for guests who enjoy food and wine. The peninsula can also be combined with a visit to the Ston area.
One week is an excellent length for exploring the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet and other nearby destinations. If you would like to include Korčula at a slower pace, travel one way towards Split or explore a wider area, we recommend considering 10 to 14 days.
No. Private gulets are normally chartered with a professional captain and crew. Guests can relax while the crew takes care of navigation and the day-to-day operation of the yacht.
Many charters in the area use ACI Marina Dubrovnik in Komolac, although the exact embarkation point will depend on the individual yacht and charter arrangements.
Yes. The relatively short distances to nearby islands and the possibility of combining swimming, beaches and cultural visits make the region a very attractive choice for families.
When selecting a gulet, we recommend checking the cabin layout, number of bathrooms and available water toys.
Our preference would be June or September because of the balance between temperatures, sailing conditions and lower levels of congestion than during peak season. July and August are ideal for guests who prioritise hot weather and the full summer atmosphere.
Some itineraries can combine the Croatian coast with destinations in Montenegro, including the Bay of Kotor. However, this is an international route, so you should confirm the possibility of crossing the border, the necessary procedures and the yacht's specific charter conditions before booking.
In addition to the base charter price, ask about possible costs for fuel, food and drinks, marina and berth fees, provisioning and other extras. Conditions vary between yachts, so it is important to request a clear breakdown before confirming your charter.
Chartering a gulet in Dubrovnik in 2027 will be an excellent way to discover one of the Adriatic's most beautiful cruising areas at a relaxed pace and with complete privacy.