Hvar is a Croatian island known for its natural landscapes, beautiful beaches, active nightlife, and historic city center. Island hopping is also very popular on Hvar and there are many beautiful bays and surrounding islands that you can visit. You can join group tours for this but it is not as flexible as renting a boat for you and your travel companions.
Renting a boat on Hvar Island is worth it as you can explore hidden gems at your own pace. If you have a valid boating license, you can rent a boat without a skipper and enjoy navigating through the Adriatic Sea. If not, you can always rent a boat with a skipper. This will allow you to enjoy the views better as a qualified professional will navigate the boat for you.
In this article, we will talk about some of the boats that you can rent in Hvar. Want to drive a boat but don’t have a boat license? We will also talk about the possibility of renting a boat in Hvar without a license.
Should You Rent A Boat In Hvar
Spending time on land is great as Hvar has stunning beaches, a historic city center, and an active nightlife. However, one of the best things you can do in Hvar is to spend time on the sea and that means renting a boat for a day. Renting a boat in Hvar is a great way to explore the beautiful bays or secluded beaches near the island. You can also go to nearby islands such as the Pakleni Islands, Mlini Beach, Palmizana (Sveti Klement), and Planikovac Island.
Island hopping is one of the popular activities to do in Hvar and there are a lot of boat rental companies that rent several kinds of boats daily. The process of renting a boat in Hvar is easy. You can reserve a boat in advance via boat rental websites or you can book a boat on the spot. You can also opt to book a boat with or without a skipper. If you are an experienced boater and have a boating license, you can definitely book a boat without a skipper. Just make sure that your license is valid for operation in Croatia.
Can You Rent A Boat In Hvar Without A License
The law requires you to have a valid nautical license and VHF radio certificate if you want to rent and pilot a boat in Croatia. However, you will find some boat rental companies that allow rentals even if you don’t have a license. These companies typically rent out small boats that are under 50hp (horsepower) to those without a license.
If you don’t have a valid boating license, renting a boat that comes with a skipper included is your best option. If you really want to rent a boat and drive it yourself, some operators might allow you to take the risk even without a license. Most boating companies will teach you how to operate the small boat before you go out to sea, but we don’t recommend this unless you have past experience with a boat.
However, if you want the peace of mind of operating a boat with a license, it’s fairly easy to obtain a boating license in Croatia. If you don’t have boating experience, there are courses that take about 4 to 6 hours and it covers the basics of operating a boat. If you already have boating experience, there is an exam that you can take. If you plan on taking the exam, you need to register at least 7 days in advance at the nearest Port Authority in Hvar.
Hvar Boat Rentals
As we said earlier, there are a lot of boat rental companies lining up the harbor of Hvar and there are several boats that you can rent for a day if you want a more private boat tour.
Speedboat
If you wish to explore bays and islands near Hvar, speedboat rentals are the way to go. You can rent speed boats with or without a skipper and these boats can accommodate up to 5 people. With a speed boat, you can go to Pakleni Islands, Vis Island, and even visit the Blue Cave, Green Cave, and Golden Horn Beach. Renting a small speed boat can cost anywhere between €115 to €315 per day.
If you are traveling in a big group, there are also luxury speedboats for rent that can accommodate up to 9 to 12 people. This kind of speedboat requires a skipper and they can guide you to caves and hidden bays around Hvar. Luxury speedboats are also more expensive than regular speedboats and can cost over €500. You can also book a luxury yacht charter for private tours if you want a crew on board.
Small Sailing Boats
Small sailing boats are great if you want to drive the boat yourself and just go to closer beaches and islands on Hvar. These boats are easy to drive and can be less expensive than speedboats. Small sailing boats can typically fit up to 5 people and can be a great option if you are on a budget.
Wrap-Up
Renting a boat in Hvar will be one of the best things you can do during your trip. While Hvar is already a beautiful island, nothing can beat sailing through the sea and exploring beautiful bays and islands near Hvar. In this article, we talked about how you can rent a boat in Hvar so you can have an idea if you plan to visit Hvar soon. If you have any other questions, let us know how we can help via the contact form on our website! Happy sailing!
