How to Reserve a Berth in Croatia | Online Marina Booking Guide 2026

How to Reserve a Berth in Croatia:

A Skipper's Guide to Booking Berths Online and On-Site

Boating in Croatia offers some of the most scenic and memorable sailing routes in the world. However, during the high season, finding a suitable berth can become a logistical challenge. This guide breaks down the options and best practices for how to reserve a berth in Croatia, whether you're looking to book in advance online or navigate the "first-come, first-served" system.

Most Popular FAQs on How to book a berth online:

Some Advice From Our Skippers Diary:

In general, finding a berth during the busy season requires some more advanced planning. The time immediately before the beginning of the summer season is perfectly normal. Busy season is July and August, especially the four weeks starting on the 15th of July and concluding on the 15th of August, therefore is recommended to plan some days in advance.

3 Types of Berthing Options in Croatia:

Croatia generally offers three types of berthing arrangements. Understanding their differences is essential for efficient planning. Now, here's how each of the mentioned berthing solution works:

1) Berths under the port authority administration:

THERE IS NO RESERVATION SYSTEM!!! The general rule is "first come, first served", meaning whoever comes first will be prioritized, of course, if there are any berths. Good knowledge of micro-locations and guest migration throughout the week and the ability to combine this information with weather prediction is welcome.

As a general rule, it is crucial to arrive at the desired berthing location as early as possible, at least until 16:00, if the forecast is ideal and there are no requirements for a "hurry" for that location. For example, if crowds are expected because it is a busy day for that location, the arrival time should be moved to 14:00 hours. In another instance, if a bad forecast is expected (strong bura, jugo or nevera) for the following evening, then the arrival time should be moved to noon.

In any case, you can sail into the port anytime in the morning (when the ships start leaving the port) and stay moored for a shorter time (max. 2 hours) to buy groceries or top up with water (of course, if there is no water reduction at that location). Therefore, mooring fees for those berths under the port authority administration (if any) are insignificant.

Recap: Port Authority Berths (e.g., Sali, Vis, Komiža, Stari Grad)

• Reservation System: None
• Availability: First-come, first-served
• Fees: Typically low or symbolic
• Tips for Success:
  • Arrive early (ideally before 14:00 to 16:00, depending on the forecast and season)
  • Use local knowledge and weather forecasts to predict berth availability
  • Short-term mooring (under 2 hours) is usually allowed for quick supply runs

2) Marinas and chains of marinas like ACI etc.

The system in the Marinas is fully organized, and in most cases, there should be a berth reservation system. Find it out by going to the websites of each marina you desire to visit and checking the conditions and reservation methods. Some work on "trust" and do not charge for the reservation in advance, while others have an online billing system so that the berth and the reservation are paid in advance.

Each marina separately prescribes the required arrival time, after which the reservation is no longer valid (even if you have paid for the berth in advance). Of course, as in the case of "berths under port authorities", there are more frequent days for a particular location, either due to the migration of guests or due to weather conditions. So, for example, probably ACI Korčula or PALMIŽANA should be booked three days in advance, while ACI Skradin is less busy all week, for example.

Recap: Private Marinas & Marina Chains (e.g., ACI, Frapa, Ilirija)

• Reservation System: Yes, often online via websites or apps
• Fees: Vary based on size, season, and location
• Important Notes:
  • Reservations can be forfeited if the arrival time is missed
  • Some marinas (like ACI Korčula or Palmižana) require booking up to three days in advance during peak periods
  • Marinas offer reliable security, electricity, and water

3) Reservation system of moorings and buoys among the restaurants on the islands

Last but not least, the "reservation" system of moorings and buoys among the restaurant on the islands

works on the principle of trust and communication with the staff of the object. Experiences vary depending on each restaurant! The contact of any restaurant can be found on the web or the Navionics app. Usually, the price of the berth is included in the meal and therefore anticipated, you spend dinner or lunch at the object, with some exceptions. The availability of electricity and water also depends on each location individually. It should be kept in mind that certain bays where the restaurants are located are "open" to the winds of a specific direction and that mooring in such conditions is quite unsafe. Considering the weather forecast, the restaurant's responsible staff will probably advise you to reject to moor there, but ultimately the responsibility is yours.

Recap: Restaurant Moorings & Buoy Fields

• Reservation System: Informal, via direct communication
• Fees: Often included with the meal, but not always
• Tips for Success:
  • Contact the restaurant in advance (via phone, website, or Navionics app)
  • Confirm availability of electricity, water, and protection from wind
  • Trust and flexibility are key, but responsibility lies with the skipper

Visual Chart: Comparing Marina Booking Options in Croatia

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS & CONCLUSIONS

• Higher season, finding a berth during the busy season requires some more advanced planning!
• The cities (berths under port authorities) are the most beautiful and safe, but there is no reservation system, and you should arrive earlier!
• MARINAS have the possibility of reservations, they are the safest, but the atmosphere is less attractive than other mooring options.
• RESTAURANTS have fantastic atmospheres but are potentially unsafe for some wind directions; on the other hand, they can be booked in advance.

*Still, experiences on deals (prices to be paid in the package with dinner and berthing) are unique (from restaurant to restaurant and location to location), and therefore general conclusions cannot be made.

Booking Berths Online: Essential Tools and Apps

During Croatia's high season (July and August), marina space is in extremely high demand. Booking berths online before departure or even during the trip is now the most innovative way to avoid surprises. Here are the top tools and platforms to help you secure your spot:

ACI Marinas App

• Covers all 22 ACI marinas along the Croatian coast
• Available in multiple languages
• View availability, check the weather, book and pay in advance (including a 10% service fee)
• Allows you to register your vessel and manage multiple bookings

MySea

• Serves boaters in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, and more
• Allows booking of berths, buoys, or restaurant moorings at the same prices as booking directly
• Also acts as a travel guide with reviews, destination info, and updates from other sailors

Porthop

• Designed to solve real skipper challenges
• Book and pay in a few clicks via PayPal or Braintree
• Offers real-time booking transparency and reduces under-the-table berth arrangements
• Works with both users and marinas to ensure berth availability and streamline check-ins

Many large marinas, such as Marina Baotić and Marina Frapa, among others, also accept direct email bookings, although apps are becoming the preferred method for convenience and reliability.

TIPS AND TRICKS - Booking berths online

• Book and plan everything at least three days in advance, ESPECIALLY FOR SATURDAY when you check in and take your boat.
• Decide to set sails among the first or last people from the home charter-base marina.
• Take the early check-in option when you book your yacht charter holidays; this way, you will be ready (with purchased groceries and necessities) for the earliest possible departure on your first sailing vacation day (Saturday). This way, you will have a "longer" sailing range on day ONE, and with that range, you can run away from the "mainstream sailing fleets" most of the week.

Another tip, contrary to the above, is: take it easy and intentionally "plan" to set sail a day later... you're on an annual vacation, you don't need any stress, and there's probably an ideal place close to the starting marina for an afternoon swim very close to the home charter-base (and here you can return to spend the night for free). With that, you will let the mainstream fleet get ahead of you!

Think carefully about what you want from the sailing cruise and discuss it with the rest of the group if you want to go to the most exciting places or take it easy. Determine how many days you want to be tourists and how many days you want to "just" chill. It will make your sailing route planning a lot easier! Figure out how many days you want to be tourists and how many days you want to "just chill." It will make it much easier for you to plan your sailing route.

- In the case of shorter and significantly longer unfavourable forecasts, it is better to stick to routes that follow the mainland because there is a greater possibility of finding berths (all charter marinas are on the mainland). In addition, the network of marinas on land is so dense that it is impossible to be left out with a secure berthing place.

Final Conclusion:

IT'S NOT THE DESTINATION BUT THE JOURNEY THAT MATTERS! Independent planning, study and discovery of possible sailing routes and destinations is a pleasure and vacation in itself. It often creates the most memorable experiences, but if the above does not apply to you, JUST KEEP CALM AND GET A SKIPPER.