Palladium practical guide · 2026

Renting a boat in Makarska: the five things to understand before you book

The boat price is only one part of a rental. A good booking starts with five questions: Can you legally drive the boat? Is a skipper required? Is fuel included? What deposit is being discussed? And what happens at check-in?

1. Boat licence: “I have a licence” is not always enough

For a self-drive rental in Croatia, the licence must be recognised for the type of boat and waters you plan to use. A certificate that is valid in another country or only for inland waters is not automatically valid for coastal navigation in Croatia.

If your licence is not accepted, the simple alternative is a skippered rental. That removes the licensing issue and usually makes the day more relaxed as well.

2. Booking deposit vs security deposit

These are two completely different things and are often confused.

For Palladium self-drive rentals, the current security-deposit framework on selected boats is:

Private skippered charters use a booking deposit to secure the reservation, but they are not treated like self-drive rentals with the same damage-deposit logic.

3. Fuel: why the final cost depends on the route

Fuel is usually the most misunderstood variable. A boat does not consume the same amount on a short Brač route and on a long day toward Hvar, Vis or the Blue Cave. Boat size, engine, cruising speed, sea state and route all matter.

That is why the clearest quote separates the boat, skipper or crew if applicable, and an estimated or route-based fuel amount. For premium charters such as Colnago 38 OPEN, fuel is calculated according to the agreed route and actual operating framework rather than hidden inside an artificially low “from” price.

4. Skipper: optional on some boats, mandatory on others

Selected smaller boats can be rented self-drive by properly licensed and experienced guests. On those boats, a professional skipper can also be added if you prefer not to drive.

Other boats are crewed by design. Colnago 38 OPEN is available only with Palladium’s professional crew, and our Narwhal Orca 1000 operation also runs with company crew rather than as an ordinary self-drive rental.

5. What happens at check-in?

For self-drive rentals, expect an identity and licence check, rental paperwork and a short boat handover. We may also ask you to demonstrate basic manoeuvring before departure — for example low-speed control, side approach and safe handling around the dock.

The standard self-drive rental window is built around a full day on the water, with return required by the agreed time. Exact instructions are confirmed with your booking.

Which boat should a first-time renter choose?

If you want to drive yourself, start with the boat that fits your licence, experience and group size — not simply the biggest boat in the fleet. If you want the easiest day, a skippered private tour is often the better product because you can focus on swimming, lunch and the islands instead of navigation and docking.

Quick questions

Can I rent a boat without a licence?
Yes, if you book it with a professional skipper. Self-drive requires an accepted licence.

Is fuel included?
It depends on the product. For private rentals and charters, fuel is normally shown separately or calculated according to the route.

Can I drive the Colnago 38 OPEN myself?
No. It is offered exclusively with professional Palladium crew.

Why do you check licences before arrival?
Because a foreign certificate may have restrictions that are not obvious from its title. Checking early prevents problems on the day of the rental.