Croatia has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the world’s finest sailing destinations, and its yachting market offers numerous investment opportunities. With its stunning coastline, well-developed infrastructure, and growing demand for sailing services, investment in the yachting sector can be highly profitable.
Key Data on the Croatian Yachting Market
In 2023, Croatia had 224 nautical tourism ports, of which 85 were marinas, with the remainder comprising anchorages, harbours, and vessel storage facilities. The total water surface area exceeded 4.8 million m², with 19,131 berths available — of which over 73.5% of water berths were occupied throughout the season. Revenues from nautical tourism ports grew by 12.1% compared to 2022, reaching €161 million. Croatia is home to over 6,000 charter vessels, making it one of the countries with the largest charter fleets in the world — and that number continues to grow.
Revenues and Economics
Total revenues: Croatia’s nautical tourism ports achieved a combined revenue of €161 million in 2023 — a 12.1% increase on the previous year. The vast majority (71.6%) of this revenue came from berth rental.
Geographic revenue distribution: The highest revenues in 2023 were generated by ports in Šibenik-Knin County (24.6% of the total) and Split-Dalmatia County — indicating that investment in these regions may be particularly rewarding.
Fleet Structure
Transit vessels: In 2023, 224,404 vessels in transit were recorded in Croatian ports. The largest share sailed under the Croatian flag (49.8%), followed by Germany (13.0%), Italy (12.1%), Austria (6.6%), and Slovenia (5.3%).
Vessel types: Sailing yachts account for the majority (59.7%), followed by motor yachts (31.7%). A slight decline in transit vessel numbers compared to 2022 was noted.
Employment and Seasonality
Workforce: Nautical tourism ports employed 2,042 workers in 2023, of whom 467 were seasonal employees — an increase compared to 2022, reflecting growing labour demand in the sector.
Berth occupancy: During the summer tourist season, berth occupancy reached 73.5% for water berths and 46.9% for land berths, underscoring the seasonal nature of port activity.
Market Outlook
Croatia’s charter market is showing a growth trend. While 2023 saw a slight decline in the number of transit vessels, the number of vessels on permanent berths increased — suggesting stability and growing demand for long-term port services. Investment in infrastructure — such as the development of marinas or new anchorages — can yield strong returns, particularly in high-traffic tourist regions such as Šibenik-Knin County, which generates the highest revenues from nautical tourism.
What Else Do Nautical Tourism Ports Offer?
The remaining 30% of nautical port activity includes:
- Yacht servicing and repair: Many ports and marinas offer comprehensive service facilities, including maintenance, mechanical and electrical repairs, and vessel refits.
- Yacht charter: In addition to berth rental, yacht charter is a highly popular revenue stream — particularly during the tourist season. Charter companies earn from renting sailing and motor yachts to tourists on both short and longer-term bases.
- Food service and hospitality: Many marinas offer additional services such as restaurants, bars, hotels, and chandlery shops.
- Vessel storage: In addition to water berths, land-based storage — particularly during the off-season — provides an additional revenue stream.
With the right approach, market knowledge, and collaboration with local partners, stable income and business growth are within reach in one of the most beautiful sailing regions in the world. Are you considering an investment but unfamiliar with Croatian regulations or the local market? At CroBiz, we provide comprehensive support — get in touch to find out more.