How Much We Spent Chartering a Bali 4.4 Catamaran in Croatia This July (Two Families, One Unforgettable Week)

This July, our family of four teamed up with another close family of four to charter a Bali 4.4 catamaran in Croatia. Eight of us—four adults and four kids—shared a floating home for seven days, and it was hands down one of the best vacations we’ve ever had.

Before going into the daily sailing highlights (which I might cover in a separate post), I wanted to break down the actual costs of this type of trip. From the charter itself to fuel, mooring fees, and dining, here’s exactly what we spent on a week-long catamaran adventure from Saturday to Saturday—and whether I think it was worth it. Spoiler alert: it absolutely was.

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💸 The Charter: A Lucky Last-Minute 50% Discount Deal

We got extremely lucky. Just two weeks before our planned travel dates, we stumbled upon a last-minute deal on the Bali 4.4 through a charter company called Silver Sail, based in Split, Croatia.

The original weekly price of the Bali 4.4 in July (which is high season) was €13,000. Thanks to the last-minute nature and a bit of luck, we got a 50% discount, bringing the total charter cost to €6,500 for 7 days. That works out to €812.50 per person, or around €116 per night per person—which is incredibly reasonable considering the yacht, the views, and the freedom.

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🚤 Boat-Related Expenses: Charter Pack + SUPs

In addition to the yacht rental, there were some mandatory and optional extras we added to enhance the experience.

• Charter pack (includes final cleaning, bed linen, towels, dinghy, gas, starter kit): €550
• SUPs (stand up paddle boards): We wanted two. One was included free as part of a promotional offer, and the second one we rented for €100.

Total boat-related extras: €550 + €100 = €650

So, the updated total for the yacht and equipment was:

Charter: €6,500
Charter pack + SUPs: €650
➡️ Total: €7,150

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⛽ Fuel: Around the Islands and Back

We sailed a decent amount—nothing crazy, but enough to hop from Split to islands like Hvar, Korčula, Vis, and back. The Bali 4.4 sails beautifully, but we still used the engines often when the wind dropped or for docking.

At the end of the trip, the fuel bill came to €500, which we split between the two families.

Fuel cost: €500

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⚓ Mooring & Docking Fees: Planning for Comfort

This part of the trip can really vary depending on how you plan your nights—anchoring out, taking buoys, or docking in marinas. We went for comfort and convenience, choosing a mix of:

• Two nights at ACI marinas (Palmizana and Korčula), which were the most expensive.
• Three nights on buoys (paid).
• Two nights on restaurant buoys (free, but with the expectation you’ll eat there).

Here’s the full breakdown:

• ACI Palmizana: €330 for one night
• ACI Korčula: €330 for one night
• Three buoys (non-restaurant, paid): €240 total
• Two buoys from restaurants: free (we dined there)

Plus, we paid around €100 total in smaller fees (tourist tax, garbage disposal, etc.).

Total mooring & docking: €1,000

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🍽️ Dinners: Good Food, Good Wine, Good Company

We made a collective decision early on: we wouldn’t cook dinners aboard. With Croatian cuisine calling and the restaurants along the Adriatic coast being consistently amazing, we dined out every night.

On average, we spent around €60 per person per dinner, including drinks. That’s €400 per night for the whole group. We had dinner out five nights, and on two nights (at restaurant buoys), we also ate out but paid a bit less—let’s say those were about €300 each.

• 5 regular dinners: €400 x 5 = €2,000
• 2 restaurant-buoy dinners: €300 x 2 = €600

Total spent on dinners: €2,600

Worth every euro. Croatian seafood, grilled meats, and wines are spectacular, and it was a big part of the experience.

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🧾 Final Cost Breakdown

Let’s sum it all up:

Category	Cost (€)
Charter (with 50% discount)	6,500
Charter pack + SUP rental	650
Fuel	500
Mooring/Docking Fees	1,000
Dinners (7 nights)	2,600
Total	11,250

That’s €11,250 for 8 people, or €1,406 per person for the entire week, including everything (except flights and transfers).

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🛥️ Was It Worth It?

Absolutely.

Here’s what we got for that price:

• A modern and spacious Bali 4.4 catamaran with 4 double cabins and plenty of lounging areas.
• Unmatched freedom to explore the Croatian islands at our own pace.
• Stunning anchorages in turquoise bays.
• Fine dining every night with a sea breeze and sunset views.
• A trip that brought two families closer together through shared adventure, snorkeling, and laughter.

Could we have done it for less? Yes—by traveling in shoulder season, cooking onboard, or anchoring more. But for a high-season trip in July with full comfort, it felt like fantastic value.

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💡 Tips for Future Charterers

If you’re thinking of doing something similar, here are a few things I’d suggest:

1. Look for last-minute deals if you’re flexible. Silver Sail offered us a game-changing 50% discount.
2. Split costs with another family – it keeps the per-person cost manageable.
3. Be strategic about marinas – book early, and don’t overdo the expensive ones.
4. Bring some cash – smaller buoys and local taxes may need it.
5. Don’t skip the extras – a SUP or two really adds fun for both adults and kids.

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Final Thoughts

Sailing Croatia on a Bali 4.4 with friends and family was more than just a holiday—it was an experience we’ll never forget. The cost? Not insignificant. But for what we got—freedom, fun, nature, food, and connection—it felt like a priceless week.

If you’re dreaming of chartering a catamaran in Croatia, my advice is: go for it. And if you find a last-minute deal like we did, don’t hesitate.