CROYA Yacht Charter Show Officially Closes Its Third and Most Ambitious Edition

Amid the sound of horns, anchors being raised and mooring lines cast off, the third and, to date, most ambitious edition of the CROYA Yacht Charter Show officially came to a close at Split’s Western Coast. Organised by the Croatian Yachting Association (CRO.Y.A.), the four-day show once again confirmed that Croatia has the expertise, infrastructure and offering to compete at the very top of the global yacht charter industry.

As the grand finale, a reception was held in cooperation with CYBA, the international association of individual yacht charter brokers headquartered in the United States. Nearly 250 international charter brokers and agents from more than 16 countries left Split with exceptionally positive impressions of the quality of the Croatian fleet, highly professional crews and the extensive offering presented by local exhibitors.

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'Since I am a member of the organising committee, it is very difficult not to be biased, but we received truly, truly positive feedback from all the charter brokers, which is extremely important. The yacht owners are even more satisfied because they had numerous brokers visiting their vessels throughout the show,' said Zlatko Vodanović, a member of the CRO.Y.A. association and organising committee, adding:

'A great deal of thanks also goes to all our exhibitors, sponsors and partners, whose effort and hospitality at the Western Coast elevated the entire show to the highest level. Without their dedication and professionalism, we would not have been able to create such a strong networking platform. We are particularly pleased to see that the effort invested is translating into concrete business opportunities and that we are closing the show with a strong sense of shared success and an excellent foundation for preparing for the upcoming season.'

The exceptionally rich programme, which over the past several days included fleet inspections, B2B meetings, professional seminars, as well as chef and crew competitions, once again demonstrated that the CROYA Yacht Charter Show is a key driver of new value creation within Croatia’s nautical economy.

'Every successful edition of the show requires an enormous amount of effort, detailed planning and energy from the entire team, so it is incredibly rewarding to see such fantastic results on the ground. I am particularly proud of the atmosphere we created at the Western Coast, combining the highest level of professionalism with genuine Mediterranean hospitality. My greatest thanks go to all the crew members who gave their very best in the competitions and presentations. I would also like to thank our colleagues from the organising team and our partners for their excellent coordination. The reactions show that we have done a fantastic job, and that is also the best possible encouragement for everything that lies ahead,' said Ivana Pančev, a member of the CRO.Y.A. association and organising committee.

Immediately after the show came to an end, luxury boats and yachts departed the Western Coast one after another, heading mainly towards their home ports. The fleet and its crews are now entering what is commonly referred to as “winter mode”, a period dedicated to storage, maintenance, repairs and upgrades to both equipment and vessels. While the organisers are already preparing for the next edition of the CROYA Yacht Charter Show, yacht owners will use the winter months to ensure their vessels emerge in full splendour and completely ready for the nautical challenges of the coming season.

'I am extremely proud and satisfied with the way the third edition of the CROYA Yacht Charter Show unfolded. Split has once again proven that it is an indispensable hub for yacht charter in the Mediterranean, while the reactions from international charter brokers, captains and exhibitors confirm that we are raising the quality bar year after year,' said Stipe Petričević, president of the CRO.Y.A. association, adding:

'I sincerely thank all participants, agents and captains who recognised the importance of this event, as well as our sponsors, partners and patrons, without whose support this story would not have been possible. A huge thank you also goes to the crews for the impressive enthusiasm they bring to every competition and vessel presentation. CROYA is not merely a trade show; it is a platform for strengthening our collective position in the global market, and we are already approaching preparations for the next edition with great optimism.'

During the show, a fleet of as many as 36  luxury charter vessels was moored at Split’s Western Coast, including motor yachts, catamarans and motor sailers.

From the latest catamarans to 55-meter multi-deck yachts with double-digit crew members, this year’s fleet offers a compelling cross-section of what the Croatian charter market has to offer today.

Particularly interesting is that five of the exhibited yachts were built in 2026. Among them are ‘Midori’ (the new Sunreef 70 Eco), followed by ‘Sea Dreams’ (a Sunreef 60), as well as ‘Adriatic Pearl’ (a Lagoon 55), ‘Balance Šibenik’ (an Azimut 82), and ‘Zora Nua’ (a HaySea 60). These are brand-new charter yachts that have hit the market just this season.

In the segment up to approximately 24 meters, catamarans account for a significant portion of the fleet, serving as a clear indicator of how the smaller crewed charter yacht segment has elevated its level of service in recent years. Joining ‘Midori’, ‘Sea Dreams’, and ‘Adriatic Pearl’ are ‘Good Vibes’, ‘Sinata’, ‘Nomad’, ‘Triwing Endor’, ‘Triwing Ossus’, ‘Zora Nua’, ‘Farben’, and ‘Lady M’, along with the power catamaran ‘Amber One’, and motor yachts ‘Donna’, ‘WE2’, ‘Aglaya’, ‘Opal Adriatic’, and ‘Ascend’.

The next group comprises yachts between roughly 24 and 30 meters: ‘Balance Šibenik’, ‘Conte Alberti’, ‘Zatara II’, ‘Damari’, and ‘Santa Clara’. This is a highly popular segment, compact enough for effortless Adriatic cruising, yet offering professional crews, high standards of comfort, and the level of amenities expected by discerning charter guests.

From 30 meters upward, the fleet enters the superyacht realm, where larger volume translates to more expansive interiors, wider exterior decks, larger crews, and an elevated level of amenities and personalized service. In this category along Zapadna obala, visitors can see ‘Novela’, ‘Dream’, ‘Gatsby’, ‘Rara Avis’, ‘Cornelia’, ‘Cynthia’, ‘Mirage IV’, ‘Renata’, ‘Ladyship’, and ‘Marallure’, showcasing the sheer diversity of this sector of the Croatian charter offering, from modern motor yachts to luxury motor sailers.

A special place in the fleet belongs to luxury sailing yachts, a category that has become a signature hallmark of the Croatian charter market internationally over recent years. These are not traditional sailing ships, but substantial yachts that combine distinctive aesthetics and the feel of sailing with generous space, professional crews, and superyacht-grade service.

Spacious cabins and decks, fine dining, an array of water toys, and tailored service are precisely why vessels like ‘Rara Avis’, ‘Marallure’, and ‘Dalmatino’ have become iconic fixtures of Croatian chartering.

At the very top of this year’s fleet at the CROYA Yacht Charter Show are three vessels that are impossible to miss along Zapadna obala. The largest is the 55-meter ‘Argo’, accommodating up to 26 guests across 13 cabins; next is the 49-meter ‘Ohana’, designed for large groups of up to 30 guests in 14 cabins; followed by the 43.5-meter ‘Dalmatino', dimensions and capacities that highlight the broad spectrum of charter offerings presented at this year’s show.

However, vessels are not evaluated solely by length, design, or interior luxury. One of the primary values of the CROYA Yacht Charter Show lies in giving international charter brokers the opportunity over several days to experience the fleet firsthand. Beyond inspecting cabins, decks, amenities, and water sports equipment, brokers sample the onboard cuisine and, above all, engage directly with the captains and crews.

'In crewed charters, the human factor is one of the most critical elements of a successful voyage. A boat can be stunning, brand new, top-spec, and on-trend, but ultimately it is the crew that shapes the guest experience,' shared Sash King, member of the association and the CROYA organizing committee, adding:

'The yacht provides the platform, but the crew gives it life. The relationship the crew builds with guests, the atmosphere they foster, and the level of service they deliver will ultimately decide whether guests remember their charter as an exceptional experience. A great crew must be professional and skilled, but communication, anticipating guest needs, and adapting to different personalities and expectations are equally crucial. Staff need to know when to be present and when to give guests space. That’s why you often hear brokers say a crew can ‘make or break a charter.’ An outstanding crew elevates the entire experience, whereas the wrong crew can diminish the value of even the most beautiful yacht.'

This year’s CROYA Yacht Charter Show took place under the high patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia. The event was proudly supported by the Croatian National Tourist Board, the City of Split, local and regional tourist boards, the Split-Dalmatia County Port Authority, and the Croatian Chamber of Economy.