By Mateus Alves, Boat Rent Split.
Updated 21 October 2026.
The short answer
Yes, you can rent a boat in Split without a licence (or without a license, if you spell it the US way). There are two ways. You hire a boat with a skipper, who has the licence for you. Or you rent a very small boat that does not need one. The first works for almost everyone. The second is a short, calm-day option.
What you should not do is rent a bigger boat and drive it anyway. Owners check licences before they hand over the keys, and you lose the day at the dock.
What Croatia asks for
Whoever runs the boat must be qualified under the rules of the country the boat is registered in. If that country asks for no qualification, Croatian rules apply. Foreign licences have to be recognised by Croatia's Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. The ministry publishes the list, and the Split-Dalmatia Tourist Board links to it.
The same page says a boat in Croatian waters must carry original papers: proof that fees are paid, proof the boat is seaworthy, proof the person in charge is qualified, third-party insurance, and proof of ownership or permission to use the boat. With a skipper, he is the person in charge. Those papers are his job, not yours.
Some owners and platforms also ask for a VHF radio certificate when you drive yourself. GetMyBoat says a self-drive rental needs a recognised skipper's licence plus a VHF certificate for at least one person on board, and lists ICC and RYA Day Skipper as commonly accepted. It also says a captained charter needs no licence from you.
The 6 hp question
This is the part most guides skip. Boats with small engines are the ones rented without a licence, so the engine size matters.
- The Click&Boat help centre says that in Croatia a licence is compulsory if the engine power is more than 6 hp.
- The licence-free boats on Click&Boat for Split are mostly small open boats, about 4.6 to 5 metres long, with engines of roughly 5 to 15 hp, taking 4 to 6 people. So the listings and the help page do not match perfectly.
- SeaHelp reports a proposal that would allow rented boats up to 5 metres and 5 kW (about 6.8 hp) without a licence for adults, within 500 metres of the shore and without a crew. It describes this as a proposal that still had to be written into law, so we do not treat it as the rule today.
The honest answer: the limit is not clear enough to guess. Ask the owner for the engine power in hp or kW and ask in writing whether you need a licence for that exact boat. If they say yes, believe them. If they hesitate, pick another boat.
Option 1: rent a boat in Split without a licence, with a skipper
This is our pick for most people. A local skipper knows which side of an island stays calm, where to anchor and which harbours are full by noon. You swim, eat and take the photos.
- Licence: none needed from you.
- Price: on some boats the skipper is already in the price. On others he is a daily fee. Click&Boat shows about €151 a day on average for a skipper in Split. We show it as its own line so you can compare.
- Range: as far as the boat and the weather allow, including Hvar and the Pakleni Islands or the Blue Cave.
Oyster says the same: without a licence you must hire a skipper. Read what a captain costs in renting a boat with a captain in Split. For a closer comparison see skipper vs self-drive.
Option 2: a small licence-free boat
If you want to rent a boat in Split without a licence and drive it yourself, these are the ones. They are small open boats you drive yourself, with a small engine. They are cheap, and that is the whole appeal.
- Price: the Click&Boat UK page for Split shows an average of about £119 a day, from £56 to £157. High season averages about £143 and low season about £98.
- Size: an average of 6 people. About 68 licence-free boats were listed when we checked, and the page says that number changes with demand.
- Extras: some listings say fuel is included. Check each one.
Our advice: if you rent a boat in Split without a licence this way, treat it as a toy for a calm morning near Split. A small engine and a small hull are not made for the open crossing to Hvar or a long run to Vis. If the wind picks up, a small boat is the first one to turn back.
Option 3: a bigger boat with your own licence
If you have a licence, check that Croatia recognises it. Send us a photo and we check with the owner before you book. Oyster says you need a valid Navigation and VHF licence to rent any type of boat in Croatia, and that the port authority may refuse a larger boat if your experience is only with small ones.
The three options side by side
| Option | Licence from you | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat with a skipper | None | Skipper about €151 a day on average, on top of the boat if not included | Any trip, including Hvar |
| Small licence-free boat | Depends on engine power, confirm with the owner | About £119 a day on average | Short trips on calm days |
| Bigger boat, your own licence | A licence Croatia recognises, often plus VHF | Boat price only | Experienced skippers |
Which boat to rent in Split without a licence
- First time on a boat, or a group of friends: skipper.
- Long trip (Hvar, Vis, Blue Cave): skipper, on a speedboat.
- Short swim near Split, small group, tight budget: a licence-free boat can work, if the owner confirms the rules in writing.
- Kids or older family members: skipper, on a catamaran, or a yacht if the group is bigger.
- Small group, rough budget, want speed: a RIB with a skipper.
What to ask before you pay
- What is the engine power, in hp or kW?
- Do I need a licence for this exact boat? Please confirm in writing.
- How far from the coast can I go?
- Is fuel included, and for how many hours?
- Is a skipper included, and what does he cost if not?
- What deposit do I pay, and when do I get it back?
- What happens if the weather is bad that day? Some listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Fuel, deposit and the real price
The headline price is not the full price. A licence-free boat at £98 may need fuel on top, and a boat with a skipper may include both. Whichever way you rent a boat in Split without a licence, compare the total for your group size and route.
How to rent a boat in Split without a licence
Send us the date, how many of you there are and where you want to go. Tell us you have no licence and we only quote boats with a skipper, or a licence-free boat if you ask for one and the owner confirms the rules. You get the full price, with fuel and skipper written out, before you pay.
When to book
July and August are busiest, so book early if you want to rent a boat in Split without a licence on a weekend. Your skipper checks the wind in the morning and tells you if the plan needs to change.