By Mateus Alves, Boat Rent Split.
Updated 21 October 2026.
Small boat rental in Split: the three kinds
| Type | Size and people | Daily price shown | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence-free boat | About 4.6 to 5 m, 4 to 6 people | About £119 on average, £56 to £157 | Check engine power |
| Small motorboat | 5.5 to 7.5 m, 6 to 12 people | From about $347 to $405 on listings | Skipper optional or mandatory |
| RIB | Varies | From $357 | Skipper optional or mandatory |
Prices come from Click&Boat, Nautal and Borrow A Boat, checked in October 2026. They are "from" prices and averages, not quotes.
Licence-free boats
These are the cheapest. The Click&Boat page for Split lists small open boats of about 4.6 to 5 metres with engines of roughly 5 to 15 hp, and it shows an average capacity of 6. High season averages about £143 a day and low season about £98. Whether you need a licence depends on the engine, so read the 6 hp question before you book.
Small motorboats and RIBs
Nautal says motorboats in Split start at about $160 a day in low season, with listings at $347 and up. Its examples include a 5.5 m boat with a 115 hp engine for 6 people and a 7.5 m boat with a 250 hp engine for 12. Borrow A Boat shows RIBs from $357 a day and speedboats from $413. Skipper rules differ by listing. Without a skipper you act as captain, and the owner will ask for suitable experience and a licence.
For these, a RIB is the value pick for a small group, and a speedboat is faster to the islands.
Costs on top of the daily price
- Fuel. Nautal says it may be extra, depending on the owner.
- Skipper. Some boats need one. Read what a captain costs in Split.
- Cleaning and deposit. Borrow A Boat lists end cleaning at $110 to $550 and a deposit or insurance at $110 to $380, plus marina fees and tourist tax. Those figures are for charters on that site, so ask what applies to your boat.
Where a small boat rental in Split can take you
With a small boat rental in Split, stay close to the coast. Short hops to Šolta, Čiovo and the bays near Split suit a small boat. A crossing to Hvar is a long open-water run. For that, see Split to Hvar by boat and take a bigger boat with a skipper.
Season and cancellation
For a small boat rental in Split, Nautal puts the sailing season at April to October, with warm weather from May to September at about 24 to 29 °C. Some Click&Boat and Nautal listings refund you if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.
How to pick the right small boat
Start with the group. Licence-free boats on the page average 6 people, so a group of eight needs a bigger boat or two. Then think about distance. A small hull is fine for a swim and lunch near Split and a poor choice for a long run. Then do the sums: a boat is one price for the whole group. At the £119 average, six people pay about £20 each, before fuel. Last, check the weather with the owner the evening before, and agree what happens if the wind is too strong.
Small boats have been rented in Split for years. A Total Croatia News piece from 2013 describes inflatables and a 25 ft powerboat with engines from 70 to 280 hp. Its prices are in kuna and long out of date, so treat it as history, not as a price list.
What to ask the owner
- What is the engine power, and do I need a licence for it?
- How many people fit, and how far can I go?
- Is fuel included?
- What is the deposit and when do I get it back?
- Can I cancel for bad weather?
How we book it
Send your date and group size on WhatsApp. We send small boats that fit, with the full price written out, and tell you straight if a trip is too long for the boat.