Croatia’s nautical tourism continues to grow economically – yet significantly fewer visiting boats are entering the country. This emerges from the latest statistics published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics for 2025. The figures are particularly noteworthy for recreational skippers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The survey on nautical tourism for 2025, recently published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics in Zagreb, covers 216 ports along the Croatian coast, including 86 marinas (of which 21 are dry marinas), 71 anchorages, 16 berths and 43 boat storage facilities (total water area: 4,848,475 m²; 18,850 buoy berths) – and confirms what many German-speaking skippers have experienced first-hand over recent seasons.
According to the statistics dated 30 April 2026, marina and nautical port revenues rose by 7.9 per cent in 2025 to around 195 million euros. At the same time, however, the number of transit boats – meaning yachts and sailing boats that call at ports only temporarily – fell by 7.3 per cent to just under 199,000 vessels.
Particularly hard hit: boats sailing under the German flag. Their numbers dropped by 13.6 per cent within a single year. Austrian skippers (-7.1 per cent) and Slovenians (-7.8 per cent) were also counted in significantly smaller numbers.
The number of smaller berths has been reduced, while more berths are now available for larger yachts
The statistics also reveal a structural shift: smaller berths are becoming scarcer. In particular, spaces for boats between six and twelve metres – precisely the segment typical for many cruising sailors and charter crews from the DACH region – have been reduced. Meanwhile, the offering for larger yachts of 15 metres and above is growing considerably.
For leisure skippers, this means above all one thing: competition for traditional berths in popular Croatian sailing areas is likely to intensify further in the 2026 season. At the same time, costs are rising. Already, more than 72 per cent of marina revenues come from berthing fees – and this area alone grew by more than nine per cent compared to the previous year.
Anyone wishing to sail spontaneously in summer should book early – both marina berths and buoy spaces
The sailing areas of Split-Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin, Zadar and Istria remain the most heavily frequented. These regions account for the majority of transit traffic as well as long-term berth holders. Anyone wishing to sail spontaneously in summer should therefore book early – both marina berths and buoy fields.
For German, Austrian and Swiss water sports enthusiasts, the trend is clear: Croatia remains one of the most important Mediterranean sailing destinations for the DACH market, but is increasingly developing into a high-priced premium destination.
Anyone sailing a ten to twelve metre cruising yacht must be prepared for higher berthing fees, shrinking capacities and more advance planning. Spontaneous passages during the peak season may well become harder and more expensive in the future. (Original source with all relevant figures and charts.)
