No-Licence Boat Hire in Dubrovnik: Pasara Guide

Croatian boating law has one clause every Dubrovnik visitor should know. You do not need a boating licence to operate a boat under 5 metres long with an engine of 5 kilowatts (roughly 6.7 horsepower) or less. The rule comes from the Croatian regulations on boats and yachts administered by the Croatian maritime ministry (MMPI), the authority that also issues the voditelj brodice skipper licences needed for anything bigger.

For Rent Boat Dubrovnik that means our Pasara 5 HP — a tidy little open motorboat for up to four people — is legally rentable to a travelling couple or a small family with no boating paperwork at all. It costs €150 for a half-day or €200 for a full day (as of 2026-10-05), and on this boat fuel is included in the price. Life jackets, anchor and rope, a bimini sun-shade and a safety briefing are all part of the rental.

What “no licence” actually covers

The exemption is about the boat, not the person. Two limits have to hold at the same time:

• Length under 5 metres. The Pasara is 4.5 m.
• Engine power of 5 kW or less. The Pasara’s 5 HP outboard (about 3.7 kW) sits comfortably inside that limit.

Go above either limit — a longer hull or a bigger engine — and Croatian law requires a recognised national boating licence or an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for self-drive. Every other boat in our fleet, from the Barracuda 530 RIB upwards, falls into that second group. If you do not hold a licence, you can still take one of those boats out by adding a skipper: €50 per half-day or €70 per full day on the boats where it is offered (€80 for a full day on the Fisher 20).

Who can drive the Pasara

The person at the tiller needs to be an adult, sober, and comfortable with a short on-water lesson. No prior boating experience is needed. A surprising number of our Pasara guests have never steered a boat before, and the whole point of the 5 HP class is that it is forgiving: it is slow, stable, easy to stop and easy to bring back alongside.

What a Pasara day looks like

The Pasara is a cove-and-swim boat, not an island-hopping boat. At a cruising pace of a few knots it will carry you along the Lapad and Gruž shoreline, past the city walls, and out to the coves and beaches within easy reach of the marina. Lokrum — the forested nature reserve just off the Old Town — is the classic Pasara destination, and the water on its sheltered side is some of the clearest close to the city. Pack snorkels, a towel and lunch, drop the anchor in a quiet bay, and spend the afternoon swimming.

What the Pasara is not built for is the open crossing to the Elaphiti Islands. For Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, book a bigger boat with a licence or a skipper, or join one of our Elaphiti tours — the private day is €500 per group for up to 12 guests and the group day with lunch is €65 per person.

The briefing before you leave

We do not just hand you the keys. Every Rent Boat Dubrovnik no-licence rental starts with an on-water briefing at Marina Frapa covering:

1. How the throttle, gear shift and kill-cord work.
2. Basic Croatian sea markers, speed limits near the shore and no-wake zones.
3. Keeping a safe distance from the city walls, ferries and the cruise-ship channel into Gruž.
4. How to drop and recover the anchor without fouling the propeller.
5. How to reach us if you need help.
6. Where the best swim coves are for that day’s wind.

Because the briefing happens on the water, you handle the boat under supervision before you set off on your own. If you would rather not drive at all, ask us about adding a skipper instead.

Weather, cancellations and safety

Small boats are the first to stay in port when the wind rises. We watch the forecast from DHMZ, the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, and if DHMZ issues a marine wind warning for your day, we cancel and refund 100% — even inside 24 hours. Otherwise, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund; cancellations inside 24 hours for other reasons are non-refundable, but we will rebook you into the next available slot free of charge whenever we can.

Third-party liability insurance is included with every rental; full policy terms are available on request before you book.

Half-day or full day?

• Half-day (4 hours, €150): departs 10:00 or 14:00. Enough for Lokrum, a swim and a slow run back along the walls. The afternoon slot usually has the calmer, warmer water for swimming.
• Full day (8 hours, €200): departs 10:00. Lets you explore the coastline in both directions, stop for lunch on shore and still have the long afternoon for swimming. With fuel included, there is no extra cost for the longer day beyond the €50 difference.

How to book

The Pasara 5 HP can be booked online through our booking page or by sending the date and slot to WhatsApp +385 91 600 1201. Payment is by card through Stripe Checkout, or by card or cash at the marina by prior arrangement. We operate from April to October; in June to September the Pasara is popular with couples, so book a few days ahead if your dates are fixed.