Marine Services in Split, Croatia
Split is the most useful service stop on the Adriatic. The harbour itself is a working port with ferries running constantly, ACI Marina just east of the old town, and the deeper refit infrastructure clustered around Marina Kaštela 15 minutes up the coast. If you're cruising Croatia and need anything beyond a quick repair, you'll come through Split.
Croatia's cruiser scene is heavily charter-driven, which has built up a deep network of trades — riggers, mechanics, sailmakers — at competitive Mediterranean rates. The city itself is a major Roman-era port with provisioning, hardware, and parts logistics fully sorted.
Where to berth and work
ACI Marina Split
The cruiser default — floating berths, fuel, water, decent WiFi, and proximity to the old town. Books out in peak summer; reservations are essential July–August.
Marina Kaštela
The serious refit base. Travelift, hardstand, paint shed, and a network of contractors. Cruisers report it's the right choice for any project beyond surface work.
Brodosplit and smaller yards
Brodosplit handles larger vessels but takes sailboats. Smaller family-run yards scattered around Trogir and Šolta offer cheaper hardstand for owners willing to manage their own trades.
What it costs
| Service | Common range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marina berth / day (40 ft) | €80–180 | Summer peak; winter much lower |
| Haul + relaunch (40 ft) | €400–700 | Kaštela or similar |
| Hardstand (6 mo, 40 ft) | €1,400–2,400 | Includes basic services |
| Bottom job (40 ft) | €2,200–3,500 | Full prep, two coats |
| Labour / hour | €30–50 | Skilled trades |
| Rigging swage | €60–110 | Per terminal |
Services available
- Standing rigging: Multiple riggers with full swaging capacity. Cruisers report short turnarounds outside the regatta calendar.
- Diesel and engineering: Yanmar, Volvo Penta strong. Parts via Slovenia and Italy on next-day delivery.
- Sailmaking: Lofts in Split and nearby Trogir. Custom sails competitive on Med pricing.
- Electrical and electronics: B&G, Raymarine, Garmin all supported. Lithium retrofits increasingly common.
- Hull and gelcoat: Deep skill base from charter fleet maintenance. Reasonable turnarounds in spring.
- Welding and stainless: Local fabricators do good work — bow rollers, arches, davits are routine.
When to book
Spring (March–May) is the busy time as charter operators commission their fleets. Cruisers report autumn (October–November) is the best window for own-yacht refit work — trades are coming off the season with capacity and parts orders catch up before winter.
Frequently asked questions
Where do cruisers berth in Split?
ACI Marina Split for in-town convenience; Marina Kaštela 15 minutes up the coast for serious refit work.
Can you haul out in Split?
Yes — Marina Kaštela, Brodosplit, and several smaller yards in nearby Trogir and Šolta all handle haul-out.
How much does it cost?
Labour €30–50 per hour. 40-foot bottom job €2,200–3,500. Marina berths €80–180 per night in season.
Is winter storage available?
Yes. Hardstand for a 40-footer over the season runs €1,400–2,400.
What about Croatian VAT?
PDV (Croatian VAT) applies to most services. Some yards handle non-EU boats with VAT-exempt invoicing.