The Croatian Yachting Association (CRO.Y.A.) hosted the 2nd event in its history, the CROYA Yacht Charter Show, in the city of Split from Monday 29 September to Wednesday 01 October 2025.
It was a show that was embraced by the global yachting community, with positive feedback about the organization, the fleet that was on display, the exceptional hospitality extended to all attendees and the busy social agenda.
For those who were not with us this year, we would like to share some details and highlights. There were 49 yachts in attendance, ranging from a 16.50m catamaran to a 55.5m luxury motor yacht and that translates into a cumulative length of 1.549,57 metres. The show counted a total of 253 brokers &CAs, 256 crew members and 17 exhibitors.
Some of the finest crewed charter yachts (motor yachts, sailing yachts, motor sailers, catamarans and gulets) available for charter in Croatia joined us in Split and offered attendees the opportunity to visit and appraise them, meet the crew and enjoy the culinary creations of the yacht chefs during the many brokers’ lunches.
During the event, a Chefs’ Competition was held (with the theme “The Croatian Nonas”) which tasked chefs with presenting their interpretation of dishes that their grandmothers used to prepare. The panel of judges was simply stellar: Chef Rudolf Stefan of the Michelin-starred “Pelegrini” restaurant in Sibenik, Chef Karlo Kaleb of the Michelin-starred “Krug” restaurant in Split, and Chef Ante Toni Bjelancic of
“Gastromare” restaurant in Kobas.
After a very close contest, which left the judges particularly impressed, the winners were announced at a lively awards ceremony and they are as follows:
Chefs’ Competition
1st place – Luka Vulic of “Corsario”
2nd place – Mateo Rac of “Carmen”
3rd place – Igor Karadole of “DAWO”
During the Chefs’ Competition, the interior crew had the option of also participating in the Tablescaping Competition. The theme was “Feel at Home” and designed to complement the offerings of the chefs. The result was a tie, and the winners were: Matea Vitaljic of “Son de Mar” and Nensi Krolo of “Corsario”.
The Designer Water Competition, powered by CYBA, also took place for the second year in a row and it was open to all attending yachts. By producing and serving their own filtered drinking water for clients and crew, yachts can contribute to minimizing the use of plastic bottles. The 1st place winner here was Drazena Perkov of “Friend’s Boat”.
Last but certainly not least, 2025 saw the introduction of the CROYA Cocktail Competition. The creations of the interior crew shook things up and the winners are:
1st place – Marija Juretic of “Amber One”
2nd place – Dario Topic of “Corsario”
3rd place – Petar Stefanac of “Freedom” and Marko Zidic of “Solomar”
And there was certainly no shortage of networking opportunities at the 2025 CROYA Yacht Charter Show: an opening ceremony in the presence of local authorities at the Ambasador hotel, a welcome party at Fabrique Pub and many “by-invitation only” yacht parties.
The organizers have just announced the dates for the 2026 CROYA Yacht Charter Show which is scheduled to be held 28 September – 01 October, once again in Split.
This represents an extension of 1 day, making it a 4-day event in 2026.
CRO.Y.A. had the honor of organizing the second CROYA Yacht Charter Show in partnership with the Croatian National Tourist Board, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport and with the strong support of the local authorities, both town and county.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all involved in making the second CROYA Yacht Charter Show bigger and better than the first: to our attendees who came from all corners of the globe, to our wonderful exhibitors, to the crew who worked day and night to ensure that everything was in perfect order and to our generous sponsors & prize-givers.
It was a brilliant show, and we are already counting the days to the next one!