Cómo elegir una agencia de viajes de confianza en Croacia

With peak summer season underway, many travellers are scrambling for last-minute boat bookings in Croatia. Whether you’re planning ahead or considering a spontaneous sailing trip, choosing the right company to book with makes all the difference.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a guide to what separates trustworthy, experience-led operators from those just trying to make a quick sale. These are the same things we look for before ever recommending a tour, yacht, or agency to our guests.

1. Choose Locals Over Distant Brokers

Many charter companies operate through international brokers who have never sailed these waters, met the crew, or dined at the restaurants they recommend. At Anchor Croatia, we live here. We sail these routes, taste the wine lists ourselves, and only recommend experiences we know are genuinely great.

Why it matters: Locals know what’s open, what’s good, and what’s worth your time. They’re also more responsive and available when you need support.

2. Know the Red Flags

Here are some signs that should raise concern when considering a booking:

• Overly vague itineraries or standard PDFs with no personalisation

• Pressure to upgrade or book fast without time to ask questions

• Inconsistent pricing or unclear cancellation policies

• Lack of real knowledge about the crew, boats, or destinations

• A flood of reviews in a short time frame (often a sign of incentivisation or pressure to post)

3. What to Ask Before Booking

Protect your investment and peace of mind by asking:

• Do you know the captain and crew personally?

• What specific boat are we booking, and can we see recent photos?

• How many years have you worked with this operator?

• Can you share guest testimonials or referrals?

• What’s included in the price, and what’s not?

These questions help you separate high-commission sales agents from those who know and stand by what they’re recommending.

4. How We Evaluate Reviews

Not all 5-star reviews are created equal. Here’s what we look for:

• Detailed, photo-backed testimonials from real travellers

• Consistency between guest reviews and what the company claims online

• A healthy balance of positive and constructive feedback

• Signs of authenticity — like personal stories, named guides, and context

• Reviews across multiple platforms, not just on social media or in one group

• A lack of spammy posting behaviour — authentic reviews happen naturally, not through pressure or incentives

5. What Trusted Agencies Have in Common

We only recommend agencies that check these boxes:

• Transparent pricing and clearly communicated policies

• Licensed, experienced, local crew who reflect the true spirit of Croatian hospitality

• Proven safety standards and vessels that are properly maintained

• Personalised service with real communication, not bots or scripts

• Commitment to sustainable tourism — working with local communities, offering fair pricing, and minimising environmental impact

• A reputation built through word-of-mouth and genuine guest experiences, not orchestrated reviews

These are the companies we book with ourselves. We believe in protecting Croatia’s nautical tourism industry by supporting those who care about it as much as we do.

Los tours y chárteres locales son la mejor manera de experimentar la magia de Croacia. Es importante tomar una decisión informada al seleccionar una empresa que lo lleve a vivir esta experiencia. Utilice esta guía para reservar con confianza y comuníquese con Anchor Croatia si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita ayuda de cualquier tipo. Defendemos la preservación sostenible de la industria del turismo náutico de Croacia y siempre estamos aquí para ayudar.