Booking data from Click&Boat reveals that short-term boat hire is on the rise among UK travellers, with 93% of bookings lasting less than a day. Croatia is the most popular country for British users on the platform, with Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik ranking among the top booked destinations in Europe. Sardinia has seen the largest rise in interest among UK tourists, with bookings increasing by 43.4% between 2024 and 2025
The experience economy continues to shape the way Britons travel, with holidaymakers increasingly prioritising memorable activities over material purchases. According to a recent survey, 63% of UK consumers would rather talk about something they did than something they bought, fuelling demand for experience-led travel to places like the Croatia coast, which creates shareable content online.
With the TikTok hashtag #boattrip racking up 112.8k posts, taking in a destination via the water gives travellers a unique viewpoint, whilst also creating opportunities for shareable content online. In fact, new booking data from Click&Boat shows that 93% of bookings made by UK customers last less than a day, highlighting growing demand for flexible, short-term travel experiences.
Croatia emerged as the most popular country for British travellers on the platform, with Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik ranking among the top booked destinations in Europe. Meanwhile, Sardinia recorded the sharpest rise in interest from UK tourists, with bookings increasing by 43.4% between 2024 and 2025.
For travellers looking to combine mainland Croatia with island-hopping experiences, Eleftheria Sfakianaki, Senior Sales Executive at Click&Boat, recommends pairing Split with nearby Hvar:
“Hvar is one of the underrated destinations to visit this summer, with the sunny destinations easily reachable from Split airport,” says Eleftheria at Click&Boat. “In less than two hours by motorboat, you can go from the mainland to a completely different world, which makes it perfect for a day trip or even an overnight stay if you’re basing yourself in Split.
“The sunny Dalmatian island has been coined the ‘New Ibiza’, and it’s easy to see why. You’ve got everything from hedonistic nights out to laid-back cocktails, with some of the island’s most iconic spots like Carpe Diem, Pink Champagne, and the beachside favourite Hula Hula.
“But beyond the evening glamour, the rest of the island offers green spaces and rocky coves, scenic backroads perfect for cycling, lavender fields, and nuggets of history stretching back some two-and-a-half millennia. For an adventure further afield, take a boat to the Pakleni Islands, the rocky, wooded islet chain which sits just off the coast of Hvar.”
The rise in demand comes as Click&Boat recently announced a new partnership with Uber, allowing users to book boats directly through the Uber app across several coastal destinations in Southern Europe.
The service will allow users to hire boats through the boat feature within the Uber app across a number of coastal destinations in Europe.
Launching from mid-June until October, the collaboration will be available across more than 20 coastal cities in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Portugal, giving holidaymakers easier access to on-demand boating experiences throughout the Mediterranean.
Commenting on the collaboration, the CEO at Click&Boat, said:
“We are pleased to collaborate with Uber to make boating experiences more accessible to holidaymakers across Southern Europe. In the past year, 93% of all of our UK bookings have been for trips lasting less than a day, highlighting strong demand for short-term rentals and making Uber a natural partner for expanding access to on-demand boating.
“Croatia has emerged as one of the most popular destinations among UK travellers, while locations such as Sardinia are also seeing significant growth, with bookings from UK travellers increasing by 43.4% between 2024 and 2025. These destinations are arguably best viewed from the water, with access to hidden coves and viewpoints inaccessible by land.
“Our move reflects a broader shift in travel in the experience economy, with younger travellers seeking unique moments and activities that will also make good social content. Many islands, coves and coastal areas remain inaccessible by land, and this partnership offers a more flexible way to reach them, without the commitment of a full-day charter or the cost of traditional excursions.”
To view more inspiration for party destinations please and information on the collaboration with Uber, please visit the site.
Data
Booking data taken from internal records from Click&Boat over the years of 2024-2025 and is correct as of 07.05.26.
Sources
1. https://home.barclays/insights/2025/06/the-experience-economy/
2. Flight prices are taken from SkyScanner and are correct as of 07.05.26
About Click&Boat
Founded in 2013, Click&Boat is a leading boat rental platform. With a fleet of over 55,000 boats across more than 100 countries, the company enables both individuals and professionals to enjoy seamless sailing experiences worldwide. Today, more than 150 employees power the platform from offices in Barcelona and Paris.
Images supplied. Some images courtesy of unsplash.com
