Chilled glass of rosé in hand, I’m cruising along the Adriatic Sea at seven nautical knots an hour on my own private yacht.

On the boat’s bow, the captain is unfurling the sails so we can glide neatly towards his ‘secret swimming spots’. The aquamarine water glints in the sun. It’s so clear you can see colourful fish darting below the surface.

No, I haven’t wangled an invitation to holiday with Leonardo DiCaprio or befriended a young Beckham. Nor have I won the lottery. Instead, I’m surrounded by a group of university friends, who are sunning themselves as we traverse Croatia’s rugged coastline.

For less than £65 a night each, we’ve chartered our own private yacht for a week – complete with the assistance of the captain, Andy, as well as Josefa, our hostess, who will prepare meals and keep things shipshape.

‘I have been sailing pretty much all of my life,’ Andy says during our first morning briefing. ‘So you have nothing to worry about.’

Despite being 30 years old, he’s already notched up 13 years’ experience, and he explains that for the next few days our only real task is to enjoy ourselves. ‘If there’s anything Josefa or I can do to make your stay more enjoyable, just ask,’ he says.

I could get used to this.

Sleeping up to ten people, Libertine, our 50ft yacht, is to be our home for the next few days. With four double cabins, three bathrooms and both indoor and outdoor seating, I’m amazed by how much fits neatly into this compact space.

The Libertine, a private yacht in Croatia, can be hired for less than £65 a night each when going on a week-long trip as a group

The yacht is run by the captain, Andy, as well as the hostess, Josefa, who will prepare meals and keep things shipshape

Unpacking our provisions for the week, Josefa points out the various hidden cupboards cleverly tucked into the boat. Complete with a fridge and wardrobe space, it’s like a Mary Poppins bag at sea.

Lounging out on the deck with an Aperol, we quiz Josefa about former passengers. She tells us some could be rather demanding: requiring eggs scrambled to the exact minute, strawberry garnishes on over-complicated desserts, and bespoke cocktails (mixed from dawn to dusk).

But even after a few hours on board, you can see how you might get carried away. From the minute we set sail from Split, life on board Libertine feels like the height of luxury.

As we emerge lazily from our cabins each morning, Josefa prepares a breakfast spread of fruit, yogurt, nuts and eggs. Then Andy explains the plan for the day to come – a busy combination of swimming and sunbathing.

When we’re not lounging in the Croatian sun, we gorge ourselves on Josefa’s homemade lunches of prawn pasta or tacos, practise diving or listen to music as we cruise towards our next destination.

After the first day, we head to the marina in Milna, a tiny village on the island of Brac, about 11 nautical miles from Split.

The boat comes with four double cabins, three bathrooms and both indoor and outdoor seating

Boats dock at the waterfront promenade in the quiet Croatian village of Milna on Brac Island

We are greeted by what one local describes as ‘the best sunset in months’. On land, we eat wood-fired pizza and sip Croatian beer, Ozujsko, and while away the evening playing pool with locals, who seem to adhere to a Balkan variant of the rules that gives them a distinct advantage.

Great fun. Yet the following morning brings a low moment. This is when a silver ring slips from the finger of my friend Izzy and disappears into the deep blue water of the marina (even Andy, who dives swiftly after it, can’t retrieve it).

Croatian hospitality quickly becomes a theme of the trip. That evening, we dock at Stari Grad, a town of 2,000, tucked into a crevice of Hvar Island. Here, we catch a taxi along winding roads lined with olive trees to Hora Hvar, a farm-to-table restaurant by an agricultural estate.

Our waiter for the evening is Christian, also the restaurant’s manager, an ebullient character brimming with enthusiasm for the (many) Croatian wines that we taste throughout the evening. We leave feeling full and slightly giggly – perhaps something to do with the celebratory shots of cherry liqueur Christian produces.

My highlights, though, are aboard Libertine, in the sunshine exploring Andy’s ‘hidden’ coves. We catch fish, then put them back in the sea. We nod off before drinks at the golden hour. And as we pass other vessels and luxury cruise ships, we feel like we’re part of the yacht set (without yacht set prices).