BEST DAY TRIPS FROM KORCULA BY BOAT YOU WILL LOVE!

If you’re searching for the best day trips from Korcula you could take, here are some of the best ones you can do by boat!

Korcula is a stunning island in Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, and probably my personal favourite. It’s an incredibly diverse island with a lot of things to do. Additionally, because of its location, it’s also a perfect base for exploring the rest of the coast by boat. As a native Croatian, I’ve done a lot of these day trips, or at least visited the locations, so I’ll help you explore the surrounding area by private boat or ferry. Keep reading!

Badija Island

If you don’t feel like going far, you should visit Badija Island. Badija Island is a small, picturesque island located in the Adriatic Sea near Korcula. It’s one of the quickest day trips from Korcula you could take.

This little island is easily accessible by boat from Korcula Town, with regular water taxi services available during the tourist season. You need to buy a “Badija Island” ticket, and with that ticket you can visit the island by water taxi from 9:30 am to 6 p.m. The ticket costs 10 euros.

Despite being small, the island is very green and has clear blue waters and beautiful pebble beaches. You will have a gorgeous time swimming there, and you can enjoy the shade offered by dense pine forests. Additionally, Badija is home to a Franciscan monastery dating back to the 14th century which you can visit. However, the true highlight of the island are deer which roam freely around the island.

Mljet National Park

Mljet is one of the most enchanting islands in the Adriatic Sea, located in southern Croatia. It is fairly close to Korcula, so it’s a perfect day trip if you want to spend some time in breathtaking nature and crystal waters of the Adriatic.

You’ll find Mljet just northwest of Dubrovnik. You can easily reach it by catamaran from Korcula, in just around 35 minutes. The tickets are 20 euros per person one way.

Now, here’s why you definitely need to visit Mljet. The western part of the island is the Mljet National Park, covering about one-third of the island. The park features two saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero (Large Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake), connected by a narrow channel. Dense pine forests surround the lakes.

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People usually visit the Lakes for swimming and sunbathing. The Lakes are a perfect pit stop in between various other activities you can do on Mljet.

If you’re into history, you can visit the 12th-century Benedictine monastery and church dedicated to St. Mary located on a small island in the middle of Veliko Jezero.

Legends also claim that Mljet is the island of Ogygia, where Odysseus was held captive by the nymph Calypso in Homer’s epic, the Odyssey. That’s why there’s an Odysseus’ cave on Mljet which you can explore.

If you’re not into history, you can enjoy various outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and swimming. Additionally, you can also go snorkeling and diving in the clear waters around Mljet and experience its vibrant marine life and underwater landscapes.

Hvar Island

If you’re wanting to visit Croatia’s most popular island, you can easily do it From Korcula. Hvar is one of Croatia’s most famous and glamorous islands, and you can easily reach it by catamaran from Korcula. The journey will take are 1.5 hours, and the tickets are 25 euros per person one way.

Hvar is a stunning island which definitely deserves more of your time. Although, if you only have a day, you can still enjoy it. The largest and most well-known town on the island is Hvar Town, which is famous for its lively nightlife, upscale restaurants, and historic sites.

In Hvar Town you need to explore the Old Town and visit the Fortica. Additionally, you should have lunch or dinner at some of the best restaurants serving Croatian cuisine. If you have extra time, visit some of the other towns on the island, such as Stari Grad, Jelsa, or Vrboska.

If you love nature and outdoor activities, you need to visit Hvar’s beautiful beaches such as Dubovica and Pokonji Dol, Hvar’s lavender fields, olive groves, as well as go sailing, kayaking, hiking, and cycling.

Pakleni Islands

If you’re already on Hvar Island, don’t skip visiting the Pakleni Islands, also known as the Paklinski Islands. These islands are a stunning archipelago located off the southwest coast of Hvar. They are a popular destination for boaters, swimmers, and nature lovers.

The Pakleni Islands are just a short boat ride from Hvar Town on Hvar Island. They are accessible by water taxi, private boat, or organized tours.

Personally, I think the easiest way is to just take the water taxi to your preferred island in the archipelago. You can always rent a boat, but that option is not very budget friendly, so I would skip it unless you have loads of money to spend.

If you still feel as if you need some guidance, there are some great tours you can book. They will allow you to be more carefree and completely enjoy these gorgeous islands.

Which islands should you visit?

There are a few main islands in the archipelago. There are 14 islands in general, but these 3 are the biggest and most visited ones.

Firstly, there’s Sveti Klement which is the largest island in the archipelago and home to the some of the most beautiful beaches. It’s also popular for many lovely beach bars and restaurants, so if that’s important to you, Sv. Klement has the best variety of these amenities.

Then you have Marinkovac, which houses Hvar’s most famous beach club called Carpe Diem. This amazing beach club is calm and relaxing during the day, and a perfect place to swim, sunbathe, and have lunch. In the evening, this beach club becomes the heart of Hvar’s party scene, with some of the most popular DJs and performers visiting during the summer.

Finally, you can also visit Jerolim. The smallest island of the three is the closest to Hvar and very popular for its naturist beaches and relaxed atmosphere. It also has a few bars and a restaurant.

The most popular beaches on the Pakleni Islands are Palmizana (Sveti Klement), Vlaka (Sveti Klement), Stipanska Beach (Marinkovac), and Jerolim Beach (Jerolim).

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Lastovo Island

Lastovo Island is a remote and pristine island in the Adriatic Sea. It’s fairly close to Korcula and absolutely worth a visit… Especially if you want to have a relaxing and peaceful day trip. The island is known for its untouched nature and tranquil atmosphere, and it’s one of the most magical parts of Croatia.

Lastovo is located in the southern part of the Adriatic Sea, about 13 kilometers south of the island of Korčula. You can easily reach it from Korcula by a catamaran for 10 euros per person. The catamaran goes to the town of Ubli on the island and the journey lasts a little over an hour.

Why is Lastovo special?

Lastovo is part of the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park, which includes 46 islands, islets, and reefs. The island is full of incredible forests, rocky coastlines, and numerous hidden bays and coves perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. It’s not a surprise that nature lovers often obsess over this island!

The main town is Lastovo and you’ll find it inland. The town is known for its medieval architecture, narrow streets, and distinctive chimneys called “fumari”. There’s also the town of Ubli, located on the western coast. It serves as the main port where ferries dock and is a hub for visitors arriving on the island.

If you want to indulge into some exciting outdoor activities on Lastovo, this island is ideal for hiking, cycling, and kayaking. Moreover, you can also go diving and snorkeling because the crystal-clear waters of Lastovo are perfect for showcasing the diverse marine life and underwater landscapes of the island.

Vis Island

If you want to day trip to the most charming island in the Adriatic, go to Vis. Vis is a picturesque island famous for its natural beauty and very relaxed atmosphere. It is really authentic and many people adore it for that reason.

It’s situated close both to Hvar and Korcula, but it’s farther from the mainland of Croatia, and that’s the reason why this island continuously stays untouched and authentic. Not many people bother to visit it.

If you want to reach Vis from Korcula you’ll have to go to Hvar first and then catch a ferry to Vis from there. There’s no direct ferry from Korcula to Vis. This journey usually takes just under 3 hours. A lot of people won’t bother with it after seeing that it takes some planning to reach it, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Why visit Vis?

Well, this stunning island has some of the most beautiful beaches, the most popular ones being Stiniva Beach, known for its unique cove setting, and Srebrna Beach, famous for its clear waters and smooth pebbles.

It’s also very close to another Croatia bucket list attraction – the Blue Cave (Modra Spilja). This cave is located on the nearby island of Biševo and it is a stunning natural phenomenon where sunlight creates a mesmerizing blue glow inside the cave.

The last two MUST-SEE attractions are the two main towns on the island – Vis Town and Komiza. Vis Town has a more laid-back feel with a rich cultural history, while Komiza is a traditional fishing village with a vibrant atmosphere.

Also, if you’re a Mamma Mia! fan, you maybe already know that many of the scenes for Mamma Mia 2 were filmed on Vis Island, so you can explore those locations as well! Additionally, you can go diving and snorkeling, as well as hiking and cycling all over the island.

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Peljesac Peninsula

Another quick day trip from Korcula is definitely Peljesac Peninsula. Peljesac is a beautiful peninsula which you used to reach Korcula is you came by mainland. Peljesac is known for its stunning landscapes, excellent wines, and delicious fresh sea food. So, if you like any of those, don’t skip it!

You can take a quick ferry from Korcula to Orebic which is only 15 minutes long and around 5 euros. For exploring Peljesac you need a car or a private tour.

The following attractions are a MUST-SEE, so if you’re visiting Peljesac, do not skip out on these.

Firstly, Ston and Mali Ston. Ston is home to the famous Walls of Ston, which are among the longest defensive walls in Europe, right behind the Wall of China. Along with the walls, Ston also has famous saltworks which you can visit and learn more about it.

Mali Ston, on the other hand, is famous for its fresh and delicious oysters. There are many oyster farms in Mali Ston, and many restaurants. We personally always go to Vila Koruna to eat our oysters, and every time we are very happy with our meal!

If you’re a person who likes nature and beaches, there are several of them on Pelješac worthy of visiting. Some of the most popular beaches are Prapratno Beach, Divna Beach, Mokalo Beach, and Trstenica Beach. Towns you shouldn’t skip if you like beaches are Trpanj and Orebic.

Pelješac is also popular for its vineyards and high-quality wines, so if you’re a wine lover, make sure you go on at least one vineyard tour where you can see how the wine is produced, taste it, and buy it if you like it!

Brac Island

Finally, the last on this list is another stunning Croatian island, and that’s Brac. Brac is the third largest island in the Adriatic Sea, located just off the coast of Split. From Korcula, you can easily reach it by catamaran for around 25 euros per person (one way). The journey takes around 2 hours.

The main attraction on Brac is definitely the Zlatni Rat Beach in Bol. The beach is known for its unique shape, which changes with the tides, currents, and winds. It’s been named Croatia’s most beautiful beach many times, and it’s always full of people, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.

While on the island, you should also visit Supetar. Supetar is the biggest town on the island and it has a charming old town, beautiful beaches, and lively waterfront with restaurants and cafes. Go for a walk and grab some lunch there. I also really love Pucisca, an absolutely beautiful town home to the famous Brac stone!

If you plan to just enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities, along Zlatni Rat, you can also visit Kotlina Beach, which is my favourite beach on the island. If you like water sports you can try windsurfing, kiteboarding, and diving, and if you want something that will take you through the nature on the island, go hike or cycle!

CONCLUSION: BEST DAY TRIPS FROM KORCULA

Some of these day trips are easy, while others take a bit more planning, but all of them are absolutely worth it. My personal favorites are Peljesac for a more exciting day, and Lastovo or Mljet for a relaxing experience focused on nature and the sea. Hvar and Brac are a bit far for a day trip in my opinion, but if you only have one day and really want to see them, they’re still manageable and definitely worth visiting!