Mljet National Park Group Boat Tour
A full day across the open Adriatic to Croatia's greenest island — Mljet's two saltwater lakes, the monastery on St Mary's islet and a warm swim in the Soline channel, all on one relaxed shared boat.
The Mljet National Park tour is a nine-hour shared boat trip from Dubrovnik to the western end of Mljet, Croatia's most forested island. The day takes in the two saltwater lakes — Veliko and Malo Jezero — the islet of St Mary with its 12th-century monastery, and a swim in the warm Soline channel. Groups are capped at 12 guests, departures run daily from April to October, and the per-person price is fixed. The National Park entrance ticket is extra and paid on arrival.
What you'll see and do
- Cruise to Mljet, the greenest of all the Croatian islands
- Walk or cycle the shore of the Veliko and Malo Jezero saltwater lakes
- Boat across to St Mary's islet and its medieval Benedictine monastery
- Swim in the unusually warm water of the Soline channel
- Time among the pine forest and quiet, car-free National Park paths
- Small group of 12 with an English-speaking local skipper
A full day on Croatia’s greenest island
Mljet is the one island people talk about long after they get home. More than two-thirds of it is forested, the western end is a protected National Park, and at its heart sit two connected saltwater lakes so still they mirror the pines around them. This is a full-day crossing from Dubrovnik — a proper day out rather than a quick hop — and it rewards the early start with somewhere genuinely different from the busier islands closer to the city.
We leave Gruž harbour early, run across the open Adriatic while the sea is calm, and have you ashore in the park with the morning still ahead of you. Because the group is capped at twelve, there is no shepherding and no waiting — your skipper points you at the best of the day and lets you set your own pace once you land.
The lakes, the monastery and the swim
The two lakes — Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero — are the reason most people come. They are fed by the sea through a narrow channel, which keeps the water warm and wonderfully clear. The easy loop around the shore is flat and car-free, perfect on foot or on a hired bike, and it leads to the small boat across to the islet of St Mary, where a 12th-century Benedictine monastery still stands among the cypresses.
After the lakes we make for the Soline channel, where the incoming sea warms over shallow sand for one of the most pleasant swims anywhere near Dubrovnik. There is time to snorkel, float and dry off in the pine shade before the cruise home. If you would rather stay closer to the city and keep more islands in a single day, the full-day Elaphiti Islands tour is the natural alternative.
What the day includes
Your fare covers the comfortable shared boat, an English-speaking local skipper, snorkelling gear for all ages, drinking water and all the fuel and harbour fees. The one thing to budget for separately is the National Park entrance ticket, which you pay on arrival at the gate — it funds the trails, the lakes and the little ferry to the islet. Bike and kayak hire inside the park, lunch and drinks are also paid locally, so you only spend on what you actually use.
We depart daily from April to October from Gruž harbour, which is easy to reach from the cruise terminal, the Old Town and the Lapad hotels. Free cancellation applies up to 48 hours before departure, so you can book with confidence and watch the forecast.
Plan your Mljet day
Mljet is a long, relaxed day and it pays to know what to expect — our Mljet National Park day-trip guide walks through the lakes, the monastery and the best way to get around once you are ashore. Bring swimwear, decent shoes for the trails, sun cover and a little cash for the park ticket, and we will handle the rest.
Ready to cross to the greenest island in Croatia? Check availability and book — or send us a WhatsApp and we will hold seats on the next calm-weather departure.
Tour itinerary
| Time | Stop | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Meet at Gruž harbour | Check in at Gruž harbour, meet your skipper and board for the crossing to Mljet. |
| 09:30 | Arrive at Mljet & the National Park | Land at the western end of Mljet and buy your park ticket at the entrance. |
| 10:00 | The saltwater lakes | Walk or hire a bike along Veliko Jezero, then take the small ferry to St Mary's islet and its monastery. |
| 12:30 | Soline channel swim & lunch | Swim and snorkel in the warm, shallow Soline channel, then lunch at a lakeside konoba with time to relax. |
| 15:30 | Return to Dubrovnik | Re-board and cruise back across the Adriatic, on the dock in Dubrovnik by around 5pm — a full nine-hour day. |
What's included
- English-speaking local skipper
- Comfortable shared boat with shade
- Snorkelling equipment for all ages
- Bottled drinking water
- Fuel and harbour fees
Not included
- Mljet National Park entrance ticket (paid on arrival)
- Lunch and alcoholic drinks
- Bike or kayak hire inside the park
- Gratuities (optional)
Prices & group options
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (per person) | €120 | Shared group departure |
| Child (4–11) | €80 | Must be accompanied by an adult |
| National Park ticket | Extra | Paid on arrival at the park entrance |
| Private charter of this route | from €750 | Whole boat, your group only (full-day rate) |
Prices are per person unless stated otherwise. Children's and private-charter rates are available on request.
On board & on the islands
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mljet National Park entrance ticket included?
No. The park entrance ticket is paid separately on arrival at the entrance, in cash or by card. It covers the lakes, the trails and the small boat across to St Mary's islet. Your skipper will show you exactly where to buy it and what the current price is.
How long is the boat crossing to Mljet?
It is roughly 90 minutes of cruising each way across open water from Gruž harbour, so this is a full nine-hour day rather than a quick hop. We pick a calm-weather window and keep a steady, comfortable pace there and back, with shade and water on board throughout.
Can I cycle or kayak around the lakes?
Yes. Bikes and kayaks can be hired inside the National Park near the lakes, paid locally and separate from your tour. Cycling the easy lakeside loop is the most popular way to see Veliko and Malo Jezero, but you can just walk and swim if you would rather take it slow.
Is Mljet suitable for families and older guests?
It is. The park paths are flat and car-free, the swimming is gentle and warm, and you set your own pace once ashore. Children are welcome with an accompanying adult and we carry life jackets in all sizes for the crossing.
Useful official resources
Related tours
Ready to get out on the Adriatic?
Reserve your seats in a couple of clicks, or message Ana on WhatsApp for a fast, friendly answer — usually under ten minutes.