Dubrovnik, the Elaphites & Mljet

DAY 1 · ACI Marina Dubrovnik

Photo: Bernard Gagnon (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Leave 1:30 pm

The main charter marina for Dubrovnik, a few miles up the sheltered Rijeka Dubrovačka inlet at Komolac. Check in, provision and take the bus into the Old Town in the morning, then slip after lunch. The fuel dock is next to the marina entrance.

• 8:30 amWalk the city wallsGo early, before the cruise-ship crowds and the heat; buy the ticket at Pile Gate.
• 11:30 amProvisionStock up near the marina or at Gruž market on the way back.

9.5 NM · about 1 h 35 mto Lopud Harbour

Lopud Harbour

Photo: dronepicr (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 4:00 pm

A wide bay off Lopud's only village, a car-free island with a long waterfront, a Franciscan monastery and a handful of konobas. Anchor or pick up a buoy off the village; the bay is open to the west, so check the forecast for an evening wind shift.

• 6:00 pmWalk the waterfrontStroll the promenade and climb to the monastery for the sunset over Šipan.

1.5 NM · about 15 mto Šunj Bay

DAY 2 · Šunj Bay

Photo: dronepicr (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 9:30 am · leave 1:30 pm

A sandy cove on the south side of Lopud with one of the few real sand beaches in southern Dalmatia. Drop the hook in clear water over sand for a morning swim, or walk across the island from the village. Open to the south, so it is a day stop in most weather.

• 10:00 amSwim off the sandThe shallow, sandy bottom makes this a good spot for kids and paddleboards.
• 12:30 pmLunch at the beach barGrab something simple ashore before the short hop to Šipan.

6 NM · about 1 hto Šipanska Luka

Šipanska Luka

Photo: Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 3:30 pm

A long, narrow inlet at the west end of Šipan, the largest of the Elaphites, with a quiet village at its head. The bay is well protected from most directions; take a buoy or anchor in the inner bay and eat at one of the restaurants on the quay.

• 7:30 pmDinner on the quayLocal fish and Šipan olive oil; book ahead in July and August.

24.5 NM · about 4 h 5 mto Polače Harbour

DAY 3 · Polače Harbour

Photo: Quintin Soloviev (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0

Arrive 1:30 pm

A deep, island-sheltered harbour on Mljet's north coast inside the national park, with the ruins of a Roman palace on the waterfront. Restaurants along the quay offer moorings if you eat with them, and anchoring is allowed only in the marked zone. Buy the park ticket on arrival.

• 3:00 pmVisit the Roman palaceThe fourth-century ruins sit right behind the quay.
• 5:00 pmHike to MontokucA steep path climbs to the highest point in the park, with views over both lakes.

1.5 NM · about 15 mto St Mary's Islet, Mljet National Park

DAY 4 · St Mary's Islet, Mljet National Park

Photo: dronepicr (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 8:30 am · leave 12:00 pm

A twelfth-century Benedictine monastery on an islet in the middle of Mljet's Great Lake. Walk or cycle from Polače to the lakes, then take the park boat out to the islet; the trip is included in the park ticket. Swim at the bridge between the two lakes on the way back.

• 8:30 amRent bikes in PolačeRide the flat lakeside path; it is quieter early before the day boats arrive.
• 11:00 amSwim in the Small LakeThe water is noticeably warmer than the open sea.

17.5 NM · about 2 h 55 mto ACI Marina Korčula

ACI Marina Korčula

Photo: Cosal (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arrive 4:30 pm

A marina right beside Korčula's walled old town, on a peninsula of stone streets laid out like a fishbone. Berths fill early in summer, so reserve ahead. In a strong maestral the Pelješac channel gets choppy in the afternoon, so plan to arrive before it builds.

• 7:00 pmSunset from the west wallsWatch the sun go down over the channel from the bars on the old town walls.

35.5 NM · about 5 h 55 mto Saplunara

DAY 5 · Saplunara

Photo: Jaganjac (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Arrive 4:00 pm

A pair of sandy bays at the green, wooded east end of Mljet, outside the national park and far quieter than the north coast. Anchor over sand, swim off the beaches and eat ashore at one of the small family restaurants. Open to the south, so avoid it if jugo is forecast.

• 9:00 amMorning in KorčulaExplore the old town and Marco Polo's supposed birthplace before you cast off around 11:00.
• 5:00 pmSwim at Velika SaplunaraA long sandy beach backed by pines, a short dinghy ride from the anchorage.

9.5 NM · about 1 h 35 mto Ston Harbour

DAY 6 · Ston Harbour

Photo: Tony Hisgett (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0

Arrive 12:30 pm

A small harbour at the head of the Stonski kanal, below the longest stone walls in Europe. The last stretch of the approach is dredged to about 2.5 m, so check your draft and follow the marks. Walk the walls over the hill to Mali Ston for oysters fresh from the bay.

• 3:30 pmWalk the Ston wallsThe walk to Mali Ston takes about 30 minutes; go late in the day when it is cooler.
• 6:00 pmOysters in Mali StonEat local oysters and mussels at the waterfront restaurants, then walk back.

19.5 NM · about 3 h 15 mto Gornje Čelo, Koločep

DAY 7 · Gornje Čelo, Koločep

Photo: Lasta (Wikimedia Commons) · Public domain

Arrive 11:30 am · leave 2:00 pm

A sandy bay on the south side of Koločep, the smallest of the inhabited Elaphites, an easy lunch stop on the way home. Anchor off the beach for a last swim, or take the dinghy to the sea caves along the coast. Open to the south, so it is a day anchorage.

• 12:00 pmSnorkel the Blue CaveA short dinghy ride west of the bay; go in only in calm water.

5.5 NM · about 55 mto ACI Marina Dubrovnik

ACI Marina Dubrovnik

Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0

Arrive 3:30 pm

Back up the river to Komolac to refuel and return the boat. Most charters ask you to be in by late afternoon on the last day, so leave Koločep in good time.

• 3:00 pmRefuelThe fuel dock is at the marina entrance.