Coastal
Korčula Island
A walled medieval town on a pine-covered island, with a sunken shipwreck to snorkel, a scatter of tiny islets offshore and some of the clearest water in southern Dalmatia.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Korčula is the island people fall for on the way between Split and Dubrovnik. Its old town sits on a small peninsula, ringed by stone walls and towers, with narrow streets laid out in a herringbone pattern and the sea on three sides. The town claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, and in summer it still stages the Moreška, a centuries-old sword dance. The rest of the island is pine forest, vineyards and quiet coves.
The best of it is on the water. Just off the old town lies a cluster of small islets, from Badija with its Franciscan monastery to tiny Vrnik, separated by channels of shallow, glassy water. Half-day boat trips from Korčula town hop between them, stopping in calm bays to swim, and head round to the shipwreck near Mokalo, a sunken ship lying close enough to the surface to snorkel over. When the sea allows, the route also takes in the shallow lagoon between the Stupe and Majsan islets and hidden bays on the Pelješac coast opposite.
The tour we link to runs for about four and a half hours in a small group of up to twelve, or as a private boat, with a skipper, snorkelling gear and cold drinks on board. The exact stops change with the weather and the sea, which is normal for boat trips here. Lumbarda, at the island's eastern tip, adds sandy beaches, rare on this coast, and vineyards of Grk, a white wine grown almost nowhere else.
Korčula is quieter than Hvar and works best with two or three nights rather than a rushed day trip. Catamarans connect it to Split and Dubrovnik, and a short car ferry crosses from Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula.
When to go
June and September are ideal: warm sea, calm water for snorkelling and space in the old town. July and August are hot and busy, with the most boat departures. Boat trips run from late spring to early autumn, weather permitting.
Getting there
Catamarans run to Korčula town from Split and Dubrovnik, more often in summer. By car, drive down the Pelješac peninsula to Orebić and take the short car ferry across. Dubrovnik is the nearest airport.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Boat trips from about €90
2 to 3 days
Korčula town
Dubrovnik, then ferry
Where to stay on Korčula: the old town or Lumbarda
Stay in Korčula town, where the half-day boat trips to the islets and the shipwreck start and the catamarans from Split and Dubrovnik dock. Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel faces the quay, while Lesic Dimitri Palace is the luxury pick in the old town and guesthouses nearby keep costs down. Lumbarda, with sandy beaches and vineyards, is the quieter alternative. Give it two or three nights rather than a day trip.
Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Old town hotel opposite the quay where the Split and Dubrovnik boats dock, with a sea view terrace bar.
Opposite the passenger quay
Lesic Dimitri Palace
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
Five star residences in the old town, facing the sea a few steps from the Marco Polo house.
In Korčula old town
Guest House Leon
Guesthouse
Price Range:
Budget
Air conditioned rooms 70 m from the town beach and 100 m from the Large Governor's Tower.
70 m from the beach
Who it's for
Best for: Swimmers and snorkellers, couples, and anyone on a Split to Dubrovnik route who wants a quieter island with a beautiful old town.
Skip it if: You only have a day and want to see a lot of beaches, or you are after nightlife. Hvar suits that better.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Korčula questions
How much does a Korčula boat trip cost?
The snorkelling and swimming tour we link to starts from around €90 per person on a shared boat, with a skipper, snorkelling gear and cold drinks included. Private boats are also available at a higher price. Check what the listing includes for food before you book.
Can I snorkel the shipwreck?
Yes. The wreck near Mokalo lies in shallow, clear water, so you can see it from the surface with a mask and snorkel. No diving experience is needed, but you should be a confident swimmer.
Which islets can I visit?
Boat trips usually stop at some of Badija, Vrnik and the Stupe and Majsan islets, plus calm bays near town and on the Pelješac coast. The route changes with the weather on the day.
Is the tour suitable for everyone?
It suits most ages and needs no experience, since swimming and snorkelling at each stop are optional. The operator we link to lists it as not suitable for people over 70.
Can I visit Korčula as a day trip?
Yes, from Dubrovnik or by catamaran from Split, but it is a long day. Two or three nights gives you time for the old town, a boat trip and a beach day in Lumbarda.
Are there sandy beaches on Korčula?
A few, which is rare on this coast. The best are near Lumbarda at the eastern end of the island. Most other beaches are pebble or rock.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Water shoes help at rocky stops, and a hat makes the open deck far more comfortable in midsummer.
Korčula or Hvar?
Korčula for a quieter island, a beautiful walled town and easy snorkelling among the islets. Hvar for nightlife and the Pakleni Islands. Both are on the catamaran route from Split.
Ready to snorkel Korčula?
A half-day boat trip from Korčula town to the islets, hidden bays and the shipwreck, with snorkelling gear included.
