Coast hopping from Split to Dubrovnik

As the Croatia ferry schedules for 2023 have been announced, you can start planning your vacation in Croatia and explore various islands with ease. Island hopping along the Dalmatian coast is the ultimate holiday getaway. It’s about enjoying the Adriatic’s shimmering waters, jumping from one beach to the next, enjoying the never-ending sunshine, and eating delicious food while exploring a different island every few days. Sounds good, right?

So, what are you waiting for? Find detailed information about coast hopping from Split to Dubrovnik in Croatia below and book ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper!

The beautiful city and port of Split seen from the sea

Coast hopping and ferry travel in the Croatian Islands

Coast hopping in Croatia by ferry is easy. The best bases for island hopping in Croatia are Split and Durovnik. From these 2 cities, you can travel by ferry to the whole archipelago.

There are also frequent ferry connections between the islands. Most ferries run all year long and you can go island hopping with one of the following ferry companies:

• TP Line
• Kapetan Luka - Krilo
• KSC (Krilo Shipping Company)
• Jadrolinija

Popular coast-hopping itineraries for the Croatian Islands

There are many ways to explore the Croatian Islands, but the classic Croatia island hopping itinerary is Split to Dubrovnik. You can go via Brač, Hvar and Korčula or Hvar, Korčula and Mljet. Both are good routes to see the best of Dalmatia.

Here are the 2 coast-hopping suggestions by the Ferryhopper Team:

Coast hopping itinerary #1: Split - Brač - Hvar - Korčula - Dubrovnik

One option for starting your island-hopping vacation is by catching a ferry from the port of Split to Brač. Being the easiest island to access from Split by ferry, you’ll arrive in Brač in about 25-50 minutes. Brač has 5 ferry ports, Milna, Bol, Supetar, Sutivan, and Sumartin, but the easiest way to arrive on the island is by taking the ferry from Split to Milna or from Split to Bol. 

The famous peninsula of Zlatni Rat, the most scenic beach in the country located close to the town of Bol, is a worthy first stop right after you drop off your luggage. Enjoy the clear gorgeous waters and head to the charming old town for a delicious meal or a short walk.

Aerial view of the famous Zlatni Rat beach in Bol

Another special attraction is the beautiful monastery complex of Blaca Hermitage, which can only be reached by a short hike. If you’re feeling sporty, you can also try climbing to the top of the 778-m-high Vidova Gora, the highest mountain of all Croatian islands.

Besides Bol, other popular towns and villages include Supetar, Postira, Milna, and Pucisca. Milna is particularly adorable and has retained the authenticity of a Mediterranean fishing village. Spend your time here sipping wine from the local vineyards and strolling along the picturesque waterfront with a gelato in hand.

You’ll need at least 2-3 days to explore Brač, before catching the ferry to Hvar, the most fun island in Croatia. There is 1 daily ferry crossing from Bol to Hvar and 2 daily ferry crossings from Milna to Hvar, so there is a lot of flexibility for you to plan your trip.

Once on Hvar, make sure to visit the island’s majestic fortress, perched on a hill above the old town. The view from up here will make the short climb 100% worth it. If you want to spend the day doing something relaxing, Stari Grad is the ideal place for you - enjoy a glass (or two) of superb Croatian wine at one of the numerous vineyards in the area. As the sun goes down, head to Hula Hula Beach Bar, a popular spot to sip elaborate cocktails and dance the night away to world-renowned DJ’s.

The picturesque seaside town of Stari Grad in Hvar

You’ll need at least 3-5 days to explore the island of Hvar. From there, you can travel by ferry to Korčula. The Hvar - Korčula ferry is available with 4 daily crossings in the high season.

Once you reach Korčula, spend some time wandering through the quaint little alleyways of its glorious old town. Then head to the top of St Mark Cathedral’s bell tower for a 360-degree panoramic view of the city's terracotta rooftops, medieval churches and palaces.

Our favorite activity in Korčula is wine tasting. The most famous white wines on the island are Pošip and Grk, and you can taste them at one of the several wineries in Lumbarda or Smokvica. We then recommend going to Vela Przina beach for the sunset. It's breathtaking and the water's clarity will make the experience even more pleasant. To end your day with the best cocktail, visit one of Korcula’s famous rooftop bars - Massimo.

Then from Korčula, sail to Dubrovnik, for a spectacular end to your trip.

Tip: find out more about the best islands to visit in Croatia.

Coast hopping itinerary #2: Split - Hvar - Korčula - Mljet - Dubrovnik

Another option for starting your Croatian coast-hopping adventure is by boarding a ferry from Split to Hvar. This route is active all year round with up to 20 daily crossings during the high season. 

After a few beautiful days in Hvar, catch the ferry to Korčula. The ride is just over 1 hour and costs around €20. The island of Korčula welcomes you with its stunning beaches, cute little shops, tongue-tantalizing white wines, extra-virgin olive oil, and knightly sword dances. Close to the port, you can go for a swim in Banje Beach before leaving for Mljet. The Korčula - Pomena (Mljet) ferry route lasts 30 to 40 minutes, with tickets costing €15.

Impressive view of the archipelago from Korčula's Old Town

As soon as you arrive in Mljet, you will be rewarded with lush greenery, magical beaches and a peaceful atmosphere. Mljet National Park is, surprisingly, one of the most underrated places to visit in Croatia. You can choose to stay 2-3 days on the island or visit the National Park as part of a day-trip from Korčula.

We recommend that you focus on the outdoor exploration of the island and visit the great and small lakes inside the National Park, go hiking, make your way up to the Veliki Gradac viewpoint, and take the ferry to Sveti Marija monastery. If you don’t want to walk the trails, you can take a bicycle or a kayak out for a ride around the National Park instead. Visiting the impressive Odysseus Cave is also one of the coolest and most adventurous things to do in Mljet. 

Before your stay in Mljet comes to an end and you have to catch the ferry to Dubrovnik, make sure to try the island’s local specialties - wine and goat’s cheese. Oh and for one of the best sunset views in Mljet, but also Croatia in general, head to Pomena.

Useful tips about island hopping in the Croatian Islands

Here are some useful travel tips about island hopping in Croatia:

• The best time to go island hopping in the Croatian Islands is spring and autumn. These are the best times of year to experience the local cuisine and culture as the weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing.
• Your island-hopping extravaganza in the Croatian Islands can last from a single day to a whole summer! In order to fully immerse yourself in the lifestyle and daily life of the islands, we definitely recommend 2-3 nights minimum per stop. 
• We recommend that you drive or rent a car when going island hopping in the Croatian Islands. Although public transportation is good on most of the islands, having your own vehicle will give you the freedom to explore every hidden spot.
• Nature exploration and breathtaking scenery are the highlights of island hopping in Croatia. So, make sure to bring your best hiking shoes!
• The majority of the islands have several ports where you can catch a ferry. To cut down on travel time, be sure to find accommodation close to the port of departure.
• A few noteworthy local events to keep an eye out for are the Easter weekend procession Za Krien ("Following the Cross") on Hvar, the June–September Korčula Sword Dance Festival, the Hideout Festival on Pag in June, and the Brač Film Festival in August.

Incredible view of Mljet National Park and coastline

Book coast-hopping tickets for the Croatian islands on Ferryhopper

This all sounds like a dream come true, right? Then it is about time to plan a visit to Croatia to go island hopping. On Ferryhopper, you can easily book coast-hopping tickets for the Croatian Islands. Find all the information you need about available ferry routes on Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, compare ferry companies and schedules, and sail away with confidence!