Full-Day Boat Tour of the Medulin Archipelago from Medulin

The best memories may involve a cave and cold beer. This boat trip from Medulin combines Kamenjak’s clear water and sea cave with a slow cruise past Porer Lighthouse, lunch on board, and up to two hours on sandy Levan Island. I especially like the mix of active swimming and easy boat time, plus the choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian lunch with draft drinks included.

I also like the value. At about $54.42 per person, you get a five-to-six-hour outing, food, beer, wine, water, juice, and soft drinks. The main drawback is the size of the boat, which can carry up to 65 people. On a busy departure, seating and swimming space may feel tight, and Levan can be crowded.

• Kamenjak cave swim: Swim beneath the cliffs toward Golumbera Cave, then jump from the boat or watch the fish from onboard.
• Porer Lighthouse pass: Cruise close to the 1846 lighthouse for photos, though the boat does not dock.
• Levan’s sandy shore: Spend up to two hours on the only sandy island in this part of the route.
• Lunch with drinks included: Pick fish, meat, or vegetarian food, with draft beer, wine, water, juice, and soda available.
• Friendly crew: Guides such as Tini have earned warm praise for their energy and help.
• Weather matters: Rough water can shorten or change the swimming stops, and poor weather can cancel the trip.

What You Actually Get for $54.42

This is not a luxury yacht cruise. It is a social, casual boat day with a large group, basic but filling food, and plenty of drinks. That distinction matters because the price is strong if you want several activities in one outing, but less appealing if you expect quiet sailing, polished narration, or a private-feeling experience.

The tour lasts roughly five to six hours and starts and ends at the Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions meeting point on the Medulin waterfront. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, which helps if you are fitting the trip around a beach day, a visit to Pula, or an evening meal.

The package includes lunch and draft drinks throughout the cruise. The food is simple rather than fancy, but the choices are useful: fish, meat, or vegetarian. Past meals have included fish, chicken with cabbage, bread, and similar straightforward dishes. Several people particularly liked the fish, while chicken was described as somewhat dry on one occasion.

I consider the included drinks a real part of the value. Beer, wine, water, juice, and soda are available from the bar, and the crew may also provide table service. You should not expect premium cocktails onboard, but you will not need to keep reaching for your wallet every time you want a drink.

Breakfast is not included. Bring something small if you need food early in the day, especially if you choose the morning departure.

Leaving Medulin for Kamenjak National Park

The first major stop is Kamenjak National Park, at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. The boat pauses for about 30 minutes, giving you a chance to swim in the clear sea and reach Golumbera Cave beneath the cliffs.

The cave is the highlight for many people. You swim under the rock ledge with a guide, enter the darker opening, and look back toward the bright water. It is not a passive sightseeing stop. You need to be comfortable in open water and able to swim from the boat toward the cave.

You can also jump from the boat, swim around the area, or remain onboard and feed the fish. That range makes the stop workable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can make the most of the cave, while less active people can enjoy the views without entering the water.

Thirty minutes is enough for a memorable swim, but it is not generous. If you want a long snorkel session, this may feel rushed. Bring your own mask if you have one. A mask makes it easier to see the fish and inspect the cave, and the boat does not promise that snorkeling equipment will be supplied.

The crew usually guides the swim, but the open-water setting deserves respect. Keep close to the group, follow instructions, and do not treat the cave as a place for risky jumps. One account described a passenger getting into trouble near the rocks, so I would be especially careful if the sea is choppy or you are traveling with children.

Cruising Past Porer Lighthouse

After Kamenjak, the boat heads toward Porer Lighthouse, built in 1846 on a small rocky islet southwest of Istria’s southernmost cape. The lighthouse tower rises about 35 meters above the stone building, making a striking sight from the water.

The islet is only about 80 meters across and sits roughly 2.5 kilometers from the mainland. It has a few small berths and apartments, but this tour does not dock there. Instead, the captain moves slowly near the cliffs so you can photograph the lighthouse.

That limitation is worth knowing before you book. Porer is a photo stop, not a visit inside the lighthouse. You will not walk around the islet or explore its apartments. Still, the slow pass adds variety after the swimming stop, and the lighthouse gives you a clear subject for photographs.

This part of the cruise is also a good chance to sit back with a drink. The route passes other small islands and coves, and the boat ride itself becomes part of the experience rather than just transport between stops.

Lunch While the Islands Slip Past

Lunch is served while the boat continues through the archipelago. The meal is uncomplicated, which suits a day at sea. You choose among meat, fish, and vegetarian options, and drinks are included.

I like the practical setup. You can eat without leaving the water, and the meal breaks up the swimming and sightseeing. Several accounts describe the food as fresh, tasty, and filling, with the fish receiving particularly favorable attention. The vegetarian option has also worked well for people who selected it.

There is one nuisance: seagulls. If people feed them, they quickly gather around the boat. One account described aggressive birds and droppings on the upper deck, while another noted that seagulls made it difficult to eat in peace. I would avoid feeding them and keep your plate covered when possible.

Lunch timing may feel early, especially on an afternoon departure. A few people found that the meal was served around 10:30 or 11:00 to make the rest of the schedule work. If you prefer a later lunch, carry a snack and think of the meal as part of the boat schedule rather than a restaurant sitting.

Two Hours on Levan Island

Levan is the final major stop and the main beach break. It is the northernmost island on this route and the only sandy island in the group, with clear water and a low, easygoing beach setting.

You receive up to two hours here. You can swim, sunbathe, walk around, or rent an umbrella and lounge chair. Three beach bars and restaurants provide food and cocktails if you want something beyond the included lunch and drinks.

The sand is the appeal. Much of the other coastline around Kamenjak is rocky, so Levan offers a softer place to spend time by the water. Families may appreciate the simple beach format, while couples and friends can settle into a chair with a drink.

There are tradeoffs. Levan is small, and it can become crowded. Some people found it difficult to find a comfortable place to sit, while others felt that the island was little more than a narrow sandy strip with rougher ground away from the beach. Prices at the bars can also feel high because there are limited alternatives.

I would treat Levan as a pleasant beach pause, not a secluded island escape. If you want quiet, this is not guaranteed. If you enjoy an easy swim, a sandy shoreline, and a drink at a beach bar, the stop works well.

The Boat, the Group, and the Atmosphere

The maximum capacity is 65 people, and that number shapes the day. The larger boat gives the crew room to serve lunch and drinks, but it also means shared space, conversation, and occasional crowding.

Several positive accounts praise the staff for being friendly and attentive. Tini is mentioned repeatedly as warm, helpful, and good at keeping the mood lively. Another French guide received praise for providing information and adding to the atmosphere. The crew seems to be one of the stronger parts of the experience.

Do not book this expecting a detailed cultural tour. Information about the places visited can be limited, and some people wanted more explanation about Kamenjak, Porer, and the islands. The focus is swimming, food, drinks, and scenery rather than formal guiding.

The atmosphere suits people who are happy to meet others and share the day. Families have enjoyed it, and couples have also found it easy to make friends onboard. If you prefer silence, personal space, and a carefully timed private cruise, choose a smaller boat instead.

The boat may also feel fuller than expected. A few accounts describe people sitting on the floor when seats were limited. Arrive prepared for a social outing and, if possible, ask about the expected group size before booking.

What Happens When the Weather Turns

The sea controls this trip. In good weather, the route can feel relaxed and generous, with swimming, a cave, a lighthouse pass, lunch, and a beach stop. In rough conditions, the plan may change.

Some departures have missed one or more stops because the water was too rough. Another bad-weather experience left people spending extra time near an unattractive beach bar, which was understandably frustrating. The crew may try to adapt the schedule, but there is no way to guarantee every stop when conditions are unsafe.

The stated policy allows a different date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the experience. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

I would avoid placing this trip on the final day of your holiday. Give yourself another day in Pula or Medulin in case weather forces a change.

Who Will Enjoy This Medulin Boat Day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want swimming, beach time, lunch, and drinks in one outing
• Couples looking for a relaxed day on the Adriatic
• Friends who enjoy a social boat atmosphere
• People who want to see Kamenjak without arranging several separate activities
• Vegetarians who value having a meal choice included
• Anyone seeking strong value rather than luxury service

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet boat, detailed local commentary, or a private beach. The cave swim also requires comfort in open water, and the short Kamenjak stop may disappoint serious snorkelers.

The trip works best when you set the right expectations. Think of it as a well-priced day of sea activities with a friendly crew, not as a refined sightseeing cruise.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for your phone. Water, cave rock, and boat spray are central to the day, so protect anything you do not want wet.

Pack a mask if you have one. It will improve the cave and fish-viewing stops, even though the tour description does not promise equipment.

Arrive ready to eat lunch at the time the crew sets, which may be earlier than your normal schedule. A small breakfast or snack is sensible because breakfast is not included.

Do not feed the seagulls. It creates a mess and can make lunch unpleasant for everyone around you.

For the cave stop, wear secure footwear and stay close to the guide. You may be swimming near rocks and under the cliffs, so this is not the moment for casual horseplay.

At Levan, remember that umbrellas, lounge chairs, food, and cocktails are separate purchases. The two-hour beach break is included, but extras on the island are not.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want a full half-day of swimming, scenery, lunch, drinks, and beach time at a reasonable price. The Kamenjak cave swim is the standout activity, while Levan provides the easy sandy finish. Friendly staff, especially Tini, add to the appeal.

Skip it if you want a small group, strong commentary, or a quiet and uncrowded island. The boat can feel full, Levan can be packed, and rough seas may shorten the route.

For most people who enjoy a casual day on the water, I think the package delivers good value. Just bring a mask, expect a simple meal, guard your lunch from the birds, and remember that the Adriatic gets the final say.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and end?

It starts at Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions on Medulin Riva, Medulin, Croatia. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

What food is included?

You can choose a meat, fish, or vegetarian lunch. Breakfast is not included.

Which drinks are included?

Included draft drinks are beer, wine, water, juice, and soda.

Does the boat stop at Porer Lighthouse?

The boat sails close to Porer Lighthouse for photographs, but it does not dock at the islet.

How long is the stop on Levan Island?

The planned beach stop lasts up to two hours.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.