Nature lover? You can’t miss Mljet on your sailing island cruise in the Dubrovnik region. Daily yacht trips or overnight stays, whichever you choose, you are in for a treat.
National Park Mljet, located in Southern Dalmatia, is the oldest protected island in the Mediterranean. The island has an outstanding record of days in the sun, with its warm summers attracting travelers and rainy winters helping the growth of the endemic nature. The park spreads over most of the island with its hills and forests.
The interesting Veliko(big) and Malo(small) salty lakes are a fascinating phenomenon every visitor wants to experience. One of the lakes is even home to the most relevant of the many archaeological findings: the Benedictine monastery, on the lake island of st. Mary.
A simple walk through the unique forests gives you an insight on why this is a protected area; the endemic and aromatic plants, the animals, and the cultural remains come together to tell a story about an island of untouched nature and the people who loved it. The island is covered in pine forests planted by the Greeks and endemic flowers.
Mljet is home to many before undiscovered species of animals, like sea animals, birds, lizards and some mammals like deer and bats. The marine fauna is possibly even more interesting, with multiple new species of jellyfish, scallops and shells discovered.
Veliko jezero lake is home to the impressive bushy coral reef, that is the largest known of the kind in the whole world. If you’d like, you can rent a canoe and see the romantic sea and hidden beaches and caves up close, or you can visit Polače and Pomena, the nearby settlements that let you truly experience the culture of the island trough food, architecture and monuments.
There are other settlements on the island just outside the park you should visit as well, like the sandy and cliffy Salunara, or the valley town Korita.
Mljet is only separated from the peninsula Peljesac by a 8km canal with both sandy beaches and deep sea. There are three entrances to the park, open from 8am to 8pm in the summer.
In the winter however, you have to call ahead. There are also many organized tours from Dubrovnik providing transportation, food, and a guide. From the Greeks to the Romans, no-one failed to be impressed by this island, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy it too!
Do you want to keep learning about Croatia and the locations that you can visit close by to Island Mljet? We invite you to visit Yacht4Day’s itineraries page for the Dubrovnik region to get some fresh inspiration and learn more about the region of interest.
The locations described in our blog and itineraries can be visited by yacht, and in case you are interested in exploring the Croatian islands and coast by sea, take a look at or offer.
Mljet is a beauty of nature to see on your Croatia sailing holiday. Book now, summer is here!
With ❤️ Yacht4Day Team
Originally published at www.yacht4day.com.
