Full-Day Boat Tour of the Medulin Archipelago from Medulin

The best part of this Medulin boat tour is the chance to swim straight from the boat into the clear water near Golumbera Cave at Kamenjak National Park. You can swim under the cliffs with a guide, jump from the boat, look for fish, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. I also like the practical value: lunch and draft drinks are included, and you get a long beach stop on sandy Levan Island.

The main thing to weigh is the group size. The boat can carry up to 65 people, and Levan can feel crowded in good weather. Rough seas may also shorten or change the swimming stops, so this is best for you if you can accept a relaxed, weather-dependent day rather than a tightly controlled sightseeing program.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim at Kamenjak: The first stop gives you about 30 minutes near the cliffs and Golumbera Cave.
• See Porer Lighthouse from the water: The boat passes close for photographs but cannot dock at the tiny lighthouse islet.
• Lunch comes with choices: Select meat, fish, or vegetarian food, with draft beer, wine, water, and soft drinks included.
• Spend up to two hours on Levan: The island has a sandy beach, beach bars, restaurants, umbrellas, and lounge chairs for rent.
• Expect a large boat group: The maximum capacity is 65 people, so seating and swimming space can feel limited on busy departures.
• Pick your timing: Morning and afternoon departures are offered, though the exact flow of lunch and stops may vary with weather.

What this Medulin boat day is really like

This is a social Adriatic cruise rather than a quiet sailing trip or a detailed historical excursion. You leave from the Medulin waterfront with Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions and spend roughly five to six hours moving between swimming spots, island views, lunch, and beach time.

I would think of it as three experiences in one. First comes the Kamenjak swim and cave visit. Then you cruise past the dramatic Porer Lighthouse and smaller islands such as Bodulaš, Ceja, and Finera. Finally, you settle in at Levan for sand, sun, drinks, and a slower afternoon.

The crew speaks English, and guides named Tini and Tiny receive especially warm mention in the supplied feedback. A French guide has also led some departures. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, with staff serving drinks, helping people into the water, and keeping the day moving.

Do not book this expecting a long lecture about Istrian history. Information about the sights can be fairly light. The appeal is the water, the easygoing crew, the food, and the chance to reach several coastal places without arranging separate boat trips.

Kamenjak National Park and the swim to Golumbera Cave

The opening stop is the most memorable part for many people. At Kamenjak National Park, the boat stops for about 30 minutes of swimming, with admission included in the tour price.

With the guide, you can swim beneath the cliffs toward Golumbera Cave. The cave entrance is reached through the water, so you need to be comfortable swimming in the sea. Bring a mask if you have one. It will help you see the cave and the fish below the boat.

You can also jump repeatedly from the boat, swim around the cliffs, or stay on deck and feed the fish. That choice makes this stop work for mixed groups. Energetic adults and older children can head into the water, while anyone who prefers not to swim can remain aboard.

The limitation is time. Thirty minutes passes quickly once everyone gets ready and enters the water. Some people would prefer a longer cave stop, especially since the cave is the most distinctive part of the outing. If this is your main reason for booking, be ready to get in the water promptly.

Use care around the rocks and follow the guide’s directions. One account describes a swimmer getting into difficulty near the rocks, which is a useful reminder that this is an active sea stop, not a supervised swimming pool. Conditions can change, and strong swimmers should still keep a sensible distance from the cliffs.

Porer Lighthouse is a photo stop, not a landing

After Kamenjak, the boat sails toward Porer Lighthouse, built in 1846 on a small islet southwest of Istria’s southern tip. The lighthouse tower rises 35 meters above the stone building, which sits on an islet only about 80 meters across and roughly 2.5 kilometers from the mainland.

The boat cannot dock there. Instead, the crew sails slowly near the cliffs so you can photograph the lighthouse and the rocky islet. This is a scenic passage rather than a formal stop, so keep your camera ready and choose a place with a clear view.

The lighthouse islet has small berths and apartments, but those details are mainly useful for understanding how isolated it is. You will not be walking ashore or touring the building. Think of Porer as a striking coastal landmark viewed from the water.

This part also gives you a pleasant break between swimming and lunch or the island stop. The boat passes other small islands and coves, and the views are one reason sitting on the upper deck is worthwhile. The tradeoff is that commentary can be limited, so you may want to ask the crew questions if you want more context.

Lunch on board, with fish, meat, or vegetarian food

Lunch is included in the $54.42 price, and you choose from three menus: meat, fish, or vegetarian. The meal is generally described as simple, filling, and tasty rather than elaborate. Fish has been particularly well received, while one account found the chicken a little dry.

You also receive bread, and draft drinks are included throughout the outing. The listed choices include beer, wine, water, juice, and soft drinks. Depending on the departure, you may collect drinks yourself or receive table service from the crew.

That combination changes the value calculation. A beach day on Levan could quickly become expensive if you paid separately for a boat, lunch, drinks, and beach time. Here, the main costs are bundled, which makes the price attractive for families and groups that expect to eat and drink during the trip.

The timing of lunch may not follow a normal midday schedule. Some departures have served food as early as about 10:30, apparently to fit the rest of the route. If you need breakfast, eat before departure because breakfast is not included.

There is one practical nuisance: seagulls. Feeding them can bring them close to the boat, and they may become aggressive around food. Keep food covered, do not encourage the birds, and consider eating inside or on a lower deck if you want more peace. The upper deck offers better views, but it can be less comfortable during lunch.

Levan Island gives you sand and a slower pace

Levan is the northernmost island in the Medulin archipelago and the only sandy island on this route. The boat gives you up to two hours there, which is long enough to swim, sunbathe, stroll a little, or settle into a beach bar.

The water is clear, and the pale sand makes Levan feel different from the rocky swimming area around Kamenjak. You can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs, and there are three beach bars along with restaurants. If you want a cocktail or a snack beyond the included boat lunch, you have options here.

I like the change of pace. After the short cave stop and the sightseeing cruise, you can simply get off the boat and do very little. For families, the sandy shore is easier than a rocky cove. For couples and friends, the island offers time to sit with a drink rather than follow a guide from one sight to another.

Still, Levan is small. On a busy summer day, the beach can become packed, and finding a comfortable place to sit may be difficult without renting a lounger. Food and drinks on the island can also cost more than expected because choices are limited.

The island is not a major sightseeing site. Beyond the beach facilities, there is little to explore, and some areas may be rough or difficult to walk. Book this stop for swimming and relaxing, not for a long island walk.

The boat, group size, and weather matter

The maximum group size is 65 people. That is large enough to create a lively atmosphere, but it also means the experience will not feel private. On particularly full departures, some people may struggle to find a preferred seat, and the cave swim can feel crowded.

If you want room to yourself, this is not the right style of excursion. If you enjoy meeting people, sharing a boat, and having a crew create a cheerful mood, the larger group may suit you. Families, couples, and solo passengers can all fit into the setting, though the atmosphere is more casual than refined.

Weather is the other major variable. The tour requires good conditions, and rough water can prevent the boat from reaching some stops. In poor weather, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. On an unsettled day, the itinerary may be adjusted for safety, and you could spend more time on the island than planned.

That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should avoid booking this as the only important event of a short visit. The most scenic version includes the cave, lighthouse, island cruise, and beach stop. Wind or storms can change that order or remove parts of it.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy way to combine swimming, scenery, food, and beach time without planning several separate activities. It is especially suitable for families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who likes a sociable boat day.

You should be comfortable with a short swim in open water if the cave is your priority. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a mask if you own one. Water shoes may also be useful around rocky areas, though they are not listed as a requirement.

The tour can work for non-swimmers because you may remain on board during the Kamenjak stop. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Still, the supplied information does not describe specific boat access equipment, so contact the operator if you have mobility needs that require special arrangements.

This is less suitable for you if you dislike crowds, need guaranteed calm seas, or want a detailed guide narration at every stop. You may also prefer another excursion if two hours on a small beach island sounds too long.

Is $54.42 good value?

At $54.42 per person, the price is strong for a half-day boat outing that includes lunch, draft drinks, several coastal sights, a cave swim, and beach time. Comparable costs can add up quickly when you pay separately for a boat seat, a meal, drinks, and beach facilities.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you use the included drinks, eat lunch aboard, swim at Kamenjak, and spend time at Levan, you receive a full package for the price. If rough water removes the cave or other stops, the value feels weaker, especially if the island is crowded.

The high overall rating and 95 percent recommendation indicate that the basic formula works very well for most people. The strongest elements are consistent: friendly staff, cold drinks, a pleasant lunch, the cave swim, and a relaxing sandy beach stop.

I would not pay extra expecting luxury. The meal is straightforward, the boat can be busy, and the commentary may be limited. You are paying for access to a good stretch of coast and a convenient all-in-one day, not for a polished private cruise.

Should you book the Medulin archipelago tour?

Book it if you want good-value fun on the water and can accept a full boat. The cave swim near Kamenjak is the standout activity, while Levan provides a comfortable pause with sand, chairs, beach bars, and clear water.

Choose a different experience if you want privacy, extensive sightseeing commentary, or a guaranteed schedule in all conditions. Also think twice if you dislike seagulls, crowded beaches, or early lunch.

For most visitors staying around Pula, Medulin, or Premantura, I think this is a worthwhile way to see the southern Istrian coast. Go with modest expectations, bring a mask and sun protection, avoid feeding the birds, and treat the itinerary as weather-dependent. You will get the best value by enjoying the whole mix rather than judging the day on the cave or beach alone.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions, Medulin Riva, 52203 Medulin, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the original meeting point in Medulin.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian menu.

Which drinks are included?

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

Is breakfast included?

No. Breakfast is not included.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The tour offers a choice of morning or afternoon departure.

Can I visit Porer Lighthouse?

You can view and photograph Porer Lighthouse from the boat, but the boat cannot dock at the lighthouse islet.

How long is the stop at Levan Island?

The Levan Island stop lasts up to two hours.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

How far in advance can I cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.