Croatia Island-Hopping Adventure: Split to Dubrovnik (Self-Launched)
8 days · Croatia
Bamba Travel charges £1,370
No-markup version: ~£1,060 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Bamba Travel's 8-day Dalmatian sailing trip, rebuilt so you can do it independently using Croatia's excellent public ferry network (Jadrolinija/Krilo), island hostels and guesthouses, and self-bookable day trips. Rather than sharing a small motor cruiser cabin with 20+ strangers, you'll base yourself in Omis, Makarska, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet and Dubrovnik — same swimming stops, same islands, same national park, at roughly a third of the price. Timings assume May–September sailings; ferries are less frequent and some routes stop outside high season, so check Jadrolinija/Krilo timetables about 6-8 weeks out. All costs are approximate per-person estimates.
Day-by-day
Split to Omis — Dalmatian coast warm-up
Split / Omis
Arrive in Split and get straight onto the coast. Local bus #60 runs from Split's ferry terminal/Sukoisan bus area to Omis in about 45 minutes (~£4), or a shared shuttle is similar. Drop bags at a hostel or budget guesthouse in Omis old town. Spend the afternoon swimming at Velika Plaza or the pebble coves beneath the Cetina gorge, then do a self-guided wander through Omis' narrow lanes and the Mirabela fortress. Optional: book Cetina River white-water rafting direct with one of the Omis operators (from ~£30-35 per person) — the same trip the boat tour sells as an extra. Eat dinner at a konoba in the old town (grilled fish + wine, ~£15).
🚌Local bus Split–Omis ~£4; walking in town
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Omis old town (dorm ~£20/night, private double ~£45)
- →Bus Split to Omis
- →Swim at Velika Plaza beach
- →Self-guided Omis old town + Mirabela fortress walk
Omis to Makarska — bays and the Biokovo backdrop
Makarska
Take the morning coastal bus from Omis to Makarska (~1h, ~£5). Check into a hostel near the waterfront and spend the afternoon on the Makarska Riviera — the long pebble beaches at Donja Luka and Osejava are free and swimmable, with the Biokovo mountains looming behind. In the evening, explore the old town's squares and the Franciscan monastery garden viewpoint. If you want the 'cave party' vibe the cruise advertises, Makarska's beach bars and the famous cave club (Deep) run from June to September — entry typically £10-15 with a drink. Jet skiing and parasailing can be booked on the beach promenade from ~£35.
🚌Coastal bus Omis–Makarska ~£5
🛏Hostel in Makarska (~£20-25/night dorm)
- →Coastal bus to Makarska
- →Swim at Osejava and Donja Luka beaches
- →Old town walk and monastery viewpoint
- →Optional: beach bar / cave club night out
Makarska to Hvar — the sunniest island
Hvar
Bus back to Split (or take the Makarska–Split catamaran in season, ~£12) and catch the Krilo or Jadrolinija catamaran from Split to Hvar Town (~1h, ~£15). Hostels and sobas on Hvar are cheaper in Stari Grad than Hvar Town — either works, with a local bus between them (~£3). Swim at Pokonji Dol or the Pakleni Islands (water taxi from Hvar Town harbour ~£6 return), then walk up to the 16th-century Spanish Fortress for sunset (~£8 entry). Dinner in Hvar Town is pricey — eat one street back from the riva for a £12-15 plate.
🚌Bus Makarska–Split ~£5, catamaran Split–Hvar ~£15, local buses ~£3
🛏Hostel or soba in Hvar Town or Stari Grad (~£25-30/night)
- →Catamaran Split to Hvar
- →Swim at Pokonji Dol / Pakleni Islands water taxi
- →Sunset at Spanish Fortress
Hvar to Korcula — via Lumbarda beach
Korcula
Catch the morning catamaran from Hvar to Korcula (seasonal Krilo service, ~1h45, ~£25; alternatively ferry Hvar–Sucuraj then bus along Peljesac, cheaper but slower). On Korcula, head straight out to Lumbarda beach — the sandy Przina beach is a 15-minute local bus or bike ride from Korcula Town (~£3). Swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard (~£12/hour), and sample Grk white wine from a Lumbarda winery. Back in Korcula Town in the evening, wander the medieval grid streets, browse the jewellery shops and markets, and climb the Revelin Tower or cathedral bell tower for views (~£5).
🚌Catamaran Hvar–Korcula ~£25; local bus to Lumbarda ~£3
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Korcula Town (~£25-30/night)
- →Catamaran across the Korcula channel
- →Swim and kayak at Lumbarda / Przina beach
- →Korcula old town walk + tower climb
- →Wine tasting at a Lumbarda winery (optional)
Korcula to Mljet National Park — lakes and kayaks
Mljet (Pomena / Polace)
Take the morning ferry or catamaran from Korcula to Sobra or Pomena on Mljet (~1h, ~£10-12). Base yourself in Pomena or Polace — small guesthouses and a couple of hostels, so book ahead in July/August. Hire a bike (~£10/day) or a kayak (~£15/half day) and ride into Mljet National Park (~£20 park entry, includes the ferry across Veliko Jezero to the Benedictine Monastery on St Mary's Island). Swim in the saltwater lakes, then loop back via Mali Most. In the evening, cook or eat simply at your guesthouse — options on Mljet are limited and mid-priced (~£15-18). Traditionally the boat tour's 'pirate party' night is a BBQ on board; a self-launched version is a konoba dinner and a bottle of local wine on the harbour wall.
🚌Ferry Korcula–Mljet ~£11; bike hire ~£10
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Pomena/Polace (~£30/night)
- →Ferry to Mljet
- →Mljet National Park entry and lakes swim
- →Boat to St Mary's Island monastery
- →Cycling and kayaking around the lakes
Mljet to Dubrovnik — swimming stops and the old town
Dubrovnik
Take the morning catamaran from Pomena or Sobra to Dubrovnik (~1h30-2h, ~£20). Drop bags at a hostel in the old town or just outside the walls in Ploce/Gruz (dorms from ~£30, privates £60+) — Dubrovnik is the most expensive stop, so book early. Spend the afternoon free: swim off Banje Beach with the city walls as your backdrop, then wander the Stradun. Optional evening extras: a Game of Thrones walking tour booked via GetYourGuide (~£20-25), fresh seafood on a side street (~£20), or a drink in the cliffside bars at Buza (~£8). Skip the 13th-century fortress party if it's not your thing — a walk along the harbour is free.
🚌Catamaran Mljet–Dubrovnik ~£20; walking/local bus in Dubrovnik ~£2
🛏Hostel in Dubrovnik old town or Ploce (~£30-35/night dorm)
- →Catamaran to Dubrovnik
- →Swim at Banje Beach
- →Stradun and old town wander
- →Optional: Game of Thrones walking tour
Dubrovnik — city walls and hidden coves
Dubrovnik
Do the thing the tour does, but on your own schedule: walk the full 2km city walls early (open ~8am, ~£30 entry — the single biggest cost of the day, and worth going at opening to dodge crowds). Afterwards, explore the Rector's Palace, the Jesuit Staircase and the old port, then take the local bus or a short boat to Lokrum Island (~£20 return ferry plus ~£20 island entry) for swimming and peacocks. Alternatively hike Mount Srd for free, or take the cable car up (~£22) for sunset. Final-night dinner: book a table at a konoba in the old town's back lanes (~£22-25) or grab cheap burek and pizza slices for under £10 if you're watching the budget.
🚌Walking; local bus ~£2; optional Lokrum ferry ~£20
🛏Hostel in Dubrovnik (~£30-35/night dorm)
- →Walk the Dubrovnik city walls
- →Old town sights and old port
- →Optional: Lokrum Island or Mount Srd cable car
- →Final-night konoba dinner
Departure
Dubrovnik
Breakfast at your hostel, a last coffee on the Stradun and a swim at Banje if your flight is later. Dubrovnik Airport is about 30-40 minutes from the old town by Atlas or Libertas shuttle bus (~£8) or local bus #11/#27 (~£2). If you're continuing onward, ferries run from Gruz port to Split, Bari and the islands, and buses connect to Mostar, Kotor and Sarajevo.
🚌Airport shuttle ~£8 or local bus ~£2
🛏—
- →Morning swim at Banje Beach
- →Shuttle or bus to Dubrovnik Airport
Self-launched vs. Bamba Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Bamba Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,060 | £1,370 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £310 per person (23%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Bamba Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,060
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Croatia Island-Hopping Adventure: Split to Dubrovnik (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,060 per person for 8 days in Croatia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Bamba Travel?+
Yes — Bamba Travel charges around £1,370 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,060 — a saving of roughly £310 (23%) per person.
How long is the Croatia trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Croatia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a beaches, backpacker, budget trip through Croatia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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