Self-Launched Dalmatian Island Hopping: Dubrovnik to Split
8 days · Croatia
Med Sailing Holidays charges £1,580
No-markup version: ~£630 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, independent version of a small-group gay sailing charter from Dubrovnik to Split. Instead of crewing a private yacht with a skipper and hostess, you'll island-hop the Dalmatian coast using the public ferry network — visiting Dubrovnik, Mljet National Park, Korčula, Vis, Hvar, Maslinica on Šolta, and finishing in Split. You get the same bays, old towns, caves and sunsets for a fraction of the price. Note: this route skips the boat-based swimming stops (which need a private yacht) and replaces them with beach time, kayaking and boat excursions that anyone can book independently. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP. Note on original pricing: the operator advertises US$1,998 per person for a shared cabin. Converting at roughly £0.79/USD gives about £1,580. Tip: there are excellent value public ferries (Jadrolinija/Krilo) between all these islands; buy tickets on arrival or via the operators' apps. July and August are pricey — late June or September delivers the same weather for less.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Dubrovnik — Old Town and sunset
Dubrovnik
Arrive in Dubrovnik and check into a hostel or guesthouse in the Old Town or Gruž area. Spend the afternoon walking the city walls (book the ticket online to skip the queue), exploring the Stradun and wandering the backstreets. Catch sunset from one of the cliff bars near Buža or the Fort Lovrijenac area. Stock up on snacks and water for tomorrow's ferry.
🚌Dubrovnik airport shuttle bus to the city (~£8) or local bus
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Dubrovnik Old Town/Gruž (~£25-30/night)
- →Walk the Dubrovnik city walls
- →Explore Dubrovnik Old Town
- →Sunset drink at a cliff bar
- →Swim at Banje Beach
Ferry to Mljet — National Park and lakes
Mljet National Park
Take the morning Jadrolinija car ferry from Dubrovnik's Gruž port to Sobra on Mljet (roughly 1.5 hours). From Sobra, a local bus or shared taxi gets you to Pomena, at the edge of Mljet National Park. Pay the park entrance fee, then hire bicycles (or walk) the loop around the two saltwater lakes, stopping at the little island monastery of St Mary. Swim in the lakes and watch the sunset from Pomena harbour.
🚌Jadrolinija ferry Dubrovnik–Sobra (~£10-15) plus local bus/taxi to Pomena (~£5)
🛏Guesthouse or small hotel in Pomena or Polače (~£25-30/night)
- →Bicycle around Mljet National Park lakes
- →Visit the St Mary island monastery
- →Swim in the saltwater lakes
- →Sunset in Pomena harbour
Mljet to Korčula — Old Town backstreets
Korčula
Take a morning local ferry or catamaran from Mljet to Korčula (check schedules; some days depart from Sobra, others from Polače). On arrival, wander the fan-shaped walled Old Town, peek into the cathedral of St Mark and the Marco Polo house. In the late afternoon, walk to the nearby beaches or watch the sun go down from the western quay. Korčula is also home to a small Moreska sword-dance tradition — check for performances in summer.
🚌Local ferry/catamaran Mljet–Korčula (~£8-12)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in/near Korčula Old Town (~£25-30/night)
- →Explore Korčula Old Town backstreets
- →Cathedral of St Mark
- →Walk to Lumbarda vineyards or nearby beaches
- →Sunset cocktail on the waterfront
Korčula to Vis — caves, Stiniva and wine
Vis
Catch the morning catamaran from Korčula to Vis (via Hvar on some days; check Krilo schedules). Vis is the furthest-out island and the most unspoiled. Afternoon: join a boat excursion to the Blue Cave (Modra špilja) on nearby Biševo and the Green Cave, or take a tour that also stops at Stiniva Bay — the stunning hidden cove with its narrow entrance. In the evening, explore Vis town and try the local Vugava wine.
🚌Krilo catamaran Korčula–Vis (~£12-15) plus local transport
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Vis town (~£25-30/night)
- →Boat excursion to the Blue Cave (Biševo)
- →Green Cave and Stiniva Bay boat tour
- →Vis wine tasting
- →Wander Vis town harbour
Vis to Hvar — fortress and Hula Hula sunset
Hvar
Take the morning catamaran from Vis to Hvar town. Check in, then climb to the Spanish Fortress (Tvrđava Španjola) for the classic view down over the harbour. Afternoon at the Pakleni Islands — hop a water taxi from the harbour to a beach club on Jerolim or Marinkovac. In the late afternoon head to the Hula Hula bar on the western edge of town for the famous sunset party (a drink or two is enough if you want to keep costs down).
🚌Krilo/Jadrolinija catamaran Vis–Hvar (~£10-12); water taxi to Pakleni Islands (~£6)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Hvar town or nearby Stari Grad (~£30-35/night)
- →Spanish Fortress climb
- →Water taxi to Pakleni Islands beaches
- →Hula Hula sunset bar
- →Explore Hvar's old town squares
Hvar to Maslinica (Šolta) — quiet island life
Maslinica, Šolta
Take a ferry from Hvar to Stari Grad or Hvar town's connection to Split, then hop the short ferry to Šolta (Rogač) on the way. From Rogač, a local bus or taxi reaches Maslinica, a tiny fishing village on the island's west coast with a charming horseshoe harbour and the 18th-century Marchi castle. This is the slow day of the trip: swim off the rocks, linger over a long lunch and watch the sun set across the water to Vis.
🚌Hvar–Split ferry (~£10) then Split–Rogač (Šolta) ferry (~£5), plus local bus/taxi to Maslinica (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse or apartment in Maslinica (~£25-30/night)
- →Swim in Maslinica harbour coves
- →Visit the Marchi Castle
- →Long local lunch
- →Sunset over the islands
Šolta to Split — old town and Marjan
Split
Ferry back to Split from Rogač in the morning. Check in to a hostel near the old town, then explore Diocletian's Palace, the Riva promenade and the fruit market. Climb Marjan hill for sunset views, or take a local bus to Bačvice beach for a swim and a game of picigin. Evening drinks in the old town lanes.
🚌Rogač–Split ferry (~£5), local bus or taxi in Split
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Split old town (~£25-30/night)
- →Explore Diocletian's Palace
- →Walk the Riva promenade
- →Sunset on Marjan hill
- →Swim at Bačvice beach
Split day trip or departure
Split
Optional final day trip: a public bus or tour to Krka National Park waterfalls (~£25-35 by tour) or Plitvice Lakes (longer, better as an overnight). Alternatively, stay in Split and visit the Ivan Meštrović gallery or the beaches on the Marjan peninsula before your flight home.
🚌Public bus to Krka (~£8 each way) or airport bus (~£6)
🛏Departure day (or one more hostel night ~£25-30 if you're staying)
- →Day trip to Krka National Park waterfalls
- →Visit Meštrović Gallery
- →Final swim at Bačvice or Marjan
Self-launched vs. Med Sailing Holidays
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Med Sailing Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£630 | £1,580 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £950 per person (60%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Med Sailing Holidays-style trips? Check them out here.~£630
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Dalmatian Island Hopping: Dubrovnik to Split cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £630 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 Med Sailing Holidays?+
Yes — Med Sailing Holidays charges around £1,580 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £630 — a saving of roughly £950 (60%) 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, culture, adventure 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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