Visiting a hidden gem with your private yacht
National Park is located on the island of Mljet near the Pelješac peninsula on the southern coast of Croatia. This vast park is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean and will delight you with the colours and scent of untouched nature. Your captain will show you all the remote beaches, submerged bays and breathtaking cliffs and will find a quiet area to anchor, so you and your loved ones can have the sea to yourself. Why not take the canoes to the beach or explore the sea caves by kayak?
The Mljet National Park will not disappoint the fans of cultural heritage either, thanks to its multiple archaeological finds and the heritage of our ancestors present in the old island settlements.
For those looking for an adrenaline rush
There is the challenge of making it up to the peaks of Montokuc and Veliki Sladin Gradac, from where you can see the entire National Park, Pelješac and the sea all the way up to Korčula and Lastovo. You can plan your charter to take place in fall, so you can sign up for the traditional international triathlon race Mljet Half Ironman. Mljet National Park has it all!
The bay near Polače and their beautiful towns along the way
Your captain can anchor the yacht in the bay near Polače. Here, the crew will take you into the quaint little town by tender once you are ready to explore the island. Electric bikes will be waiting for you to climb the steep hills to get to the park. Passing absolutely gorgeous and stunning scenery, you will be tempted to just want to stop and take in the moment of sun, sea and sky.
The little towns along the way add a nice diversion to the crystal clear lakes and make for great photo opportunities. The two deep bays on the island, known as Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero are the most famous locations of this area. They are an important geological and oceanographical phenomenon and were once karst sinkholes filled with fresh water, but are now filled with seawater.
Don’t forget to take the electric ferry to the island of St. Mary that sits within one of the lakes and visit the Benedictine monastery there. Here you will find the Church of Saint Mary built in the 12th century.
Pomena
You and your friends and family can also talk to your captain about making Pomena the spot to start your day at the park. This idyllic town is actually little more than a hotel, a few houses and various restaurants on the shore, all of which have created good berthing opportunities for yachts. Your chief stewardess will make sure you have everything you need while exploring the island and can set you up with bikes in this charming town also.
Its vegetation and fauna
Due to its lush and rich vegetation, Mljet is the greenest Croatian island, which is why its nickname is the green island. Ninety percent of the park is covered by forest, most of which is Aleppo pine, a tree that can reach up to 20 meters high. Beautiful shaded footpaths invite you to take a hike across the island to discover the many plant species.
Are you an animal lover? The park is extremely rich with life and numerous endangered species are a testament of the importance of protecting it. In addition to the many native invertebrates who live in Mljet’s caves and pits, snakes, lizards, mammals, and a lot of bird species also live here. Small songbirds such as finch, robin, blackbird, nightingale and others populate the dense pine forests.
The rich and interesting fauna of the Mljet National Park has not yet been fully researched. One of the peculiarities of the island are the typical underground habitats, caves and pits, with an endemic fauna of invertebrates which were first discovered at Mljet. So far, five types of snakes and four types of lizards have been registered on the island and there are 26 species of mammals in the park. Your chief stewardess can set you up with a private guide to take you around the island in search of your favourite animals.
Life under Croatian sea
If you are more interested in life under the sea level, there is a solution for that too! Your crew will bring out the snorkeling equipment and your captain will make sure you will be anchored in the most beautiful and quiet water the island has to offer. Put on your sunscreen and jump overboard to discover the fish species in this area. Once you got your snorkeling in, the crew will take out all the other water toys to have fun in the water with your friends and family. Would you like to try out the sea bobs? Or float around using the noodles with a chilled glass of champagne? Just let your chief stewardess know! Super soft towels will be ready for you when you decide to get back onboard to enjoy some of your favorite food the chef has prepared after working up a healthy appetite during your day in Mljet National Park.
Last thing you should do on your yacht holidays in Croatia
This beautiful island offers peacefulness and solitude in a breathtaking setting. Maybe you are not ready to leave yet and would like to have dinner on board? While watching the other yachts and boats depart when the sun sets, you and your loved ones can relax on deck with a refreshing cocktail, talking about the memories you made that day. When you get ready for another delicious meal created by your chef, the crew will make sure the table is set so you can dine under the stars with a magnificent view of the island and the park. What a perfect way to combine nature, fun in the water, zen time and being active on land, all in one day. Visiting the Mljet National Park by yacht is a unique way to experience the atmosphere here and you will agree, this hidden green gem cannot be missed!
