Mediterranean · NATIONAL PARKS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 national parks boat trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Set out with Nave Va from Ajaccio or Porticcio for a French-guided boat day along Corsica’s wild west coast. You’ll visit Scandola, stop for two hours in remote Girolata, cruise the Gulf of Porto, and see the red cliffs, caves, arches, and Capo Rosso Tower near Piana. Bring lunch, swimwear, a hat, and sun protection.
Travel from Split by air-conditioned coach to Krka National Park, where you follow scenic trails past waterfalls, old watermills, and stone houses. Your English-speaking host, often guides such as Tin, Lorena, or Marija, handles the practical details. A boat ride leads to Skradin for a walk and swim before returning to Split.
“Fantastic value for money. Bruno was a great guide & gave us some great tips for both the waterfalls and Skradin. We were going to just get transport ourselves but so glad we went with this option!”
From Porto, cruise the Gulf of Porto and protected Scandola Nature Reserve on a hybrid boat with live French commentary. You’ll stop 30 minutes in sea-access-only Girolata, watch for seabirds and caves, and can add a 1.5-hour run to the pink granite Calanche de Piana. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and food.
“Eine Stunde vor Abfahrt rief der Veranstalter an und wollte absagen wegen zu hohem Wellengang. Wir waren aber schon unterwegs und auf halber Strecke. Dann hat er die Abfahrtszeit um eine halbe Stunde nach vorne verlegt, was wir kaum hätten schaffen können und uns gesagt, dass die Tour heute 1h kürzer und ohne Aufenthalt in Girolata sein würde. Die Tour fand dann auf einem normalen Dieselboot statt, Guide nur auf Französisch, Infos konnten in einer Online-Broschüre nachgelesen werden. Anfahrt also Stress pur, Bootsfahrt zwar mit schöner Landschaft, aber lautem und stinkenden Boot nur 2 statt 3 Stunden ohne Preisnachlass. Das war Abzocke!”
Spend about five and a half hours on the Korkyra boat from Pula, cruising around Brijuni National Park, swimming at St. Jerolim, and watching for dolphins. Guides including Mario and Larissa explain the islands in several languages. Drinks are unlimited, while the meal is arranged separately before departure.
“Boat ready for our arrival Enjoyed trip and free time on the island which was 2 hours, plenty of time to swim. Food was very tasty, we had vegetarian and beef options. Only down side was that the dolphins made a no show ( animals what they like). Sunset over the sea beautiful. Would recommend.”
Spend nine hours cruising from Zadar through Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park. You’ll get breakfast, lunch, wine, aperitif, and unlimited water, with time for swimming, hiking, photographs, and the famous salt lake. English commentary, a local crew, and park entrance fees are included in the listed price.
“Nice day with the friendly crew on the boat. Had a good time in the national parks for swimming and hiking.”
Travel from Split or Trogir to Krka National Park for waterfalls, forest trails, old watermills, and free time by the river. Your English-speaking guide, such as Dario, Darijo, Mia, or Mate, keeps the day organized, then sends you by boat to Skradin for swimming, lunch, and a relaxed stroll.
“really good trip. guide was super friendly and the what's app group really added to the experience of the day. the bus journey was really good taking in the views of trogir and surrounding islands. kkra waterfalls was stunning. I would definitely recommend the trip”
Board a traditional wooden boat in Pula for a three-hour evening cruise around Brijuni National Park. Watch for wild dolphins, enjoy a chef-prepared choice of mackerel, chicken, or vegetarian dinner, and take in the sunset with unlimited water, orange juice, and white wine. A live guide speaks Croatian, English, German, or Italian.
“guys are sooo good. we saw dolphins. they really try to find them and we saw them and so many 🤣 the fish was delicious 🤣 the best cruise ever ❤️”
Spend nine hours cruising from Zadar through Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park. You get breakfast, lunch, wine, unlimited water and juice, a guide, and snorkeling gear on request. Swim at Salt Lake Mir, see dramatic cliffs, and enjoy free time at two scenic stops.
“Very good activity. Covered some of the most beautiful spots in the sea. Fortunately we saw some dolphins too. Food and Rakija were also fine.”
From Fazana, board Kristina for a scenic cruise past all 14 Brijuni islands, Roman ruins, forts, villas, and the lighthouse near Pula. Your guide speaks Croatian, English, and German. Stop at St. Jerolim for swimming, snorkeling, a restaurant, and free-roaming peacocks. The island stay is optional and costs extra in cash.
Join Adria Vista for a nine-hour cruise from Zadar or Bibinje through the Kornati islands and Telašćica Nature Park. You get breakfast, grilled fish and chicken for lunch, free wine, water, juice, a guide in several languages, and swim stops in clear Adriatic water. Bring cash for the park tickets and ask at the bar for snorkeling gear.
“The second stop at the Kornati should be at least 2 hours long so that the passengers can have more time for the beach and to get to the viewpoint. Other than that, everything was perfect.”
Join Giovanni and the Buriana Charter crew from Stintino for an eight-hour catamaran trip around Asinara National Park. Swim in clear bays, snorkel with marine life, visit the former super-prison and animal rescue center, then enjoy a three-course seafood lunch with wine, coffee, and a digestif aboard a boat limited to 12 people.
“Lo skipper Giovanni è stato molto simpatico e ci ha accompagnati in questa splendida giornata. Consigliatissimo!”
Leave Vodice at 9:00 for a full-day boat trip through Šibenik’s channel and the Krka estuary. You’ll see St Nicholas Fortress, collect fresh mussels from a local farm, and reach Skradinski Buk around 11:30. Guide Goran and the multilingual crew provide onboard help, while your park ticket and mussels are included.
“We had a lovely day on this gorgeous traditional timber boat. The staff were so friendly and great to talk to. The host was very helpful and informative and great friendly guy. He also explained with each guest the boat route to the Krka National Park. We loved the fresh mussel and bread lunch cooked on the ship and the national park is truly stunning to walk around. It was also a scenic boat trip past towns and a fortress. We really enjoyed the day and highly recommend.”
Cruise from Pula and Fažana around all 14 Brijuni islands with guide Larissa, then spend about two hours on Sveti Jerolim. Swim, snorkel, walk among peacocks, or relax on the beach. German, English, Italian, and Croatian commentary is available. Lunch is optional, while wine, mineral water, and soda water are included.
“Mario, ottimo compagno di viaggio. pranzo buono, bibite a volontà. finalmente qualcuno che parla, anche, italiano. isola meravigliosa, mare da cartolina!”
Spend 4.5 hours aboard a hybrid electric boat with up to 12 people, cruising from Marseille’s Old Port toward the Calanques, Frioul, Riou, and Château d’If. Swim with provided masks and snorkels, enjoy two possible anchorage stops, and follow a route adjusted for wind and sea conditions. Captains such as Patrick, Jacques, and Thibault are known for friendly, personal hosting.
“Tour was really nice. The boat was clean, and the guide was friendly. She took us to some quiet spots in the calanques to swim that were gorgeous. There were snorkels on board, and water and snacks to have. The tour was a great length. Overall a beautiful day that I wouldn’t hesitate to do again! Cons: It was a little difficult to find the meeting point. I got there 30 minutes early, and our captain/guide wasn’t there yet (which is fine), but there were no flags/signs to indicate where to meet. The actual location was not difficult to get to, but just not clearly labelled to indicate if in…”
Set out from Vodice with an English, German, or Croatian guide for an 8.5-hour cruise through Kornati National Park and Telašćica. You’ll pass roughly 200 islands, see Kornati cliffs, eat a fish, meat, or vegetarian lunch on board, swim in Lake Mir and the Adriatic, and return via Tribunj and the Upper Kornati islands.
“Very nice boat trip in beautiful scenery. Lunch on the boat included in the price, otherwise reasonable prices. On the way back, we spotted dolphins and the boat turned around and stopped so we could watch them.”
A coast, a kind of hull, or a day you already have in mind.
