Lovran/Opatija: Swimming on Cres Island with Lunch

The best part of this Cres Island boat trip is simple: you spend much of the day anchored in clear Adriatic water, swimming instead of rushing from one sight to the next. I like the small group of up to 15 and the way the captain grills lunch aboard, with fish, meat, or vegetarian choices rather than a fixed plate.

I also like the varied route, from quiet Smrdeća Beach to the Little Blue Cave, plus views of Brseč’s 60-meter cliffs on the ride back. The main catch is that this is a swimming day first and a sightseeing cruise second. If you do not plan to get in the water, eight hours in the sun may feel long.

Cres Island by boat: key points

• Two departure choices: Start from Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM, with return around 5:00 PM.
• Smrdeća Beach lunch stop: Spend two hours swimming, snorkeling, and eating a fresh BBQ lunch prepared on board.
• Three water stops: The schedule includes Smrdeća Beach, Badnjev Beach, and the Little Blue Cave.
• Captain Tomy: Past outings have praised Tomy for his explanations, friendly service, and steady handling of the day.
• Everything needed for a long swim day: Water, soft drinks, juice, wine, salad, bread, seasonal fruit, and passenger insurance are included.
• A boat-centered experience: Some beaches can only be reached by swimming, but you can stay near the boat and use its ladder.

An early start across Kvarner Bay

You can board in Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, with Restaurant Molo and Lovranski mul listed as the two starting locations. Check your confirmation carefully, especially if you are staying somewhere between the two coastal towns.

The boat spends about an hour and a half crossing Kvarner Bay toward Cres Island. That transfer is not wasted time. You get broad sea views, a different look at the Opatija Riviera, and a gradual change from built-up waterfront to quieter, more open coast.

This is a small-group outing, limited to 15 people. That matters on a full-day boat trip. You are less likely to feel packed into a large excursion boat, and it should be easier to hear the guide when information is offered. Captain Tomy has received particularly strong praise for explaining the route and keeping the service friendly.

The boat ride can also be the least comfortable part for anyone prone to seasickness. The tour specifically advises against booking if you are susceptible, and that is sensible. Bring water, wear sun protection, and keep your expectations clear: the boat is transportation between swimming spots, not a covered sightseeing bus.

Smrdeća Beach and a BBQ lunch on board

The first stop is Smrdeća Beach on the northwestern side of Cres. It is described as a quiet place with clear water and untouched surroundings. The boat anchors in the bay, giving you a two-hour break for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and rest.

The setting is appealing because this northern part of Cres is uninhabited. You should not expect beach cafés, shops, snack stands, or a row of rental businesses. That lack of development is part of the point, but it also means you need to bring anything extra you may want during the day.

While you swim, the captain prepares lunch on the boat. The meal includes a choice of grilled fish, meat, or vegetarian food, along with salad and bread. This is a useful feature for mixed groups. One person can choose fish while another avoids it, without everyone having to accept the same main dish.

Drinks are included too: still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, apple juice, orange juice, and wine. Seasonal fruit is served in the afternoon. Those inclusions help justify the $135 price, particularly because you are not stopping at restaurants along the northern side of Cres.

Still, do not treat the BBQ as an unlimited food service. Only the stated lunch, drinks, and fruit are supplied. Bring your own snacks if you tend to eat between meals, and carry any special drinks or food you need.

The two-hour stop gives you enough time to eat without sacrificing the water time. You can swim, return to the boat for lunch, and get back in the sea afterward. Snorkeling gear is listed among the recommended items, so bring your own if you have it. The supplied information does not promise rental gear.

Badnjev Beach and the pleasure of doing less

After lunch, the boat continues to Badnjev Beach. The scheduled break lasts about an hour, giving you another chance to swim and relax.

This second stop is useful because it keeps the day from becoming one long stay at a single bay. Water conditions, shade, and your energy can change during the day, so a new anchorage gives you a fresh setting without adding a demanding shore visit.

The practical detail here is that some beaches are accessible only by swimming. You do not have to swim all the way to shore. The boat remains anchored in the bay, and you can stay close to it, float nearby, or use the ladder to get in and out.

That makes the outing workable for confident swimmers who want open-water time, as well as for less confident swimmers who prefer to remain beside the boat. Life jackets are available on request. Even so, this is not a good choice if you want to avoid water altogether. The tour itself says the sun and heat can become tiring for non-swimmers.

An hour can pass quickly once you are in the water. Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, and comfortable clothing for the time aboard. Weather-appropriate layers are also wise because conditions can change during a long day on the sea.

Brseč cliffs and the final swim at the Little Blue Cave

The boat then turns toward Brseč, where you can look up at cliffs rising about 60 meters above the water. This is one of the stronger sightseeing moments of the route. After several hours focused on swimming, the high rock face gives you a striking coastal view from the boat.

The next stop is the Little Blue Cave. You reach it by swimming, not by walking into it from a road or harbor. The stop lasts about an hour, leaving time to swim, snorkel, and look around the cave area.

Do not expect a long cave tour with a guide on foot. This is a short, water-based visit built into a swimming day. The boat stays nearby, and the ladder makes reboarding easier after you have been in the water.

The cave is likely to be most enjoyable for people who are comfortable swimming in open water and who bring a mask or snorkel. If you are not a strong swimmer, you can remain near the boat, but the cave itself may be out of reach. The supplied information makes clear that some stops require swimming and that you are free not to go all the way to shore.

The timing is well judged for a full-day outing. You get a one-hour final water break rather than ending the day with only a quick photo stop. On the other hand, three swim stops plus the boat transfers can feel repetitive if your ideal day involves museums, town walks, or frequent changes of scenery.

The ride home along the Opatija Riviera

After the Little Blue Cave, the boat begins the return journey. The ride lasts about 75 minutes and passes coastal places including Mošćenička Draga, Kraj, and Medveja.

This part of the trip works best as a calm wind-down. You have already had lunch and several hours in the water, so the return ride gives you time to sit back and watch the coast pass by. The boat is expected to reach the drop-off point around 5:00 PM.

The stated route includes a 30-minute sightseeing cruise before the second stop and a 45-minute sightseeing cruise before the Little Blue Cave. These stretches break up the swimming schedule without turning the day into a nonstop commentary tour.

One past outing also included a coffee and ice cream stop that one person found unnecessary, calling it more of a tourist rest stop for people waiting for the ferry. This does not appear as a standard stop in the main schedule, so treat it as a possible adjustment rather than a guaranteed feature. If it happens, some people will welcome the break, while others will prefer to spend every spare minute at the swimming spots.

What the $135 price really covers

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the Adriatic. The value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging transport, food, drinks, and access to several remote swimming areas.

You are paying for an eight-hour boat outing, a small group, the return trip to Cres Island, three water stops, a grilled lunch, drinks, fruit, and passenger insurance. The remote location matters too. Since the northern side of Cres is uninhabited, you cannot easily buy lunch or drinks once you leave the coast.

The BBQ is one of the strongest parts of the package. A fresh meal cooked aboard feels more fitting than returning to a marina for a standard restaurant lunch, and the fish, meat, and vegetarian choices make the meal practical for different diets.

The price makes less sense if you mainly want a short cruise with coastal views. You would spend much of the day in transit or in the water, and the sightseeing is secondary. I would book it for the swimming, the quiet bays, the cave, and the ease of having the day organized for you.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families with older children who want a relaxed day at sea. It also suits anyone staying in Opatija or Lovran who wants to reach less developed parts of Cres without arranging a private boat.

The small group helps the experience feel personal, and the live guide can speak Croatian, English, or German. Past outings have especially praised Captain Tomy for his explanations, punctual departures and arrivals, food, service, and the overall atmosphere aboard.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike strong sun, or want a busy sightseeing program. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people over 80, babies under one year, or those prone to seasickness. Life jackets are available, but this is still a water-focused day.

Weather is another real factor. If conditions are unsafe, the operator can cancel with a full refund. If the boat can go out but wind or rain affects part of Cres, the captain may change the route. That flexibility protects safety, but it means you should not treat every listed stop as guaranteed in poor conditions.

What to pack for the boat

Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, comfortable clothes, and a camera. Add a light layer for the boat ride, since you may feel cooler after swimming or during the return crossing.

Snorkeling gear is recommended. Food and drinks are supplied, but you can bring extra snacks and beverages. That is worth doing because no other food or drink is available along the uninhabited northern coast.

Use a small, easy-to-manage bag rather than bringing a large suitcase. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray, and make sure anything you need for the day is accessible before the boat leaves the harbor.

Should you book the Cres Island boat trip?

Book this tour if you want a full swimming day with lunch included, not a rapid checklist of coastal sights. The combination of Smrdeća Beach, Badnjev Beach, the Little Blue Cave, Brseč’s cliffs, and the return views toward the Opatija Riviera gives you plenty of variety without a frantic pace.

I would be more cautious if you are not comfortable in open water or if you hope to spend most of the day on land. The $135 cost is fair for the boat time, meal, drinks, fruit, and small group, but the value depends on using the water stops.

For a relaxed day, a choice of lunch, and a chance to see a quieter side of Cres, this is a strong pick. Pack for swimming, accept that weather can change the route, and choose the Opatija or Lovran departure that gives you the easier morning.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

You can depart from Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM. The listed meeting locations are Restaurant Molo and Lovranski mul, and the exact point depends on the option booked.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours. The estimated return time is 5:00 PM.

What food is included?

A BBQ lunch is prepared on board, with fish, meat, or vegetarian options. Salad and bread are included, and seasonal fruit is served in the afternoon.

What drinks are included?

The boat provides still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, apple juice, orange juice, and wine.

How many swimming stops are there?

The planned water stops are Smrdeća Beach, Badnjev Beach, and the Little Blue Cave. The first stop lasts two hours, while the second and third stops last about one hour each.

Do I have to swim to the beaches or cave?

Some areas can only be reached by swimming, but you do not have to swim all the way to shore. The boat remains anchored in the bay, and a ladder provides access to and from the water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling gear is listed among the items to bring. The tour information does not state that equipment is supplied.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may be canceled with a full refund if conditions are unfavorable. If the trip can continue but wind or rain requires route changes, the captain may adjust the stops for safety.