Lovran/Opatija: Swimming on Cres Island with Lunch

Pack your swimsuit, then leave the schedule behind. This eight-hour boat trip from Opatija or Lovran is built around clear water, quiet coves, and an easy day at sea rather than a long list of shore visits. I especially like the freshly grilled lunch on board and the small group, limited to 15 people. The main tradeoff is simple: this is a swimming tour first, so the heat can wear you down if you prefer to stay dry.

I also like the variety of the day. You get two proper swimming stops, a stop at the Little Blue Cave, and fine views of Cres Island, Kvarner Bay, Brseč, and the coastal towns on the return trip. Captain Tomy has earned especially warm praise for his friendly service and explanations, though one stop connected with a coffee and ice cream break was considered unnecessary by one participant.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• A two-hour first stop at Smrdeća Beach: Swim, snorkel, and eat a grilled lunch while the boat sits in a quiet bay on northwestern Cres.
• Lunch cooked on board: Choose fish, meat, or a vegetarian barbecue, served with salad and bread, followed by seasonal fruit later in the day.
• Three chances to get in the water: You can swim at Smrdeća Beach, Badnjev Beach, and the Little Blue Cave.
• A small boat group: With no more than 15 people, the trip should feel less crowded than a large excursion boat.
• A scenic route along Kvarner Bay: The boat passes Brseč’s 60-meter cliffs and coastal towns including Mošćenička Draga, Kraj, and Medveja.
• A relaxed pace with a clear finish: Depart in the morning and return around 5:00 PM, with much of the day spent anchored for swimming.

What this Cres boat trip is really about

This is not a traditional sightseeing cruise with a quick photo stop and a speech about every town. The point is to spend a full day outdoors, move between attractive swimming spots, eat lunch on the boat, and let the Adriatic provide most of the entertainment.

You travel from Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM, depending on your booking. The outward ride takes about an hour and a half, giving you broad views across Kvarner Bay before the boat reaches Cres Island.

I would choose this trip if you enjoy swimming in open water, sitting in the sun, and seeing the coast from a boat. I would not choose it for a land-based tour of Cres, since the northern side of the island used during the trip is uninhabited and the stops are reached from the water.

The boat carries a maximum of 15 people. That number matters. You can expect a more personal setting than on a large cruise, and Captain Tomy’s friendly approach has been a major part of the experience for many people. The guides speak Croatian, English, and German.

Leaving Opatija or Lovran across Kvarner Bay

The two departure options make this trip useful if you are staying in either coastal town. The stated meeting points are around Restaurant Molo and Lovranski mul, but the exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check it carefully before setting out.

The boat leaves Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM. From there, the first 90 minutes are spent on the water. This transfer is not dead time: you get open views of the bay and a gradual change from resort coast to the wilder northern side of Cres.

You should wear sun protection from the start. Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, comfortable clothing, and a camera. Snorkeling gear is recommended, though the information provided does not promise that equipment is supplied, so bring your own if you have it.

The captain can adjust the route if wind or rain affects conditions. That is a sensible safety measure, but it also means the exact order or location of stops can change. If the weather is too poor for a safe trip, the tour can be canceled with a full refund.

Smrdeća Beach: two hours for swimming and lunch

The first main stop is Smrdeća Beach on the northwestern side of Cres. It is described as a quiet, natural place with clear water and little development around it. Since this northern section of Cres is uninhabited, do not expect a beach café, shop, changing room, or backup lunch option.

The boat anchors in the bay, and you can swim from the boat toward the shore. You do not have to swim all the way to the beach. This makes the stop more flexible than it may first sound: strong swimmers can head farther out, while others can stay close to the boat and use its ladder.

You have about two hours here, which is enough time to swim, snorkel, dry off, and eat without rushing. The captain prepares the barbecue on board during the stop. Lunch includes a choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian food, along with salad and bread.

The grilled meal is one of the strongest features of the outing. It gives the day a proper center rather than making you rely on packaged snacks. Drinks on board include still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, apple juice, orange juice, and wine.

You should still bring extra food if you tend to get hungry after swimming. Only the listed lunch and seasonal fruit are provided, and there are no food shops on this part of Cres. Your own snacks and drinks are allowed.

Badnjev Beach and the value of a second swim

After lunch, the boat continues to Badnjev Beach. The trip includes roughly an hour here for swimming and rest. A second stop is useful because the first bay may not suit every person equally, and you get another chance to enjoy the water after lunch.

This is also where the relaxed pace becomes clear. You are not being hurried ashore for a 20-minute photo opportunity. The boat anchors, you use the ladder, and you decide how much time to spend in the water or on board.

The stops are described as beaches, but access can require swimming. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can remain near the boat, and life jackets are available upon request. Still, I would not book this trip if you dislike getting into open water. The tour is designed around swimming, not simply looking at the sea from a comfortable seat.

Sun and heat deserve serious thought here. An hour or two of swimming sounds easy, but eight hours outdoors can be tiring. A hat, sunscreen, water, and a light cover-up will make the day much more pleasant. The boat provides drinks, but staying in the shade when you are not swimming is wise.

Brseč’s 60-meter cliffs from the water

The boat then turns toward Brseč. This part is a sightseeing cruise rather than another long shore visit. From the water, you can look up at cliffs rising about 60 meters above the coast.

This is one of the best visual pauses in the trip because it changes the rhythm. After several hours focused on swimming and food, you get a chance to sit back and watch the coast pass by. You will see the shape of the cliffs and the relationship between the high coast and the open bay more clearly from the boat than from a town street.

Do not expect a detailed walking tour of Brseč. The appeal here is the view from the sea. If your main aim is to explore the town itself, this excursion will not give you much time on land.

The Little Blue Cave: the final water stop

The last major stop is the Little Blue Cave. You get about an hour to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the cave from the water. This is a strong finish because the cave provides something different from the open swimming bays.

Access is by swimming, and the boat remains anchored nearby. You can choose how close to go, and the ladder makes it easier to return to the boat. The cave stop works best for people who are comfortable in the sea and happy to explore without a formal walkway or dry entrance.

Bring a camera if you want photographs, but protect it from water. Snorkeling gear is also worth packing. The provided information recommends it, and the cave and clear water give you a good reason to use it.

Again, the cave is not a land excursion. You are not walking into a visitor center or following a marked path. This is a water-based visit, with the cave approached by swimming from the anchored boat.

The ride home past Mošćenička Draga and Medveja

After the cave, the boat begins the return journey. The final cruise takes you past coastal places including Mošćenička Draga, Kraj, and Medveja before reaching Lovran or Opatija at about 5:00 PM.

The return gives you a calmer way to finish the day. You have already had the main swimming breaks, lunch, and cave visit, so you can concentrate on the coastal views and let the boat cover the distance back.

The total duration is about eight hours. That is a full day, not a short morning outing. The long duration is good value for people who want a complete sea day, but it may feel excessive if you are only looking for one quick swim.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Adriatic for a swim. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled into the day: boat transport from Opatija or Lovran, several swimming stops, a grilled lunch, drinks, seasonal fruit, a live guide, and passenger insurance during the ride.

You are also paying for access to parts of Cres where you cannot simply walk up to a restaurant or beach service. The northern side used on the route is uninhabited, so the boat, food, and captain-led planning are central to the experience.

The small group helps the value. A maximum of 15 people means you are not sharing the day with a huge crowd, and the captain can communicate directly with the group. A full-day boat trip at this price will feel worthwhile if you use the swimming time and enjoy the meal.

The calculation changes if you do not swim. There is no large program of land sightseeing to fill the day, and sitting in the sun for hours can become uncomfortable. For non-swimmers, life jackets are available, but I would still consider a different kind of coastal tour.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The barbecue includes a choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian food. Salad and bread come with the meal, and seasonal fruit is served in the afternoon. Drinks include water, soft drinks, juices, and wine.

If you have a specific dietary need, the supplied information does not explain how requests are handled, so ask before booking. The listed choices are helpful, but you should not assume that every special requirement can be accommodated without checking.

Pack light, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes
• Snorkeling gear
• A camera or waterproof phone case
• Personal snacks if you need food beyond lunch and fruit

There are no other food or drink stops on the northern side of Cres. One past stop involving coffee and ice cream was viewed as an unnecessary tourist break, so do not book this trip expecting a café-focused itinerary. Its strongest food moment is the barbecue on board.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this excursion to couples, friends, and families with older children who like water time more than museum time. It also suits anyone staying in Opatija or Lovran who wants a complete day away from the resort coast without organizing boats, meals, and timing independently.

It is a good match for confident swimmers and people who enjoy snorkeling. You can stay close to the boat, but some beach access requires swimming, and the entire plan revolves around getting into the sea.

It is less suitable for anyone prone to seasickness, wheelchair users, people over 80, and babies under one year. The tour also may not suit you if you want frequent walks ashore, private time, or a quiet trip with no fixed schedule.

The group size is small, but it is still a shared boat experience. You should be comfortable spending many hours around other people, with the captain setting the route and timing.

Practical booking advice before you go

Check your departure location closely because the start may be Opatija or Lovran. The listed departure times are 8:20 AM from Opatija and 9:00 AM from Lovran, with return around 5:00 PM.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Weather remains important: the captain can change the route when wind or rain affects safety, and a full cancellation is possible in unfavorable conditions with a full refund.

Captain Tomy has been singled out for his explanations, service, and friendly manner. That adds value to a day that could otherwise be only a boat ride between swimming spots. The tour is available in Croatian, English, and German.

Should you book the Cres swimming tour?

Book it if you want a full Adriatic swimming day with a cooked lunch, a small group, and several natural stops. The combination of Smrdeća Beach, Badnjev Beach, Brseč’s cliffs, and the Little Blue Cave gives the day enough variety without making it feel rushed.

Skip it if you do not plan to swim or if you get seasick. At $135, the value depends heavily on using the water stops, enjoying the barbecue, and appreciating the long cruise through Kvarner Bay. For the right kind of visitor, it is a generous, easygoing day on the sea rather than a packed sightseeing ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

You can depart from Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM, depending on the option booked. The meeting point is connected with Restaurant Molo and Lovranski mul, but you should confirm the exact location for your booking.

How long is the boat tour?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The planned return to the departure point is around 5:00 PM.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides a grilled lunch with fish, meat, or vegetarian options, plus salad and bread. Seasonal fruit is served later, and drinks include still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, apple juice, orange juice, and wine.

Can I join if I am not a strong swimmer?

You can remain near the anchored boat, and life jackets are available upon request. However, the tour focuses mainly on swimming, and some beaches can only be reached by swimming.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, comfortable clothes, weather-appropriate clothing, a camera, and snorkeling gear. You may also bring your own snacks and drinks because there are no other food stops on the northern side of Cres.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may be canceled in unfavorable weather, with a full refund. If the trip can continue but wind or rain requires route changes, the captain will explain the adjustments and put safety first.