Korčula: Sail Away – tour with traditional craftmanship boat

The best part of this outing is the boat itself. MIAMI is a 1973 wooden craft, built in Korčula by local shipbuilders and given a second life as a small island cruiser. You get four hours of swimming, snorkeling, and slow coastal sightseeing rather than a quick ride on a standard motorboat. I like the personal scale and the chance to see Korčula’s archipelago from the water, but the trip may feel expensive if you expect a long-distance sailing adventure.

I especially like the four separate swimming stops and the old-fashioned family story behind the boat’s name, formed from the names Miriana, Andrija, and Mirko. The local food is another strong point: the planned snacks can amount to a fresh meat and cheese platter with drinks, and the crew has been praised for serving good local tapas and wine. The main consideration is that the boat may not sail far from Korčula, and communication can be less smooth if the crew member leading your outing is not fully comfortable in English.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuine Korčula-built boat: MIAMI was made locally in 1973 and still carries its original family connection.
• Four water stops in four hours: Vrnik, Gubavac Beach, Sestrice, and Badija each receive roughly an hour.
• Swimming time is central: Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Snorkeling equipment is supplied.
• Food is better than the word snacks suggests: Expect refreshments and, on recent outings, a generous local meat and cheese platter.
• A family-run feel: Vinko and David have led outings praised for friendly service and useful island information.
• Not ideal for everyone: The activity excludes non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, wheelchair users, pregnant women, babies under one, and people over 70.

Why MIAMI makes the boat ride special

Many Korčula excursions begin and end with the scenery. Here, the vessel is part of the story. MIAMI was built in Korčula in 1973 by local craftsmen, first serving the family as a leisure boat and fishing boat. Its name comes from three family children, Miriana, Andrija, and Mirko, who are now grandparents.

That detail gives the outing a warmer feel than a simple boat rental. The wooden hull has seen years of family use, fishing, and quiet trips around the islands. You are not boarding a new, anonymous craft. You are stepping onto a piece of local boatbuilding that has been put back to work.

The boat’s age also shapes the experience. This is best approached as a relaxed coastal cruise, not a fast ride between far-flung islands. You will spend time sitting, eating, swimming, and watching the shore pass by. If your ideal afternoon includes a polished yacht, loud music, or a packed schedule, this may not be the right choice.

If you like traditional craft, small groups, and an easy pace, the old boat is a major part of the value.

Leaving from Porto Uš in Korčula Town

The meeting point is Porto Uš, also called The Shell Bay, on the main waterfront in Korčula Town. The driver meets you at the left corner of the port. If you arrive by car, parking is available in the port, though you should still allow time to find the right place and get settled before departure.

This is a useful starting point because you do not need a separate transfer from town. The experience begins at the water, with the Korčula archipelago directly ahead. Bring an ID card, or a copy, as requested by the operator.

The trip lasts four hours, and starting times vary by date. Check the available departure time before booking. One practical warning comes from a reported date change and confusion over the pickup venue, so confirm the meeting point and time if your plans change.

The outing is not private. Other people can book the same departure, although a private custom trip can be arranged separately. Group size is not stated, so do not assume you will have the boat to yourself. One outing happened to be private because no one else booked, but that should be treated as a lucky exception, not a promise.

Vrnik: stone, sea, and the first swim

The first listed stop is Vrnik Island, with about an hour for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and welcome refreshments. Vrnik is known for its golden-colored stone and old quarries, which give the island a strong connection to Korčula’s building tradition.

The stop works well as an introduction to the day. You have time to look around, get into the water, and settle into the boat’s rhythm. The water is described as crystal clear, and snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

Do not expect a major land tour here. The plan gives you roughly an hour, and the focus is split between seeing the island and getting into the sea. Wear shoes that are comfortable for a short walk, along with clothing you can manage easily after swimming.

The welcome refreshments are part of this first pause. Since the day includes repeated drinks and food, you can travel lightly, though your own water bottle is still sensible for a sunny boat ride.

Gubavac Beach: a longer pause for food and water

Gubavac Beach is the second stop, again with about an hour. The schedule lists swimming, snorkeling, and a meal onboard. This is where the trip shifts from sightseeing toward a proper lunch break.

The word meal matters. The advertised inclusions use the lighter phrase snacks, drinks, and refreshments, but recent outings have included a fresh meat and cheese platter, local tapas, and wine. One detailed account described the food as top-quality local tapas, while another praised a fresh platter as far more substantial than expected.

I would still avoid booking this as a food tour. The meal is an important extra, not the main reason to go. But at $106 per person, good food and drinks help make the half-day price easier to accept. They also save you from arranging a separate lunch during the middle of the excursion.

You will likely eat aboard MIAMI while the sea remains close at hand. That is a more pleasant use of time than returning to town for a quick meal, especially when the afternoon is built around swimming. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify alternatives, so ask before paying.

Sestrice: open water and unhurried swimming

Otok Sestrice is the third stop. The schedule gives this island about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, without a separate sightseeing walk or meal.

That makes Sestrice the most purely water-focused part of the outing. You can use the supplied equipment, float, and look below the surface without needing to hurry through a landmark. Several outings were praised for allowing plenty of time in the water, and this stop helps explain that impression.

You should judge the trip by this relaxed pace. The crew is not trying to squeeze ten sights into four hours. Instead, the route offers several chances to swim in clear water, with short moves between islands. I find that a good fit for a hot Dalmatian afternoon, when the sea is more appealing than a long list of monuments.

The drawback is clear too. If you want to cover a large part of the archipelago, four stops can sound more ambitious than the route really is. One account found that the boat did not travel far. You may spend much of the outing near Korčula rather than reaching distant islands.

Badija: monastery, wildlife, and a final swim

Badija is the final scheduled stop, with time for sightseeing, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling. It gives the excursion its strongest mix of land and water.

The island is known for its Franciscan monastery and its wild animal life. The supplied details do not promise a guided monastery visit or a specific animal encounter, so think of Badija as a chance to walk around and take in the setting rather than a formal cultural tour.

This stop is valuable because it breaks up the swimming. After three water-based pauses, a short walk gives you a different view of the archipelago and the chance to stretch your legs. You can also choose to swim or snorkel instead, depending on the conditions and your energy.

The schedule allots about an hour, so do not expect a long exploration of Badija. Keep an eye on the return time and follow the skipper’s instructions. The boat must still make it back to Porto Uš within the four-hour outing.

What the crew adds to the afternoon

The experience is conducted in Croatian and English. Recent outings were led by Vinko and David, who were praised for being friendly, helpful, and willing to share information about the islands. They also handled practical needs, such as preparing food and drinks while the boat moved between stops.

That service matters on a small boat. You are relying on the crew not just to steer, but also to make the swimming pauses easy, keep the food organized, and help the group enjoy the limited time. The strongest feedback centers on the hosts and their relaxed manner.

English ability may vary. One report found the boatman’s English poor, which caused frustration when combined with a date and pickup mix-up. If detailed commentary is important to you, treat the guiding as a pleasant extra rather than the central product. The main experience is the boat, the water, the food, and the island stops.

The crew’s family-run approach also means the outing may feel less formal than a large commercial cruise. That can be a benefit if you prefer direct, friendly service. It can also mean that communication and organization are not always as polished as they would be with a larger company.

Is $106 a fair price?

At $106 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride. The value depends on what you want from the four hours.

You are paying for a skipper, fuel, a route around the Korčula archipelago, snorkeling equipment, drinks, refreshments, and food. You also get a traditional Korčula-built boat rather than a generic vessel. If you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, snorkel gear, and a boat trip, the package becomes easier to justify.

The price feels strongest when the day includes the full pattern of four stops, plenty of water time, and a generous platter. It feels weaker if the boat stays very close to town, the outing is shortened, or you mainly sit aboard without much swimming. One person found the experience expensive for how little distance the boat covered, so expectations matter.

I would compare it with the cost of a standard half-day boat trip in Korčula, but I would not judge MIAMI by distance alone. The slower pace and traditional boat are the point. Book it for character and an easy afternoon, not for maximum mileage.

Who should book this Korčula cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Like old wooden boats and local stories
• Want several opportunities to swim and snorkel
• Prefer a relaxed outing to a packed sightseeing schedule
• Enjoy small family-run businesses
• Value food, drinks, and equipment included in the price
• Are comfortable walking a little on an island and getting in and out of the water

It is less suitable if you are a non-swimmer, prone to seasickness, or uncomfortable on a traditional boat. The operator also lists the activity as unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, babies under one, people over 70, and people with insect allergies.

The boat is not suitable for electric wheelchairs, and bikes are not allowed. Weapons, sharp objects, alcohol and drugs, fire-making items, explosive substances, littering, climbing, nudity, and intoxication are also prohibited.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. You should also bring your ID card or an accepted copy. The listing does not state that towels are supplied, so bring one if you want to dry off between stops.

The final call on MIAMI

I would book this tour if you want a four-hour swim-and-food outing with character. The traditional boat, clear water, four stops, and generous local platter make it more personal than a basic sightseeing cruise. The strongest part is the combination of a family boat and an unhurried day at sea.

I would skip it if your priority is traveling a long way around the archipelago or receiving a detailed history talk in polished English. The route may stay fairly close to Korčula, and communication can occasionally be uneven.

For the best chance of enjoying the experience, confirm the meeting time and Porto Uš location, expect a shared boat unless you arrange a private trip, and judge the $106 price against the food, equipment, fuel, and traditional vessel included. If those details fit your idea of a good Dalmatian afternoon, MIAMI is a pleasant, well-paced choice.

FAQ

Where does the Korčula boat tour meet?

The meeting point is Porto Uš, also called The Shell Bay, on Korčula Town’s main waterfront. The driver welcomes you at the left corner of the port. Parking is available in the port if you arrive by car.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date you want to book.

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

The route includes Vrnik Island, Gubavac Beach, Otok Sestrice, and Badija Island. The boat returns to Put od luke in Korčula Town.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with swimming time at the scheduled stops.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, drinks, and refreshments are included. The onboard meal has included local tapas, wine, and fresh meat and cheese platters on recent outings.

Is this a private boat tour?

No. Other people can book the same departure. A private custom tour can be arranged if you want a private boat experience.

What languages are available, and what should I bring?

The activity is offered in Croatian and English. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, beachwear, and an ID card or accepted copy.