Lovran/Opatija: Swimming on Cres Island with Lunch

The best part of this Cres boat trip is its easy rhythm: three long swimming stops, a grilled lunch on board, and a scenic ride past Kvarner Bay towns. You spend more time in the water than on land, which makes this a good choice for a warm summer day.

I like the small group of up to 15 people and the friendly service associated with Captain Tomy. I also like the simple, generous setup: fish, meat, or vegetarian food, salad, bread, drinks, and afternoon fruit are included. The main drawback is clear: if you do not swim, eight hours in the sun and on the boat may feel long.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: You get time at Smrdeća Beach, Badnjev Beach, and the Little Blue Cave.
• Lunch is cooked aboard: Choose grilled fish, meat, or a vegetarian option with salad and bread.
• Captain Tomy may be your guide: Past service has been praised for clear explanations, good timing, and a welcoming manner.
• The boat remains anchored offshore: Some beaches are reached only by swimming, but you can use the boat ladder and stay close to the vessel.
• Cres is the main event: Expect a swimming day with some coastal sightseeing, not a history-focused excursion.
• The price covers the essentials: At $135 per person, lunch, drinks, fruit, insurance, and eight hours on the water are included.

A full day on the Kvarner Bay

This is a swimming trip first and a sightseeing cruise second. That distinction matters. You will see handsome coastal towns, steep cliffs, and open water, but the heart of the day is getting into the Adriatic, cooling off, and taking your time.

The boat leaves Opatija at 8:20 AM or Lovran at 9:00 AM. The meeting point is at Lovranski mul, near Restaurant Molo, though your exact starting point depends on the option you book. From there, the ride toward Cres takes about an hour and a half.

That opening crossing gives you a broad look at Kvarner Bay. Opatija and Lovran sit on the mainland shore, while Cres rises across the water. On the way back, the boat passes Mošćenička Draga, Kraj, and Medveja, so the day has a pleasant arc: open bay in the morning, quiet coves during the afternoon, and coastal views on the return.

The boat carries no more than 15 people. That is a useful size for a day built around swimming. You are not dealing with a large party boat, a packed deck, or a long queue at the ladder. Languages offered are Croatian, English, and German.

Smrdeća Beach and lunch on board

The first stop is Smrdeća Beach on the northwestern side of Cres. This part of the island is uninhabited, so do not expect cafés, shops, changing rooms, or a row of beach umbrellas. The reward is a quieter setting and clear water.

The boat anchors in the bay, and you have about two hours here. You can swim toward the beach if you like, or stay near the boat and use the ladder to get in and out. You do not need to reach the shore to enjoy the stop, which is important if you are comfortable in the water but not a strong swimmer.

While you are swimming and snorkeling, the captain prepares lunch on board. The menu includes grilled fish, grilled meat, or a vegetarian choice, along with salad and bread. Drinks include still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, apple juice, orange juice, and wine.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. You do not lose time looking for a restaurant, and lunch is served in the middle of a peaceful bay rather than at a crowded roadside stop. The tradeoff is that the meal is the food supplied on the boat. Since the northern side of Cres is uninhabited, bring extra snacks or drinks if you need more than what is included.

The two-hour break is long enough for the meal without making the stop feel rushed. You can eat, swim again, dry off, and settle into the slower pace of the day. Bring a towel and sunscreen, and keep a hat or light cover-up handy for the time spent on deck.

Badnjev Beach and the second swim

After lunch, the boat moves on toward Badnjev Beach. The sightseeing cruise between stops takes about 30 minutes, giving you a short break from the water and a chance to watch the Cres shoreline.

Badnjev is another swimming and relaxation stop, lasting about an hour. The pattern is simple and works well: the boat anchors, you use the ladder, and you choose how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, or sitting on board.

The one-hour length gives this stop a different feel from Smrdeća. You have already eaten and may want a quieter break rather than another full beach session. If you enjoy snorkeling, bring your own gear, as it is specifically recommended for the trip but not listed among the included items.

You should also keep your expectations practical. The boat does not provide a land-based beach day with facilities. These are natural bays reached from the water. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you need to be comfortable with a ladder, wet feet, sun, and the movement of the boat.

For non-swimmers, life jackets are available on request. Still, the operator makes it clear that swimming is central to the experience. You can remain aboard, but the heat and sun may make the day tiring if you never cool off.

Brseč cliffs and the Little Blue Cave

After Badnjev Beach, the route turns toward Brseč. Here, the boat passes beneath or near towering cliffs that rise about 60 meters above the sea. This section adds a bit of drama to a day otherwise focused on coves and swimming.

The final stop is the Little Blue Cave. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel in the area. The cave is accessible by swimming, so you need to be comfortable leaving the boat and making your way through the water. You do not have to swim all the way to shore at the earlier stops, but the cave visit is the point where water access matters most.

The cave gives the final swim a clear goal. Instead of simply anchoring in another bay, you have a natural feature to explore. Conditions can affect access, and the captain may adjust the route if wind or rain makes part of the plan unsafe.

The sightseeing ride from Badnjev toward the cave takes about 45 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the cliffs and changing coastal views without turning the day into a long lecture or formal tour. Captain Tomy has been praised for explaining the route and keeping the program well organized, so listen for his commentary if he is leading your departure.

The ride back to Lovran or Opatija

After the cave, the boat begins the return journey. The final sightseeing cruise lasts about 75 minutes and passes coastal places including Mošćenička Draga, Kraj, and Medveja.

This is a good time to sit back, finish a drink, and let the sun do less work than it did earlier. Seasonal fruit is served in the afternoon, which is a welcome light snack after lunch and several swims.

The estimated return time is 5:00 PM. The day therefore gives you a full eight hours without stretching into the evening. If you have dinner plans in Opatija or Lovran, leave some flexibility for weather or sea conditions, but the stated schedule is straightforward.

One past rating criticized a stop involving coffee and ice cream as an unnecessary tourist rest break. That comment appears to refer to a separate pause connected with ferry traffic, not the core swimming stops described here, but it is still a useful reminder: the tour is at its best when the schedule stays focused on the bays, cave, food, and sea.

What the $135 price includes

At $135 per person, this is not a bare boat transfer. You are paying for eight hours on the water, a small group, the Cres crossing, three water-based stops, a grilled lunch, drinks, fruit, and passenger insurance during the ride.

The lunch and beverages make the price easier to judge. Fish, meat, or vegetarian food is included, and you do not need to buy drinks at each stop because there are no cafés on the northern side of Cres. The boat also saves you the trouble of arranging separate transport, finding a suitable cove, and locating the Little Blue Cave on your own.

The value depends on how much you use the swimming time. If you love being in the water, three substantial breaks and an unhurried lunch can make the cost reasonable. If you mainly want coastal sightseeing, the price is harder to justify because the route gives more time to swimming than to walking around towns or visiting cultural sights.

Wine is included, but remember that the trip also involves sun, heat, and a boat ride. Drink sensibly, use sunscreen, and bring water even though refreshments are supplied. You can bring your own snacks and beverages, which is smart if you have dietary needs or prefer something more substantial between stops.

Practical preparation for a comfortable day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that matter:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Snorkeling gear
• Comfortable clothes and a weather-appropriate layer
• A camera
• Extra snacks or drinks if you want more than the supplied food

Wear beachwear that dries fairly quickly. You will move between swimming, lunch, and time on deck, and there is no indication of beach facilities for changing at the remote stops.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. The crossing to Cres takes about 90 minutes, and the return ride is also lengthy. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people over 80, or babies under one year.

Weather can change the plan. In unfavorable conditions, the tour may be canceled with a full refund. If the boat can operate but wind or rain affects one part of the island, the captain may alter the route and explain the change. This is a sensible safety measure, especially for a trip that depends on open-water swimming and cave access.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Croatia schedule is still moving around, but the more important booking question is your comfort with the sea.

Who will enjoy this Cres boat trip

I would recommend it most strongly to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families with older children who want a relaxed day outdoors. The small group suits people who prefer a social boat ride without a large crowd.

You will also like it if you want lunch handled for you. The crew cooks while you swim, and the included drinks remove the need to plan every part of the day. The combination of fish, meat, and vegetarian options gives the meal wider appeal than a fixed menu.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking museums, old-town walks, or a detailed cultural tour. You will see Opatija and Lovran from the water, pass Brseč, and view several coastal settlements, but you will not spend meaningful time exploring them on foot.

Non-swimmers can remain on the boat and request a life jacket, but I would not choose this outing for someone who dislikes getting in the water. The heat, sun, and repeated boat rides can become tiring when the central activity is something you do not plan to join.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a sea day with real swimming time, a cooked lunch, and a small group rather than a packed excursion boat. Captain Tomy has received especially strong praise for his explanations, service, and handling of the day, and the 4.9 rating from 18 ratings supports the impression of a well-run outing.

Skip it if you want a land-based Cres tour, dislike boat crossings, or need easy access to cafés and facilities. For the right person, $135 buys a simple and well-planned day: clear Adriatic water, quiet northern Cres bays, Brseč cliffs, the Little Blue Cave, and food served where the boat anchors.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

How long does the tour last?

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

What food is included?

The boat serves a grilled BBQ lunch with a choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian food. Salad and bread are included, followed by seasonal fruit in the afternoon.

What drinks are available?

Included drinks are still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, apple juice, orange juice, and wine.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. The northern side of Cres is uninhabited, so no other food or drinks are available during the route. You are welcome to bring additional snacks and beverages.

Do I need to swim to the beaches?

Some beaches can only be reached by swimming, but you do not have to swim all the way to shore. The boat stays anchored in the bay, and you can relax nearby or use the boat ladder to enter and exit the water.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Snorkeling is part of the swimming stops, and you are advised to bring your own snorkeling gear. The supplied information does not state that equipment is provided on board.

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 a route change, the captain may adjust the plan for safety and explain the changes during the tour.