Medulin: Private Glass Bottom Boat Tour to Levan Island

The best part of this private trip is the mix of water time and island scenery. You can swim beside the cliffs of Cape Kamenjak, look into the water through the boat’s glass bottom, pass Porer Lighthouse, and finish on Levan, the only sandy island in this group. It feels more varied than a simple harbor cruise.

I like the private format for groups, especially families, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers and can spend the day at sea without rushing every stop. I also like the route itself: Golumbera Cave gives you a swim with a little adventure, while Levan offers an easy beach break with bars, restaurants, umbrellas, and loungers.

The main thing to check before booking is the food arrangement. Food is listed as not included, although one account describes fish lunch onboard, so ask the operator exactly what will be served on your date. The Levan stop is also described as lasting two to three hours, not one fixed length.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The $752.44 rate applies to the whole group, making the price far better per person when you fill the boat.
• Golumbera Cave swim: At Cape Kamenjak, you can swim toward the cave, jump from the boat, explore the water, or stay onboard and feed fish.
• Slow pass by Porer Lighthouse: The boat cannot dock, but the captain sails close enough for photographs.
• Sandy Levan Island: You get a long beach break on the northernmost and only sandy island in the Medulin archipelago.
• Useful onboard basics: A private skipper, fuel, drinks, music, and a toilet are included.
• Weather controls the day: The captain may change the route or cancel if sea or weather conditions make the planned trip unsafe.

A six-hour private cruise from Medulin

You meet at Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions on Medulin’s waterfront, at Riva, 52203 Medulin. The scheduled start is 1 p.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

The afternoon timing matters. This is not an early-morning outing, so you have time to reach Medulin, eat beforehand, or enjoy a quiet morning. You should still arrive ready for a full stretch outside, with swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need for a long period on the water.

The boat is described as a glass-bottom boat, but the glass panel is only one part of the experience. The real draw is the route. You get a moving view of the water and seabed, then several chances to swim, take photographs, and sit back as the boat moves through the island chain.

Because this is a private activity, your group is the only group taking part. That gives the outing a calmer feel than a large excursion boat. It may also make the day easier for families or mixed groups, since people can choose different ways to use each stop rather than all having to do the same thing.

Cape Kamenjak and the Golumbera Cave swim

The first major stop is Cape Kamenjak Nature Park, one of the most appealing parts of the route. The boat pauses for about an hour, giving you time to swim beside the cliffs and reach Golumbera Cave, a sheltered opening set into the rock.

This is not a formal cave tour with a guide leading you inside. You use the swimming break to reach the cave and see its interior from the water. If you prefer not to swim that far, you can remain near the boat, jump into the sea, watch the water below the glass panel, or feed fish from onboard.

That choice is useful for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can make the cave the focus of the stop, while children or less confident swimmers can enjoy the sea closer to the boat. The supplied information says most people can participate, but you should still judge the sea conditions and your own ability honestly.

The one-hour stop goes quickly if you want to swim, take photographs, and spend time around the cave. I would treat it as a focused water break rather than a long visit to the park. You will not be walking around Cape Kamenjak or touring the wider park by land.

Porer Lighthouse from the water

After Cape Kamenjak, the boat heads toward Porer Lighthouse, built in 1846 during the Austro-Hungarian period. The lighthouse sits on a small islet southwest of Istria’s southernmost cape, about 2.5 kilometers from the mainland.

The setting is stark and striking. Porer’s islet is an 80-meter-wide cliff, and the 35-meter tower rises above the stone building. The site also has three small berths and two four-bed apartments, but this trip is a sightseeing pass rather than a landing.

That limitation is important. You cannot dock at Porer Lighthouse on this excursion. Instead, the captain sails slowly and as close to the cliffs as conditions allow, giving you time to take photographs from the boat.

For me, this is a pleasant visual stop rather than the main reason to book. If you want to go ashore, enter the lighthouse, or spend time on the islet, this route will not provide that. If you enjoy coastal views and photographs, the slow approach gives you a worthwhile change of pace after the swim at Kamenjak.

Island views on the way to Levan

The route then turns toward Levan, passing smaller islands and coves along the way. Bodulaš, Ceja, and Finera are named as part of this section, along with less developed inlets that you see from the boat.

The captain sails slowly during this part, so you have time to look around rather than watching the islands flash by at speed. Keep your camera ready, and keep an eye on the water for dolphins. A dolphin sighting is never guaranteed, but this is the part of the route where you have a chance to spot one.

The glass bottom adds something to the journey, especially when the boat is moving slowly over clear water. It will not replace swimming or snorkeling, and the view depends on sunlight and sea conditions. Still, it gives children and anyone who prefers to stay dry another way to watch the marine world below.

This section is also where the private format earns its keep. Your group can settle into the ride, listen to music, take photographs, or simply watch the coves. You are not being rushed from one fixed photo stop to another.

Three hours, or closer to two, on sandy Levan

Levan is the northernmost island in the group and the only one described as sandy. That makes it a useful ending to the day. After the cliffs, open water, and rocky islets, you get a straightforward beach stop with room to swim, sunbathe, and cool off.

The planned break is described as two hours in one place and three hours elsewhere in the details, so clarify the exact timing when you book. Either way, this is the longest stop and the part of the trip with the most freedom.

Levan has three beach bars, restaurants, and the option to rent beach umbrellas with lounge chairs. You can bring your own plan for the stop, swim in the clear water, lie on the sand, or buy a drink and spend time in the shade.

The island facilities make Levan easy, but they also mean this is not an untouched beach visit. You are going there for comfort and a proper break, not for total solitude. Food and drinks are available on the island, though food is not included in the tour price.

This is another reason to bring payment options and confirm what the boat provides. Drinks are listed among the inclusions, while food is not. One account describes a fish lunch and unlimited drinks, but that does not match the stated inclusions, so you should not assume a meal is part of your booking.

What is included on the boat

The package includes a private skipper, fuel, drinks, music, and a toilet. Those details matter on a six-hour cruise. You do not need to arrange a separate boat, pay for fuel as the day unfolds, or return to shore for basic facilities.

A skipper is especially useful on a route with several island passages and a cave swim. The captain decides whether the route is safe, and can alter the plan if the sea becomes rough or the weather turns poor.

Music is included, but the information does not specify the style or volume. If your group has particular preferences, ask before departure. The same applies to the drinks selection.

The boat’s toilet is a practical benefit, especially for families and groups spending a full afternoon offshore. You should still expect a boat environment, not the space and comfort of a large ferry.

Is $752.44 a good group price?

The advertised price is $752.44 for up to 15 people, rather than a per-person fare. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $50 per person for six hours. For 10 people, it is about $75 each. For six people, it rises to roughly $125 each.

That is a reasonable structure if you have a large family group, a group of friends, or several couples who want a private day. You are paying for the boat, skipper, fuel, drinks, and the ability to keep the outing private.

The value is less clear for a small group. Two or three people would be carrying most of the same group charge, and you would still need to budget for food or purchases on Levan. Before booking, count your actual group size and ask whether the operator allows a smaller boat or a different rate.

The route also covers several distinct experiences in one outing: a national park swim, a cave, lighthouse viewing, island sightseeing, and a sandy beach. That breadth helps justify the six-hour duration, especially if your group wants a relaxed day rather than a short transfer to one island.

Who will enjoy this Medulin boat trip?

I would put this high on the list for families, since the private setup allows different activity levels. Children can watch through the glass bottom, jump from the boat, feed fish, and play on the sandy beach, while adults can sit back with a drink or swim near the cliffs.

It also suits groups that want control over the day. You are not joining a large mixed crowd, and the skipper can make safety decisions based on the sea conditions. The boat’s toilet is another small but important comfort for a long outing.

Swimmers will get the most from the Kamenjak stop, especially if reaching Golumbera Cave is a priority. You can still participate without making the cave swim, but the stop is built around being in the water.

This is less suitable if you want a land-based visit to Cape Kamenjak, a tour inside Porer Lighthouse, or a fully secluded beach. You also may want another option if your main goal is a restaurant meal, since food is not clearly included.

Communication should be part of your decision. The crew has been praised for being kind and helpful, and Tini is mentioned by name as courteous and eager to assist. At least one account also found that more explanation in the chosen language would have helped, so ask in advance about the language used during the tour.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The captain has final authority to change the route or cancel when weather or sea conditions are poor. That is a sensible rule for a small boat with cave swimming and open-water passages, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local time in Croatia, so do not leave the decision until the last minute.

For the day itself, confirm four points before setting off:

• The exact length of the Levan stop
• What drinks are included
• Whether any meal is provided
• The language used for explanations

Those questions are especially worthwhile because the supplied details give different information about the beach-stop length and onboard food.

Should you book the Levan Island boat tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private afternoon with varied scenery. The route gives you more than a beach transfer: you get Cape Kamenjak, Golumbera Cave, Porer Lighthouse, several smaller islands, possible dolphin watching, and sandy Levan.

I would be most likely to choose it for a family or friend group of eight to 15 people. At that size, the group price makes good sense, and the private boat gives you space to set your own rhythm.

Think twice if your group is very small, if you need a guaranteed meal, or if you want to land at Porer Lighthouse. Also confirm the Levan timing and food arrangements before paying. With those points clear, this is a strong choice for a relaxed day on the water around Medulin.

FAQ

Where does the Medulin boat tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions, Riva, 52203, Medulin, Croatia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 1 p.m.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts about six hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is priced for a group of up to 15 people, and only your group takes part.

Is food included?

Food is listed as not included. Food and drinks are available for purchase on Levan, and the tour details include drinks onboard. Because one account describes a fish lunch, ask the operator to confirm the meal arrangements for your date.

Can the boat dock at Porer Lighthouse?

No. The boat cannot dock at the lighthouse, but the captain sails slowly and close to the cliffs when possible so you can take photographs.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may change the route or cancel for safety. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.