Brijuni National Park Boat Trip with Lunch and Dolphins Pula
- Duration5.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
Some images are AI-generated for illustration. While we confirm your booking, just ask and we will send you the original photos.
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This is a shared half-day boat trip from Pula to Brijuni National Park on a traditional boat. The entrance ticket to the park is included, a guide explains the islands as you cruise around them, and you look for wild dolphins on the way. A meal is served on board (fish, meat or vegetarian), and you get free time on Sveti Jerolim Island to swim, snorkel or stroll. Choose a morning, midday or afternoon departure. It suits couples, families and friends. Hotel pickup is not included.
Highlights
- Entrance ticket to Brijuni National Park included
- Cruise around the islands on a traditional boat with a live guide
- Meal on board: fish, meat or vegetarian, plus water and refreshments
- Dolphin and wildlife watching, with binoculars to use
- Free time to swim, snorkel and walk on Sveti Jerolim Island
- Three departure times to fit your day
- Return to Pula harbour with views of the city and the Arena
Full Description
Brijuni National Park
Brijuni National Park is an archipelago just off the Istrian coast near Fažana, protected for its pine woods, meadows, coves and rare wildlife. A Brijuni National Park boat trip from Pula is the simplest way to see it, because the boat, the entrance ticket and the guide are all arranged for you. The park has been a place of retreat since Roman times, and traces of villas and old fortifications remain.
You sail around the islands while the guide explains their history, including the years when the largest island was a summer residence for a former president who hosted world leaders. Plan on a relaxed morning or afternoon: the boat goes slowly, the water is calm in the shelter of the islands, and there is plenty of time for photographs.
Sveti Jerolim Island: swimming and free time
The stop at Sveti Jerolim Island is the freest part of the trip. You have around two and a half hours on a quiet, wooded island with pebble and rock shores, where you can swim in very clear water, snorkel if you have your own gear, sunbathe or follow the paths through the trees.
There are few facilities on the island, so bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water shoes. This is the part of the day many guests remember most, and the best time to visit Brijuni for swimming is from June to September, when the sea is warm. Cash is handy for small purchases, if available.
Dolphins and wildlife on the way
The northern Adriatic around Brijuni is a feeding ground for bottlenose dolphins, and the crew look for them as you sail. A dolphin watching trip is never guaranteed, but the sheltered waters give you a good chance to see fins and jumps. The boat keeps a respectful distance so the animals behave naturally.
Binoculars are provided, which helps with the birds, deer and other wildlife you may spot on the shore. Your guide points out what to look for. On the sail along the Pula and Fažana coast you also pass bays and small harbours that give a picture of Istrian life.
Lunch on board and the return to Pula
A meal is served on board with a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian, together with water and refreshments. Eating on the boat means you do not lose time on the islands, and it gives a pleasant break between the sailing and the swimming. Tell the crew about any dietary needs when you book or on arrival.
On the way back to Pula harbour you see the city from the sea, with its old town and the Roman Arena standing over the port. The Arena, built in the first century, is one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world, and if you leave on the afternoon departure you may see it in evening light.
Itinerary
- Boarding in PulaArrive at the boat departure point shortly before departure and board the traditional boat.
- Sail along the coastCruise along the Pula and Fažana coast with the guide and crew.
- Brijuni National ParkSail around the islands of the park with commentary, photo stops and wildlife watching (about 3 hours including the meal).
- Dolphin watchingLook for dolphins with the help of the crew, using the binoculars provided.
- Lunch on boardEnjoy the meal of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, with water and refreshments.
- Sveti Jerolim IslandFree time of around two hours to swim, snorkel and walk.
- Return to PulaSail back to the harbour; the whole trip takes about five and a half hours.
What's included
- Entrance ticket to Brijuni National Park
- Boat tour on a traditional boat
- Meal on board: fish, meat or vegetarian
- Water and refreshments on board
- Dolphin and wildlife watching
- Free time for swimming and snorkelling on Sveti Jerolim Island
- Professional live guide
- Use of binoculars
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 2–17
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Food lovers
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers with limited mobility who cannot manage boarding and island landings
- Pets are not allowed
Meeting point
The trip leaves from a boat departure point in Pula. Hotel pickup is not included. The exact place and the departure time (morning, midday or afternoon, depending on the day) are confirmed after booking.
Important information
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water shoes
- Cash can be useful for small extras
- Wear flat, non-slip shoes for the boat and the island
- Pets and non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed
- Meal on board: fish, meat or vegetarian; tell the crew about dietary needs
- The itinerary may change with the weather and sea conditions
- Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Brijuni National Park boat trip cost?
The price depends on the option and age group. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children.
Is the entrance ticket to Brijuni National Park included?
Yes. The park entrance ticket is included in the option shown here.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A meal is served on board with a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian, plus water and refreshments.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The trip leaves from a boat departure point in Pula, and the exact place and time are confirmed after booking.
How long is the trip?
About five and a half hours, including the cruise, the meal and the free time on Sveti Jerolim Island.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes. Children are welcome and there is a reduced rate for younger ages, shown in the booking panel. Keep an eye on them near water.
What should I wear and bring?
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and a little cash.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Check the dates and the three departure times in the booking panel.
Will we see dolphins?
The crew look for them throughout, but they are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed.
Is Brijuni worth visiting?
Yes. The islands combine pine woods, clear water, wildlife and a rich history, and a boat trip from Pula is an easy way to see them.
More in Pula
Popular across Croatia
-
Skradin · Entry ticket Krka National Park Entry Ticket All Sites Skradin
-
Split · Activity Dalmatian Quad Tour with River Swim and Picnic Split
-
Dubrovnik · Boat trip Lokrum Island and Betina Cave Boat Tour Dubrovnik
-
Zadar · Boat trip Kornati and Telascica National Parks Boat Cruise Zadar
-
Zagreb · Day trip Ljubljana and Lake Bled Guided Day Trip from Zagreb
-
Makarska · Activity Tucepi 6-Cable Zip Line Experience on the Makarska Riviera