Brijuni National Park Boat Trip with Swim Stops, Slide and Lunch Pula

The port of Pula

Pula is the largest city in Istria and one of the oldest on the Adriatic, founded in Roman times and famous for its 1st-century amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world, which stands just behind the waterfront. In the 19th century the city became the main naval port of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, and its deep, sheltered harbour is still lined with forts, docks and shipyard cranes.

Your Brijuni boat trip from Pula leaves from the harbour, so the first part of the day is a short cruise through this historic port and out along the rocky coast. The crew points out the landmarks as you go. After about 30 minutes the boat stops in clear water for the first swim, giving you a taste of the sea before heading north to the national park.

Swimming and the big slide

The first stop of the day is a swim straight from the boat, in calm water a short way from Pula. The boat carries a big inflatable slide that runs from the deck into the sea, and riding it is the favourite moment for many guests, from teenagers to parents. You can also jump in, swim around the boat or simply float in the clear water.

Snorkelling equipment is not available on board, so bring your own mask if you want to look at the fish and the rocky seabed. The stop lasts about 40 minutes on the standard trip and 35 minutes on the morning trip. It is a good idea to wear swimwear under your clothes and to bring a towel and sunscreen, as there is little shade in the water.

Brijuni National Park

Brijuni is an archipelago of 14 islands off the west coast of Istria, declared a national park in 1983. The islands combine Mediterranean nature with a remarkable history: Roman villas and harbours, a Byzantine fortress, dinosaur footprints on the shore, an olive tree estimated to be about 1,600 years old and, on the largest island, Veliki Brijun, a safari park with exotic animals.

On this Brijuni National Park tour the boat makes a panoramic cruise around the islands, so you see their pine forests, meadows, small coves and historic buildings from the water while the crew tells their stories. It is a relaxing way to understand why Brijuni was chosen as an exclusive summer retreat for more than a century. Lunch is prepared on the grill during this part of the trip.

Grilled lunch on board

While the boat cruises through the national park, the crew prepares a fresh lunch on the grill on board. You choose one of three menus: grilled hake with a cabbage and tomato salad and white bread, grilled chicken breast with the same salad and bread, or a vegetarian potato and vegetable patty with grilled vegetables and salad. Mineral water and juice are served with the meal.

When you book, write your preferred menu in the food restrictions field so the crew can plan the grill. Eating on deck with the islands passing by is one of the simple pleasures of a day on the Istrian coast. Drinks on the island are not included, and there is only one small restaurant on St Jerolim, so it is worth bringing a little cash.

St Jerolim Island

After lunch the boat lands at St Jerolim, one of the smaller islands of the national park and the one set aside for swimming and relaxing. The island is untouched nature with pine shade, rocky and pebbly shores and very clear water, with showers, toilets and one restaurant but no shops. The boat cannot stay at the island, so you disembark and it returns for you later.

On the standard trip you have about two hours to swim, snorkel, walk or rest, and on the morning trip about four hours. The island entrance fee is not included and is paid in cash to the staff on St Jerolim. The trip returns to Pula around 17:00. The best time to visit Brijuni by boat is from June to September, when the sea is warm.