Hi all! My husband and I (both mid-30's) are planning our first trip to Croatia in August. We will be there for 12 full days, not including the day we arrive, mid-day. We are both active (hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc.) and love the beach.

Our plan is to spend 3 full days in Split. One of these days will be a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

We will then have 6 full days (+ or - 1 day) for island hopping. Here is where I need some help! I'm having trouble narrowing the islands down. Ideally, we would like to visit 3 islands. We LOVE beaches, which is why this is the longest (and the most hard to plan!) part of the trip.

I'm trying to decide between Vis, Hvar, Korcula and Brac. I think I'm set on Brac as 1 of the 3 islands (we would stay in Bol and go to Zlatni Rat beach). Any suggestions for 2 other islands? The beaches on Hvar seem pretty spread out (as they do on many of the islands), but I read a kayaking trip (or water taxi/high speed ferry?) to Pakleni Islands is very doable from Hvar. I've also read Stiniva Cove in Vis is beautiful. Not sure where we would stay in Korcula - perhaps rent a scooter and travel around the island for a day?

If it is helpful - to me, a beautiful beach is dramatic scenery (cliffs, etc.) and turquoise water. I'm not as concerned about the beach being pebble-free or a sandy beach, since I know those are harder to come by in Croatia.

We plan to spend our last 3 (full) days in Dubrovnik - 1 of the days we were hoping to do a day trip to Montenegro.

Lastly, yes I realize it is a lot for 12 days, but we don't mind traveling around a lot as long as it is worth it (ie, beautiful beaches, not all the same).

Thanks so much for your help!

I would check the ferry/catamaran timetables as that may dictate your choice of "island hopping."

alison’s advice to check ferry / catamaran schedules is directly on target Other than that, I can’t help with the islands, sorry.

I hope a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes National Park gives you the time you want there – I think the best way to see that part is with a single long walk of about 6 or 7 hours (including the boat that connects the upper and lower lakes); many people think an overnight makes most sense.

Enjoy!

Without a doubt, Vis should be it--I suggest a three and three split on two different islands. Vis has the best beaches I have seen on four trips to Croatia. Dramatic is the perfect description, and they are fun to get to (scooter and scramble down a hillside). In August especially, I would do no more than two stops--use the time to ramble to as remote a beach as you can get to, because everywhere will be crowded. I am afraid you may be disappointed with zlatni rat--not its appearance, but the experience, as it will be so crowded. Again, you can rent scooters to get further afield.
Krilo and Jadrolinija are the catamaran operators, with Jadrolinija also offering car ferries.

Thanks so much for your help. I checked the ferry schedule and it seems there are 2 ferry options from Split to Brac - 1 of which goes directly to Bol (but if I'm reading correctly - this ferry only operates 1x/day in August?). Otherwise, we would have to take the ferry to Supetar, Brac and take a bus to Bol.

yorkshire, your suggestion of Vis and renting a scooter is definitely appealing. I'm going to research a bit further on Vis and the beaches there.

Does anyone have thoughts on the beaches in Korcula? Or on the Blue Cave, Vis, Hvar, Pakleni Islands day tour from Split? I was thinking we would do the day tour from Split - but I'm shocked they manage to fit all that into one day (albeit a 10 hour day!). The more I research, the more decisions I have!

I'd take yorkshire's input very seriously. JMO.

I'm curious to hear about your trip! Specifically, what did you love and what would you do differently? Did you stay on board a sailing vessel or did you simply do day trips on your island hopping days? We like private boat tours vs. over crowded tourist boats and are looking for some input!