St. Thomas Island

St. Thomas Island is one of the many small islets scattered along the coast around Rovinj, in western Istria in Croatia, part of the Istrian archipelago. The offshore waters here hold a chain of about twenty islands and reefs, most of them uninhabited, and they form a green, rocky archipelago just a short boat ride from the old town. The island of St. Thomas, known in Croatian as Sveti Toma, is among the smaller members of this group, and it offers a quiet alternative to the busier beaches of the mainland.

Rovinj has its own deep link to the sea. The old town, with its tall houses and the Church of St. Euphemia on the hilltop, was once itself an island, and it was joined to the mainland only in the 18th century, when the narrow channel that separated it was filled in. Many of the nearby islets once served as pastures, quarries or small religious retreats, and several still carry the names of saints. A walk along the quay in Rovinj, with its fishermen's boats and moored sailing craft, shows how closely daily life in the town depends on the Adriatic Sea.

The islet is reached by boat from the harbour or by an excursion boat, so the first step in any visit is to check the transport options in the town. Once ashore, the main pleasures are modest and natural: a little wooded ground, rocks to scramble over, small pebbly coves for swimming and views across the water to the skyline of Rovinj. The water around the islands is clear, and snorkelers can find fish and rocky ledges near the shore. There are no shops or restaurants on a small islet like this, so take water, food, sun protection and a bag for your rubbish.

Because the islet is uninhabited and little developed, the visit is best treated as a half-day nature outing rather than a sightseeing stop. Conditions can change quickly, with sudden wind, and boats do not run in rough weather, so it is sensible to agree a return time with the boatman and to follow local advice. Visitors should respect the quiet of the place and leave it as they found it.

Combine the trip with a day in Rovinj itself, where Grisia Street, Balbi Arch, the Batana Eco-Museum and the Rovinj Aquarium offer more to see, and the Punta Corrente (Golden Cape) Park is a pleasant place for a walk. The islet suits families, swimmers and travellers who prefer a quiet cove to a crowded beach.