How the system works
Croatia has more than a thousand islands and islets, but most travellers island-hop in central and southern Dalmatia, between Split and Dubrovnik. Two kinds of boat do the work:
- Car ferries carry vehicles and foot passengers on short, frequent crossings, mostly from mainland ports to the nearest island harbour.
- Catamarans carry passengers only. They are faster and usually run longer routes that link several islands, often arriving right in the main town.
The state operator Jadrolinija runs most car ferries and many catamaran lines. Several private companies run additional catamarans in summer, especially on the Split–Hvar–Korčula–Dubrovnik corridor. Timetables have a summer schedule, roughly June to September, with many more sailings, and a much thinner winter one. Some catamaran lines run only in the summer season.
The main routes
Split is the hub. The most useful connections are:
- Brač: car ferry Split–Supetar, short and frequent; also a catamaran Split–Bol in season.
- Hvar: car ferry Split–Stari Grad (the town of Hvar is a 20-minute drive from Stari Grad); catamarans Split–Hvar town. A second car ferry runs Drvenik–Sućuraj on Hvar's eastern tip.
- Vis: car ferry and catamaran from Split. Vis is further out, so the crossing is longer.
- Korčula: car ferry Split–Vela Luka (west end of the island), catamarans to Korčula town, and a short ferry Orebić–Dominče from the Pelješac peninsula.
- Šolta: car ferry Split–Rogač.
- Lastovo and Mljet: from Split and Dubrovnik respectively, including catamarans to Mljet's harbours near the national park.
Zadar is the base for the northern Dalmatian islands, such as Ugljan, Pašman, Dugi Otok and Silba. In Kvarner, Rijeka and Krk serve Cres, Lošinj and Rab. Krk itself is joined to the mainland by a bridge.
Buying tickets
Jadrolinija sells tickets on its website and app. Tickets are stored on your phone, and you show them at boarding. On some lines, the company says a purchased ticket guarantees a place on the chosen departure. On others, vehicles board in order of arrival, so a ticket does not guarantee a slot on a full sailing.
In July and August, car queues at Split for Stari Grad and Supetar can mean missing a ferry. Arrive well before departure, and earlier at weekends. Foot passengers rarely have this problem, but popular catamarans do sell out, so buy those online as soon as your plans are fixed. Fares change each season, so check the operator's site rather than relying on old figures.
Car or no car
Taking a car to the islands costs considerably more than travelling on foot and adds queueing. It makes sense on large islands where you want to explore beyond one town, such as Brač, Hvar, Korčula or Vis.
If you are staying in Hvar town, Korčula town or Bol, a catamaran plus local buses, taxis or scooter hire is usually simpler. Many travellers leave the car on the mainland, or travel without one and use the Split–Dubrovnik catamarans as their main transport.
Planning a realistic route
The classic one-way route is Split – Hvar – Korčula – Dubrovnik, which can be done entirely by catamaran in summer. Variations add Brač or Vis from Split, or Mljet before Dubrovnik. Some practical rules:
- Don't change islands every day. Two or three nights per island leaves time to see more than the harbour.
- Check direct links. Not every pair of islands is connected. Going from Vis to Korčula, for example, may mean returning via Split.
- Check the weather. Strong bura or jugo winds can cancel catamarans, and occasionally ferries. Avoid scheduling an island crossing on the day of an international flight.
- Pelješac is an option. Since the Pelješac Bridge opened in 2022, driving from the Split area to Dubrovnik no longer requires crossing Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum. The Orebić–Korčula ferry fits neatly into a driving route.
Sailing and organised options
If you'd rather not manage timetables, there are two alternatives. Skippered or bareboat yacht charters run from Split, Trogir, Šibenik and the Zadar area, usually Saturday to Saturday. A bareboat charter requires a recognised skipper licence and a VHF radio certificate. Small-ship cruises follow fixed island itineraries with an included crew. Both cost more than ferries but take the logistics off your hands.
Practical tips
- Download the operator's app before you travel, and screenshot your tickets in case the signal is weak at the port.
- Ports at Split and Dubrovnik are large, so check which pier your boat uses.
- Luggage is usually stowed by the catamaran door, so pack valuables in a small bag you keep with you.
- Outside summer, confirm the timetable for your exact date, because many lines drop to one or two sailings a day.
