Croatian Island Hopping | 5 Days

Accommodation

Hotel Spongiola at Krapanj Island: www.spongiola.com
Hotel Spongiola Diving Centre: www.spongioladiving.com
Google Map Link
See Trip Advisor Reviews of Hotel Spongiola



Hotel Spongiola is a beautiful new four star property located right on the beach. Most rooms have a view of the sea and with air-conditioning and free internet access. The hotel boasts an indoor pool, sauna and hot tub, as well as a fitness centre for those guests who still have energy to spare at the end of the day! The hotel also has its own diving centre with high quality diving equipment available.

Rooms are based on twin-share and en-suite facilities. Double rooms for solo use are available, starting from an additional cost of 52 EUR/person. Please specify your preferences (including any other guests you would like to share with) at the time of booking.



The picturesque island of Krapanj has the lowest number of inhabitants of any island in the Adriatic Sea. It lies only 400 m from the mainland and is completely traffic free. Traditionally its inhabitants were fishermen and sponge harvesters, which is how the hotel got its name. The island´s location provides a perfect spot for guests to relax and unwind, and its proximity to the mainland is ideal for those who wish to explore further field in the evenings.

Extended stay
If you require additional nights’ accommodation before or after the tour, all Strel Swimming guests receive a discounted rate. Please book directly with the hotel, quoting Strel Swimming. Hotel contact info: http://www.spongiola.com, info@spongiola.com, Tel: +385 22 348 900

Accommodation in transit
If you require accommodation before or after our trip, we have partnered a few great local hotels/apartments to offer you discounted rates. All Strel Swimming guests receive discounted rates at the following places:

Split:
Apartments in Trogir (near Split airport):
www.apartments-parcina.com, miropa19@gmail.com, Ph: +385 91 921 0536

www.trogirapartment.com, ante.bilic.k@gmail.com

Zadar: Hotel Mediteran: www.hotelmediteran-zd.hr,
info@hotelmediteran-zd.hr, Ph: +385 23  337 500
Zadar: Hotel Kolovare: www.hotel-kolovare.com,
info@hotel-kolovare.com, Ph: +385 23 211 017

Please quote Strel Swimming at the time of booking.

General Trip Info

Start Point: Hotel Spongiola, Krapanj
Start Time: 7pm on the 1st Day
Finish Point: Hotel Spongiola, Krapanj
Finish Time: 11am on the 5th Day
Hotel Spongiola at Krapanj Island: www.spongiola.com
Hotel Spongiola Diving Centre: www.spongioladiving.com
Google Map Link

Passports and Visas
You require a full passport to enter Croatia. Please check whether you require a visa. Most nationalities, including EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens, do not require a visa to enter Croatia but please check before you travel.

Vaccinations
There are no specific vaccinations required for Croatia, but you should ensure that your tetanus and polio vaccinations are up to date.

Extra Expenses
Trip is all inclusive, so all you need to pay for are your drinks in the evenings and other personal items. Supermarket is nearby.

Currency
The local currency is Croatian Kuna. Krapanj island does not have an ATM so it is advisable to draw currency before departing the mainland where there are many ATMs and banks. The hotel will also exchange money up to limited amount. Bear in mind that the tour takes place in a remote setting and credit cards are not always accepted.

Group Size
Up to a maximum of 12 people, with 2 swimming guides, local boat pilot and 2 boat escorts.

Itinerary

BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: 7pm hotel lobby meeting for tour briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2: Morning swim along Zmajan island followed by a lunch break at Obonjan island. Afternoon filming for stroke analysis and swim along Oblik island.
Day 3: Morning crossing between two islands, hike to the Kaprije village and afternoon swim in the Tijat lagoon. Optional snorkeling in the afternoon.
Day 4: Morning crossing Lupac - Zlarin. Exploring the Zlarin followed by the afternoon swim along this unique island.
Day 5: Swim around Krapanj island. Trip finishes around 11am.

ITINERARY:

Day 1
Meet in the hotel lobby at 7pm for the pre-trip briefing followed by a welcome dinner. For those who arrive late in the evening, we will do a briefing next day in the morning.

Day 2
Before breakfast we do a brief acclimatisation swim in front of our hotel.
Following a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we depart by boat for the first day of swimming around nearby islands. Our first swim begins on the east side of Zmajan island. We swim in the crystal green/blue water surrounded by amazing rock formations all the way along the coastline. Our lunch stop in on the Obonjan island, »the Island of Youth«. Obonjan used to be a refugee camp for many during the last Balkan War and was recently "invented" for young people and their leisure time. You will have a chance to meet young scouts, walk through the stunning forest and smell plant species which are known »special« in this region.   



After island exploration and a tasty lunch, we travel back south to the beautiful small island of Oblik. Before we do the second swim from Oblik to Grebascica Bay, we film your stroke above and under the water. Short boat ride back to our base at Krapanj. After dinner, our swim guides will analyse the video footage of your stroke and offer tips on how to improve your technique.

Day 3
Today is our crossing day! Our boat takes us out to the northern coast of Zmajan island from where we swim straight in ONE GO to the harbour of Kaprije. This is considered the longest swim in our agenda! While you take a walk into the traditional Croatian island village for a look around and catching up the views of islands that look like lunar landscapes, we prepare lunch for you in a local Croatian way. After the food is being digested we are back in the water swimming coastal along the south side of Tijat island. This lagoon offers an incredible peaceful venue for safe circle swimming. We swim as long as we want and you also invited to try some snorkelling.  We head back to the hotel for a well deserved dinner.



Day 4
Today we explore the most renowned car-free island in the region, Zlarin. The founder of world-renowned Maglite batteries comes from this golden historical island. Our first morning swim is from Lupac island straight into the Zlarin harbour. While you stroll around stunning harbour and cobbled streets with little jewellery and ornaments shops around, we prepare lunch for you. Following lunch and additional coaching session for those who want it, it is the time to do our final easy coastal swim along the east side of Zlarin´s beautiful coast and clear waters.  Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5
Our last morning together we conclude our trip by swimming around our base island of Krapanj. It is a perfect way to finish such exhilarating adventure holiday. Trip finishes around 11am.

Swimming Info

Travel

Start Point: Hotel Spongiola, Krapanj
Start Time: 7pm on the 1st Day
Finish Point: Hotel Spongiola, Krapanj
Finish Time: 11am on the 5th Day
Hotel Spongiola at Krapanj Island: www.spongiola.com
Hotel Spongiola Diving Centre: www.spongioladiving.com
Map: Google Map Link

Getting There

To get to Krapanj island, you can fly into either Zadar or Split. There are a number of flights to Split (SPU) & Zadar (ZAD) from various International cities. From UK Easyjet, Wizz Air and Croatian airlines fly to Split, Ryanair flies to Zadar. For further details, including other international airlines, please visit Split Airport and/or Zadar Airport websites.
Croatian airlines: www.croatiaairlines.com
Easyjet from London Stansted or Gatwick: www.easyjet.com (Daily)
Ryanair from London Stansted: www.ryanair.com (WED, FRI, SUN)
Wizz Air from London Luton: www.wizzair.com (TUE, THU, SAT)
Ryanair from Liverpool, East Midlands www.ryanair.com (MON, FRI)
Jet2 from Machester and Leeds Bradford www.jet2.com (WED, SAT)
Intersky from Friedrichshafen, Germany to Zadar www.flyintersky.com

Croatia buses: http://www.autobusni-kolodvor.com/en/default.aspx 
http://www.akz.hr/default.aspx?id=260
Bus from Split Airport - Trogir 

Ferry Lines in Croatia (also from Italy), http://www.jadrolinija.hr/

Detailed Travel
From either airport, make your way to Brodarica town (near Sibenik) where is the ferry line to Krapanj island. Krapanj is only 500 m away from the mainland, so you will clearly see it from the mainland. Our hotel provides free ferry transport from Brodarica to the hotel for all our guests 24 hours/day.

From Split
To make your way from Split airport to Brodarica, you have 2 options:

Catch a bus. Once outside the terminal, walk about 100 m straight ahead across the car park and wait at the yellow bus shelter on the near side of the main road. Bus no. 37 from here goes to Trogir every 20 minutes (a 10 minute journey, 12 Kuna (1.5 Euro). The bus terminates at the main bus station in Trogir. Daily bus schedule. Once in Trogir, cross the road from the bus terminal and 100 m further ahead there is a bus stop outside the KONZUM supermarket. Long distance buses stop here every 30 min. Buses to Zadar and Rijeka all go towards Sibenik and stop at Brodarica (which is the last stop before Sibenik). Best is to check and tell the bus driver that you want to get off at Brodarica-ferry line for Krapanj. The current fare from Trogir to Sibenik is 45 Kuna (6 Eur). The journey follows the coast and takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. If for some reason you forget to get off in Brodarica or the driver does not stop, do not worry, get off in Sibenik main central station and we will pick you up with the hotel transfer.

Taxi/Hotel Transfer. You can either catch a regular taxi from outside the airport terminal, at approximately 700 Kuna (90 Eur) or you could catch an unofficial taxi near the airport bus stop. The rates are between 450-500 Kuna (60 Eur). Sometimes you have to haggle - tell them how much you are prepared to pay and start from there! If you prefer to pre-arrange a transfer in advance, please contact the hotel directly for a fixed rate 60 Eur (up to 6 passengers). You could of course share this cost with other tour members.

From Zadar
To make your way from Zadar airport to Brodarica, you have the 2 below options.
When catching a taxi from the airport, the distance/cost to Sibenik is similar as from Split.

Catch a bus. Once outside the terminal, the bus stop is immediately on your right. Bus timetables match up with flight arrival times. Buses have a sign ´Zadar´ and the fare is 25 Kuna (3 Eur). The trip takes about 20 minutes and drops you off at the main bus station in Zadar town. At Zadar bus station, look for lines to Split and Dubrovnik which are on platforms 1 or 2. Long distance buses to Split/Dubrovnik are timed with the buses coming from the airport, so you should not have to wait long; otherwise they depart every hour throughout the day. All buses to Split stop at Brodarica (first station after Sibenik). Best is to check and tell driver that you want to get off at Brodarica-ferry line for Krapanj. The current fare from Zadar to Brodarica is 60 Kuna (8 Eur). The journey mainly follows the coast and takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. The bus stops at many stations along the way, so watch out for Sibenik which is a bigger central bus station in the city centre - the next station is your departure point.

Taxi/Hotel Transfer. You can either catch a regular taxi from outside the airport terminal, at approximately 700-750 Kuna (100 Eur) or you could pre-arrange a transfer in advance with the hotel for a fixed rate 70 Eur (up to 6 passengers). This is all the way to the hotel ferry departure point. If you want to travel by taxi from the airport to Zadar town or to the  station, the rate is 70-80 Kuna (10 Eur). You could of course share this cost with other tour members.

We recommend you to have local currency Kuna with you when paying local transportation. Don’t forget, we will send you detailed travel information and itinerary at least two weeks before your tour starts.

Video Clips

Swimming Croatian Dalmatian Coast. Make sure you select HD quality (and full screen) when you watch YouTube videos. Our YouTube Channel.

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