Pula: National Park Brijuni, 2 swimming stops, lunch, drinks

The best part of this Pula boat trip is the mix of easygoing sea time and active swimming. You cruise around all 14 islands of Brijuni National Park, eat lunch cooked onboard, then spend about two hours on St. Jerolim. The big inflatable slide gives the first swim stop a playful edge, especially for children and teenagers.

I like the three lunch choices and the way the day uses both the boat and the island. You can swim straight from the deck, then later walk, snorkel, or settle into island time. The main thing to consider is the extra €7 entrance fee for St. Jerolim, payable in cash, and the fact that some people may find the island stop a little long or the swimming breaks a little short.

Key points at a glance

• A full Brijuni circuit: Cruise around the national park’s 14 islands, with about 1.5 hours of sightseeing from the water.
• Two ways to swim: Jump or slide from the boat at the first stop, then swim and snorkel from St. Jerolim.
• Fresh lunch onboard: Choose grilled mackerel with salad, chicken breast with salad, or grilled zucchini and paprika.
• Family-friendly fun: The large inflatable slide is a highlight for children, teenagers, and anyone who prefers an active swim.
• Extra cost to plan for: St. Jerolim charges €7 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 18, cash only.
• Strong overall value: At $65, the price covers the six-hour cruise, lunch, and onboard drinks, though the island entrance is separate.

Setting out from Pula’s historic harbor

You meet at the Excursion Ulika Pula office, opposite Tito’s park and near the tank station for the boats. The tour begins in Pula, a port with an important Austro-Hungarian naval past, so the first part of the outing gives you more than a simple ride out to sea. You get a view of the harbor before the islands take over the scene.

The boat is wooden and traditional in character rather than a sleek modern speedboat. That matters because the pace is part of the experience. You have time to sit, watch the shoreline, and take in the water without spending the whole day being rushed from one stop to the next.

The first cruise lasts about 35 minutes. Guides speak Croatian, English, German, and Italian, and the crew handles the practical side of the day. The crew has also been praised for helping families, answering questions quickly before departure, and adjusting the order of activities when weather conditions change.

You should not expect hotel pickup or drop-off. The meeting point is in Pula, and you return to the same excursion office after the boat ride. Check the starting time when you book, since the exact departure time can vary.

The first swim stop and the inflatable slide

After leaving Pula, the boat stops for roughly 40 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. This is not a beach stop. You enter directly from the boat, either by using the normal access point, jumping from the deck, or taking the large inflatable slide into the sea.

That setup gives the first stop a lively feel. Children can use the slide repeatedly, while adults can simply swim or sit on the boat and enjoy the water. Families with older children seem likely to get the most from it, though the slide is not limited to youngsters.

The water is clear enough for snorkeling, and you may see fish around the boat. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, since snorkeling equipment is not listed as included. A waterproof phone pouch can also be useful, but that is your responsibility to protect.

The limitation is time. Forty minutes passes quickly once everyone has taken turns on the slide. Several people felt the swimming stops could have been longer, and one family wished for an additional swim location. If swimming is your main reason for booking, keep that in mind. This is a sightseeing cruise with swimming, not a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

Cruising all 14 Brijuni islands

The boat then heads through Brijuni National Park, with about 1.5 hours of cruising and sightseeing. Brijuni is made up of 14 islands, and the boat gives you a broad view of the group rather than taking you ashore at several different points.

This is the calm center of the day. You can watch wooded islands, pale rocky shores, and clear Adriatic water pass by while lunch is prepared. The value here is the scale: instead of seeing only one beach, you get a panoramic sense of the park and its island setting.

The guide can explain the area in several languages, including English, German, Italian, and Croatian. The amount of narration may vary with the conditions and the guide, so do not book this expecting a formal history lecture at every turn. The focus is the view, the boat ride, and the chance to see Brijuni from the sea.

Keep an eye out for dolphins, but treat them as a lucky extra rather than part of the promised itinerary. Dolphins have been spotted during the cruise, and on one occasion the captain turned the boat around to give people a better view. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the open-water route gives you a reasonable chance of an unexpected moment.

A grilled lunch with three clear choices

Lunch is prepared onboard while you cruise. You choose from grilled mackerel with salad, chicken breast with salad, or a vegetarian plate of zucchini and paprika.

This is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. You do not lose time looking for a restaurant, and the meal arrives while the scenery continues. The food has received especially warm praise, with the fish, meat, and vegetarian choices giving most people an easy option.

The lunch is simple rather than elaborate, which suits a six-hour boat outing. The point is a hot meal served at sea, not a long restaurant service. Drinks onboard are included. Water, wine, and Fanta have been available on the boat, though you should not count on having the same choice of drink on St. Jerolim.

If you have a specific dietary need, ask before booking or contact the provider in advance. The stated vegetarian choice is zucchini and paprika, but no wider dietary menu is provided in the tour details.

Two hours on Sveti Jerolim

After lunch, the boat stops at Sveti Jerolim, also called St. Jerolim, for around two hours. This is the only island stop, and it gives you a change of pace after the boat cruise.

You can swim from the island, snorkel, walk around, or simply find a place to rest. The water around Jerolim can be particularly rewarding for snorkeling, with fish visible in the shallows. You may also want to bring cash for a drink on the island, since island beverages are not included.

The two-hour window is generous enough for a relaxed swim and a short walk. If you like to do several things at an easy pace, you will appreciate it. One afternoon can include a swim, snorkeling, a walk over the island, and time for an ice cream or a rest.

Still, the island itself is not packed with sights. One section of the shore may require walking over rough ground to reach a better beach area. Wear secure sandals or water shoes, and do not expect a full program of attractions once you step ashore.

This is also where you pay the separate entrance charge: €7 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 18. The fee is cash only, so bring enough euros before boarding. That extra payment changes the value calculation slightly, especially for a family. At the same time, you are paying for access to a national park island and a two-hour stop, not just a quick photo break.

What the $65 price includes

At $65 per person, this is a reasonably priced full-day outing by the standards of a six-hour boat trip. Your fare covers the wooden-boat cruise, the Brijuni sightseeing route, lunch, and drinks onboard. It also includes the first swim stop and the time at St. Jerolim, though the island entrance is separate.

For a family, the total can rise once you add the island fees. Two adults pay another €14, while a family with children aged 7 to 18 should budget €3 per child as well. Drinks on the island are extra, and transport to and from your hotel is not included.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, lunch, and access to a swimming spot. It is less compelling if you mainly want long stretches of snorkeling or a quiet beach day. The tour packs several activities into one outing, but none of them receives the full day on its own.

The high overall rating of 4.6 from 251 ratings fits the experience’s main strengths: friendly crew, good food, attractive scenery, and clear organization. The lower points are also predictable: some people want longer swimming stops, and not everyone finds two hours on St. Jerolim worth the entrance fee.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend it most to families, couples, and small groups who want a simple day on the water without arranging every detail themselves. The crew’s helpful attitude is especially useful if you are traveling with children. The slide gives younger passengers something active to do, while the adults can enjoy the cruise and lunch.

It also suits people who want to see Brijuni National Park from the sea rather than spend the whole day on one island. The route around all 14 islands gives you a wider view of the park, and the boat provides shade, seating, food, and drinks in one package.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The activity takes six hours on the water, and the tour specifically notes that it is not suitable for people who get seasick. Weather can also affect the plan. The captain may change the route or cancel the trip if conditions are poor or the forecast is bad.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, snorkeling gear if you have it, and cash. Water shoes are sensible for the rougher ground near some beach areas. A light layer can help on the return cruise if the wind picks up.

Final verdict: book it for the mix, not for nonstop swimming

Book this tour if you want a well-organized Brijuni outing with lunch, island time, and easy swimming built into one six-hour package. The food, friendly crew, wooden boat, and inflatable slide give it broad appeal, and the route around the full island group adds real sightseeing value.

Skip it if your ideal day means hours in the water, a large beach, or a packed island program. The first swim lasts about 40 minutes, the island stop lasts about two hours, and St. Jerolim carries an extra cash fee.

For most people visiting Pula, the balance works. You get a scenic cruise, two chances to swim, a proper meal, and enough free time to enjoy one island at your own speed. Bring cash, accept that the schedule may change with the weather, and you will know exactly what kind of day you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the Brijuni boat tour begin?

The meeting point is the Excursion Ulika Pula office, opposite Tito’s park and near the tank station for the boats.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts six hours and returns to Pula at around 17:00.

How many swimming stops are included?

There are two swimming opportunities. The first is from the boat, with jumping and a large inflatable slide. The second is from Sveti Jerolim.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared onboard, with a choice of grilled mackerel and salad, chicken breast and salad, or vegetarian zucchini and paprika.

Are drinks included?

Drinks onboard are included. Drinks purchased on Sveti Jerolim are not included.

Is the entrance fee for St. Jerolim included?

No. The fee is €7 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 18. Payment is cash only.

Can I snorkel during the tour?

Yes. You can snorkel at the boat swimming stop and at Sveti Jerolim. Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included, so bring your own gear.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Croatian, English, German, and Italian.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may change the route or cancel the trip if the weather or forecast is poor. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.