Medulin Boat Trip to Unije & Susak: My 2025 Review

So, you’re in Istria, right, and more or less you’ve walked around the Pula arena a few times. You have honestly sampled quite a bit of the local cheese and prosciutto, too. Well, that was basically my situation. I was sort of looking for something a little different, you know, something beyond the usual beach day. The flyer for the ‘Full Day Boat Trip Medulin Unije Susak’ apparently just appeared in my hands one afternoon. At the end of the day, the idea of visiting two lesser-known Croatian islands, especially one made of sand, seemed really special. Frankly, I booked it pretty much on the spot, you know, just feeling like it was the right kind of adventure I needed. The whole idea felt like a proper escape, a real break from the tourist track, which is what a lot of people are actually after. At the end of the day, seeing the real, quiet Croatia was the main draw.

I mean, the morning of the trip had a particular kind of feeling to it. The air in Medulin’s harbor was still, you know, just a little bit cool before the sun really got going. Boats were sort of gently bobbing in the water, and the sky was, like, this really soft shade of pink and orange. I was probably a bit too early, but honestly, I just wanted to soak it all in. There’s a special kind of quiet in a seaside town before it wakes up, and honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of being on holiday. You kind of feel like you have the whole place to yourself for just a little while. Watching the crew get the boat ready, you know, coiling ropes and checking things, was actually really calming. It really set the stage for the whole day, making you feel like you were in good, professional hands. This feeling, obviously, made me more relaxed about the full day at sea.

Setting Sail: Breakfast on the Adriatic

Okay, so stepping onto the boat was a pretty straightforward affair. The vessel itself was not a tiny speedboat, but it wasn’t a giant ferry either; it felt just about the right size, honestly. You could tell it was a boat that worked hard, you know, not some shiny new thing but completely sturdy and well-kept. The crew greeted everyone with a genuine, not-forced smile, which, at the end of the day, makes a big difference. They showed us where to put our bags and just generally made us feel welcome. We found a really nice spot on the upper deck, which obviously offered the best views from the get-go. As people trickled on, there was this kind of quiet, excited buzz, you know, with families and couples all sort of settling in for the day’s sea voyage. It’s funny how a shared sense of anticipation can bring a group of strangers together, even just a little bit.

As we pulled away from the Medulin shoreline, the staff started serving breakfast, which was a very nice touch. It wasn’t, like, a huge fancy spread, but it was just what you needed. There were some croissants, you know, and a bit of cheese and ham, plus coffee or tea. Actually, sipping a warm coffee while watching the Istrian peninsula slowly get smaller was more or less a perfect way to begin. The sea air was so fresh, and honestly, it just felt so good to be out on the water. It’s a very different perspective, you know, seeing the land from the sea. You notice all the little coves and cliffs that you’d totally miss from the road. This was exactly the kind of different viewpoint I was hoping for when I was thinking about finding a new way to see the coastline.

The boat picked up a little speed once we were out of the bay, and that’s when the day really felt like it was starting. The sound of the engine was, you know, kind of a steady hum in the background, and the sun started to get a bit warmer. I mean, the crew pointed out a few landmarks as we went, like the Porer lighthouse, which is just this tiny little rock with a big stone tower on it. Apparently, people used to live there all year round, which is pretty hard to believe. You just sort of cruise along, with the deep blue Adriatic stretching out in all directions. It was honestly very peaceful, a real moment to just disconnect and watch the world float by. I just put my phone away and enjoyed the moment, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t happen often enough these days.

First Stop, Unije: A Glimpse of Untouched Croatia

Alright, so after about an hour and a half, maybe a little more, we started seeing our first destination, Unije, appear on the horizon. From a distance, it looked just like a long, green smudge, you know, but as we got closer, the details started to come into focus. You could see the cluster of stone houses with their reddish-brown roofs gathered around a tiny little harbor. What was really striking is that there were apparently no cars on the island. The only sounds were, like, the boat’s engine as we slowed down and the distant sound of birds. It felt like we were literally sailing back in time. The water in the bay was incredibly clear; you could see every stone on the bottom, which was pretty amazing.

Stepping off the boat onto Unije was like, well, stepping into a different world. We had about an hour or so to explore, which at first didn’t seem like much, but the village is actually very small. You can pretty much walk all of its main paths in that time. The houses are all made of old stone, and so many of them have these beautiful gardens overflowing with flowers and, you know, olive trees. It’s almost a little too perfect. We just sort of wandered through the narrow lanes, saying hello to the few locals we saw. They seemed genuinely happy to see visitors, which was a really nice feeling. We found a tiny cafe right by the water and just sat with a cold drink, you know, just watching the fishing boats and soaking up the extreme quiet. It was clear that this kind of peaceful island life is a real treasure.

I mean, the most incredible part of Unije was just the overall vibe. It’s a place that life seems to have, sort of, passed by in the best possible way. There are no big hotels, no souvenir shops selling cheap plastic stuff. It’s just an authentic, living community. I learned from one of the crew members that the island has a really long history of farming and fishing, and that feeling of being connected to the land and sea is still very much alive. Before we had to get back on the boat, we took a quick dip in the sea off a little pebbly beach. The water was absolutely refreshing, and honestly, floating there looking back at the timeless little village was a moment I won’t forget. It’s a place that kind of gets under your skin, making you wonder what it would be like to just stay for a week.

The Main Event, Susak: The Sandy Island Mystery

So, leaving Unije was a little bit sad, but honestly, the excitement for our next stop, Susak, was really building. The crew had been talking it up all morning. The big deal about Susak, you know, is that it’s one of the very few islands in the mostly rocky Adriatic that is actually made of fine, yellow sand. Apparently, it sits on a rock base, but over thousands of years, wind deposited massive layers of sand on top of it. As we approached, you could definitely see the difference. Instead of sharp, rocky cliffs, the shoreline was sort of soft and rounded, covered in reeds and greenery. And then you see it: a huge, shallow, sandy bay that looked more like something from the Caribbean than Croatia. It was pretty much a “wow” moment for everyone on board.

We docked at the lower village, or Spjaža, which is right there on the waterfront. The moment your feet hit the ground, you realize it’s all true; the roads, the paths, everything is covered in a deep layer of soft sand. You have to, like, take your shoes off. It’s really a strange but kind of wonderful feeling. We were given a few hours here, which was great because there’s actually a bit to explore. The plan for most people, and for us too, was to walk from the lower village up to the upper village, Gornje Selo. The path that connects them winds up a hill, and it’s like walking through a deep canyon of sand, with tall reeds lining the way. It’s an absolutely unique landscape and probably one of the most interesting walks you can do in Croatia. Many of us were looking into more unique island adventures after this experience.

The upper village is the older part of the settlement, and it’s a seriously charming labyrinth of sandy lanes and old stone houses. You can just get lost wandering around. There’s a little church at the very top, and from the old cemetery next to it, you get this incredible view over the whole island and the sea. I mean, it’s just breathtaking. Susak also has its own very specific culture; the local dialect is so unique that people from other parts of Croatia apparently can’t understand it. We didn’t get to see it, but the island is also known for its traditional costumes, which are really colorful and short, a style that was practical for walking in the deep sand. We finished our time on Susak by spending a good hour just swimming and relaxing in the super shallow, warm water of the main bay. It’s basically a perfect beach for families with little kids, you know, because you can walk out for ages and the water is still only up to your knees.

Lunch on Board: A Taste of the Sea

Alright, so after all that walking and swimming on Susak, everyone was definitely ready for lunch. As we sailed away from the sandy island, the crew got to work, and pretty soon the most amazing smell started drifting from the back of the boat: grilling fish. I mean, there’s just something about that smell combined with the sea air that is absolutely perfect. The atmosphere on the boat got really lively and communal. Everyone was chatting about their experiences on the islands, sharing photos, and just generally having a really good time. It’s funny how a good meal can turn a group of tourists into a friendly bunch of people, you know?

The lunch itself was simple, but honestly, it was delicious. We had the choice between grilled mackerel or chicken, and I went for the fish, obviously. It was served with some cabbage salad and fresh bread, plus you could have wine or soft drinks. The mackerel was so fresh and perfectly grilled, with that slightly charred skin and flaky meat. Eating it right there on the deck of a boat, with the sea all around you, just makes it taste a thousand times better. It’s not fancy dining, but it’s something more, really; it’s an authentic experience. You sort of feel like this is how you are meant to eat on the Adriatic. For people looking for genuine local food, this was a real highlight. It reminded me how much better experiencing the local food scene is than just sticking to tourist restaurants.

I have to say, the crew really did a great job during lunch service. They were super efficient, friendly, and they kept the drinks flowing. They were laughing and joking with the passengers, and one of them even told us a few stories about his life as a fisherman before he started working on the tourist boat. It’s those little personal interactions, you know, that really make a trip special. At the end of the day, it wasn’t just about the food; it was about the whole atmosphere of sharing a meal together at sea, surrounded by new friends and incredible scenery. It was a really simple pleasure, but it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the entire day.

The Journey Home: Dolphins, Drinks, and Scenery

So, the trip back to Medulin was honestly just as enjoyable as the rest of the day. The afternoon sun was warm but not too intense, and most people were in this sort of happy, relaxed state after lunch. Some people were sunbathing on the deck, others were chatting quietly, and a few were just staring out at the water, lost in thought. The crew put on some quiet, chill music that just, you know, added to the relaxed vibe. There was no rush, no pressure, just a slow, easy cruise back towards the mainland. This part of the day was really about soaking up the last few hours of being on the water.

And then, the moment everyone had been secretly hoping for actually happened. Somebody shouted, “Dolphins!” and, sure enough, there they were. A whole pod of them was swimming and jumping not too far from our boat. It was absolutely magical. The captain slowed the boat down so we could watch them for a while. Everyone just rushed to the side with their cameras and phones, but after a minute, most people just put them down and watched. You know, some things are just better to experience with your own eyes. Seeing those sleek, happy creatures playing in their natural home was honestly a massive bonus, a real gift from the sea. It made an already great day feel really, really special. For anyone interested in seeing wildlife on their trip, this would be an incredible treat.

As we got closer to the Istrian coast, the light started to change. The afternoon sun made the cliffs and green hills look, like, golden. You could start to recognize the landmarks again, but they looked different in the late-day light. The feeling on the boat was one of pleasant tiredness. It had been a long, full day, but in the best possible way. We pulled back into Medulin harbor just as the sun was getting low in the sky, casting long shadows across the water. Saying goodbye to the crew felt like saying goodbye to new friends. I mean, at the end of the day, this trip was so much more than just a boat ride; it was a proper little adventure that showed you a side of Croatia you might not otherwise see.

The Bottom Line: Is This Trip for You?

So, you’re probably wondering if this is the right trip for your holiday. Frankly, it depends on what you’re after. If you want a day of high-energy water sports and, you know, a party boat atmosphere, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re looking to slow down, to see something really authentic and beautiful, and to just have a genuinely relaxing day on the Adriatic Sea, then I would say absolutely, go for it. It’s a trip that’s more about the feeling and the scenery than about a checklist of activities. You just have to be ready to embrace the slow pace and the simple charms of it all. It is, in some respects, a journey back to a simpler way of living, even if it’s just for a day.

To break it down, here’s what I really think at the end of the day:

• You should go if you honestly love exploring off-the-beaten-path places. Unije and Susak are like, literally, hidden gems that most tourists miss.
• It’s a great choice if you appreciate simple, authentic experiences. The lunch is basic but delicious, and the whole day just feels very real and unpretentious, you know.
• Basically, it’s perfect for people who just want to unwind. The long stretches of just sailing are so peaceful and are a real chance to disconnect from everything.
• Don’t book it if you get seasick easily, as a matter of fact. It’s a full day on the water, and if there’s a bit of wind, the boat can rock a little.
• Frankly, it might not be the best for those who need constant entertainment. A big part of the appeal is just relaxing and enjoying the view, which is awesome if that’s your thing.