Yacht Charter Guide to Mljet, Croatia

Boatbookings' Insider Guide to the anchorages, restaurants, National Parks, and other important items to know if you're stopping in Mljet on your Croatia Yacht Charter.

The Dalmatian island of Mljet (pronounced 'mil-yet') is one of Croatia’s top charter destinations and a paradise for anyone looking to fully experience the natural abundance of Croatia. An oasis of tranquillity, half of the island is a pristine national park with two inland saltwater lakes - Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero - joined to the sea by a narrow canal. Hidden beneath a canopy of pine forest that stretches from shore to shore, it is easy to see why the legendary Odysseus came and stayed for seven years!

Map of the key Mljet Attractions and Areas to Visit

Where to anchor/berth your yacht

The two main anchorages on Mljet are Pomena and Polace.

Pomena. The lovely port of Pomena, on the north-west side of the island, is a great place to anchor or, better still, find a berth for the night "stern-to" where you can walk directly off the boat and onto one of the handful of family-run fish restaurants. You can enjoy fresh seabass, grouper or seabream fish caught that day, for the freshest and best-tasting fish imaginable. This is Croatia chartering at its best!

Pomena also offers many rental bikes and is very close to the Park, making it a very convenient port for those exploring the National Park.

Polace. Just around the point from Pomena, Polace (for "Palace") is the largest and most protected bay on the island of Mljet. It is sheltered by the four islands of Tajnik, Moračnik, Ovrata, and Kobrava, which combine to reduce the wind and swells. Polace is very popular with bareboaters because of the easy and protected anchorage.

Exploring the Mljet National Park

During your Croatia Yacht Charter, we highly recommend taking at least half a day to rent a bicycle or e-bike and ride the well-tended paths of this magnificent park. Whenever you get hot, just park your bike and dive into the lakes! Both lakes offer a "lazy river" where you can ride the current and enjoy the beautiful scenery as it passes by.

In the middle of Veliko Jezero is the tiny islet of Sveta Marija which contains a former Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century. It offers a restaurant, accessible by solar-powered (quiet!) ferry, or by a short swim.

Places to Eat on Mljet

All of the restaurants on Mljet offer freshly caught and lovingly prepared fish, octopus, and shellfish such as lobster. As well as Croatian meats and cheese, and local wines.

Pomena Restaurants. One of our favorite restaurants is "Nine", run by a friendly spearfisherman "Nino" and his family. If you like grouper, this is the place to have it as it was likely speared that morning!

Polace Restaurants. There are several family-run restaurants in Polace, offering traditional Croatian/Dalmatian food, with an emphasis on fresh-caught fish. The highest-rated ones are Kanoba Anchora, Kanoba Ogigija, and Kanoba Gunduliste. All have similar prices and menus. Don't love fish? You can always order the local meats, of which the Croatians are very proud.

Other things to do on Mljet

Odysseus Cave. The coast of Mljet offers many limestone caves to explore, the most famous being the “Odysseus Cave”. It can be reached on the island's southern coast, near Babino Polje. Legend has it that this is the cave where Odysseus sought refuge after being shipwrecked on his famous mythical voyage. Access to the cave is via a 20-meter-long tunnel by swimming or your tender.

Mljet coral reef. The Veliko Jezero lake offers a true coral reef that can for divers to explore. It has sustained some damage due to warming waters and algae but still offers a delightful array of marine life. This is the only coral reef in Croatia, so worth a visit if you're a diver!

Polače Roman Palace. The town of Polače offers a stunning 5th-century Roman palace that imposingly sits along the waterfront. It is one of the largest Roman ruins in Croatia. You can explore the palace and have lunch nearby.

Beaches. There are many small beaches you can swim from on Mljet, and of course, you can rent a kayak and paddle the serene waters around the island. If you're looking for a sandy beach (most Croatian beaches are pebbles/stones), try Saplunara Beach, which can be found on the southeastern horn of the Island. It's quiet, pine tree-lined, and a great place to relax.

Sunsets. Pomena is a perfect spot to watch the sunset while having an amazing dinner and perhaps an Aperol Spritz! You look straight onto the sunset from all of the restaurants

How to include Mljet on your Croatia charter.

Have a look at our Croatia itineraries for inspiration and send us an email at [email protected] for a personalized proposal from one of our expert charter consultants who has been to Mljet and help you plan an itinerary that meets your exact needs.

Our Croatia Charter Guide Our Croatia FAQ 

See below our selection of the top-rated charter yachts from Split or Dubrovnik to see Mljet: