Mljet



Otok Mljet, in Southern Dalmatia, is one of the larger islands in off the coast of Southern Croatia. Although many people live on the island (mainly in the port of Sobra on the east end), the west end port of Polače holds the entrance to the national park of Mljet. This park includes an inland sea and another small island nested within it, and is a must-see for visitors.

Understand
Mljet used to be a Roman possession (indeed, Polače means "palace" and holds some Roman ruins). Over the course of history, the isle traded hands with the rest of the Balkans (to the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarians, etc.) It was promised to Italy at one point in the early 20th century. Once the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was declared, the island became part of that country.

Ancient Greeks called the island "Melita", or "honey," which over the centuries evolved to become the Slavic name, Mljet.

Landscape
Over 72% of the island of 1000 km² (388 sq mi) is forest. The island's geological structure consists of limestone and dolomite forming ridges, crests and slopes. A few depressions on the island of Mljet are below sea level and are known as blatine ("mud-lakes") or slatine ("salt-lakes"). During the rain seasons all blatine are filled with water, and they turn to brackish during dry seasons.

Climate
The climate is Mediterranean; an average air temperature in January is 9°C (48°F) and in July about 24°C (75°F).

Fees
There is an entrance fee of per person to enter the Mljet National Park. If you are joining an excursion organised by a travel agency to Mljet, it may not include this entrance fee, so make sure you check before booking. The entrance fee includes the boat round trip Mali Most - Pristaniste - Sveta Marija, operated by solar powered boats, roughly half-hourly departures from any point.

By boat
Sobra (east-end), Polače (west-end) and Pomena (west-end) serve as ferry ports for the island.

Ferry services may change by season so check the operators' websites.

The Nona Ana catamaran operates twice daily from Dubrovnik to Sobra and Polače on Mljet island. Tickets are one way per person. Polače is nearer the National Park than Sobra. There is car ferry operating five times a day between Prapratno on the Pelješac peninsula and the port of Sobra on Mljet island ( for a car, foot passenger). There is car ferry from Split on Saturday and speed boat from Lastovo on Tuesday and Thursday.
 * From Dubrovnik
 * From the Pelješac peninsula
 * From Split

The Krilo Star (passenger ferry) travels daily between Dubrovnik and Split, passing Pomena. From Korčula you can get to Sobra on Mljet island by car ferry operated by Jadrolinija on Mondays and Fridays. The ferry leaves Korčula Town at 14:00 and arrives at Sobra at 16:15. Sobra is some distance from the National Park, which is located on the western side of Mljet island. Alternatively, join a day trip excursion from Korčula organised by a travel agency:
 * From Korčula
 * Kantun Tours organises an excursion to Mljet by speed boat (the journey is around 30 min one-way) for  per person return (not including the  entrance fee to the National Park).
 * Mediterano Travel Agency can provide a return boat journey between Korčula Town and Mljet for per person or an excursion (including a guide and the National Park entrance fee) for  per person.
 * Korkyra Info Travel Agency offers an excursion (with a guide and including the National Park entrance fee) for per person.
 * Korčula Adventures offers an excursion to Mljet by luxury yacht (guide, lunch, snorkelling gear and National Park entrance fee included) for per person.

By plane
Mljet has no airport. Dubrovnik Airport on the mainland provides the main international connection for the island.

By bus
There are two bus lines on Mljet, one connecting Sobra with Pomena and another connecting Saplunara with Sobra. Buses run each direction once a day, usually one in the early morning and one in the evening. Check times online.

By car
There is only one major road on the island which runs through or near most cities. The road is paved, but condition is only fair. Speed limit is usually 40 km/h (24 mph). For most of its length, the road has long uphill or downhill includes.

If you come without a car, you can rent one at several local agencies:


 * MiniBrum has a rental office at the Sobra ferry terminal. They rent a variety of small, often cutely decorated, cars.  Aa small diesel Fiat for two days costs about €120 plus fuel.

By bike
Mountain bikes can be rented in several places such as Pomena, Polače and within the National Park. This is a good way to get to and explore the National Park. However due to the island's size, topography, and road conditions, it's not realistic to expect to also explore the central and eastern parts of the island by bike from the west end.

Do
Swim around, snorkel and try to find the large mussels (about 60 cm (2 feet) long) in the smaller lake (malo jezero).

Rent a mountain bike and ride around the big lake (veliko jezero) and small lake (malo jezero) which are connected to each other.
 * There are daily diving tours in Pomena.
 * There are daily diving tours in Pomena.
 * There are daily diving tours in Pomena.

Eat
There are several places to eat out in Pomena, around the harbour. Most appear to cater to the yachting fraternity and specialise in very fresh fish; live seafood are kept in tanks next to each restaurant. There's also a great restaurant between the harbour and the hotel. It looks like it's a private house but with a large barbecue area built on, and it does excellent barbecued fish. Besides that, there are several restaurants in villages Polače, Soline and in Babine kuće. There is also restaurant on the island of St. Mary.

Drink
There's not a lot of nightlife in Pomena; the hotel has an inside bar with a cheesy band, and an outside shack that sells drink. It's best for a quiet getaway rather than a party!



Go next
On summer days speed boat goes from the port of Sobra to Dubrovnik every day at 06:15 (Tuesday and Thursday at 06:00) and at 17:35. From port of Polače speed boat goes every day at 16:55.

From Sobra car ferry goes every day to Prapratno (peninsula Pelješac) at 06:00, 09:00 and at 12:00, 16:00, 19:00 (on Sunday and holidays it goes at 10:00 not at 09:00).

With speed boat you can also go to island Korčula from Polače and Sobra on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and with car ferry from Sobra on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. There is speed boat from Sobra and Polače to island Lastovo on Tuesday and Thursday.

To Split you can go from Sobra with car ferry on Saturday.