Shop

Croatia

  • Multiple dates
  • Croatia
  • From £1,798pp
View dates & book
Swim the Pakleni Islands - a chain of 21 wooded isles off the coast of Hvar, where the sea runs sapphire-clear and every corner reveals a new secluded bay. Croatia at its most beautiful, explored entirely from the water.
Duration
6 Nights
Distance per day
2-4km
Water temperature
20-24°C
Max. group size
12
Ability level
All Abilities
Swim type
Open Water, Sea
Non-swimming Partners
Welcome - 10% discount
Technique coaching
Included

SwimQuest and the Meneghello family are proud and excited to welcome you to an exclusive hideaway on the island of St Klement, also known as ‘Palmizana’ or ‘the island of rosemary’.

This island-hopping swimming holiday is an ideal way to explore Croatia at it’s finest. Swim through one of the Adriatic’s best-kept secrets and explore the gorgeous chain of Pakleni Islands. This open water swim trip will have you gliding through clear seas, deserted beaches and lagoons, all set against a stunning botanical backdrop. With home-cooked lunches, expert coaching and sundowners on the waterfront to round off each day, it will truly be a trip to remember.

Highlights

Our home for the week

You will be staying in the picturesque stone buildings of Palmizana Meneghello, blending into the surrounding trees. Each villa has its own terrace, is uniquely decorated and is located just a few steps from the sea.

Island-hopping through the Adriatic

Each day brings a new island to discover. Swim between deserted bays, hidden lagoons and sun-warmed coastlines across Croatia's stunning Paklinski archipelago — 21 wooded isles waiting to be explored.

Perfect your technique

Technique coaching is an important part of your trip. You will be filmed at the start of the week from below and above the water, and the guides will work with you to analyse and perfect your stroke.

Surrounded by botanicals

The Pakleni Islands are draped in centuries-old pines, agave, rosemary and lavender — their very name derived from paklina, the pine resin once harvested here to waterproof the fishermen's boats.<br />

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival and Acclimatisation

Your Croatia adventure begins. After settling in to your bungalow, the group gathers for a safety briefing covering swim routes, conditions and preparation - before heading into the warm, clear waters of Palmizana bay for your first acclimatisation swim. Dinner follows, with the week ahead to look forward to.
Day 2

Into the islands

An easy, beautiful start. Your first swim follows the coastline from Meneghello's private beach, winding south-west through glassy water before looping back into the bay. After a home-cooked lunch, your guides film your stroke above and below the water, then it's back in for a swim out to a nearby otočić (Croatian for small islet). That evening, watch your footage back with your guides and see exactly where the week's improvements will come from.
Day 3

Circumnavigation and exploring further afield

After breakfast you'll board the boats and head out to Otok Borovak, swimming around the island before crossing to neighbouring Planikovak. After lunch, you'll set off from Meneghello's beach and push further along the wild, wooded northern coastline of St Klement - getting into your stride and starting to feel the magic of swimming in this extraordinary place.
View full itinerary

Accommodation

Palmizana Meneghello
    WIFI RESTAURANT

A charming bohemian retreat on St Klement Island, nestled among pines, exotic shrubs and aromatic herbs. Stay in colourful stone bungalows and villas, decorated with vibrant colours, local sculptures and contemporary artwork. The Meneghello family have been shaping this island since 1906. Now three generations on, Dagmar Meneghello and her daughters have pioneered eco-tourism here, weaving art and nature together into something truly special.

Rooms
The base trip price is based on you sharing a twin or double room. If you are travelling solo we'll pair you with a same-sex roommate, or if you’d like a room to yourself, choose a sole use room when booking.
View accommodation

What's included

Included
  • Accommodation based in beautiful boutique bungalows
  • Swimming, assisted by safety boats where required and always escorted by swim guide/s
  • Breakfasts
  • Traditional home-cooked lunches
  • Safety Boats
  • Swim Guides
  • SwimQuest gift and swim cap
  • VAT
Not included
  • Travel to and from Palmizana
  • Wetsuits / fins (optional)
  • Evening meals
  • Soft drinks / alcohol
  • Single room supplements / room upgrades

Getting there

Trip begins at 4pm
Transfer to Split Harbour
    • We can recommend the taxi service of Milivoj and Suzana (father and daughter) for this transfer as they are efficient and cheaper than the taxi’s outside the airport. They can meet you at Arrivals, take you to their taxi, and on to the harbour for your ferry. They can also buy your ferry ticket in advance so it is ready for you on arrival! You will then pay the driver on the day for the ferry ticket and taxi ride. If a number of you are arriving at a similar time, they also have a larger vehicle, so it’s a great way to club together on the taxi cost. If this is of interest, please contact Suzana on mirjana.ivardic@yahoo.com, and say you are a SwimQuest guest and give your flight details. Please inform them of the ferry time you are aiming for and that you would like them to buy your ticket. If they think a different time is more suitable (due to any local events which may cause delays, etc) they will let you know. If you take this option, you pay the driver for the taxi and ferry ticket if you would like them to book one). Please note, if you buy your ferry ticket yourself in advance, please let Suzana know so they don’t buy you an extra one!
    • Catch a bus – this is a longer journey, it can be around 1.5 hour.
    • Get a taxi from outside the airport – this takes 45mins-1hour (around €35-40).
Split - Hvar
  • By Ferry or Catamaran – this takes circa 1hour (around €15-40 depending on service used).
  • Pease take a look at the two providers below to check their sailing schedules for your date of travel to Hvar. If you decide to use Milivoj and Suzana from above, as mentioned, they can buy a ticket for you for the most suitable ferry time, based on your arrival at the airport. If not, you can buy your tickets in advance online.

Hvar - Palmizana
  • The hotel sea taxi will collect you from Hvar harbour – this takes 15 minutes (approx. €15pp billed to your room in resort).
  • The hotel will know when to collect you based on the ferry you catch, so please let us know your planned journey and we will pass this on.
  • If you have any delays along the way, please let your guides know (contact details will be sent nearer the time).
Leaving on Friday morning

There is an early morning ferry from Hvar to Split on Friday morning at 6.35am. We can ensure you are taken to Hvar in time for this ferry if you are getting a morning flight. The cost of the transfer service from Palmizana to Hvar will be €15pp (billed to your room in resort).

The trip finishes after breakfast on Friday morning, however many guests choose to get a very early ferry (6.35am) back to Split from Hvar so that they can catch a late morning flight.

Reviews

FAQs

Dates & book

Did you know we cater for groups?

What better way to get friends together, than a group trip to Croatia?

Get in Touch

Get in touch

Related stories

Guest Experience: Croatia

by Alix Bradield
Alix travels from Australia to join the SwimQuest Croatia week, and tells us about her experience.

You might be interested in