One of the best-kept secrets about staying in Vinisce? You’re sitting on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful islands in the Adriatic. While other tourists are fighting for parking in Split or queuing for ferries in Trogir, you can simply hop on a boat from the quiet harbour and be swimming in turquoise waters before they’ve even found their sunscreen.
Here’s our guide to the islands you can reach from Vinisce in under an hour — tested, approved, and highly recommended by people who would rather be on a boat than anywhere else.
1. Drvenik Veli — The Blue Lagoon & Beyond (20–30 min)
Let’s start with the star of the show. Drvenik Veli (Big Drvenik) is the closest island to Vinisce and home to the legendary Blue Lagoon — or Krknjaši Bay, if you enjoy tongue twisters before breakfast. This shallow, crystal-clear lagoon sits between Drvenik Veli and two tiny islets, creating a natural swimming pool so perfect it looks photoshopped.
The sandy seabed glows turquoise in the sunlight, and the water is so calm you could balance a glass of wine on your paddleboard (we’re not saying we’ve tried, but we’re not saying we haven’t). It’s a snorkelling paradise: sea urchins, starfish, and more fish species than you can count.
Beyond the Blue Lagoon, the village of Drvenik itself is a charming pit stop with a few restaurants, a bakery, and a small market. The island covers 11.7 km² and is home to about 130 residents who clearly know something about quality of life that the rest of us are still figuring out. Don’t miss the Church of St. George, a Gothic gem from the 16th century, and the panoramic views from Buhaj peak (178 m).
Pro tip: The Blue Lagoon gets crowded by midday with tour boats from Split. Arriving early from Vinisce gives you a solid hour of paradise to yourself.
2. Drvenik Mali — The Robinson Crusoe Island (30–40 min)
If Drvenik Veli is the popular sibling, Drvenik Mali is the mysterious one who moved off-grid and never looked back. This tiny island (3.4 km²) is home to about 50 residents, has no cars, no roads, and exactly one grocery shop. Cafés? Zero. Stress? Also zero.
The main settlement is Borak, a port village so peaceful you can hear the olive trees growing. Speaking of which, the locals spend their time tending olive groves, vineyards, and small gardens — essentially living the life most of us only dream about on Instagram.
The real gem here is Vela Rina Bay, home to the island’s most beautiful sandy beach and a small seasonal restaurant. Anchor your boat, swim to shore, and pretend you’ve discovered an uninhabited island. Just watch out for southwestern winds — Vela Rina is exposed, so check the forecast before heading out.
Pro tip: This is the perfect island for a picnic. Pack local cheese, prosciutto, and a bottle of Plavac Mali, and you’ve got yourself a Dalmatian feast with an ocean view.
3. Šolta — The Olive Oil & Honey Island (40–50 min)
Šolta is what happens when an island decides to focus on the finer things in life. Famous for its exceptional olive oil and honey, this island is a foodie’s dream wrapped in a Mediterranean landscape. It’s larger and more developed than the Drveniks, but still wonderfully authentic.
Maslinica, on the western tip, is a postcard-perfect harbour village with a marina, waterfront restaurants, and a 17th-century fortress that’s been converted into a boutique hotel (because of course it has). Stroll the quay, sip a coffee, and feel unreasonably sophisticated.
On the eastern side, Stomorska is the island’s historic fishing village, full of narrow lanes and colourful facades. In between, Grohote is the capital — a sleepy inland village surrounded by olive groves where time moves at the pace of dripping honey.
Make sure to visit a local olive oil mill or honey farm. Tasting Šolta’s golden olive oil with fresh bread is the kind of experience that ruins supermarket olive oil for you forever. You’ve been warned.
Pro tip: Try the local Dobričić wine, an ancient grape variety that only grows on Šolta. It’s the island’s best-kept secret (well, second-best after the honey).
4. Brač — The Golden Horn Adventure (50–60 min)
At the edge of our one-hour radius, Brač is the big one — literally the largest island in Central Dalmatia. A speedboat from Vinisce can get you to the western coast (Milna) in about 50 minutes, opening the door to one of Croatia’s most famous landmarks.
We’re talking about Zlatni Rat (the Golden Horn), that iconic V-shaped beach near Bol that you’ve seen on every Croatia postcard ever printed. The beach actually changes shape with the wind and currents, which makes it both a natural wonder and a metaphor for your holiday plans.
Milna is the closest port from Vinisce and a gem in its own right — a sheltered bay with elegant stone architecture, excellent seafood restaurants, and an ACI marina. It’s the kind of place where you tie up your boat and immediately forget what day it is.
Brač is also famous for its white stone, which was used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split and — fun fact — the White House in Washington D.C. So technically, you’re visiting an island that helped build America. You’re welcome.
Pro tip: If you’re heading to Bol and Zlatni Rat, budget the full day. The western coast (Milna, Sutivan) is closer and perfect for a half-day trip.
5. The Fumija Islets — The Secret Snorkel Spot (10–15 min)
Okay, this one’s a bonus for the purists. Just outside Vinisce Bay, a cluster of tiny islets offers some of the best snorkelling in the area. No facilities, no tourists, no Instagram influencers — just you, the fish, and the kind of silence that makes you question all your life choices (in a good way).
These rocky outcrops are perfect for a quick morning dip or an afternoon exploration by kayak. The underwater visibility is exceptional, and you might spot octopus hiding in the rocks if you’re patient enough.
Pro tip: Bring water shoes. The rocks are beautiful but not exactly flip-flop friendly.
How to Get Out There
From Vinisce, you have several options:
- Rent a boat: Several local operators offer motorboat rentals, from small dinghies to speedboats. Companies like Vinisce Charter provide well-maintained boats and can suggest routes.
- Join a guided tour: Operators like Rent a Boat Suri offer full-day three-island tours with lunch included — the lazy (and delicious) option.
- Kayak: For the adventurous, sea kayaking to Drvenik Veli is a popular half-day excursion. Several outfitters run guided trips from Vinisce beach.
- Water taxi: Quick transfers to specific islands or beaches can be arranged through local skippers.
The Bottom Line
Staying at Orange Tree Villa in Vinisce puts you in the sweet spot of Central Dalmatian island hopping. Within an hour by boat, you can swim in the Blue Lagoon, play Robinson Crusoe on a car-free island, taste world-class olive oil, walk on Croatia’s most famous beach, or snorkel over secret reefs — all before dinner.
The only hard part? Choosing which island to visit first. Our advice: don’t choose. Visit them all. You’re on holiday, after all. 🚤🏝️
