Four days, five Dalmatian ports, and some of the best small-boat cruising Croatia has to offer. The Adriatic Explorer Mini Cruise runs from Trogir – located just 10 minutes from Split Airport – south through Brac, Hvar and Mljet before finishing in Dubrovnik’s Old City.
This 4-day Croatia cruise is the pick for travellers who want island-hopping done properly without a full-week itinerary. Cruise Croatia has operated routes such as this for more than 20 years. Every detail is arranged, from the national park fees already covered in your fare to optional extras, such as kayaking or scooter hire. Don’t underestimate how much you can do during a mini cruise like this – discover the itinerary below.
DAY 1 Split Airport - Trogir
Your cruise commences with an arrival transfer from Split airport to your vessel in Trogir with embarkation from 14.00hrs. The afternoon is free to explore Trogir before meeting your fellow passengers at a welcome reception followed by dinner on board.
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 Trogir - Brac - Hvar
Morning sail towards Bol on Brac Island, where you will discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Mediterranean – “Zlatni Rat” (the Golden Horn), which is constantly changing direction due to the ocean currents. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for the island of Hvar. Upon arrival, take a walking tour and discover the many historical sights of the town, such as St Stephens Square and Cathedral, and the Arsenal, the first municipal theatre in Europe. The remainder of the evening is yours to spend at leisure.
Please note: A swim stop at Zlatni Rat is subject to weather conditions and dependant on permission from Port Authorities
Meal included: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 3 Hvar - Mljet
This morning, cruise for the island of Mljet to explore the National Park which encompasses five types of forest, many species of birds, and two deep lakes, Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake). You may wish to join your Cruise Manager for a stroll or explore on your own by riding a bike, scooter, or kayak! Also, included in your entrance ticket to the National Park is a boat ride to St. Mary Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine Monastery, an old abbey, and the 12th century Church of St. Mary.
Meal included: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 4 Mljet - Dubrovnik
Set sail for the World Heritage listed city of Dubrovnik, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic". Lunch will be served on board as you cruise along the picturesque coastline and into Gruz harbour where you will arrive in the afternoon. Your cruise concludes after docking and disembarkation. A shared transfer will take you to Dubrovnik Airport for your onward travel arrangements.
Exclusions: Tourist taxes and port fees (EUR35* per person), Gratuities, and any Optional excursions.
*Prices are subject to change and are to be paid locally.
The Adriatic Explorer Mini Cruise 2027 is priced from $2,050 per person. The table below shows current cabin pricing – contact our team for the latest availability across the 2027 departure schedule.
Prices are per person in Australian Dollars (AUD)
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
Contact our Cruise Croatia team for more information about cost inclusions and exclusions.
| Deck | Cabin | Bedding | Size (sqm) | Window | To Open |
| Main Deck | Standard | Double/Twin | 15-17 | Window | No |
| Lower Deck | Standard | Double/Twin/ Triple | 15-16 | Porthole | No |
| Deck | Cabin | Bedding | Size (sqm) | Window | To Open |
| Upper Deck | VIP | Double | 21 | Yes | Yes |
| Upper Deck | Standard | Double/Twin | 11-12 | Yes | Yes |
| Main Deck | Standard | Double/Twin | 11-13 | Yes | Yes |
| Lower Deck | Standard | Double/Twin/Single | 11-16 | Porthole | No |
| Deck | Cabin | Bedding | Size (sqm) | Window | To Open |
| Upper Deck | Standard | Double | 14-18 | Window | Yes |
| Main Deck | Standard (Stern) | Double/Twin | 14-18 | Window | Yes |
| Main Deck | Standard (Bow) | Double/Twin | 14-18 | Window | Some |
| Lower Deck | Standard | Double/Twin | 14-18 | Porthole | No |
Cruise Croatia is the Australian specialist for small ship cruising in Croatia. But what does that mean in practice?
Over 20 years running cruises through Croatia
We have operated cruises to Dubrovnik, such as this itinerary, for many years. Our cruise managers are locals who know the water and land like the backs of their hands. With us, you get the experience of a team that has refined every detail.
Australian-owned, family-operated
Beyond Travel has been Australian-owned and family-run since it was founded. Cruise Croatia accounts for 75% of what we do, which means this is not a side product for us; it is the core of our business.
Experts you can actually reach
Every one of our staff knows the product. When you call, hold time is under 30 seconds. Chat support is available outside business hours. Questions get answered, not escalated.
Pricing with nothing hidden
Your fare covers national park entry, guided excursions, transfers, and meals as listed. What’s included is shown clearly. What’s not is listed clearly too. No surprises anywhere along the way.
A four-day mini cruise covers the Dalmatian Coast’s most celebrated highlights – Hvar, Mljet and Zlatni Rat beach on Brač – without the full week commitment. It works particularly well as a standalone short break, or as part of a longer Croatia trip that includes time in Split, Dubrovnik or the islands independently. Travellers who want a deeper exploration of the coast, including lesser-visited islands like Korčula or Vis, tend to opt for the seven-day programme instead. For an introductory small ship cruise of Croatia, four days is a very comfortable introduction.
The schedule is designed to give you meaningful time ashore at each stop. In Hvar, the guided tour runs in the morning, and you typically have free time in the afternoon to explore the old town, the fortress, or the waterfront at your own pace. Most passengers spend around three to four hours in the Mljet National Park. Dubrovnik is the final port, so you disembark there and have as long as you choose before onward travel.
Yes – and it’s one of the highlights of this itinerary. The two saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero (Small Lake) and Veliko Jezero (Big Lake), are connected to the sea and sheltered from open water swell, which means the water is typically a few degrees warmer than the Adriatic Sea and calm even on windy days. Swimming in the lakes is permitted, and the national park entry included in your fare covers the boat crossing to St Mary’s Monastery as well. Pack your swimming gear for this stop.
Trogir sits around 10 minutes by road from Split Airport, and the town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a well-preserved medieval old town, a cathedral dating to the 13th century, and a working harbour. Many passengers choose to arrive the night before and spend a few hours exploring before embarkation. Trogir is quieter and easier to navigate than Split, and the pier is convenient to the old town centre. Transfers from Split Airport to the ship in Trogir are included in your fare.
The Adriatic Explorer Mini operates on one of three small ships – MS Stella Maris, MS Adriatica, or MS Arca – each carrying fewer than 40 passengers. All cabins are sea-view, meaning you have a window or porthole looking out over the water rather than an interior cabin. The ships are purposely small so they can enter harbours that larger vessels cannot. Daily cabin servicing and beach towel hire are included. Speak to our team if you have a cabin preference or specific accessibility requirements