Since 2017, the UK open water community has doubled in numbers with 3.1 million more people engaging in outdoor recreation compared to 10 years ago. Open water swimming contributes to better sleep, increased happiness, a boosted immune system and prevents and manages long term health conditions.
Combine the love for swimming and place the recreation in one of the most beautiful, preserved places in Europe, the national parks. Croatia has five national parks where you can actually immerse yourself in, and not just long for the best vacation ever.
Toni Hrelja, founder of Croatian rental company Villsy.com, and a local guide, shares best tips on swimming in the most preserved nature in Croatia. “Croatia has eight national parks, with five of them including lakes, rivers and sea. In three of them swimming is still allowed and it is wonderful” says Hrelja.
Three Croatian National Parks that allow swimming
1. Brijuni National Park
Situated off the coast of the Istrian peninsula, the Brijuni Islands were once the exclusive summer retreat of Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito, who hosted almost 100 foreign heads of state at his White Villa. Today, Veliki Brijun (the largest island) is a national park where you can cycle past ancient Roman villas, touch 100-million-year-old dinosaur footprints on the rocky shore, and visit a safari park home to zebras and elephants.
After exploring the island’s rich history, visitors are welcome to swim in the pristine sea surrounding the islands. The most popular and well-known spot for swimming and sunbathing is Saluga beach, a sandy bay set in the shade of centuries-old pine trees, offering incredibly clear water and escape from the summer heat.
How to get there: Take a short, 15-minute ferry ride from the charming coastal town of Fažana, which is just a 15-minute drive from Pula. Cheap Ryanair flights from London Stansted to Pula start from around £20 for one way.
Ticket price: During the peak summer months (June to September), an adult ticket, which includes the return ferry and a guided train excursion, costs £34.
2. Kornati National Park
Often described as a “nautical paradise,” the Kornati archipelago consists of 89 mostly uninhabited islands, islets, and reefs. The landscape here is stark and dramatic, with towering cliffs plunging into the deep blue sea.
Swimming, snorkelling, and scuba diving are permitted throughout almost the entire national park, with the exception of four strictly protected zones. One of the highlights for swimmers is Lojena Beach on Levrnaka Island, the only true sandy beach in the archipelago, known for its silver-white pebbles and crystal-clear turquoise water. It is a perfect spot for snorkelling among the diverse marine life.
How to get there: Kornati is accessible only by boat. You can join a guided day tour from coastal towns like Zadar, Biograd na Moru, or Šibenik. Cheap Ryanair flights from London Stansted to Zadar start from around £20 for one way.
Ticket price: If you are visiting on an organised day tour, the park entrance fee is usually included in the tour price. For independent sailors, ticket prices depend on the length of the boat, starting from £38 for a one-day ticket for small boats if bought online before entering the park.
Photo: Villsy.com
3. Mljet National Park
Located on the island of Mljet in southern Dalmatia, this national park is famous for its two stunning saltwater lakes: Veliko Jezero (Large Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake). Because these lakes are connected to the sea by narrow channels, the water here is often warmer than the open Adriatic by about 4 degrees centigrade, reaching up to 30°C in the summer.
Swimming is actively encouraged in both lakes, and the calm, clear waters are perfect for a relaxing dip. One of the top swimming spots is the narrow channel between the lakes, where you will find the Small Bridge. You can also explore the tiny islet of St. Mary, located in the middle of the Large Lake, which features a 12th-century Benedictine monastery.
How to get there: The easiest way is by ferry or catamaran from Dubrovnik or Split to the port of Pomena, which is right next to the park entrance. Cheap Ryanair flights from London to Split start from around £27 to £35 for one way.
Ticket price: In the peak summer season (June to September), adult tickets cost £25. The ticket includes a return boat ride to the Island of St. Mary.
Two Croatian National Parks where you could risk a hefty fine
1. Krka National Park
For years, the iconic Skradinski Buk waterfall at Krka was famous as a spot where tourists could swim right beneath the cascades. It was viral on social media for exactly this reason. However, due to severe overtourism and the need to protect the delicate tufa barriers, a strict swimming ban at Skradinski Buk was introduced in January 2021.
Swimming is still permitted in a few designated areas further upstream, such as Roški Slap, Stinice, and Pisak, but only between June 1 and September 30, and at your own risk. Swimming outside of the clearly marked, permitted zones is strictly forbidden. Tourists who ignore the ban can face fines, which can range from £110 to several hundred pounds.
2. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s oldest and most famous national park, renowned for its 16 terraced lakes connected by spectacular waterfalls. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and conservation is the absolute priority. Swimming introduces organic matter, sunscreens, and oils that disrupt this natural process and pollute the pristine water.
Since 2006, bathing or swimming in the lakes has been completely banned. The swimming ban is strictly enforced across the entire park, including waterfalls and wooden boardwalk areas. Visitors caught taking a dip face significant fines, which can range from £59 to several hundred pounds.