Stupe Island Korcula — Turquoise Lagoon and Moro Beach in the Archipelago
Stupe – properly Vela Stupa, with its smaller companion Mala Stupa nearby — is among the most visited of the smaller islets in the Korcula archipelago and the one most likely to surprise first-time visitors. Set in a natural lagoon about ten minutes from Korcula Town by water taxi, it has some of the clearest water in the archipelago, a pebble beach in a sheltered position, and Moro Beach, a beach bar and restaurant that has developed a strong reputation for food, atmosphere and a swing above the sea that appears on more Instagram posts than any other spot in the Skoji islands. It is the liveliest of the uninhabited islets and the right choice for visitors who want more than just a quiet swim.
What Stupe is Like
The island sits in a natural lagoon — a shallow, sheltered inlet surrounded by reefs and the two Stupa islands — which gives the water an extraordinary clarity and colour. The turquoise of the lagoon is consistently mentioned by visitors as one of the most visually striking spots in the archipelago, comparable to the colours you might expect further south in the Adriatic. The pebble beach is small, but the surrounding rocks and reefs extend the swimming area considerably, and the water around the reefs is excellent for snorkelling.
The island is sunny all day due to its exposed position, which means natural shade is limited. Patches of pine and maquis provide some cover on the island’s edges, but the main beach area gets full sun. Sun loungers and bean bags are available through Moro Beach, and there is no charge for using them independently of the bar — though the food and drink prices reflect the island’s remote position.
The island’s exposed position in the outer archipelago means it receives wind from almost every direction — Maestral, Bura and Siloko all reach it. This makes Stupe one of the more weather-dependent destinations in the group. On a calm day in clear conditions it is outstanding. In strong wind it becomes uncomfortable quickly. Always check the forecast before visiting.
Moro Beach
Moro Beach occupies the main landing area of Vela Stupa — a beach bar and restaurant concept built around the natural lagoon setting. Fresh fish and traditional Dalmatian dishes alongside cocktails, cold drinks and music. Reviews consistently describe the food quality as genuinely good rather than merely convenient, which distinguishes it from many island beach bars that rely on captive audiences. The swing above the sea — positioned over the lagoon water — is the element most visitors photograph first. The atmosphere on a good summer evening is hard to replicate anywhere else in the archipelago. See details here.
Stupe also has a naturist section — one of two islets in the archipelago where nudist swimming is accepted alongside the general visitor area.
Getting to Stupe
The water taxi from Korcula Town east pier (Punta Jurana) stops at Stupe on the regular archipelago circuit — check current timetables at the pier as the service runs less frequently to Stupe than to Badija and Vrnik. Journey time about ten minutes from Korcula Town. The taxi boat also connects from Lumbarda and from Orebić on the Pelješac side. Return boats run through the afternoon and evening in summer — confirm the last departure before you commit to staying for the evening.
Related Pages
- Korcula archipelago — complete guide to all Skoji islets
- Badija island — the largest and most visited islet
- Water taxi Korcula — timetables and connections to the archipelago
- Kayaking the archipelago — exploring the Skoji islets by sea kayak
Popular Routes: Split to Korcula, Korcula to Split, Dubrovnik to Korcula, Korcula to Dubrovnik
