Korcula Archipelago
The Korčula archipelago has almost twenty different islands, islets and reefs, collectively known as the škoji. Pronounced “schkoi“, the word comes from the Italian word ‘obstacle’. Their presence has been vital to the people of the surrounding area, frequently providing natural resources for a livelihood that has changed as time has progressed.
Their sunken, scattered natural position at the edge of the Pelješac channel created issues for maritime traffic. The old Croatian name for the island, Krkar, in fact, means ‘reef passage’ or the ‘obstacle passage’. Today these maritime flowers offer a delightful opportunity to swim in its crystal clear seas, relax on their shaded beaches or pretend to be Robinson Crusoe.
In the past, the islands were variously used as strategic outposts, spiritual serenity and quarrying for high-quality limestone. The stones were used to build most of the impressive buildings of the historic town of Korčula and beyond.
They continue to be a source of food, with its shores and shoals providing rich fishing grounds from antiquity to modernity.
Today the skoji are a favourite day-trip destination for tourists and locals alike. Poč u škoje (to go for an island outing) is a favourite past time for many locals who use their boats to visit the islands and enjoy their natural harmony.
Sandwiched between the karstic Pelješac peninsula and the Mediterranean island of Korčula, each island is an individual. Each one is a different shape and size. Some resemble hats (or original haircuts, others resemble various fish types that swim around them. Some are inhabited, most are deserted (apart from seagulls, deer and the odd rabbit). All contains something unique. For visitors to Korčula, they are a must-see.
Access is easy even for visitors without their own boat due to the taxi boat service that takes visitors to the largest ones. Prepare for your visit to the skoji by reading our introduction to each of them.
The islands are easily reachable by local water taxi boats or hop on hop off speedy water taxi from either Lumbarda, Korcula Old Town or Orebic, Kuciste and Viganj on Peljesac.
Popular Routes: Split to Korcula, Korcula to Split, Dubrovnik to Korcula, Korcula to Dubrovnik
Vrnik is the only inhabited island in the archipelago while Badija features Franciscan Monastery and Church. Badija, Vrnik and Stupe have also small restaurants.
The furthest islet is Bisace which is situated right across the Raznjic horn. The islet is well-known for numerous seagull nests and just one single pine tree that offers some shade.
The archipelago also features numerous hidden beaches as well as nudist beaches with plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing.
Map:
Here are the names of all islands:
- Badija
- Vrnik
- Planjak
- Kamenjak
- Baretica
- Lucnjak
- Vela Stupa
- Mala Stupa
- Majsan
- Majsanic
- Vela Sestrica
- Mala Sestrica
- Gojak
- Sutvara
- Skrpinjak
- Bisace
- Gubavac
- Knezic
More articles about the Archipelago
Vrnik
Despite no cars, no road and no real shop, this intriguing island of stone treasures, shaded swimming spots and newly opened art gallery is the only one that is still inhabited in the archipelago. The second-largest island in the archipelago offers the visitor shingle beaches in tranquil surroundings of a … Read more >> VrnikBadija
Coated gracefully in pine, cypress trees and Mediterranean shrub while surrounded by a peacock colored sea, Badija is the most impressive islet in the Korčula archipelago. Containing family-friendly places to swim, impressive 15th century Renaissance architecture and one of the best views of the whole archipelago, visitors can easily spend … Read more >> BadijaSestrice Islands
Located just under four nautical miles from Korčula old town, these two distant islands have a fraternal edge to their name. Known as the sisters; the Big Sister (Vela Sestrica) and the Small Sister (Mala Sestrica), like sisters, they are close but not identical. Vela Sestrica The larger of the … Read more >> Sestrice IslandsSutvara Island
Sutvara, a small island with one of the best beaches in the Korčula archipelago and remains of antique crafts. Located 5 kilometres south-East of Korcula Old Town and 2.6 km from Lumbarda, this uninhabited islet is named after a small church that used to be here called St Barbara (corrupted … Read more >> Sutvara IslandMajsan Island
Roman ruins (including a villa) lie a short boat trip away from the historic town of Korčula on the island of Majsan. The island offers a worthwhile day trip destination in the nearby archipelago opening up a fascinating, hidden past. The island offered valuable shelter for various ships going up … Read more >> Majsan IslandLastovo
Lastovo island has all the basic characteristics of the Mediterranean climate dominated by mild, moist winters and warm, long and dry summers. The average annual temperature of the island is about 15 C, while the average annual rainfall is 687 mm. The air moisture of the island is 70% only … Read more >> LastovoDefora
Defora area is a fantastic place to visit if you are a nature lover. It is a remote part on the southern side of the island which consists of wooded slopes, vineyards, bays, coves, and some pebble beaches. If you are looking for peace and quiet this is probably one … Read more >> DeforaWater Taxi Korcula
Fast and reliable 24 hrs water taxi service on Korcula island taking you by fast speed boat anywhere you wish around the archipelago and beyond. Located in the heart of Korcula Old Town, Croatia see map below it is easily accessible by anyone that needs this kind of transport. If … Read more >> Water Taxi KorculaLumbarda
One of the most beautiful villages on the island of Korcula is Lumbarda, a small village situated near the top Eastern edge of the island just 4 km away from Korcula’s Old Town. The village benefits from the location on the north, as well as the south side of the island. … Read more >> LumbardaOrebić
OREBIC or Orebici as it is called by its inhabitants takes its name from the XVIth century family of Peljesac captains. Definitely the most popular tourist resort on the Peljeska riviera. It lies on the South Coast of the peninsula of Peljesac and at the East entrance to the Peljesac … Read more >> Orebić
