The 4 Best Marine Park Trips Worldwide

1.Boat Tour to Mljet National Park & 3 Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 360 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $163Our pick

Set out from Dubrovnik at 7:30 am with Sea Breeze on a small-group RIB boat led by skippers such as Marko, Ante, Suzy, or George. Swim into Odysseus Cave, explore Mljet National Park, stop at island beaches, and finish at Koločep’s Blue Cave. Water, snorkel gear, wind jackets, and safety equipment are included.

“Our skipper was great! He provided us water and wind jackets that were essential for the start of the day when it was cold. We lucked out with sunny weather and got to do all of the itinerary. The boat is like a Zodiac where you straddle the center. It was great to see the view from all angles, but can be a bit uncomfortable after extended periods of time. 3 hours felt like enough time on the island with the national park, although you could spend an entire day there. Make sure to bring sunscreen, water shoes, a towel, a jacket, and walking shoes to either ride a bike…”

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2.Mljet National Park & Elaphiti Islands Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 302 reviews · from $153

Set out from Gruž with Sea Breeze guides such as Marko, Suzy, and Snježana for a fast-moving island day. You will swim at Odysseus Cave, explore Mljet National Park by bike or kayak, stop at Šipan or Lopud, and snorkel around Koločep. The small boat, flexible route, and extra swim stops make this a more active alternative to a large ferry tour.

“Our day trip to Mljet was absolutely amazing, a highlight of our trip. Seriously, if you don’t mind being on a speed boat (which means fast speeds and feeling the waves), book this day trip over any other of the larger boat trips. You start the day with a stop at Lopud, head over to a cave on Mljet to swim, get over 2 hours exploring Mljet, and then some more swim stops on the way back to Dubrovnik. We had the perfect amount of time at Mljet as we got to ride the 6 mile loop path through the park, get some lunch, and simply take in the views.…”

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3.Olhão: Ria Formosa National Park and Islands Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 91 reviews · 3 hours · from $35Best value

Set out from Olhão with an experienced captain such as Ivan, Guillem, or Jaime, and follow the Ria Formosa waterways to Armona or Desert Beach and Culatra Island. You’ll have time for swimming, walking, snacks, and local food, with live guiding in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French. Choose a shared or private boat.

“I hope that we would be on the water more than we were on land. It was very cultural.”

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4.PRIVATE Sunset Kayaking in Stockholm Archipelago Nature Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $264

Aleksandra picks you up in central Stockholm and drives about 40 minutes to a quiet archipelago launch point. You’ll paddle among small Baltic islands at an easy pace, stop for Swedish fika and snacks on shore, and return by private car. Single and double kayaks are available, and the group is limited to four.

“Gorgeous and easy, calm experience. It was a real treat for our family to be in nature, see cows and swans and fish and the sunset. Highly recommend!”

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