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Boat Tours
Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored

  • Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored
  • Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored Palagruza Archipelago – Exploring the unexplored
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    Highlights

    • Coffee break on Vis Island
    • Cruising to our final destination – Palagruza Island
    • Reaching our new home – the monumental stone lighthouse
    • Meeting the lighthouse keepers who will be standing at your service during your stay
    • Exploration of Vela Palagruza, Mala Palagruza, and Galijula Island and their nature
    • Plenty of time for fishing, swimming, and sunbathing
    • Learning more about the maintenance of the lighthouse
    • Enjoying fantastic seafood meals caught by the lighthouse keepers from the waters surrounding Palagruza

    Useful tips

    • Be sure to fuel up with your favorite (unmeltable) snacks
    • Take some warm clothes with you – the weather can become unpredictable
    • Keep in mind that you won’t be able to use your phone or other mobile devices (there will be no signal for it)
    • Take your sneakers with you. The walk and exploration will be more comfortable
    • Make sure to have enough sunscreen by your side
    • Bring towels and your swimsuits
    • A good dry bag will keep your phone, wallet, and camera nice and dry when not in use
    • Capture the best moments of the trip with a waterproof camera or smartphone

    Basic information

    • Duration: 48 hours – 2-day tour
    • Capacity: There is no capacity limit for private boat tours
    • Children: There is no age limit for private boat tours
    • Private boat tours are completely adjustable to your wishes and desires (duration, starting time, pickup location, places and attractions you want to visit). The above-listed itinerary is just a suggestion and recommendation based on years of boating experience. Send us an inquiry via our contact form and we will make you a tailored offer that meets all your needs
    Departure /
    return
    Trogir : In front of our office (Address: Sv. Lazara 1)
    Split : Matejuska port - right under the Croatian flag
    Any other pickup location: Upon agreement
    Meeting time 08:00AM in Trogir / 8:30AM in Split
    Included
    • safety equipment
    • professional skipper
    • private boat
    • insurance
    • snorkeling gear
    • water/windproof jacket (upon request)
    Excluded
    • personal expenses

    Diomedic Island Amidst the Infinity of the Sea

    Rising up in the middle of the Adriatic, located halfway between Italy and Croatia, you’ll find the wild coasts of Palagruza. Located 42 nautical miles south of Komiza on Island Vis it consists of the islands Vela Palagruza, Mala Palagruza, Sjeverni and Juzni Kamik. Then there’s Galijula that lies a bit further and defines the southernmost point of Croatia itself. There are no buildings; just an elegant lighthouse perched at the island’s vista point. This distant island lighthouse is not only a “signal in the night” for wandering sailors; it’s a fascinating island with a special brand of raw beauty. The island’s grace and elegance emphasizes the stone lighthouse, the rough environment, the huge rocks covered in wild growing caper bushes, and other types of wild vegetation surrounded by the deep blue sea.

    In ancient Greek and Roman times, people sailed only during the day and in the summer months. They would never set sail until the fig leaf was large enough to cover the palm of an adult’s hand. Recent archeological discoveries on Palagruza prove that the island fascinated the Greek hero Diomedes, a historical survivor of the Trojan War. He is considered one of the most famous Greek warriors, not unlike Homer’s famous hero, Odysseus. After the Trojan War ended, Diomedes made his way to the Adriatic where he fought the Illyrians. It is believed that Diomedes’ final resting place is somewhere on this island. Legend has it that after Illyrians killed Diomedes’ warriors; Zeus transformed their souls into the white gulls that so diligently occupy the island. Perhaps they have been continually guarding the Trojan hero’s grave all these centuries on the Diomedic Island of Palagruza.

    After the fall of Venice in 1797, the Austro-Hungarian Empire took over the Adriatic and Croatian coastline. The new government began building monumental structures on the coast’s most dangerous capes, uninhabited islands and jagged rocks on the open sea. This stone beauty had the important role of impressing all borderline visitors at the southern sea gates to the then-major world power. This impressive lighthouse was built between 1874 and 1876 by chief builder Vicko Marinkovic Mestrazane from Komiza. The light machine, made in 1873 by Henry Epoulte from Paris, is still functioning. These master-builders really constructed a lighthouse that would last for decades, in fact, for nearly 150 years. People from Vis remember the story of how some building inspectors came from Trieste (since in those days, Trieste was part of Croatia). During their visit and executive luncheon the glasses and plates began to dance on the table. This was due to a strong earthquake that coincidentally occurred that very same day on Palagruza. When it was all over, the chief inspector said, “We can leave now; the Almighty did our job with this earthquake. Our Lord has tested this lighthouse and we need not check anything else.”

    Nowadays, the only constant inhabitants on the island are its lighthouse keepers, who will return to the mainland at the end of their monthly shift. After that, another two keepers take their places and provide the only light source for miles around on the open sea. They live there alone in their day-dreams, with many untold stories of the past surrounding this fascinating island. Memories of the fishing expeditions, explorers and even Diomedes play a part of the history that continues to this day. For all these years, this lantern remains the only sure and steady light on this furthest of all Adriatic islands.

    Our excursion to this magnificent archipelago will last about two days and we will enjoy trekking, fishing, diving, swimming, discovering and uncovering. Our expedition starts in the morning hours from a pre-arranged port. After about an hour and 45 minutes we will arrive in Vis Town which will also be our last stop on the way to Palagruza. There we will fill up our tanks with fuel and stock up with water and any other needed supplies. After a three hours journey from Vis, out from nowhere on the horizon suddenly appears this magnificent island. We will immediately prepare ourselves a sleeping berth in a cove just below the Palagruzan foothills. With our small dinghy we’ll find ourselves on the shores of the attractively rustic pebble beach at Velo Zalo. Zigzagging our way up a small well-worn footpath we are soon scaling the hundred meter hill which is graced by the monumental stone lighthouse. Our lantern keeper hosts will wish you a warm welcome and show you the extraordinary building from the inside out.  We will enjoy a fresh grilled fish lunch from the rich waters surrounding Palagruza. After an afternoon walk along this beautiful karst coast, you are welcome to rest and relax in small lighthouse chamber below the lantern room. When sun sets, you can continue your discovery of this island by listening to the stories from our skipper and your host lantern keepers, while the flickering candle breaks the darkness around you.

    This adventure isn’t finished yet. It will continue on in a new way the very next day….

    This is the never-ending story which we should each compose and revise according to our own experiences, remaining relevant throughout the many changes of time.   Throughout this process, we can’t afford to forget the important role we each play in both creating and developing through these timeless exchanges.
    Well then, let’s sail away, staying engaged, discovering new opportunities, forever uncovering and learning as the process continually unfolds…

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    Palagruza Archipelago - Exploring the unexplored

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Alen Zelic
Alen Zelic
11:10 14 Sep 20
Since many years a happy customer ofArgola. Friendly and helpful staff, best boats great location!Call/text them... anytime, you’ll get a respond within minutes👍 As in their motto mentioned; „exceeding your expectations“ I was every single time satisfied with their work.Kudos to the ladies in the office😃👌read more
Mirna Radovic
Mirna Radovic
07:08 12 Sep 20
Impeccable service provided from Argola Charter!A holiday we will remember for the rest of our lives. Thank you for... making every step of our journey so easy. The boat was exceptional as well as our skipper. If there’s a word which perfectly describes our experience, it would be - flawless! We are looking forward to the next summer with Argola crew.read more
David Anzulović
David Anzulović
17:55 10 Sep 20
Charter Company that should be talked about!Excellent customer service, process went smooth, fast, efficient. They... were super responsive and friendly. Our skipper was on complete next level ( in a good way).They also use English and German so my friends could communicate easily with the crew.The whole company crew is amazing and the boats are flawless.All around excellent service.Hands down 11/10.We are already planning another trip.Thank you and cheers! Well done!read more
Katija Domic
Katija Domic
14:07 09 Sep 20
An excelent experience! I gladly recommend Argola Charter. We booked a private day tour and we are very satisfied with... their professional service. The staff is friendly, helpful and speaks English fluently. The boat “Moby Dick” => big enough and ideally for 3 families. We had a great time onboard and enjoyed it.read more
Adam Brzezinski
Adam Brzezinski
09:19 29 Aug 20
I absolutely recommend this vendor. Excellent customer service, super responsive and friendly. We had a fantastic time... on the sea, the boat was in excellent condition. Skipper assistance fully professional. Hands down 5 Stars. We are already planning another trip.read more
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