Rab: Zavratnica, Goli Otok and Sveti Grgur Boat Tour

Nine hours, four island moods, one sea day. On this Rab port boat tour with Vojka, you cruise the Velebit coast and stop at Zavratnica, Goli otok, Sveti Grgur, and Valsika for swimming and a few memorable surprises.

I especially like the crystal-clean sea that makes every pause feel worth the ride. And I like that lunch is handled for you, with a choice of fish or meat plus Dalmatian salad, so you are not hunting for food mid-day.

One drawback to consider: you may only get a quick orientation for timing at the start, and detailed guidance at each stop can feel light. With kids, that can make the long stretches of boat time feel slow.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Zavratnica’s 900-meter bay inside Natural Park Velebit, plus clearly visible WWII ship remains
• Goli otok as a former Yugoslav prison for men, with your lunch stop here
• Sveti Grgur former prison for women, with deer you can see and even feed
• Valsika’s swim time in very clear water, including jumping from the boat
• Dolphins are not promised, but you might spot them if conditions cooperate

Rab to the Islands: why this route works

This is a day-trip style tour that starts in the port of Rab and keeps moving through the Velebit coastal waters. The pacing is built around four main stop moments, not a single long sightseeing session on land. If you like your travel days to include water time, this plan fits.

You should expect a full 9-hour day, so plan to go with the flow. That matters because part of the experience is simply being on the boat, cruising between bays and islands, then switching modes for swimming and short exploring.

Also note the basic language setup. The host or greeter can work in Croatian, English, German, or Italian. If you prefer clear check-ins before each stop, try to ask early about how long you will have at each station.

Zavratnica’s 900-meter bay and WWII ship remains

Your first major stop is Zavratnica, a long bay about 900 meters wide, described as one of the most beautiful bays in the Adriatic. It sits within Natural Park Velebit, so you are not just arriving at a pretty shoreline, you are stepping into a protected coastal zone.

What makes Zavratnica more than scenery is the visible history: you can see remains of a sunken ship from World War II. That detail changes the mood of the stop. Instead of the usual bay photo moment, you get a real sense that these waters have seen major events.

Practical tip: Zavratnica is a bay, so water conditions can feel different depending on the breeze. If you are hoping for the cleanest swim experience, keep an eye on where you are allowed to enter and ask the crew how to time it with the stop.

Goli otok: prison island atmosphere and your lunch stop

Next comes Goli otok, a small island in the Velebit channel area. It is known as a former Yugoslav prison for men, and that past is part of what gives the stop its weight. Even without a museum-style setup, the idea of visiting a prison island is unforgettable, especially when you are looking at the island from the water and then moving around during the station.

This is also where lunch happens. You will choose between two meal options: fish or meat, served with Dalmatian salad. For a boat day, this is a big value point. Food is included, and the choices are straightforward, so you are not left guessing what you will get once you are hungry.

Why this matters for you: boat tours can turn into “pay extra for everything” days. Here, at least one core need, lunch, is already covered. That does not mean you will not spend money later, but it does keep the middle of the day from turning into a scramble.

Sveti Grgur: deer feeding and a former women’s prison

Your third station is on Sveti Grgur (often called Grgur). This island also has a prison past, but this one was for women. That shift in history gives the stop extra depth, especially if you like comparing how different places were used for different purposes.

Here, you can do two very different things, depending on your mood. You can look for deer, and you can feed them. Or you can skip the feeding and focus on swimming instead. That flexibility is useful because not everyone wants to spend time with animals, and not everyone wants to be in the water for every stop.

If you are feeding deer, treat it as a gentle moment, not a performance. Move slowly, follow the crew’s lead, and keep your expectations realistic. You are on an island station, so it is not a zoo experience, it is a nature encounter.

Valsika for swimming, boat jumps, and possible dolphins

The last stop is Valsika, described as a beautiful bay with crystal-clear sea. This is where the tour leans hard into the “sea day” side of the trip.

You will have time to swim, and the plan specifically mentions jumping from the boat. That is fun, but it is also why you should bring the right swim gear. If you forget your swimming dress, you will feel it instantly here, because Valsika is not a quick dip, it is a real swim station.

One more thing to keep in mind: dolphins are possible, not guaranteed. If you are lucky, you may see them. A good mindset helps. If you do not see dolphins, Valsika’s clarity and the ability to swim and jump still make this final leg feel like the payoff.

Food, drinks, and the real value of $58

The price is listed at about $58 per person, and lunch is included. Drinks are not included, and you can buy them on the boat.

Here is how I think about the value. Boat days often charge extra for meals or make you manage food on your own. This one handles lunch for you with two clear options, and it is paired with Dalmatian salad. For many people, that alone makes the day feel easier to manage, because you are not trying to coordinate a meal while the boat is tied to a schedule.

The part to plan for is drinks. Since drinks are not included, you might spend extra if you rely on bottled water, soft drinks, or beer during the day. If you want to keep the day within budget, assume you will pay something for beverages.

What the day feels like on board (and what to do about it)

This tour is built around stop-and-swim moments, but it is still a full-day boat trip. That is where expectations matter.

Based on how the tour operates, you may get a brief explanation at the start about where you are stopping and how long. After that, the on-site details can feel less guided, especially once you are at each station. If you want constant commentary, bring questions with you early in the day, and ask the crew to clarify the basics before you disembark.

For families, the pace can be a mixed bag. Kids usually like water time, and both Grgur and Valsika are set up for swimming. Still, if your children need constant activity or a play-by-play explanation, the travel stretches between islands may feel long.

My advice: treat this as a day where you trade land-style entertainment for sea time. Bring patience, and lean into what the stops offer rather than expecting a museum-level guide at each station.

Who should book this tour from Rab

I think this boat tour is a strong fit if you want:

• Swim stops that are built into the schedule, especially at Valsika
• Island time that includes nature moments, like the deer on Sveti Grgur
• A history layer that is tied to the place itself, like the WWII ship remains at Zavratnica and the prison island past of both Goli otok and Sveti Grgur
• A simple meal plan, with lunch included and a fish or meat choice plus Dalmatian salad

It might be less ideal if you expect:

• Detailed narration at every station after a quick start briefing
• Included drinks throughout the day

If your ideal day is mostly about calm water, swimming, and short island walks, you will likely enjoy it more than if you need nonstop structured guiding.

Booking advice: should you book Vojka’s Rab islands tour?

If you are the type who loves a sea day more than a checklist of attractions, I would book this. The combination is practical: lunch is included, the bays sound swim-friendly, and the stops offer variety from protected nature (Zavratnica) to nature and animals (Grgur) to the clearest-water finish (Valsika).

I would hesitate if your priority is lots of hands-on, stop-by-stop explanation, or if you cannot handle extra spending for drinks. In that case, you may find the experience frustrating because the day includes boat time and the guidance may not feel detailed at every stop.

Bottom line: book it for the water, the island mix, and the fact that lunch is taken care of. If that matches your travel style, this Rab boat tour should deliver a memorable day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts in the port of Rab.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 9 hours.

What islands and stops are included?

The tour includes Zavratnica, Goli otok, Island Grgur (Sveti Grgur), and Valsika.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes, lunch is included.

What food options are offered for lunch?

You can choose between fish or meat, with Dalmatian salad.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, and you can buy them on the boat.

Is there time for swimming?

Yes. Swimming is mentioned at Grgur, and the final bay at Valsika includes time for swimming and jumping from the boat.

Can you feed the deer on the tour?

Yes. On the Grgur island station, you can see deer and you can feed them.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can speak Croatian, English, German, and Italian.