Boating and Wine Tasting with Korcula Explorer

To go to the beautiful paradise of Croatia without venturing off the mainland onto one of it’s many islands would be a crime. Choosing which one we wanted to visit was a tough decision but eventually we landed on Korcula. It is one of Croatia’s quieter, less party-influenced islands and we are so happy that we made our way there. After my wife did a little research (I was probably busy drinking wine on our jetty) she found a day trip on the water with Korcula Explorer.

Choosing a Tour with Korcula Explorer

Traveling on a backpacker’s budget means we can’t participate in as many activities as we would like so we have to choose wisely. A quick glance over Korcula Explorer’s tour description and we knew this is exactly what we wanted to spend our “splurge money” on. It would entail a day spent cruising around the sea with stops to swim and snorkel, a lunch of locally-caught fish grilled on board, and a visit to one of the nearby top vineyards. Not to mention some homemade spirits aboard the boat. If clear blue water, local wine, grilled fish, and a shot of grandma’s homemade grappa doesn’t sound like the perfect day, then you don’t know a good thing when it smacks you in the taste buds.

Part 1 : Boating and Snorkeling

Our meeting spot for the day was just a short walk down the coast from our Airbnb. After a quick stop in town for some water and our new morning beer ritual (so very Croatian of us), we found ourselves on the dock meeting Rachael (one of the co-owners of Korcula Explorer) and our new boating friends for the day. Among our group was a lovely couple from Minnesota as well as traveling friends, one from England and the other from Australia. Only a few minutes of brief introductions had passed before our captain, Mario, came cruising up in our chariot.

Just as soon as our gear was stowed away it was time to break out some of grandma’s grappa. It was an herbal variation with thyme, rosemary, and just the right amount of burn. The crew on Korcula Explorer knew how to get the party started and everyone on board become just a little bit more chatty post shot.

On the way to our first swimming hole, Mario made a couple of cultural stops for a little Croatian history and Rachael answered all of our questions with ease. Our stops included a monastery and an inhabited island with no cars present.

When the boat finally stopped, our skin – warm from the hot Croatian sun, was begging for a dip in the cool water. This water was probably some of the most inviting water I have ever had the chance to swim in. That first dive overboard was both refreshing and exhilarating but my reaction had Megan and the others lingering on the boat a little bit longer. One hell of a host, Rachael was quick to turn the moment into a tropical experience for me. When I turned around, it waiting on the bow of the boat for me, a cup of local red wine. After years of begging Megan, I finally got my swim up bar.

Back in the warmth of the boat, we continued to cruise around the islands, enjoying the particularly calm day at sea and our seemingly bottomless cups of wine. The more we stared out at the turquoise waters, the more we all forgot about how cold they were. Eventually we were tempted to hop back onto the ledge of the boat and one-by-one, we plunged ourselves in.

What’s for Lunch?

Halfway through our second dip, Mario must have noticed we were all working up an appetite. By the time we climbed back aboard, he was already firing up the grill. On the menu for the day – whole seabass, zucchini, and eggplant hot from the grill. Although I was famished, that alone would have satisfied. But that wasn’t all. Our plates were rounded out with a crisp green salad and freshly baked bread. All of that topped off with homemade olive oil and yet another glass of wine. I’m not sure if it was the salty sea air, the ambiance of eating on the boat in the middle of the Adriatic, or the wonderful company we shared, but this fish lunch is one I won’t soon forget.

Part 2 : A Vineyard Visit

Hours had rolled by unnoticed when it was time to wave goodbye to Mario. Though we were not ready to bid farewell to our boating portion of the day, we still had the excitement of wine tasting ahead of us. It was only a short trek from the sea up the hill to Korta Katarina Winery. Along the way, we passed large rosemary bushes with a scent so intoxicating it could only be matched by our first pour of wine.

Korta Katarina is a gorgeous estate resting high above the beach, sitting on the mountain side with its tasting room overlooking the sea. It was clear that no expense was spared in the design of this place or in the technology of its production. When our private tour was over it was time for my favorite part – the tasting. Beyond the wine, our tasting was accompanied by a snack platter comprised of locally made cheese, meats, and jams.

We were even lucky enough to taste one of their library wines – their 2008 Plavac Mali. Just as we thought our visit was coming to an end, Rachael surprised us by ordering a bottle of their sparking wine to share. We finished the day with bubbles on the beautiful patio situated among the vines.

Our return trip to Korcula town was by a high speed boat. Megan and I sat at the front, inhaling the sea air and soaking up our surroundings. Before we knew it we were stepping off the boat and saying goodbye to our travel companions. Just like that, our perfect day tour with Korcula Explorer had come to an end.

Final Thoughts

While a bit on the pricey side at around 90 euros per person, the money spent on this tour with Korcula Explorer was well worth the expense. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we only wish we had more days on the island to indulge in another outing with them. As always, the people you spend your time with have the ability to make or break your experience. Host Rachael and Captain Mario made every effort to make sure we had the best day out on the water and in the vineyards. We have since been raving about this tour to everyone we meet heading in the direction of Korcula. If you find yourself in this tropical paradise, don’t hesitate to book a tour with this wonderful company.

Cheers friends,

Matt + Megan