Croatia has a large coastal ferry network connecting the mainland with islands in Dalmatia, Kvarner and the northern Adriatic. The most useful ferry port for your trip depends on where you start, which island you want to reach, whether you travel with a car and whether you prefer a car ferry, catamaran or passenger ship.
This guide gives a practical overview of the main ferry ports in Croatia, including Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Makarska, Rijeka, Šibenik, Biograd, Ploče and Pula. Use it as a starting point before checking the detailed route pages for timetables, ticket prices and current travel rules.
Quick guide: which ferry port should you use?
- Use Split for Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, Korčula and Lastovo.
- Use Zadar for Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Rava, Molat, Ist and some longer island routes.
- Use Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, Korčula passenger connections and Bari in Italy.
- Use Makarska for the ferry to Sumartin on Brač.
- Use Rijeka for selected Kvarner and coastal passenger routes, including Rab, Novalja and longer Adriatic connections.
- Use Šibenik for Zlarin, Prvić, Kaprije and Žirje.
- Use Biograd for Pašman via Tkon.
- Use Ploče for the ferry to Trpanj on Pelješac.
- Use Pula mainly for selected seasonal and regional coastal connections, depending on the current schedule.
Main ferry ports in Croatia
The table below gives a simple overview of the most important ferry ports in Croatia and the islands or destinations they are most useful for.
| Ferry port | Best for | Main route examples | More details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split | Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, Korčula, Lastovo | Split – Supetar, Split – Stari Grad, Split – Vis, Split – Rogač | Split Ferry Port guide |
| Zadar | Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Rava, Molat, Ist, Mali Lošinj | Zadar – Preko, Zadar – Brbinj, Zadar – Sali/Zaglav, Zadar – Ancona | Zadar Ferry Port guide |
| Dubrovnik | Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, Korčula, Bari | Dubrovnik – Koločep – Lopud – Šipan, Dubrovnik – Bari | Dubrovnik Ferry Port guide |
| Makarska | Brač, especially Sumartin and eastern Brač | Makarska – Sumartin | Makarska Ferry Port guide |
| Rijeka | Rab, Novalja, Kvarner islands and longer coastal routes | Rijeka – Rab – Novalja, Rijeka – Split – Hvar – Korčula – Mljet – Dubrovnik | Useful for selected passenger and coastal routes |
| Šibenik | Zlarin, Prvić, Kaprije, Žirje | Šibenik – Zlarin – Kaprije – Žirje; Šibenik – Prvić – Vodice | Best for local Šibenik archipelago routes |
| Biograd | Pašman | Biograd – Tkon | Useful for Pašman and onward travel towards Ugljan |
| Ploče | Pelješac | Ploče – Trpanj | Useful for reaching Pelješac from the mainland |
| Pula | Istria and selected seasonal coastal connections | Check current seasonal schedules | More seasonal than Split, Zadar or Dubrovnik |
Split Ferry Port
Split is the most important ferry port in central Dalmatia and one of the busiest ferry ports in Croatia. It is the main starting point for travellers going to Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, Korčula and Lastovo.
If you travel with a car to Brač, the most important route is Split – Supetar. Supetar is the main ferry arrival port on Brač and is a practical choice for Supetar, Sutivan, Postira, Milna and the central or western part of the island.
For Hvar with a car, check Split – Stari Grad. Stari Grad is not the same as Hvar town, but it is a useful arrival point for driving to different parts of the island. If you travel without a car, passenger routes and catamarans can be more convenient for Hvar town, Bol, Jelsa, Korčula or Vis.
Split is also the key mainland port for Split – Vis, Split – Rogač on Šolta and longer routes such as Split – Korčula – Lastovo.
Read the full Split Ferry Port guide for route details, practical tips and links to ferry prices.
Zadar Ferry Port
Zadar is the most important ferry port for the Zadar archipelago. It is especially useful for Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Rava, Molat, Ist and other nearby islands. Zadar is also relevant for the international Zadar – Ancona ferry.
One of the most important local routes is Zadar – Preko, which connects Zadar with Ugljan. This is a very useful route for day trips, local stays on Ugljan and onward travel towards Pašman.
For Dugi Otok, check Zadar – Brbinj if travelling with a vehicle. Foot passengers can also check routes such as Zadar – Sali – Zaglav, depending on the season and destination.
Zadar is also the departure point for smaller island routes such as Zadar – Iž – Rava, Zadar – Bršanj – Rava – Mala Rava, Zadar – Molat – Ist and Zadar – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Molat – Ist.
Read the full Zadar Ferry Port guide for more details about Gaženica, the city port and island route planning.
Dubrovnik Ferry Port
Dubrovnik ferry port is the main ferry gateway for the southern Croatian coast. It is especially useful for the Elaphiti Islands, passenger connections towards Mljet and Korčula, and international travel to Bari in Italy.
For the Elaphiti Islands, check Dubrovnik – Koločep – Lopud – Šipan and Dubrovnik – Lopud – Suđurađ. These routes are useful for day trips, local island travel and longer stays on Lopud, Koločep or Šipan.
For international travel, the main route is Dubrovnik – Bari. This connection is useful for travellers combining southern Croatia with southern Italy.
Dubrovnik can also be a useful endpoint for coastal passenger routes such as Rijeka – Split – Hvar – Korčula – Mljet – Dubrovnik, especially for island-hopping itineraries involving Mljet, Korčula, Hvar and Split.
Read the full Dubrovnik Ferry Port guide for route details and practical tips.
Makarska Ferry Port
Makarska ferry port has a more focused role than Split, Zadar or Dubrovnik, but it is very useful for one important connection: Makarska – Sumartin on Brač Island.
This route is especially practical if you are staying in Makarska, Tučepi, Podgora, Baška Voda, Brela or elsewhere on the Makarska Riviera. It is usually the best ferry option for Sumartin, Selca, Povlja and eastern Brač.
If you are going to Supetar, Sutivan, Postira or Milna, compare Makarska – Sumartin with Split – Supetar. Split is often more convenient for the western and central part of Brač, while Makarska is stronger for eastern Brač.
Read the full Makarska Ferry Port guide for practical route advice.
Rijeka Ferry Port
Rijeka is useful for selected Kvarner and longer coastal passenger routes. It is not as central for island car ferries as Split or Zadar, but it can be important for travellers going to Rab, Novalja, Lošinj-area routes or longer coastal connections.
One useful route to check is Novalja – Rab – Rijeka, especially if you travel without a car in the Kvarner region. Rijeka is also connected with longer Adriatic passenger routes such as Rijeka – Split – Hvar – Korčula – Mljet – Dubrovnik.
Use Rijeka when your trip begins in Kvarner, northern Croatia or nearby islands. For car ferry access to Cres, Rab or Pag, you may also need to compare Rijeka with nearby ports such as Valbiska, Stinica or Prizna.
Šibenik Ferry Port
Šibenik is the main ferry and boat port for several islands in the Šibenik archipelago. It is especially useful for Zlarin, Prvić, Kaprije and Žirje.
Important local routes include Šibenik – Zlarin – Kaprije – Žirje and Šibenik – Zlarin – Prvić Luka – Šepurine – Vodice.
Šibenik is not usually the first port you choose for big car ferry routes to Brač, Hvar or Vis. Its strength is local island access in the Šibenik area. If you stay in Šibenik, Vodice, Brodarica or nearby places, it can be a very practical starting point for smaller islands.
Biograd Ferry Port
Biograd is the key mainland ferry port for Pašman. The main route is Biograd – Tkon, a short and practical connection to the island.
This route is useful if you are staying in Biograd, Pakoštane, Zadar region or central Dalmatia and want to reach Pašman with or without a vehicle. Since Pašman is connected by bridge with Ugljan, this route can also be part of a wider island itinerary involving both Pašman and Ugljan.
Ploče Ferry Port
Ploče is important for the connection to Pelješac via Ploče – Trpanj. This route can be useful for travellers heading towards Pelješac, Orebić, Korčula connections or southern Dalmatia.
Depending on your itinerary, Ploče – Trpanj may help reduce driving along the coast and provide a more direct approach to parts of Pelješac. Always compare it with the road route, your final destination and the current timetable.
Pula Ferry Port
Pula is different from Split, Zadar or Dubrovnik because it is not the main gateway to a large nearby island ferry network. Its role is more seasonal and regional, depending on current passenger routes and coastal connections.
If you are staying in Istria and want to travel by sea, check current seasonal schedules before planning around Pula. For many island ferry trips, travellers from Istria may also need to compare Pula with Rijeka, Brestova, Valbiska or other northern Adriatic ports.
How to choose the best ferry port in Croatia
The best ferry port is not always the closest city on the map. You should choose your port based on four things: your starting point, your destination island, whether you travel with a car, and the current timetable.
If you travel with a car
Choose a car ferry route whenever possible. For example, Split – Supetar is the main choice for taking a car to Brač from Split, Split – Stari Grad is important for taking a car to Hvar, Zadar – Brbinj is useful for Dugi Otok, and Makarska – Sumartin is practical for eastern Brač.
If you travel without a car
Catamarans and passenger ships may be faster and more direct. They are especially useful for Hvar town, Jelsa, Bol, Korčula, Mljet, the Elaphiti Islands and some smaller island ports where car ferry options are limited.
If you are island hopping
Look for routes that connect multiple islands in one line. Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Rijeka are often better for island-hopping than small single-route ports. However, smaller ports such as Makarska, Biograd or Ploče can be perfect if they match your exact route.
Important ferry travel tips in Croatia
- Check the exact port area. Some cities have more than one port or terminal area. Zadar is a good example because Gaženica and the city port are not the same place.
- Arrive early with a car. In summer, popular routes can have queues before boarding.
- Do not assume every boat carries vehicles. Catamarans and passenger ships usually do not carry cars.
- Check the direction and stops. Some island routes stop at several ports, and the route can be different depending on direction or season.
- Check ticket rules. Some tickets may be connected with a specific sailing, while other local rules can differ by operator and route.
- Plan the island road distance. Arriving on an island does not always mean arriving near your final destination. For example, Stari Grad is not Hvar town, Sumartin is not Supetar, and Brbinj is not Sali.
FAQ about ferry ports in Croatia
What is the main ferry port in Croatia?
Split is one of the main ferry ports in Croatia and the most important port for many central Dalmatian islands. Zadar and Dubrovnik are also very important, depending on the region and island you want to visit.
Which ferry port is best for Hvar?
For travelling with a car, Split – Stari Grad is the main route to Hvar. Drvenik – Sućuraj can also be useful for the eastern part of Hvar. For foot passengers, catamarans from Split and other coastal ports may be more convenient.
Which ferry port is best for Brač?
For western and central Brač, Split – Supetar is usually the best choice. For eastern Brač, especially Sumartin, the Makarska – Sumartin ferry can be more practical.
Which ferry port is best for Dugi Otok?
Zadar is the main port for Dugi Otok. Travellers with a car should check Zadar – Brbinj, while foot passengers can also check routes towards Sali and Zaglav.
Which ferry port is best for the Elaphiti Islands?
Dubrovnik is the main ferry port for the Elaphiti Islands, including Koločep, Lopud and Šipan.
Can I take a car to Croatian islands?
Yes, many Croatian islands are connected by car ferry, including Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, Dugi Otok, Ugljan, Pašman, Cres, Rab, Pag, Mljet and Korčula. However, not every route carries cars, so always check the specific route.
Are catamarans better than ferries?
Catamarans are often faster and better for foot passengers, but they normally do not carry cars. Ferries are better if you travel with a vehicle or want more flexibility on the island.
Continue planning your ferry trip
Start with the port that matches your travel route:
- Split Ferry Port – best for Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, Korčula and Lastovo
- Zadar Ferry Port – best for Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Rava, Molat, Ist and Ancona
- Dubrovnik Ferry Port – best for the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, Korčula and Bari
- Makarska Ferry Port – best for Sumartin and eastern Brač
If you already know your exact route, continue directly to the route timetable and ticket price pages linked throughout this guide.