Medulin: Private Glass Bottom Boat Tour to Levan Island

The best part of this six-hour trip is its variety. You get open-water views, a swim stop at Cape Kamenjak, a look into Golumbera Cave, a slow pass by Porer Lighthouse, and several hours on sandy Levan Island. I like the private format and the chance to set the pace with your own group.

I also like that the boat includes drinks, music, and a toilet, useful comforts on a long afternoon at sea. The main drawback is the price: $752.44 per group is good value for a full boat of up to 15, but expensive for only two or three people. Food is not listed as included, so plan carefully before you leave.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to 15 people: The group price makes the trip most appealing for families and larger groups.
• Golumbera Cave swimming stop: You can swim beneath the cliffs at Cape Kamenjak and look into the secluded cave.
• Porer Lighthouse from the water: The boat cannot dock, but it sails close enough for photographs.
• Two hours on sandy Levan Island: This is the main relaxation stop, with beach bars, restaurants, umbrellas, and lounge chairs available.
• Drinks are included, food is not: Bring food or confirm arrangements before departure.
• Weather controls the route: The captain can change or cancel the trip if sea conditions are unsafe.

Why Levan Island gives this boat trip its purpose

Many boat outings around Pula focus only on scenic cruising. This one has a clear finish line: Levan, the northernmost and only sandy island in the Medulin archipelago. That matters because the afternoon ends with time to get off the boat, stretch out, swim, and sit on a real beach rather than spending all six hours aboard.

The island stop lasts about three hours according to the schedule, with roughly two hours set aside for undisturbed beach time. You’ll find three beach bars, restaurants, and the option to rent a beach umbrella with lounge chairs. That makes Levan easy to enjoy if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim, another can order a drink, and someone else can stay in the shade.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the sandy shore gives the stop a softer feel than the rocky coast around much of Istria. You should still remember that this is a boat excursion, not a full beach day. The island stop is only one part of a route that also includes swimming near cliffs and a long ride between islets.

Leaving Medulin at 1 p.m.

The tour begins at 1 p.m. from the Medulin waterfront at Riva, with the boat returning to the same meeting point. A 1 p.m. start gives you a slow morning before setting out, and the afternoon light should work well for photographs as the boat passes the cape, islets, and lighthouse.

You’ll want to arrive ready for the water rather than treating this like a formal sightseeing cruise. Swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a secure phone case are sensible choices, though only the first three are directly relevant to the stated activities. Because food is not included, bring something to eat unless you plan to buy lunch or snacks on Levan.

The private arrangement is important here. Your party is not combined with another group, and the boat can accommodate up to 15 people. That gives families, wedding groups, and friends a much more relaxed setup than a large shared excursion. It also changes the value calculation. At full capacity, the listed price works out to about $50 per person. For four people, it is about $188 each, while two people would pay about $376 each.

Cape Kamenjak and the Golumbera Cave stop

The first major stop is Cape Kamenjak, described as one of the most interesting points on the route. You’ll have about an hour here for swimming, exploring the water beneath the cliffs, or staying aboard and feeding the fish.

Golumbera Cave is tucked into the cliffs. The boat trip gives you a chance to reach its entrance by swimming, rather than simply looking at it from a distance. That makes this stop more active than the later lighthouse pass and a good fit if you enjoy short swims and close-up coastal scenery.

You should set your expectations correctly. The schedule does not promise a guided cave tour or a long walk ashore. This is a water stop, and your access to the cave depends on conditions and your comfort in the sea. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on the boat and take in the view or feed the fish.

The glass-bottom boat adds another small advantage. Even if you do not swim, you can look into the water and see what lies below the hull. The glass bottom is not a substitute for snorkeling, but it gives children and less active members of your group something to do while others are in the water.

Safety takes priority at this point. Sea conditions can affect the route, and the captain has the final say on whether the boat approaches the cave or changes the plan. That is sensible around cliffs and open water, even if it means the exact experience can vary by day.

Porer Lighthouse, photographed from the sea

After Cape Kamenjak, the boat sails toward Porer Lighthouse. Built in 1846 during the Austro-Hungarian period, the lighthouse sits on a small islet southwest of Istria’s southernmost cape. The islet is described as an 80-meter cliff, about 2.5 kilometers from the mainland, with a 35-meter tower rising above the stone building.

You cannot dock there. Instead, the captain tries to sail slowly and close to the cliffs so you can photograph the lighthouse and the surrounding rock. This is a viewing stop, not a shore visit, so bring a camera or keep your phone ready when the boat approaches.

Porer is useful as a change of rhythm. The Kamenjak stop asks you to get in the water, while Porer lets you sit back and take photographs. The lighthouse also gives the route a bit of historical character without turning the trip into a lecture-heavy sightseeing tour.

The lighthouse complex itself includes a concrete yard, three smaller berths, and two four-bed apartments, but you should not expect to enter any of it. From the boat, the appeal is the isolated tower and the way it sits alone on the rocky islet. If your main goal is to tour a working lighthouse interior, this excursion will not provide that.

A slow cruise past Bodulaš, Ceja, and Finera

The route continues at a slower sightseeing pace past islands such as Bodulaš, Ceja, and Finera, along with smaller coves. This stretch is less about one landmark and more about seeing how the Medulin archipelago is arranged.

That slower speed is welcome. You get time to look around, take photos, listen to music, and watch the water rather than rushing from stop to stop. The captain and crew also keep an eye out for dolphins along the way. Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a pleasant possibility, not a promised feature.

This is where a private boat can feel more personal. You can talk with your own group, ask the skipper about the islands, or simply sit quietly. One piece of useful feedback about the crew describes Tini as kind and courteous, with a strong interest in involving people in the experience. If Tini is part of your crew, you may find that personal attention adds to the trip.

One area for improvement is explanation in different languages. If you want detailed information about every island or landmark, ask early and clearly. One piece of feedback specifically noted that more explanation in the passenger’s language would have helped. The route is visually rewarding, but the level of commentary may depend on who is working that day.

Two hours of sand and sea on Levan

Levan is the most relaxed section of the outing. As the only sandy island in the group, it offers a different setting from the rocky cliffs and small islets earlier in the day. You’ll have time to swim, sunbathe, sit on the beach, and order refreshments.

The island has three beach bars and restaurants, plus rental umbrellas and lounge chairs. That means you do not need to carry every comfort with you, but purchases and rentals are separate from the stated tour inclusions. Bring payment for anything you want to buy there.

The length of the stop is a strong feature for families. Two hours gives children time to play and adults time to settle in, rather than forcing everyone back aboard after a quick swim. It also lets you choose your own pace. You can stay in the water, walk along the sand, or use the beach bars as a cool-down point.

The trade-off is that Levan may be busy during popular summer periods. The information provided does not promise a quiet or private beach, only a private boat trip. Your boat and group are private, but the island facilities are shared public businesses.

The beach stop also gives you a chance to buy food. Since food is not included in the tour price, this may be the easiest place to arrange lunch or snacks. One account of the boat trip describes fish served aboard and unlimited drinks, but the stated inclusions list only drinks and exclude food. I would not assume a meal is provided. Ask the operator before departure if onboard food is important to you.

What is included aboard the boat

The private skipper, fuel, drinks, music, and toilet are included. Fuel matters more than it may first appear on a six-hour route that covers Cape Kamenjak, Porer, several islands, and Levan. You do not need to worry about a fuel surcharge being added during the trip.

Drinks are another practical plus, especially during an afternoon in the sun. The exact drink selection is not specified, so you should not assume a particular brand or alcoholic option. If you have strict dietary or beverage needs, check before setting out.

The toilet is a useful comfort on a trip of this length. You may spend several hours away from shore, and the return to Medulin comes only after the island stop. This is a small feature, but it can make the day easier for families and older members of your group.

Food is excluded in the formal tour details. Pack what you need or plan to purchase food at Levan. The beach bars and restaurants give you an option, but you should allow time and money for it.

Is $752.44 a fair price?

The price is $752.44 for the entire group, up to 15 people. This is not a budget boat trip for a couple, but it can be a solid deal for a full family or friend group because you are buying private use of the boat for about six hours.

At the maximum group size, the cost is close to $50 per person. At eight people, it is about $94 per person. At four, it is about $188 per person. These figures make the tour much easier to justify for larger parties.

You are also paying for more than a transfer to Levan. The route includes the Cape Kamenjak swim, access toward Golumbera Cave, the Porer Lighthouse pass, a cruise past several islets, drinks, fuel, a skipper, music, and a toilet. The value comes from combining several coastal experiences in one afternoon.

For two people, I would compare the cost with a shared excursion or a shorter private boat rental. The private format may still be worth it if privacy and flexibility are your top concerns, but the per-person price rises quickly with a small group.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to families, groups of friends, and anyone celebrating together who wants a private day on the water. The mix of swimming, sightseeing, beach time, and onboard comforts gives different ages and energy levels something to enjoy.

It also suits people who want a coastal overview rather than one single stop. You’ll see cliffs, a cave, a lighthouse, rocky islets, coves, and a sandy island in one outing.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, cannot comfortably swim near cliffs, or want a structured historical tour with long explanations at each site. The trip is active in parts and dependent on sea conditions. The captain may change the route or cancel for safety, and poor weather can affect the day.

The excursion is marked as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed and public transportation nearby. It is not presented as an accessible tour with special boarding equipment, so contact the operator if anyone in your party has mobility needs.

Timing, cancellation, and weather

The tour starts at 1 p.m. and ends back at the Medulin meeting point after approximately six hours. You should allow enough time to find the Riva departure point and arrive before the start time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the excursion, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not met, although this is a private activity and your group is the only group aboard.

The captain can change the route when weather or sea conditions make the planned course unsafe. That could mean a different order of stops, a shorter swim, or a missed location. It is the right policy for a boat trip around exposed cliffs and offshore islets, but you should book with some flexibility.

Should you book the Medulin private boat tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private afternoon that combines swimming, island scenery, and beach time. Levan is the main payoff, while Cape Kamenjak and Porer Lighthouse keep the ride from feeling like a simple beach transfer.

For a small group, especially two people, the price deserves closer thought. You will get privacy, included drinks, a skipper, and a full six-hour route, but a shared excursion may cost less.

Before booking, confirm the food arrangements, ask what drinks are provided, and check the likely route for your date. If your group values time together more than the lowest price, this is a well-rounded way to see the Medulin archipelago from the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Tajana & Zlatni Rat Excursions Medulin on Riva in Medulin, Croatia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 1 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point in Medulin.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

How many people can join the private boat?

The listed price covers a group of up to 15 people.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the stated tour inclusions. Levan has beach bars and restaurants where you may be able to buy food.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a private skipper, fuel, drinks, music, and a toilet aboard the boat.

Can the boat dock at Porer Lighthouse?

No. The boat cannot dock at the lighthouse. It sails slowly and as close to the cliffs as possible for sightseeing and photographs.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may change the route or cancel the excursion if the weather or sea conditions are unsafe. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.