Island Šćedro Croatia: Complete Travel and Sailing Guide

Where is Island Šćedro Croatia, and why visit?

Šćedro (often written as Scedro) is a small Croatian island just off the south coast of Hvar. It lies roughly halfway between Hvar and Korčula, in the channel sailors use to move between Korčula, Vela Luka, Hvar, and the central Dalmatian islands.

As you plan your visit, remember that Island Šćedro in Croatia, offers a unique experience away from the hustle of city life. Despite its strategic position, Šćedro feels truly remote, inviting exploration and sparking curiosity among adventure-seekers.

You come to Šćedro for:

• Quiet, well-protected anchor bays
• Clear water and pebble beaches

If you seek a night under the stars, surrounded by pine trees and fresh fish on a terrace, Šćedro offers an authentic, unspoiled experience that inspires awe.

How to get to Šćedro

By yacht or sailing boat
Most visitors arrive via sailing routes that highlight Šćedro’s deep, safe bays, which have served as reliable anchorages since ancient times.

Common approaches:
From Hvar Island: via Zavala on the south coast, then across the short channel to Šćedro.
From Korčula or Vela Luka: crossing the channel and entering Šćedro’s north side bays, such as Lovišće or Mostir.

As a stop between Hvar town and the Korčula Channel
For sailors, Šćedro is often the only serious shelter if you are caught between Hvar and Korčula and need to get out of bad weather.

Šćedro bays and beaches

Bay / Area	Location & feel	Protection & depth	Facilities
Lovišće (Lovisce)	Long bay with four arms on the north side	Good all round protection, 7–10 m	Several restaurants, mooring buoys, and houses
Mostir / Manastir	Smaller bay next to Lovišće	5–8 m, less safe in strong bura	Restaurant, a few buoys, monastery ruins
Veli Porat	Wider inlet that includes Lovišće and other inlets	Good shelter except in strong NE winds	Stone houses, several seasonal residents
Borova	South side, framed by pine forest	Day anchorage, open to S and SE winds	No services, just nature
Porteruša (Čarnjeni)	Southeast side with a pebble beach	Good in NW and N winds, open to S and SE	No services, popular swimming stop

Lovišće bay and Veli Porat

Veli Porat is the wider natural harbour marked by a small lighthouse on Šćedro’s north side. Within it, Lovišće is the most popular anchorage, a half-mile-long bay with four narrow inlets that cut into the island like fingers. Here you will find:

• Several restaurants run by local families during the season
• Mooring buoys in front of the restaurants
• Additional buoys are scattered around the bay
• Plenty of places where you can drop anchor in 7 to 10 meters of water on a mostly sandy bottom with patches of seagrass

Most sailors choose Lovišće for overnight stays due to its good protection, but always check the forecast, especially if a bura from the northeast is expected, to ensure safety.

Mostir or Manastir bay

Next to Lovišće is Mostir bay, sometimes called Manastir due to the Dominican monastery that once stood there. This is a small and very atmospheric bay that faces roughly north toward Zavala on Hvar.
Onshore, you will see:

• The remains of a 15th-century Dominican monastery
• A handful of stone houses set back behind a small field
• In summer, a family-run restaurant with a terrace above the water

There are usually a few mooring buoys in Mostir. You can also anchor at 5 to 8 meters, but the bay is more exposed to strong north and northeast winds, so if there is any sign of serious bura, it is better to move around the corner into Lovišće or another arm of Veli Porat.

South side bays: Borova and Porteruša

On the southern side of Šćedro, facing the open channel toward Korčula, you find two beautiful bays that feel more remote:

• Borova – “Bor” means pine in Croatian, and the bay is wrapped in dense pine forest. The combination of trees and the clear sea gives a very calm, natural feel. It is best used as a day anchorage or a quiet overnight in settled conditions.
• Porteruša (often called Čarnjeni by locals) – This bay on the south-east side has a lovely pebble beach and crystal clear water. It feels wild and isolated, ideal for a swim stop on the route between Hvar and Korčula or for a night at anchor if the forecast is kind. It is better protected from north and north-west winds than from southerlies.

Both bays are open to strong south or south-east winds, so always check the forecast before deciding to spend the night on the south side for safety.

Best beaches on Šćedro Island

There are no built-up beach clubs on Šćedro. The best beaches on Šćedro Island are simple, natural coves with pebbles, rocks and pines for shade.
Some of the nicest spots are:

• The inner arms of Lovišće bay, where you can swim from your boat, then land on small pebble or rocky shores under pines
• The pebble beach in Porteruša on the south side, which feels remote and untouched
• Small coves near Mostir bay, where you can combine a visit to the old monastery ruins with a swim

Every bay has its own character. On the north side, you are closer to restaurants and other boats. On the south side, you trade services for even more peace.

Šćedro history and nature

Šćedro carries a lot of history for such a small island. In ancient times, Greek and Roman sailors used its bays as a refuge from storms. Underwater finds in the surrounding waters, including amphorae and anchors, confirm how busy these routes once were. Some historians connect a naval battle from Caesar’s Civil War to an island in this area, and there is a theory that Šćedro could have been the site, but the exact location remains debated. It is safer to say that Šćedro lay near vital ancient sea lanes rather than present the battle as a proven fact.

On land, the most visible historical site is the ruin of a Dominican monastery above Mostir bay. The monastery dates from the 15th century, when monks farmed and fished here. Today, you can still walk among the old walls, and on certain feast days, people from Zavala and nearby villages come by boat for mass.

In modern times, Šćedro has been protected as a landscape and is part of the wider Natura 2000 marine and coastal areas. That protection has limited construction and helped keep the island free from significant developments, with only traditional stone houses and simple seasonal structures.

Nature on Šćedro is typical of the south Dalmatian islands:

• Pine forest, low shrubs and aromatic herbs such as sage and wild thyme
• Lavender is grown and sold in small quantities by local families and children during the season
• Olive groves near some of the houses
• Seagrass meadows in the bays, which are important marine habitats

Places to eat on Šćedro

For such a small island, Šćedro has a surprisingly good set of simple places to eat, all focused on local ingredients and the needs of sailors.

Lovišće bay

Lovišće has several konobas, traditional family-run restaurants that open in the primary sailing season. They usually offer:

• Fresh fish and seafood, often caught locally
• Simple grilled meat, vegetables and salads
• Local wine, olive oil and homemade liqueurs

In front of many of these restaurants, you will find mooring buoys. In most cases, these buoys are intended primarily for restaurant guests. It is polite to call ahead or approach early, agree on dinner, and confirm that mooring is included, or to ask clearly what the fee is.

Mostir bay

Mostir typically has one konoba close to the monastery ruins. The setting is very atmospheric, with a terrace overlooking the bay. The offer is similar to Lovišće: grilled fish, simple Dalmatian dishes, local olive oil and wine.

What else can you buy on Scedro?

The island has no shop, but local families sometimes sell:

• Lavender products
• Olive oil
• Local wine
• Salted fish such as pickled mackerel
• Honey and seasonal produce from small gardens

Do not rely on this as your primary supply source. Think of it more as a way to support the people who look after the island while taking home something local.

Walking and things to do on Šćedro

Although Šćedro is small, walking around it takes time. A complete circuit on foot can take around 10 hours, giving you an idea of both its size and terrain. If you have moored your boat in Veli Porat or Lovišće and feel like stretching your legs, a good option is:

• From Srida (one of the inner inlets), take the path that leads across overgrown fields and stone terraces toward Mostir
• Pass a few old houses and continue up to the monastery ruins
• Drop down to the bay for a swim before walking back

The paths are not always marked in a modern hiking sense. Wear proper shoes, carry water, and avoid long walks on a hot summer day. Snorkelling is rewarding in most of the bays, particularly where the seagrass meets sandy patches. There are no organised water sports here, just simple swimming and exploration.

Practical tips for visiting Šćedro

Šćedro is beautiful precisely because it is undeveloped and straightforward. That also means you need to come prepared.

Water, electricity and supplies

There is no public water or electricity grid on Šćedro. Local houses rely on water tanks, generators, and solar power. Restaurants often bring water from Hvar by boat and must pay for every litre. Because of that:

• Expect the price of bottled water to be higher than on Hvar or the mainland
• Use water carefully and respectfully
• Do not ask to connect to power as if you were in a marina

There is no supermarket on the island. Residents bake their own bread or take small boats to Zavala, then drive to Jelsa on Hvar to buy supplies. If you plan to stay more than a lunch stop, you should bring:

• Enough drinking water for your crew or group
• Bread and basic food supplies
• Any special items, such as baby food or medication

Treat Šćedro as a place where you top up your experience, not your fridge.

Rats and how to keep them off your boat

Among sailors, Šćedro is known for a minor but real annoyance. Local rodents, mainly rats, can be very curious and very hungry. If you run a long stern line from your boat to a tree, they can use that rope as a highway to reach your deck and your galley.

A simple prevention method:

• Cut the bottom off a large plastic or glass bottle
• Thread your shoreline through the bottle, with the open side facing the land
• Let the bottle sit or spin freely on the rope, so it creates an unstable barrier

The idea is that if a rat tries to walk along the rope, it will reach the bottle, which will move and block its path to your boat. This trick is useful not only on Šćedro but on many small islands.

If something still finds a way on board, most charter companies operating in the area are used to this and can advise you on what to do.

Frequently asked questions about Šćedro