Vis Adventures: More than Sun & Sea

Nature adventures by sea, land & sky

Sailing on Gajeta Falkuša

This is probably one of the most unique Vis experiences by sea. A gajeta falkuša is a traditional fishing wooden boat with lateen sails. Komiža fishermen have used it for centuries for open sea fishing all the way to Palagruža island. A day spent on Gajeta Falkuša will give you a taste of the island’s history and enchant you with the beauty of this unique boat and the crystal clear open sea around you. For details, check here.

Sea Festival Rota Palagruzona

Every year in June, a regatta of traditional boats from Komiža to the islands of Biševo and Palagruža takes place. The event is meant to revive the unique spirit of the historical regattas of fisherman’s gajeta falkuša and save the centuries old maritime tradition on the island from oblivion. Rota Palagruzona is a competitive regatta, but you can also participate as a guest.

Diving

Komiža has three diving centers and sea floor rich in ship and plane wracks, underwater caves, coral walls and diverse sea flora and fauna. For details on diving courses and trips check: Issa Diving Center, Manta Diving Komiža and B-24 Diving Center.

Hiking

Komiža is an excellent base for hikers. Hiking Association HPD Hum takes care of the hiking trails on the island which take you from Vis town and Komiža to the most beautiful spots on the island such as Mount Hum, St. Bjož, Barjoška, Dragodid, Okjucina and many more. On Vis island there are six marked mountain paths. Check for hiking trails map.

Military tours

If you’re interested in Vis Island’s recent military history, you’d have a unique chance to explore some truly impressive remains of cannon and rocket bases, mazes of underground tunnels, as well as the biggest marine undermine for military boats and submarines. During the second half of the 20th century Vis was a fortified military island living in an isolation of sorts. Tito’s cave is also part of that more recent military history. Check the military tours offered by Alternatura.

Adrenaline activities: Abseiling, Climbing, Paragliding

Climbing on the Red Rocks above Komiža is a real adventure. The rocks are marked with 17 climbing routes. If you only want to abseil, it is also possible. Inside the rock there is a tunnel, you can easily walk through the tunnel. Its first exit is after 30 m from where you can abseil.

Vis island is the only Croatian island with a registered paragliding launch point. Thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate, Komiža and Mount Hum (587m), the highest point on the island, offer 200 days a year suitable for flying. There’s nothing quite as thrilling as flying for hours above Komiža, Vis, the open sea and the dramatic cliffs on the island.

Intrigued? Find more info about adrenaline activities on Vis here.

Boat trips to open-sea islands of Geopark Vis Archipelago

Although you can reach the outlying islands on adrenaline-fueled speedboat tours, we suggest a more relaxed option: one-day or longer sailing trips on a motor boat or wooden sailboat.

Our first choice for one-days trips to Biševo, Brusnik and Svetac is a local, family-owned agency Ames Trips. Dedicated to their guests, they will make sure you enjoy your trip on their boat AMES and the food they will cook for you.

If you plan to set sail for a few days (to visit open-sea islands Biševo, Brusnik, Svetac, Jabuka, Palagruža and Sušac), our recommendation is wooden sailboat ODYSSEUS with sleeping cabin (Eleonora Adventures, Capt. Darko Zanki), where you can try your hand at sailing and fishing.