With more than 1,200 Croatian  islands…some say the the total is 1,246 or 1,267….the real challenge is deciding which ones to visit.  The most popular are Hvar, Brac, Vis, Korcula, Pag, Rab, Murter and Miljet…but everyone here has their favorites.  And the second challenge is whether or not a single visit is enough time!  One of the reasons that Adriatic and Mediterranean countries are so appealing to backpackers and sailors is the sheer variety of island experiences and how easy it is to get to them.  Croatia has a terrific ferry system. It frustrates locals because service can never be frequent enough, but for visitors the ability to go up or down the coast all year round is quite wonderful.  The Jadrolinija schedule is not always easy to cope with, so be patient.  And there are a growing number of private lines that offer service, so if you want to island hop, you can!

From time to time we will add more islands to our “list”, but for now, we have chosen around 20 of the most interesting in terms of history and culture, flora and fauna, gastronomy as well as access.  Some are top ten Lonely Planet must-sees like Hvar and others are completely off the radar like Scedro and Palagruza.

And if you can sail, consider renting a bare boat, lots of choices and then you can see as much or as little as you wish–with 1,200 Croatian islands your choice is endless!