We stayed for two weeks based in the town of Orebic which is right opposite to the town of Korcula on the Island of the same name. Orebic had its own FKK part of the beach however as Brigitte said the Croatians are very relaxed about naturism.
One thing that amused us as well as being a joy to see, was a group of elderly women sometimes four sometimes more, who were obviously locals would come down to the beach about 5pm every day, get undressed and go into the sea to about waste high and stand there talking for about half an hour. They would then go for a swim, then chat for a bit longer then come out get dressed and walk back to the town.
There are many different nationalities, because most of the Europeans drive there either by car or motorhome. There are many camp sites however the locals did not seem to like the people from the Czech republic very much because apparently they brought everything with them including food, so whilst enjoying the country did not spend any money locally.
We drove all over the area as well as taking the ferry to other islands and found everyone to be extremely friendly and helpful and it is certainly our intention to go back again.
Out of the high season there is also plenty of B&B accommodation at very reasonable prices
You do not have to go far to find naturist beaches and virtually every beach has some area where there is no problem as long as it is not right in the main area of the beach.
In general they like the English and remember if you smile and be friendly to them they will reciprocate, because there are some nationalities who they have to tolerate who do not.
Just back from two weeks on Vis and loved it. Only 12 x 6 miles it's the most outlying of the Croatian Islands, 90 minutes from Split by hydrofoil, two and a half by car ferry. It's a very green island and the water is incredibly clear.
Very laid back feel to the place with lovely old waterfront, we stayed in the main port of Vis town which was quiet even in late August, apart from a quick burst of activity coinciding with the ferry arrival. The other major settlement is the lovely fishing port of Komiza at the far side of the island. Inland there's a fertile plain where they grow grapes, olives, figs etc. and a network of paths and tracks crossing the more hilly north of the isle.
Beaches dotted round the island, generally long inlets teminating in pebbles, though a couple are sandy. As with the rest of Croatia, naturism widely practiced. The free tourist map has around thirty beaches marked of which seven are tagged FKK. The beaches are well signed from the roads, although some need a bit of a trek by foot to reach.
We hired a car locally, although everyone zooms around on bikes. You can rent funky convertible VW Beetles too.
I found three good spots for nude sunbathing / swimming within walking distance of Vis town although any quiet bit with flat rocks is usually considered fair game for stripping off.
Official Tourist Office beach guide here http://www.tz-vis.hr/Island-of-Vis/Beaches-and-bays.aspx?ban=253&fcat=3 , being August some of the beaches were busy although we always tend to walk a bit further and find some flat rocks for swimming / sunbathing.
We liked:
Small FKK Beach at Svitnja - 30 mins walk north of Vis Town.
Grandovac Beach - a lovely 40 min stroll along the waterfronts at Vis and Kut.
Punta Od Biskupa - 20 mins walk from Vis town. Area of rocks and tiny coves used by naturists, seemed to be quite a community of regulars there, possibly from the islands only hotel nearby.
Panorama and sunset from Mt Hum.
Komiza village and waterfront. Lovely end of the line feel about the place.
Maze of narrow limestone streets in Vis town and neighbouring village of Kut.
Wonderful slow food takeaway at the west end of Vis harbour serving delicious home made salads, paninis, roast vegetables etc. Great for picnics.
The whole place ! 😀
I'd happily return, and would probably stay in Kut, a charming village only a few hundred yards from Vis town but with its own waterfront. Lovely !
Here's a link to some photos I put on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/75028589@N00/sets/72157635329417637/
And some good pics here too.
http://www.cro.pl/zatrzymac-czas-issa-2013-t42308-105.html
If anyone would like any more info, let me know...
Jonny
Hi Jonny
Thanks for the review. Sounds like a great place and a nice vacation.
Best regards Søren
Nude is the new normal
A superbly detailed and interesting report jonny. Thank you so much for posting it as it could be very useful. Would you say for access to beaches and also generally, Vis Town is the better place to stay in rather than Komiza? I wouldn't rule out renting a car myself, though if there is enough beaches closer to Vis, and I know that there is a bus service to Komiza, maybe would get by without one. We visited Komiza as I have said (did you go to the Blue Cave) and just walked around the headland away from the village to strip off for a couple of hours but there wasn't any signs to say, or where any de facto naturist stretches were there. Not that we had the time to look much.
As you say, Vis is the furthest flung of the Croatian islands and rather mysterious even to the locals. It was closed to all foreign access until 1989? except the British servicemen who visited for an annual service of remembrance. There is a British war cemetery outside of Vis town. Because of that as you discovered, it is still very unspoilt and undeveloped compared to other islands which paradoxically is its very appeal. The restaurants have a fantastic repute because of visiting yachties. It sounds idyllic and makes me more determined than before to get there for an extended stay. Thanks again.
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
I have just now had time to check out all your photos. Even though I have not been to Vis Town I instantly felt straight at home! Looks absolutely wonderful. I get so homesick for those achingly beautiful little Croatian towns and the landscape. And the sladoled!! ;D
Square check, steps, check, Jadrolinija, check, nudisticka plaza check....
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
Brigitte, thanks for the praise ! Maybe you could pay for me to go on a six months 'fact-finding' mission to the Dalmatian coast 😀
To be honest we didn't see a great deal of Komiza, just drove over one morning when there was high cloud, so the place didn't look as stunning as it can when everything is blue. We visited again in the evening and it had a lovely feel about it, plenty of harbourfront restaurants and bars with comfy chairs and sofas . Plenty of boats for hire and excursions. We booked a days boat trip from Komiza to Bisivo Island and its legendary Blue Cave , but they cancelled two days in a row, so we ended up having a refund.
We were originally looking at houses in Komiza, but I think two weeks there might have been too long as it's quite a small town. There are other settlements around the coast, many with Italian / Slovenian owned holiday villas, but I think Vis Town was the right choice for us - much more going on in the vicinity. Like I mentioned earlier, I think Kut would be a great base to stay, some of the properties have their own jetties and you're within easy walking or cycling distance of three naturist spots.
There are water taxis from Vis, Komiza and Rukavac, not sure how expensive they are, but they'll probably drop you on an uninhabited island for the day for that real Robinson Crusoe experience. Also several lighthouses in remote spots that you can rent - looks fun if you want a quiet time!
Anyway, enough enthusing - I don't think you needed any convincing though... roll on next summer !
No, I wish somebody would pay for me. ;D ::)
Well, that's a shame on the cave. It is one of the most stunning natural phenomena I have seen with an indescribable blue in the water in there reflecting off the rocks, and the colours around were incredible but it is an extremely narrow opening into it from the sea into it and we had to duck right down in the small boat going in. We were very lucky, coming as we did on an excursion from Hvar because I do know they will close access if the sea is even slightly choppy. So, bad luck on that. Always next time. Thanks anyway for that feedback on the two places which I will bear in mind while sussing out the options. Invaluable. Yes, roll on summer! ;D
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
Treat yourself !
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/island-of-vis/571219
I like the fact that bicycles are available (presumably for exploring Vis) - you could cycle from end to end of Host in about fifteen seconds !
Treat yourself !
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/island-of-vis/571219
I like the fact that bicycles are available (presumably for exploring Vis) - you could cycle from end to end of Host in about fifteen seconds !
What a dream! 🙂 Bit over and above budget....which is around £30 a night for an apartment..it has gone up, when first went to Croatia it was £20.
Like the decor. Bikes, now that is a good one. Surplus anyway, I am not a bike rider. Certainly no textiles around to complain there at least. Where did you stay jonny, do you have a link?
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
Here you are .. but I guess you travel as a couple, much more choice and a fair bit cheaper.
Goorgeoous....but as you say, too big for requirements alas. Liked your review as well. 8) Pleased that you had a sample of Croatian hospitality, we have never stayed anywhere without being given something homemade.
Last year the landlord at Hvar gave us a 85% homemade grappa which made me promptly fall off the sofa.
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
...and loads of bougainvillea, honeysuckle etc everywhere which is lovely.
What time of year do you generally visit Croatia, Brigitte? I do like the look of Jerolim and Hvar, although Mljet was on my shortlist this year.
My late parents discovered Hvar in the early eighties - I think it was their first holiday without us teenage children cramping their style. I remember they daringly went to a naturist island ("don't tell your Gran ;D") which I think must have been Zečevo as I think they were staying in Jelsa.
They obviously instilled in me a love of foreign holidays and things Mediterranean, to which I'm eternally grateful.
Sounds heavenly. The smell of the flowers at night as well is wonderful. Have always gone in June, as weather is good and it's a buyers market on rentals. Could never afford or get into Hvar in August..oh you must go! It's my ultimate destination.
Not made it to Jelsa (Camp Nudist at Vrboska yes) but I read somewhere on TA forums I think there are no longer taxiboats to Zecevo. Hope I am wrong. Nice story. Mljet is certainly stunning but more a place I would spend a few days in than a fortnight.
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.