Vela Rina

A wide cove on the exposed southern side of Mali Drvenik. Pale pebbles, pine growing down to the waterline, and water clear enough that an anchor chain throws a shadow on the seabed.

Vela Rina stays quiet for a dull, useful reason: it is inconvenient. The island has no meaningful road network, the ferry is infrequent, and the big excursion boats work to a timetable that cannot absorb the detour. So even in August you are usually sharing it with a handful of boats.

It is a better swimming cove than the Blue Lagoon and a much better snorkelling one — the pebble shelf drops away into rock at both edges, and visibility is routinely fifteen metres or more.

Bring shade or use ours. There is a small seasonal konoba ashore in high season but you should not plan a day around it being open.