Vrnik Island is a small inhabited island in the Korcula archipelago, easily reachable by water taxi from Korcula town or Lumbarda. It is famous for its deep stone quarries that date back to Roman times and have produced high-quality limestone that was used to build many monuments and buildings across Europe, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Budapest Parliament. The island has a picturesque village with stone houses and churches that reflect its rich history and culture. The island also offers secluded pebble beaches with crystal clear water, ideal for swimming and relaxing. Visitors can enjoy the shade of pine trees on the eastern side of the island, where there is also a newly opened art gallery.
To visit Vrnik Island, you need to buy a ticket for the water taxi that operates daily from Korcula town or Lumbarda. The ticket costs 20 kuna per person and includes a return trip. The water taxi runs every hour from 9 am to 6 pm in summer and every two hours from 10 am to 4 pm in winter. You can also rent a kayak or a boat and explore the island on your own.
Some tips for visiting Vrnik Island are:
- Bring your own food and drinks, as there is no shop on the island. There is a restaurant near the school building that serves local dishes, but it may not be open every day.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as there are no roads or cars on the island. You can walk around the island in about an hour and see the old quarries, churches and houses.
- Respect the environment and the locals, as this is a protected area and a living community. Do not litter, make noise or disturb the wildlife. Do not enter private properties or quarries without permission.
- Enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of this unique island.
Some tours that include Vrnik Island are:
- Korcula archipelago tour: This tour takes you to four islands in the archipelago: Badija, Vrnik, Planjak and Stupe. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe and have lunch on board. The tour lasts about 4 hours and costs 250 kuna per person.
- Korcula kayak adventure: This tour lets you paddle around Vrnik Island and other nearby islets, such as Majsan and Sutvara. You can explore hidden coves, caves and beaches, and learn about the history and culture of the area. The tour lasts about 3 hours and costs 200 kuna per person.
Some prohibitions on Vrnik Island are:
- No camping or fires
- No fishing or hunting
- No collecting or damaging stones
- No dogs or other pets
Some things to see on Vrnik Island are:
- The church of Our Lady of Succours from 1674, located on the northern coast
- The church of Our Lady of Succours from 1856, located near the school building
- The school building from 1868, now a restaurant
- The art gallery in a former stone quarry
- The stone sculptures and carvings around the island
