Mljet Island, Croatia: Odysseus Cave
Odysseus cave was better than we could have imagined and what we think is the Coolest Cave in Croatia. We haven't been to them all, but not sure it can get much better then this!
Odysseus cave is located in Babino Polje and steeped in legend that Odysseus used the cave for shelter after shipwreck. The Greek Mythology story is an added plus to this amazing site. Odysseus cave is a must visit site when you are visiting Croatia, especially the islands or Mljet.
We parked near Tommy’s and took the trail down for about 35 minutes. We noticed after about 20 there was a closer lot on dirt road. I wore my open Teva sandals and wish I had my hiking or sneakers on. It was a very hot and humid day with lots of slippery rocks, especially at the end. You can see the top of the cave after about 25 mins and then continue the hike down the side of a cliff (the path is not super clear so we followed others). You pass a small shack that is very picturesque and there was an individual selling drinks!
Once you pass the shack, you climb down to see the way to get into the water! You are greeted with picture perfect blue water, that begs you to jump in. The rocks can be very slippery so definitely consider beach shoes, I took my time and kind of slid in… but most people jump. There is not a “shore” but a lot of rocks, so you can find a small spot to put your things, but I could see it getting busy!
There are several cliff jumping spots that you can see marked with graffiti on 1-5 and Ryan took on number 4! It was definitely a high climb up and make sure you check the tides and for rocks. Once you jump into the water (it was cool, but not super cold at all), you can swim to make your way into the cave! I’m not a super strong swimmer and was fine to swim (and float and doggie paddle) to the cave. In the cave you can work with the tide to climb up on shore for a break. The tide was great so there were no periods where I had to swim with my head fully underwater. I saw a few people with floats, so that could also be a great option! When you are swimming under the cave, definitely look behind you to see the almost neon blue. It was such a cool experience and my favorite on the island. We were told a lot of tours take people via boat here, so if you are coming from the island.. try to go early to get it to yourself!
Tips:
Getting There:
The cave is located in Babino Polje, and it's about a 35-minute hike down from the parking lot near Tommy’s store. If you prefer a shorter hike, park at the closer lot along the dirt road (around 20 minutes in).Footwear:
Wear sturdy shoes like hiking boots or sneakers, as the trail is rocky, hot, and humid. The rocks near the cave are slippery, so beach shoes are also helpful for water access.Navigation:
The path is clearly marked up in till the end, so follow other visitors if needed. You’ll pass a small shack selling drinks, which makes for a nice scenic spot.Swimming & Cliff Jumping:
The water around the cave is beautiful, but there’s no sandy shore—just rocks. Bring beach shoes for safe entry. Cliff jumping spots are marked, but always check the tides and rocks before jumping. We just bought one of these towels to make our lives easier!Exploring the Cave:
The swim into the cave is manageable, even for weaker swimmers. Floats can be helpful, and inside the cave, you can take breaks onshore. For the best experience, visit early to avoid boat tours and get more time alone in the cave.Look Back!:
When swimming inside the cave, look back for a stunning view of neon blue water, an unforgettable sight!Gear:
We just bought one of these towels to make our lives easier!
We have an older GoPro that we brough to swim into the cave with, but here is a link to a newer one!
If you can't make a full trip to the island - we did find this tour!
