Novigrad boat trips: Venice, fish picnic, dolphins
This page presents the most popular boat excursions from Novigrad. Below the description of each excursion, there is a “Availability & Booking” button. By clicking it, an online application opens showing the number of available seats, available dates and the exact departure points for the boat or bus. By continuing the process, it is also possible to book the excursion.
Novigrad – Venice by catamaran
A passport or EU ID card is required for this trip! Find out all travel and booking conditions. There is no direct boat connection from Novigrad to Venice, so the trip starts with a bus transfer to Poreč, Umag or Piran, Slovenia. Road distances from Novigrad to the departure ports are: Umag 15 km, Poreč 18 km and Piran 34 km. The bus ride takes between 20 and 40 minutes. In most cases, the bus departs from Hotel Maestral or the main bus station, with possible transfers from Mareda and Dajla as well.
The boats are Prince of Venice and Anđela. Please book at least 48 hours before departure. The Venice excursion season starts at the end of April and ends in the first half of October. The excursion price includes local bus transfer and a guide. Children up to 11.99 years pay half price, and children up to 2.99 years travel free of charge. One-way travel is also possible.
Venice via Poreč, catamaran Prince of Venice
Excursion itinerary:
- 06:20 bus transfer from Novigrad to Poreč.
- 07:00 boarding control.
- 07:30 boat departure.
- 10:30 arrival in Venice and free time for sightseeing.
- 16:00 boarding control – Port of San Basilio, Venice.
- 16:30 boat departure from Venice.
- 20:00 arrival at the departure port.
- 20:30 bus transfer to Novigrad.
In the low season (from 01.05 to 27.06 and from 01.09 to 13.10), the adult price is 95.00 €. In the high season (28.06 to 31.08.2026), the price is 105.00 €. Here is the list of all shuttle bus pick-up points.
The lowest price for this excursion can be obtained by arriving directly at the port of Poreč. Trips operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. All available dates can be checked via our online application:
Venice via Umag, catamaran Prince of Venice
Excursion itinerary:
- 06:25 bus transfer to the boat.
- 07:00 boarding control.
- 07:30 boat departure.
- 10:30 arrival in Venice and free time for sightseeing.
- 16:00 boarding control – Port of San Basilio, Venice.
- 16:30 boat departure from Venice.
- 20:00 arrival at the departure port.
- 20:30 bus transfer back to the departure point (Novigrad).
The adult price is 100.00 €. This trip operates every Wednesday from 01.07 to 26.08.2026. The lowest price can be obtained by arriving directly at the port of Umag. Here is the list of all shuttle bus pick-up points.
Venice via Piran, catamaran Prince of Venice
Excursion itinerary:
- 06:00 bus transfer from Novigrad to Piran.
- 07:30 boarding control.
- 08:15 boat departure.
- 11:15 arrival in Venice and free time for sightseeing.
- 16:30 boarding control – Port of San Basilio, Venice.
- 17:00 boat departure from Venice.
- 20:00 arrival at the departure port.
- 21:00 bus transfer back to the departure point (Novigrad).
In the low season (from 02.05 to 27.06 and from 01.09 to 10.10.2026), the adult price is 100.00 €. In the high season (28.06 to 01.09), the price is 110.00 €. Here is the list of all shuttle bus pick-up points. This trip operates on Saturdays.
Fish picnic from Novigrad to Rovinj
Departure around 08:45.Boat Perla or Lozna. Meet the crew and enjoy a welcome drink. Panoramic cruise along the coast of Istria to Poreč, then further south through islets and bays, and via the Lim Channel to the Pirate Cave. Short break. Continue sailing and arrive in Rovinj. Lunch and free time for sightseeing. Departure from Rovinj and arrival in Vrsar, followed by rest or swimming. Return around 18:00.
The adult price is 50.00 € and includes: lunch, guide and welcome drink. Lunch on board includes: fish, vegetarian menu or grilled chops, salad and bread, as well as wine, water and juice. Learn more about fish picnic type boat trips from other towns in Istria.
Fish picnic with the Matek boat
Departure around 09:00. Matek boat. Panoramic cruise along the coast of Istria to Poreč and further south through islets and bays. Arrival in Rovinj. Lunch and free time for sightseeing. Departure from Rovinj and cruise through the Lim Channel to the Pirate Cave. Break for rest or swimming. Return at 17:30.
Here is a detailed description of this boat excursion.
Departure from the port
For departure from the port of Novigrad, the adult price is 50.00 € and includes lunch with drinks and a guide. Please arrive for boarding around 08:30.
Arrival by bus to the boat
In the option that includes bus transport (lunch with drinks and a guide too) to the boat, the adult price is 55.00 €. Here is the list of all shuttle bus pick-up points.
Dolphin search at sunset
Departure from the port of Novigrad at 18:00. The boat ride lasts 50 minutes because the area where dolphins are most often seen is near Vrsar. Return to the port around 20:30.
Please make sure to bring your camera.
This trip is suitable for families with children, although dolphin sightings are not 100% guaranteed.
The adult price is 30.00 € and includes a welcome drink. Departure time may vary depending on the date.
Half-day trip Novigrad–Poreč–Vrsar–Novigrad, private charter (not active)
Departure from the port of Novigrad around 09:00. Panoramic cruise towards Poreč and Funtana. Swimming and jumping off the boat near the island of Sv. Grgur close to Vrsar.
Lunch and return to the departure port around 15:00. Maximum number of passengers is 12,
The charter price is 0.00 € and includes a welcome drink as well as lunch and drinks. Here is a detailed description of this boat excursion.
Dolphin search at sunset, private charter (not active)
Departure from the port of Novigrad around 16:00. Cruise to Porto Busola beach near Poreč. Swimming and jumping off the boat for about 45 minutes.
Dolphin search. Dinner and return to the port around 20:00.
This trip is suitable for families with children, although dolphin sightings are not 100% guaranteed. Maximum number of passengers is 12.
The charter price is 0.00 € and includes a welcome drink as well as dinner and drinks. Here is a detailed description of this boat excursion.
Weather conditions for boat excursions
Fish picnic type boat excursions are the most sensitive to bad weather conditions. In the case of strong southern wind (jugo), and especially south-western wind (garbin), it is not recommended to go on this trip. In Novigrad, the port is not very well protected from the open sea, so from the departure point it is easy to see if the sea is very rough. Interestingly, the north-eastern wind, even when strong (bura), creates calm sea conditions here and favorable sailing conditions.
If the weather is not ideal, you can take the bus excursion described below.
One-day trip to Plitvice Lakes
This unique national park is located 250 km from Novigrad. From 2025 onwards, the package can be arranged as a group or individually and may include: a professional guide, transport (tourist bus, minivan or car), lunch, and the entrance ticket to the national park.