Swim in the lagoon
Anchor just off the causeway and slide straight into some of the clearest water on this stretch of coast. The bottom shelves gently from rocky shallows to deeper, cooler blue — good for swimmers of every level.
Hidden Lagoon
Green Lagoon Sjekirica
A hidden turquoise lagoon on the way to the Elaphiti
~17 km · 25 – 30 min by speedboat
Private speedboat only
Best time June – September
Typical stop 30 – 60 minutes
From Dubrovnik ~25 min by speedboat
Access Boat only
The Story
Sjekirica sits on the mainland coast north-west of Dubrovnik, hidden in a cove near the quiet fishing hamlet of Brsečine. The name translates roughly as 'little hatchet', after the shape of the tiny triangular peninsula that juts out into the Adriatic. Approached by boat, the effect is striking: a needle of rock connects to the shore by an even thinner causeway, and on either side of it the sea turns an electric green-blue.
The lagoon itself is small — just a handful of boat lengths across — but its protected orientation and pale limestone bottom give the water a luminous, almost tropical colour. There is no beach, no road sign, no parking lot and no café. Access by land is possible in theory but discouraged in practice: the path is unmarked, steep and tangled with Mediterranean scrub. Which is why, even in high season, you can anchor here and hear nothing but cicadas and the occasional jump of a bream.
We like to combine Sjekirica with the Elaphiti islands — it sits roughly on the way out of Dubrovnik and makes a perfect first swim stop of the day, before the lagoon warms up and the first group tours arrive. A mask and snorkel are enough to see everything worth seeing beneath the surface.
The Experience
What you'll find here
Snorkel the rocks
The limestone ledges around Sjekirica are alive with sea grass, small wrasse, sea urchins and the occasional octopus. Visibility is usually excellent, especially in the morning before the wind picks up.
Quiet by design
Because the lagoon is so hard to reach from land, it rarely feels busy. A short swim stop here is a genuine escape from the postcard spots further south.
Mainland wilderness
The cove is framed by untouched cliffs, pine and holm oak — a reminder that the Dubrovnik coastline outside the Old City is still wild and quiet if you know where to look.
Highlights
- Crystal-clear turquoise water
- Hidden, uncrowded lagoon
- Great snorkelling over shallow rocks
- Paired with Elaphiti island tours
Gallery
Good to know
- Early mornings are calmest — by midday several group tours may stop in the lagoon.
- Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them; we carry a set on board, but a good fit matters.
- There are no facilities on site (no café, no shade, no restrooms) — treat it as a pure swim stop.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen; the water and rocks are exceptionally clean and worth protecting.
FAQ
Questions guests ask
Is it an island or part of the mainland?
Technically neither. Sjekirica is a tiny rocky peninsula connected to the mainland by a very narrow causeway that is partly submerged at high tide. Seen from the water it looks like a small island.
How long do we stay there?
Most guests spend 30 to 60 minutes in the lagoon — enough for a proper swim, some snorkelling and a few photographs. It is a perfect first or last stop on a longer Elaphiti tour.
Is the water cold?
From late May onwards the water is noticeably warmer than the open sea because the bay is sheltered and shallow. In July and August it is ideal for long swims.
Can we visit without a boat?
It is technically possible to reach the cove on foot from Brsečine, but the path is unmarked and rough. Almost everyone who visits Sjekirica does it by boat — it is the simplest and most rewarding way.
Experience it
Visit Green Lagoon Sjekirica
Private speedboat tours from Dubrovnik that include a stop at Green Lagoon Sjekirica.
