Pula: Dolphin & Sunset Boat Tour with Istrian Dinner

Summary

Evening boat ride from Pula with dolphins, sunset and local food

You’ll sail from Pula past Brijuni at golden hour, sharing a traditional Istrian dinner with unlimited drinks as dolphins surface nearby. Local guides share stories and small details you’d miss alone. The evening closes with city lights reflecting on calm water—a memory that lingers longer than you’d expect.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to eat grilled fish while the sun slides down behind the Brijuni islands? I hadn’t, honestly, but that’s how our dolphin & sunset tour from Pula started—just a low hum of boat engines, salt in the air, and this weird feeling of anticipation as we left the harbor. Our guide, Luka, pointed out old Roman walls and those big cranes—Pula’s “Lighting Giants”—even before we’d cleared the port. There was a family from Germany next to us, already snapping photos of everything. I just sat back and watched the coastline slip by, thinking how the light here really does something strange to your sense of time.

The dinner was simple but good—grilled fish (you could pick meat or veggie too), salad with that sharp olive oil taste, bread that smelled faintly yeasty. Wine kept coming around; I might’ve lost count. At one point Luka laughed at my attempt to say “hvala” properly—I’m sure I butchered it. The sea was calm enough that you barely noticed we were moving until you looked back at Pula getting smaller. Somewhere near Brijuni, Luka got this look and told everyone to keep their eyes open for dolphins. And then—no warning—a few surfaced right off the side. Not close enough to touch, but you could hear them exhale if you listened hard between people’s gasps and camera clicks.

I didn’t expect how quiet it would get after that. Just soft voices, some clinking glasses, and this pink-orange light over the islands. You could see Tito’s old villa tucked in the trees on Vanga island if you squinted—Luka pointed it out like he knew every stone around here. The boat drifted for a while so everyone could watch for more dolphins (a couple kids were convinced they saw another one). On the way back, those cranes lit up in blue and purple against the night sky—a weirdly perfect ending. I still think about that view sometimes when I smell grilled fish or hear seagulls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dolphin cruise and sunset dinner

• Depart from Pula Harbour
• Enjoy views of historic Pula Harbor
• Cruise past Brijuni National Park islands
• Spot Vanga Island and Tito's villa
• Pass by Mali Brijun and Fort Minor
• See Veliki Brijun's parks and safari
• View Dino Park dinosaur replicas
• Enjoy traditional Istrian dinner onboard
• Spot dolphins near Brijuni Islands
• Return to Pula Harbour at sunset
• View illuminated Lighting Giants cranes

Top questions

How long does the dolphin & sunset tour from Pula last?

The tour lasts about 3 hours total.

Is dinner included on this Pula dolphin cruise?

Yes, a freshly prepared meal (fish, meat or vegetarian) is included onboard.

Will we definitely see dolphins during the tour?

Dolphin sightings are likely but not guaranteed—they’re wild animals.

Are drinks included on this sunset boat tour?

Unlimited wine, orange juice and water are included during the cruise.

Does this tour include a local guide?

Yes, there are multilingual guides in English, German and Italian onboard.

Where does the boat depart from?

The cruise departs from Pula Harbour.

Is this dolphin cruise suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome; infants can sit on an adult’s lap or use a stroller onboard.

What is special about sailing past Brijuni islands?

You’ll see all 14 islands’ landscapes plus historical sites like Tito’s villa and old fortresses.

What’s included

Your evening includes departure from Pula Harbour with a multilingual local guide and crew aboard a modern boat; a freshly cooked Istrian dinner (with options for fish, meat or vegetarian), unlimited wine and soft drinks throughout; free WiFi so you can share photos live; plus panoramic views of Brijuni’s coastlines as you look out for dolphins before returning under city lights.