| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day tour: 4 islands + wreck + tunnels | €35 – €62 per person | The standard route: the Michele wreck snorkel stop, Cold War submarine tunnels, swim stops at island bays, snorkel gear included |
| Private half-day by speedboat | €340 – €600 per boat | The same route at your own pace — arrive at the wreck before the group boats do |
| Full-day Dugi Otok + wreck combo | €60 – €115 per person | Wreck stop combined with Sakarun beach and Telašćica — the big day out |
Note: Snorkel masks are included on the tours I book, but bringing your own well-fitting mask is always better. Exact quote confirmed on WhatsApp.
Michele or Michelle? Same wreck
You'll see the name spelled both ways — 'Michele' on the Croatian and Italian sources, 'Michelle' on half the English-language tour listings. It's the same ship: an Italian cargo vessel that ran aground near the Veli Rat lighthouse in 1983. The upper hull sits barely a metre below the surface at low tide, so even cautious snorkellers get a proper look; the deeper sections at 5-6 metres reward the confident.
Don't confuse the Michele with the Ledenik, a second, smaller wreck near the island of Šestrunj. The Ledenik only features on certain half-day routes — if the famous lighthouse wreck is what you want, make sure your tour names Veli Rat or the Michele explicitly. I check the route for you before you book.
What the half-day tour is like
The standard half-day route leaves Zadar morning or afternoon and packs in four to five stops: the wreck itself, the submarine tunnels cut into the coast during the Cold War (you can swim or cruise inside), and two or three island bays for swimming. Total time is four to five hours — ideal if you want your evening free for the old town.
Water at the wreck is typically crystal clear with visibility of 15-20 metres on calm days. Go morning if you can: the light is better, the water flatter, and you beat the afternoon boats.
Honest advice before you book
Three things worth knowing. First, the wreck is a snorkel, not a dive — no certification needed, and non-swimmers can watch from the boat. Second, some cheap listings show the Michele but actually stop at the Ledenik; the route matters more than the photo. Third, a €10 docking or landing fee in cash applies at some stops on certain operators — another reason your confirmed quote from me includes every extra, not just the headline ticket.
Finally, a gentle warning about buoyancy: the Adriatic is salty and forgiving, but if anyone in your group isn't a confident swimmer, say so when you book. Good crews carry vests in every size and will keep an extra eye out — they just need to know.
FAQ
Half-day tours covering the Michele wreck, submarine tunnels and island swim stops cost €35 – €62 per person. Private speedboat versions run €340 – €600 per boat. I confirm the exact quote — including any docking fees — on WhatsApp.
Both spellings refer to the same ship: an Italian cargo vessel grounded near the Veli Rat lighthouse on Dugi Otok in 1983. It lies in 3-6 metres of water, perfect for snorkelling without any diving certification.
Yes — the famous one is the Michele at Veli Rat. A second, smaller wreck, the Ledenik near Šestrunj island, appears on some half-day routes instead. If you want the lighthouse wreck, book a tour that names it explicitly; I verify the route for every booking.
You should be comfortable in the water, but the upper hull is barely a metre down and life vests are available. Non-swimmers can stay on board and still see the wreck clearly through the calm, clear water.
Swimwear, a towel, suncream and cash for any small landing or docking fees (around €10 on some operators). Masks and snorkels are provided, though your own mask always fits better.