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Mljet is the eight largest Croatian island. It lies near the peninsula of Pelješac, at the south end of the long chain of Dalmatian islands that ends at the port of Dubrovnik. Mljet is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild winters with approximately 2500 hours of sunshine per year. It is an elongated island, 37 kilometers in length and only an average of 3 kilometers in width.


The northwestern part of the island has been a national park since 1960, which many regard as the most alluring in the Adriatic, full of lush and varied Mediterranean vegetation. It is a beautiful area of 5.375 ha featuring two connected salty lakes, the Great Lake with a depth up to 46 m, and the Small Lake with a maximum depth of 29 m. in the middle of the Great Lake, on a small island St. Mary, is located Benedictine monastery from 12th century. Next to the monastery is church of St. Mary.


The sea around the island is deep with an abundance of fish. It is unspoilt island covered by a dense Mediterranean forest, well-known for its red and white wine, olives and goat's cheese. Mljet is familiar for the lovely beaches which are situated near the villages or which you can visit only by boat. Early swimming in the crystal clear sea is a unique experience here. Pomena has a shallow swimming pool and it is convenient for children and older people.


There are no marinas on the island, just small harbours and anchorages (almost all along the north coast) whose quays are largely dominated by restaurant moorings. Although its harbours and anchorages are very busy with visiting yachts during the summer, Mljet is the highlight of a cruise in the Dalmatian islands for most people. Interesting ports are Okuklje, Prožurska Luka, Sobra, Polače, Pomena, Sutmiholjska and Garma on the south of the island.


On the south part of the island, under the village of Babino Polje, you can find Odyseuss cave which is a geomorphology phenomena. It is a karst hole which looks like a pit. The large cave is used as a harbor by local fisherman but is also the center of another famous shipwreck story. According to legend, Odysseus found his shelter in the cave after surviving a shipwreck on Mljet. According to Homer, Odysseus survived a shipwreck on his way back home from the Trojan war. He swam into the cave for shelter and there the nymph Calypso, daughter of Poseidon, waited for him. Amazed by the beauty of the nature and in love with the nymph Calipso, Odysseus stayed on the island for 7 years.


Check out this great site for more info about sailing in Croatia