Ferry lines in Croatia 2026
July 13, 2026Film fact: Christopher Nolan brought Homer’s story to the big screen in The Odyssey, which has been in cinemas since 17 July 2026. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya and Charlize Theron. The film has no confirmed connection to filming on Mljet, but it has once again drawn attention to Homer’s epic and the places associated with its legend.
Updated 28 July 2026. Before travelling, check the sailing schedule, sea conditions and weather forecast again.
Quick answer
- Location: the southern coast of Mljet, below Babino Polje.
- Access: approximately 30–40 minutes on foot each way.
- Best time: a sunny summer day around midday.
- Admission: no Mljet National Park ticket is required.
- Swimming: possible when the sea is calm, but there is no organised beach or supervision.
- Bring: water, sturdy footwear, sun protection and shoes suitable for rocky terrain.
Odysseus Cave at a glance
The collapsed ceiling created a large opening to the sky, with the sea at the bottom.
The largest settlement on Mljet and the starting point for reaching the cave by land.
The coordinates are more useful than an address because the cave lies outside the settlement.
The National Park neither organises nor supervises visits to the cave.
The low ceiling and waves can make passing through the tunnel dangerous.
Do not expect permanent toilets, showers, changing facilities, a lifeguard or an open bar.
What the cave looks like
The photographs here serve a practical purpose: they show just how open, rocky and undeveloped the cave is. That is precisely why it is worth arriving prepared.
Where it is and how to find it
Odysseus Cave is located on the southern coast of Mljet, below Babino Polje. When visiting for the first time, a map is more useful than a written description because the cave is outside the settlement and does not have the kind of conventional address visitors might expect.
- Coordinates 42.72945, 17.54386
- Most common access route on foot from Babino Polje, around 30–40 minutes each way
- Note the final section of the path is steeper and unsuitable for pushchairs or inadequate footwear
What Odysseus Cave actually is
Odysseus Cave is not a conventional cave with a horizontal entrance. It is a collapsed karst chamber filled with seawater. From the land, it therefore looks more like a large rocky pit than the kind of cave most people imagine.
At the bottom lies the sea, connected to the open water by a natural tunnel. This combination of an open ceiling, rocky cliffs and a sea tunnel is what makes the cave so distinctive and visually recognisable.
Various descriptions state that the tunnel is approximately 20 metres long and four to five metres wide, while the water depth is usually estimated at eight to ten metres. These figures should be treated as approximate because there is no publicly displayed official technical documentation for visitors.
Why it is named after Odysseus
According to local legend, Homer’s Ogygia was the island of Mljet. Following a shipwreck, Odysseus is said to have reached the island of the nymph Calypso, who kept him there for seven years.
The story is an important part of Mljet’s identity and tourists often seek it out, but it should be clearly distinguished from verified fact. It is a legend, not a historically proven location from Homer’s story.
Important: the legend forms part of local tradition and the island’s tourism identity, but it is not supported by confirmed historical evidence.
How to get to Mljet
If you are travelling by car, the main connection is the Prapratno–Sobra ferry. Travellers without a car more often use seasonal catamaran services, but should plan their onward transport around the island in advance.
Prapratno–Sobra ferry
The most practical choice when travelling with a vehicle. The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
Passenger catamaran
A useful option if you are not travelling by car, but make sure you check which port you will arrive at and how you will continue to Babino Polje.
Prapratno–Sobra ferry prices in 2026
| Category | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passenger | €3.90 | €6.10 |
| Car up to 5 m | €19.60 | €25.50 |
How to reach Odysseus Cave from Babino Polje
The most common route begins in Babino Polje and continues on foot. The descent takes around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your starting point and pace. The route crosses rocky and partly exposed terrain, so the return journey during the hottest part of the day can be more demanding than the descent itself.
The final section of the route is steeper and requires a little more care. It is not a difficult hike, but neither is it a promenade you should attempt in flip-flops without a second thought.
There is no confirmed large, organised car park with an officially published price list at the beginning of the trail. Park only where permitted and do not block access to private property.
When is the best time to visit?
Most people visit around midday in summer because this is when the light shines most beautifully through the open ceiling and intensifies the blue colour of the sea. If tranquillity matters more to you than photographs, early morning is a better choice.
The difference is worth understanding: mornings are generally less crowded and the sea may be calmer, but the visual effect will not be as striking as it is around midday.
Swimming, entering the water and safety
There is no organised beach here. You enter the water from the rocks, and should swim through the tunnel only when the sea is calm and you are a confident swimmer. This is an important distinction compared with conventional beach locations: the location is spectacular, but it is not suitable for everyone.
- do not enter the water during strong southerly winds or when the waves are pronounced
- do not assume that the presence of other swimmers means conditions are safe
- do not expect a lifeguard, marked entry point or official diving platform
- water shoes are practical for entering over the rocks
Cliff jumping is not an organised activity. Seeing someone jump does not mean that the chosen spot has been checked and confirmed as safe.
What to bring
You only need a few essentials for a place like this, but they should be taken seriously because you should not expect reliable facilities at the location.
- sturdy trainers or lightweight hiking shoes
- enough water for the descent and return journey
- a hat, sunglasses and sun protection
- shoes suitable for water or rocky terrain
- a mask and snorkel if you plan to swim
- a waterproof pouch for your phone and documents
Frequently asked questions
Where is Odysseus Cave?
On the southern coast of the island of Mljet, below Babino Polje. The approximate coordinates are 42.72945, 17.54386.
Is there an admission fee?
No Mljet National Park ticket is required because the cave is located outside the park’s boundaries.
Can you swim there?
Yes, but only when the sea is calm and after carefully assessing your own swimming ability.
Is it suitable for young children?
The cave is not suitable for young children or pushchairs because of the uneven path, steeper descent and unprotected rocks.
Are there toilets, showers or organised parking?
Permanent toilets, showers and an officially organised car park with clearly stated facilities have not been confirmed, so you should not rely on them being available.
Official information before your visit
Planning a longer stay on Mljet?
If you would like to visit both Odysseus Cave and Mljet National Park, it makes more sense to stay for at least one night. This allows you to avoid an overcrowded day-trip itinerary and gives you more flexibility around the weather and sea conditions.
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