Unforgettable Encounters
When we hear the word “dolphin”, we often first think of tropical waters. In reality, however, the Mediterranean is also one of the seas where these marine mammals feel at home. More than 60,000 dolphins live around the coasts of Croatia, Italy and the rest of Southern Europe. The most common species is the bottlenose dolphin.
06. July 2026
Watching Dolphins Around Brač
A stay at Hotel Lemongarden brings many spectacular moments. One of them often happens right at the beginning of the journey. During the approximately half-hour boat ride from Split Airport to the harbour of Sutivan, it can happen that a fin suddenly appears beside the boat and the dolphin belonging to it follows along for a while. Dolphins are also spotted again and again between Brač and the neighbouring island of Šolta. In the local language, the bottlenose dolphin is called “Dobri Dupin”.
Translated, the name means “good dolphin”. As the Croatians are a proud seafaring nation, it is easy to understand why they attach special meaning to a dolphin sighting. After all, such encounters are always something special: the 60,000 dolphins of the Mediterranean are spread across an area of 132,000 square kilometres. Around 6,000 of them live in the Adriatic Sea.
![[Translate to English:] Delfine in der Adria, © Peter Fogden](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/e/csm_peter-fogden-zGJ2prOFHC0-unsplash_1cb7cd890a.avif "[Translate to English:] Delfine in der Adria, © Peter Fogden")
A Positive Sign
The name “good dolphin” is connected to the ancient perception of the bottlenose dolphin as a friendly protector of humans. Dolphins are considered a symbol of good luck, which is why captains and fishermen alike are delighted when they spot a dolphin in the Adriatic Sea. It is seen as a sign of a safe crossing, as in mythology the bottlenose dolphin is the companion of the sea god Poseidon. Fishermen interpret their presence as a sign of waters rich in fish.
The bottlenose dolphin can be recognised by its grey back. Its belly, by contrast, is light in colour and can even appear pink. Its snout is short and blunt, and the dolphin seems to have a thoughtful forehead. In the Adriatic Sea, the Dobri Dupin can live to around 50 years of age and grow up to 3 metres long.
Smaller, slimmer and marked with a yellow-grey pattern along its flanks is the common dolphin. Despite its name, it is not “common” in the sense of being unpleasant; the name comes from the meaning “ordinary”. It is called this because it is the most widespread dolphin species in the world. This species can also occasionally be seen in the Adriatic Sea.
Booking Dolphin Tours
Various boat operators offer tours to places where dolphins are frequently spotted. There is no guarantee, but the chances are particularly good in the early morning and in the evening. Most boats depart from Bol or Makarska. Even if no dolphin appears, a tour like this still offers beautiful views of the coastline and unforgettable moments on the water.
Dolphins are strictly protected. Swimming with them, chasing them or getting too close to them is prohibited. Responsible travellers therefore avoid booking tours that allow guests to enter the water with dolphins. They must not be touched or approached too closely.
Tip!
In addition to the possibility of a dolphin sighting, many other lovely details make a holiday at Boutique Hotel Lemongarden truly special. We make your stay unforgettable, from breakfast by the harbour to a sundowner.
