Mljet Island is Croatia’s most lush, forested island in the Adriatic Sea. The western cape contains Mljet National Park, where pine forests and spectacular saltwater lakes offer incredible natural scenery.
This is the reason why this island is very popular travel destination during the summer season. It's easily reachable from other islands (Korcula and Hvar) as well from the coast (Split and Dubrovnik).
You can get to National Park Mljet by taking one of many catamarans operating from Dubrovnik, which dock in Pomena and Polace. If you end up in Sobra (which is on the other side of the island), you'll need to take a taxi to the park.
For those travelling to Mljet by car (find affordable Croatia car hire deals at Discover Cars), there is a car ferry sailing from Prapratno (on the mainland) to the village of Sobra.
The access to the Mljet National Park is through villages Pomena and Polace so be sure to take one of catamarans to these villages.
From Polace it takes about 40 minutes to walk along the path through a wood and across the valley to Veliko and Malo Jezero. If you are taking a day trip to Mljet (this whole day speed-tour from Dubrovnik visiting hidden corners of the island of
Mljet is very popular among travellers), catch TP Line catamaran departing from Gruz Pier at 9:15 am (arriving to Polace at 10:55 am). Be on time for return catamaran which departs from Polace at 4:55 pm (arriving to Dubrovnik at 6:35 pm).
Note that village of Pomena, situated just over 15 minutes walk from Malo Jezero of Mljet National Park, is the main entry point to the Park. So if you are going to visit Mljet National Park be sure to take catamaran to Pomena, not Sobra.
If you are reaching Pomena, catch one of 2 catamarans operated by KRILO, both departing from Dubrovnik in the afternoon hours. That's why these catamarans are not suitable for making a day trip to Mljet. In addition, TP Line has a high-speed catamaran also departing in the afternoon from Dubrovnik to Pomena, during the summer.
The same catamaran stops at Sobra before arriving to Polace, with addition of one more sailing on the same route in the evening.
If you are drivining from Dubrovnik to Mljet you should reach Prapratno on Peljesac peninsula and from there catch a car ferry to Sobra on Mljet. This service, operated by JADROLINIJA is regular and the journey time is around 45 minutes. This is the only option of getting to Mljet by car.
There's a bus that goes from Sobra to Pomena (via Polace and Govedjari) on the west of the island and another one from Sobra to Saplunara on the east of the island. These routes aren't so frequent so check the bus schedules upon your arrival to the island. Taxis also exist on Mljet island.