Krilo (Kapetan Luka)

Croatia's fast catamaran alternative

Krilo is the trading brand of Kapetan Luka, a Croatian private shipping company founded in the 1990s and based in Korčula. It operates fast passenger catamarans along the Dalmatian coast, connecting Split with the island ports that line the route south to Dubrovnik. On several of these routes Krilo is the main competitor to Jadrolinija, which means passengers have a genuine choice of operator, departure time and — sometimes — price.

For travellers moving between the islands without a car, Krilo catamarans are often the most convenient option. The boats dock in the heart of island towns — Hvar Town's old harbour, Korčula's old-town waterfront — rather than the out-of-town vehicle ports that car ferries use, which saves time and the cost of a taxi or bus.

Network and main routes

Krilo's primary route is the Split–Dubrovnik coastal run, which calls at a series of island and coastal ports along the way. Depending on the timetable, stops include Hvar Town, Korčula Town, Pomena or Polače (Mljet island) and Šipan or other Elaphiti island stops before arriving in Dubrovnik. The full journey takes roughly 4.5–5 hours — more scenic voyage than express crossing.

Split–Hvar Town is one of the most in-demand individual segments. Krilo typically runs this alongside Jadrolinija's catamaran, giving passengers more departure times to choose from in summer. Journey time is around 1 hour.

Split–Korčula is another key link, with Krilo providing direct or island-hopping service to Korčula Town in 2–3 hours depending on the routing.

In addition to the main southern route, Krilo operates connections to Brač (Bol) and other Dalmatian island destinations, with the schedule varying by season. Summer sees the fullest timetable; winter services are reduced and some routes operate with lower frequency.

Fleet and on board

Krilo operates modern fast catamaran vessels that carry foot passengers only — no vehicles, bicycles are generally not accepted. The boats are air-conditioned with comfortable seating, and some have a small snack bar on board. Journey times are short enough that extensive on-board facilities are not needed.

The catamarans typically hold between 100 and 300 passengers depending on the vessel. In summer the most popular sailings fill up, so advance booking is important. Port docking at central old-town quays — rather than vehicle ferry terminals — is a consistent feature of Krilo services and a key part of their appeal for island visitors.

Booking and tips

Booking in advance is strongly recommended for Krilo sailings during July and August. The Split–Hvar Town sailing and the Split–Dubrovnik through service are among the most popular in Dalmatia and seats run out days or weeks ahead in peak season. Off-season travel is more relaxed and walkup tickets are usually available.

Because Krilo and Jadrolinija both serve Split–Hvar Town and Split–Korčula, it is worth comparing the two operators when planning your trip. Departure times may differ, prices are sometimes similar, and the choice of dock in the island town can matter — Krilo typically goes to the tourist harbour in the centre rather than a vehicle port further out.

You can book directly on the Krilo website or through platforms like Direct Ferries, which list both Krilo and Jadrolinija side-by-side on overlapping routes. If you are planning an island-hopping trip southward from Split to Dubrovnik, the Krilo coastal catamaran is one of the most efficient ways to string multiple islands together in a single day.