Krilo (Kapetan Luka)

Croatia's fast catamaran alternative

Krilo is the trading brand of Kapetan Luka, a family-owned Croatian shipping company run by the Tomić family. The name comes from Krilo Jesenice, the family's home village near Split, where the company is still registered. The business traces its roots to 1889 and ran small cargo and excursion boats for most of the twentieth century before buying its first fast catamaran in 2001. 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 and departure time.

Do not confuse it with Krilo Shipping Company (KSC), a separate, smaller operator that also started in Krilo Jesenice and runs boats from Split to Brač, Šolta and Hvar.

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, such as Hvar Town's harbourfront and 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

Split–Hvar Town is Krilo's busiest line. Its direct boats take 50 minutes, and in summer 2026 there were six direct departures a day from Split, plus two boats that continue further down the coast. See the Split to Hvar ferry.

Split–Korčula runs via Hvar Town to Korčula Town and is Krilo's year-round line. Depending on the boat and stops, the trip takes about 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours. See the Split to Korčula ferry.

The Split–Dubrovnik coastal run operates daily from 1 April to 31 October. The boat leaves Split at 08:00 and calls at Milna (Brač), Hvar Town, Korčula Town and Pomena (Mljet) before arriving in Dubrovnik at about 12:30. The return leaves Dubrovnik at 15:30 and reaches Split at about 20:00. The full journey of roughly 4.5 hours is more scenic voyage than express crossing, and you can use any segment on its own, such as Dubrovnik to Mljet or Korčula to Hvar.

Krilo also lists Split–Vis and Split–Supetar services, and in summer a northern Adriatic line between Pula and Zadar that calls at Mali Lošinj and smaller islands such as Silba, Ilovik, Susak and Unije. Most lines other than Split–Korčula run only from April to October, and winter timetables are much thinner.

Fleet and on board

Krilo operates a fleet of fast catamarans, including the Krilo Carbo, Krilo Nomadic, Krilo Eclipse, Krilo Nord, Krilo Lux and Krilo Star. They carry foot passengers only; no vehicles. The boats are air-conditioned with airline-style seating and have a snack bar with sandwiches and drinks. Seats are not numbered, so board early if you want a particular spot.

The catamarans seat roughly 180 to 400 passengers depending on the vessel. Luggage up to 23 kg per person is included. Small pets travel in carriers, and bicycles are carried for an extra fee when space allows, so book them in advance. In summer the most popular sailings fill up, so advance booking is important.

Booking and tips

Booking in advance is strongly recommended for Krilo sailings during July and August. The mid-morning Split–Hvar Town boats and the Split–Dubrovnik through service are among the most popular in Dalmatia, and seats can run out days ahead in peak season. Off-season travel is more relaxed and tickets are usually available a day or two before.

Because Krilo, Jadrolinija and TP Line all serve Split–Hvar Town and Split–Korčula, it is worth comparing operators when planning your trip. Krilo and Jadrolinija both charged €25 for Split–Hvar Town in 2026, while the subsidised TP Line boat is cheaper but sails less often.

You can book on the Krilo website, where the e-ticket on your phone is enough, or through platforms like Ferryhopper and Direct Ferries, which list Krilo and Jadrolinija side by side on overlapping routes. Krilo refunds tickets only up to 24 hours before departure and keeps 50% of the fare; if it cancels a sailing for bad weather, you can choose a refund or a new date. 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 several islands together in a single day. See also our Croatia ferries overview and the Jadrolinija guide.