Ramsar-protected wetland with 240+ bird species — boat safaris and quiet birdwatching.
Hutovo Blato is a Ramsar-protected wetland and nature park in the Neretva delta, about 35 km south of Mostar and 10 km southwest of Čapljina. The reserve covers around 7,400 hectares of shallow lakes, marshes, reed beds, and seasonal floodplains — the largest remaining Mediterranean-type wetland in the western Balkans. Ramsar Convention protection was granted in 2001, recognising its international importance as a wintering and migratory waterbird habitat.
Birdlife: over 240 recorded bird species, including pygmy cormorants (a notable European rarity), ferruginous ducks, herons, egrets, great cormorants, kingfishers, and dozens of migrating songbird species passing through spring and autumn. Winter populations can reach 20,000+ birds during cold European spells when coastal Croatian wetlands freeze.
Other wildlife: wild boar, otter, fox, deer, and more than 40 fish species inhabit the wetland. The reserve also has significant populations of European pond turtles.
Boat safari: the main visitor experience. Flat-bottomed photo-safari boats (photo-safari fotografsko-safari in local usage) depart from the visitor centre at Karaotok, running 60–90 minute tours through the marsh channels and open lake sections. Experienced guides know where specific species congregate by season. Best birdwatching is early morning (06:00–09:00) in spring and autumn migration periods.
Visitor centre: at Karaotok, with parking, small café, interpretive displays, and boat departures. Open April through October; winter access is limited but some guided tours continue.
For travellers on our tours: Hutovo Blato is not on standard Kravica-focused routes — it's a dedicated nature/birdwatching destination rather than a quick photo stop. Available as a Mostar Private Driver extension for travellers interested in wildlife; allow 3 hours on-site plus travel time from Mostar.
Practical notes: entrance fee roughly 5 KM for park access plus 15 KM (~€8) per person for the boat safari. Bring insect repellent (mosquitoes are active April through October), binoculars, and a zoom lens. Fisherman pants or water shoes are not required — boats are dry-deck. Best avoided in peak summer heat when wildlife activity drops.
Hutovo Blato is in Čapljina. See our Čapljina travel guide for more in the area.
Several Kravica tours include this stop — book directly and save.
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