Baćina Lakes

Baćina Lakes are like Rastoke. People have passed by them for years and admired them, but except for a short stop at the viewpoint, there never seemed to be enough time to go down and explore them properly. Then came the highway that bypassed them, but the image of their beauty remained in the subconscious, persistently calling out. And so, that day finally arrived. The moment came to give in to the call of those beautiful memories and deliberately set aside time to explore this oasis of beauty and serenity.

According to legend, the Illyrian Queen Teuta adored them, so they were popularly known as Teuta’s Pearls.

Baćina Lakes are located near Ploče, only 700 m away from the sea. These are natural lakes with depths of up to 34 m. There are seven of them, six of which are interconnected, allowing for easy navigation from one to another. Some have their own springs at the bottom, so the water in those spots is colder than in more distant parts, where it is generally a few degrees warmer than the nearby sea.

The water level in the lakes used to be significantly higher; however, at the beginning of the 20th century, a major engineering feat created a system for water regulation in the nearby Vrgorac Field. Specifically, the field was connected to the lakes by a two-kilometer-long tunnel, and the lakes were connected to the sea by building a second, much shorter tunnel. This significantly reduced the possibility of flooding in Vrgorac Field, as excess water is channeled into the sea through this regulation system.

Baćina Lakes are characterized by great biodiversity. They are a sanctuary for numerous plant and animal species.

During our tour, we saw various types of fish, birds, frogs, and turtles. There are well-maintained walking and cycling paths around the lakes, but a visit to the lakes only really makes sense if you explore them by water, as only then can you experience them in all their beauty. If you don’t have your own kayak or similar vessel, be sure to hire one of the paid tours in a traditional Neretva boat. It is a special experience!

In search of a boat, after descending from the main road, we turned left and after a few hundred meters arrived at a well-kept rest area by the river where you can have refreshments and rent a guided tour. The tour lasts about an hour, the price is fair, and it’s worth every cent. The owner took us to all the hidden spots and shared plenty of interesting information. If you arrive during the shoulder season and perhaps find no one by the river, inquire at the house across the street. We did the same and were on the boat within 15 minutes.

In summer, other vessels are also available for rent here. Those looking for a bit of physical activity can get even closer to nature on a SUP. Without engine noise, it’s surely an interesting experience, but you should know that if you want to visit all the corners of this reserve, the distances are not small. We covered at least 10 km by boat.

Those wanting to hike can take the educational path that starts here 43.075291428569614, 17.422553100578888 or head the other way, continuing from the mentioned boat rest area towards the bridge located here 43.07769631023343, 17.414592302523964. However, neither of these paths offers high-quality contact with the lakes, so a boat tour is definitely the recommendation.

If you decide to explore the lakes with your own vessel, a good access point by car is here 43.081801582760406, 17.43188718343583. In the immediate vicinity of this location is the opening of the tunnel that connects the lakes with Vrgorac Field.

Although you could easily spend an entire day here, if you only have half a day at your disposal, that is more than enough for a leisurely tour of the lakes. An hour of boating, plus a couple of hours of walking and resting in the shade, is enough to “recharge your batteries” or “reset to factory settings.”

And finally, the location of the viewpoint along the road on the western side – it is located here 43.078555310460786, 17.401053661594208.