Neretva Delta

The Neretva reaches the sea in the only substantial delta on the eastern Adriatic, and most of it has been converted: drainage schemes through the twentieth century turned marsh into some of the most productive farmland in Croatia, growing mandarins, watermelons and vegetables in quantity. What survives of the wetland - lakes, reed beds and channels, several sections protected under the Ramsar convention - is still a major stopover on the Adriatic migration route, with over three hundred bird species recorded. Trips run in the flat-bottomed traditional boats, the trupice, and the local eel and frog dishes are a genuine regional cuisine rather than a tourist invention.

What you actually see

• The only large eastern Adriatic delta - mostly drained for farming.
• Ramsar-protected remnants - lakes, reeds and channels.
• Over three hundred bird species - on the migration route.
• Trips in trupice - the traditional flat-bottomed boats.

When to go

March to May and September to November for birds; summer for the fruit. A full day.

Honest expectations

Much of what you drive through is intensive agriculture, not wetland. Mosquitoes are severe. Boat trips are commercial and often include a meal. The remaining protected areas are scattered and need a plan.

Nearby

Narona museum is at Vid; Ston and Peljesac are south.