Mala Duba

Mala Duba is a small, unspoiled coastal village on the Makarska Riviera, tucked between the dramatic Biokovo mountain range and the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea. With fewer than 200 permanent residents, it offers the kind of quiet, authentic Dalmatian experience that is increasingly rare along the Croatian coast.

The Sea & Beaches

The village beach features the characteristic white pebbles of the Makarska Riviera, glowing brightly in the summer sun. The sea here is exceptionally clear, ranging in colour from turquoise to deep blue. Ancient pine trees reach down toward the water’s edge, providing natural shade on hot summer afternoons.

Hvar, one of Croatia’s most celebrated islands, lies just 4.5 km offshore — close enough to see clearly from the beach. The ferry from nearby Drvenik (5 minutes by car) makes island day trips easy and affordable.

Nature & Landscape

Rising directly behind the village, the Biokovo mountain provides a dramatic natural backdrop. Its nearest visible peak, Sutvid (1,160 m), overlooks Mala Duba, while the highest point, Sveti Jure (1,762 m), is reachable by car via the Biokovo Nature Park road. On clear days the views from the summit stretch across all the central Dalmatian islands and — remarkably — all the way to the Italian Apennines.

The apartment grounds are planted with kiwi vines, mandarin trees, olive trees, and fig trees, giving the property a genuine Mediterranean garden feel.

Climate

The Makarska Riviera enjoys one of Croatia’s sunniest and warmest microclimates. Summers are long and reliably warm, and the swimming season extends from May through October. The Biokovo range shelters the coast from cold northern winds, making Mala Duba particularly pleasant even in the shoulder season.

Getting There

Mala Duba sits on the coastal road (D8) between Podgora and Drvenik, approximately 20 km south of Makarska. The closest airports are:

• Split Airport — approx. 80 km (1 hour by car)
• Dubrovnik Airport — approx. 150 km (2 hours by car)