UltraSwim 33.3 #12 Croatia 2026 — Hvar

In 1471, the Hvar galley 'Sveti Jerolim' stood as a line of defense against Ottoman expansion, commanded by Ivan Balčić. Today, a memorial plaque in the Duolnja kola area serves as a silent witness to that era, watching over the same waters where the UltraSwim 33.3 Croatia participants begin their journey. This multi-day event, held annually in May, transforms the Stari Grad Bay—a deep-water channel shielded by the northern Kabal peninsula and the towering Hvar mountain ridge—into a rigorous test of endurance. Swimmers navigate a total of 33.3 kilometers over four days, crossing the channels that have shaped the island's strategic identity for centuries.

Historical currents and landmarks

As you push through the water, the geography tells a layered story. The bay's calm, protected pockets like Tiha bay offer a deceptive serenity before you encounter the remnants of ancient trade and conflict. Beneath the stairs of the Church of St. Rocco, a Roman bath mosaic discovered in 1898 remains marked by a Latin inscription, a relic of the infrastructure that once supported this maritime hub. Your line of sight from the water is dominated by the strategic heights of the Glavica and Purkin Kuk forts, which were built to command the harbor entrance. While much of the local history was shaped by the 1571 Ottoman attack that saw the burning of the Tvrdalj castle and the subsequent fortification of the Dominican monastery, the water today offers a different challenge. You may pass near the area where the first colony of the invasive Caulerpa taxifolia was identified in 1994, a zone where fishing and anchoring are strictly prohibited to protect the local ecosystem.

Race day logistics

With water temperatures hovering between 19-21°C in mid-May, the event provides a controlled yet demanding environment for those seeking to build their season. The logistics are designed to facilitate a point-to-point progression from Stari Grad to Hvar Town, utilizing the UNESCO-protected Stari Grad Plain as a backdrop for the land-based transitions. This event shares these waters with the long-standing Faros Open Marathon, yet distinguishes itself through its multi-stage format and the addition of the non-stop 22.2km or 33.3km ultra-marathon options. The schedule is optimized for the longest daylight hours of the year, allowing for a finish in the heart of Hvar Town where supporters can join the final strokes. Whether participating in the 2.3km channel crossings or the full multi-day program, the challenge remains as constant as the historic trade routes that once connected these shores.