Boat Marathon Neretva

This is a traditional cultural event and race that takes place once a year in August, and participants on traditional boats race along the Neretva River from Metković, through Krvavac, Opuzen, Komina, Banje, Rogotin, Stabline, up to 22,580 meters of distant goal in Ploče. The Marathon begins under the bridge in Metković and ends in Ploče.

The boat marathon on the Neretva, the 27th in a row, began with a cannon shot under the bridge in Metković, where the platoon of the Kubura group marked the start of the 31 crew at 5 p.m. On the route from Metković to Ploče, more than 500 rowers fight for the shield of Prince Domagoj.The crew of each ship consists of 10 oarsmen, a drummer and a steamman or helmsman. The densely packed ships are moving towards the finish line in Ploče with the sound of drums. Even though the finish line is far away and the route is tiring, at the start all teams row as if the finish line were 100 meters away and ride the entire route in the same rhythm.

The Neretva Boat Marathon has become one of the most important tourist events in the southern part of Croatia. Also, in terms of viewership, the Boat Marathon is one of the biggest events in Croatia, and at the same time a tourist spectacle and attraction. It is watched live by over fifty thousand spectators along the entire route, some along the banks of the Neretva, some in tourist and private boats.