February the 3rd, 2026 – The Pelješac sisters, or more correctly Velika (or Vela) Sestrica and Mala Sestrica, are among the most charming of all southern Dalmatian islands. One big reason for that is that you won’t find another person anywhere.
As Putni kofer/Martina Hrupic writes, Croatia boasts a total of 78 islands, 524 islets and 642 rocks and reefs. Eternally lapped by the waves, some of them are particularly charming. You will find two of them in the Pelješac Channel, just a few kilometres from Orebić. These are the Pelješac sisters, or Velika (or Vela) Sestrica and Mala Sestrica, widely considered the most charming of all uninhabited Dalmatian islands.
wild, uninhabited – and tiny
The island of Velika (or Vela) Sestrica is truly one of those Croatian uninhabited islands that captivate the heart with its wild beauty: a combination of deep turquoise and blue, harsh rocks and old lighthouses. The light emitted by that sole man-made construction is so much more than just information for passing vessels, it’s also a call out into the open sea, far into the embrace of the endless waves. Although it is called Velika (big) Sestrica, this little island is still small. Its area spans about 9,000 square metres, and the length of the coastline is not even two kilometres. If we’re speaking in exact terms, it stretches out for just 1,850 metres.
Just 120 metres away to the east sits Mala Sestrica, or Little Sister. It isn’t even officially listed as an island, but is referred to as a rock. Its area is even more modest, stretching about 4,700 square metres in total and protruding just three metres above the waves.
Velika and Mala Sestrica, affectionately known as the Pelješac sisters, are an inseparable duo. They are often simply referred to as Sestrice (the sisters). The islands of Velika Sestrica and Mala Sestrica are located in the Pelješac Channel and belong to the wider Korčula archipelago. This is a “family” consisting of a total of 19 islands and rocks.
old lighthouses as the only residents
Velika Sestrica is known for its lighthouse. It is officially called the lighthouse “Otočić Sestrica Vela – Korčula” and is surrounded by greenery. It has been standing there since 1871. The building an elongated one-story construction, built in the old tradition of local Korčula stonework, with part of it being a stone tower with a lantern on top, reaching a total height of 17 metres. The stone tower is located on the southern facade of the building, and is decorated with exceptionally narrow openings.
The lighthouse on nearby Velika Sestrica was built because of the area’s historically very heavy maritime traffic. This pair of sisters are the northernmost islets of the Korčula archipelago and are therefore perfect for marking out the passage corridor in relation to Pelješac on the mainland.
The 12-kilometre-long and 1.3 to 2.3 kilometre-wide Pelješac Channel is suitable for the navigation of larger ships with a depth of 60 metres. It shortens the route in the north-south direction, so vessels pass through it on their way from the Korčula Channel to the Mljet Channel and further south to Dubrovnik, and vice versa.
The lighthouse once had lighthouse keepers living and working there, but automation has sadly eliminated the need for them. The island and lighthouse building are now used for luxury holidays.
