Croatia · Dalmatia

Desne

Directions

Desansko jezero

Desne is a small karst lake on the right bank of the Neretva, between the villages of Desne, Banja and Komin, in a partly drowned depression at sea level. A short channel joins it to its neighbour, Modro oko, and the Desanka stream carries the water of both lakes to the Crna rika, close to where that river meets the Neretva.

Nature

Desne and Modro oko, with the reed beds around them, are among the most typical wetlands of the Neretva delta, the largest reed-bed complex in Croatia, and since 2020 they have been protected together as a special ornithological reserve for their wetland birds. The delta as a whole is a resting place for birds migrating to Africa and a wintering ground for birds from central and north-eastern Europe.

Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Desne

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The easiest way in is by Modro oko, Desne’s neighbour in the reserve: from a lay-by on the road at Banja and Komin a short gravel path leads to the shore and a small viewpoint with an information board and benches, an easy visit of a quarter of an hour. This is a bird reserve, so keep to the path and bring binoculars.

The Neretva valley around the lakes is known for boat trips in the traditional lađa, for its orchards of mandarins and figs and for birdwatching, which is best during the spring and autumn migrations and in winter.