A boat trip from Klaipėda to Juodkrantė is a great idea for anyone looking to add something special to a seaside holiday and turn the journey to the Curonian Spit into an experience of its own. In summer 2026, there is another reason to choose this route – the impressive Aurora, presented as the largest leisure boat in Lithuania, has started operating between Klaipėda and Juodkrantė.
For a new seaside experience, travel from Klaipėda to Juodkrantė aboard Aurora, the largest leisure boat in Lithuania. There is no need to rush – simply find a comfortable spot on board, watch Klaipėda harbour and the Curonian Lagoon pass by, and enjoy the journey itself. Once you reach Juodkrantė, you will have free time to explore the village and can even continue your trip to one of the most impressive places on the Curonian Spit – the Dead Dunes.
Klaipėda to Juodkrantė aboard Aurora – the Largest Leisure Boat in Lithuania
The boat itself is one of the main reasons to try this trip.
Aurora is 35 metres long and 7.5 metres wide and can carry up to 250 passengers at a time. Aurora arrived in Klaipėda from Germany in 2026. Another interesting feature is its draught of only around one metre, which means that a boat of this size can navigate even relatively shallow areas of the Curonian Lagoon.
On board, there is a spacious enclosed lounge with large panoramic windows, an open deck, a bar and toilets. Around 130 passengers can be seated inside, making the journey comfortable even when the weather is not particularly warm.
The boat really is spacious, so travelling aboard Aurora feels completely different from taking one of the smaller tourist boats. You can walk around, choose whether to sit indoors or outside and, of course, look for the best spot to enjoy the views across the Curonian Lagoon.
Boat Trip from Klaipėda to Juodkrantė
The boat trip from Klaipėda to Juodkrantė starts right in the centre of Klaipėda, at the Cruise Ship Terminal.
Aurora departs at 10:30 a.m. and reaches Juodkrantė at around 12:30 p.m. Once there, you can get off for a short visit, as we did, or stay for longer.
The journey itself is an attraction in its own right. As you sail, you can see Klaipėda, the harbour area and the city skyline gradually disappearing into the distance. Later, more and more views of the Curonian Spit begin to open up.
Free Time in Juodkrantė
Once you arrive in Juodkrantė, you can take your time walking along the lagoon promenade, stop for lunch or coffee and simply enjoy one of the cosiest settlements on the Curonian Spit.
We used our free time to have lunch and can recommend a very cosy place with delicious food – Pizza di Mare Juodkrantė. The restaurant is only about a five-minute walk from the pier where Aurora stops.
If you are visiting Juodkrantė for the first time, it is definitely worth walking along its waterfront. If you have more time, visit the famous Hill of Witches or Amber Bay.
You Can Also Sail to the Dead Dunes
During summer 2026, Aurora passengers are also offered the opportunity to continue their journey from Juodkrantė towards the Dead Dunes.
If you purchase a day-cruise ticket for the Klaipėda–Juodkrantė–Klaipėda route, you can additionally sail towards the Dead Dunes and return to Juodkrantė at no extra charge.
The boat leaves Juodkrantė at 2:00 p.m. and sails towards the Dead Dunes, returning to Juodkrantė at around 3:30 p.m. The additional cruise lasts approximately an hour and a half.
And there is one particularly important thing about this trip – you see the Dead Dunes from the lagoon side.
It is a completely different perspective from walking along the nature trail on land. From the water, you can admire the landscape of the Curonian Spit and its vast sand dunes. Even if you have visited this area many times before, seeing it from the lagoon can make it feel completely different.
The dunes look truly spectacular from the water!
A Full-Day Trip Without a Car
After the cruise towards the Dead Dunes, the boat returns to Juodkrantė and departs for Klaipėda at 4:00 p.m. It arrives back at the Cruise Ship Terminal at around 6:00 p.m.
Essentially, this gives you an almost full-day excursion: a boat journey, time in Juodkrantė, beautiful views of the Curonian Lagoon and, depending on the selected trip, an additional cruise towards the Dead Dunes.
We particularly enjoy trips like this because there is no need to worry about a car, the ferry or parking on the Curonian Spit. You simply board the boat in the centre of Klaipėda and return to exactly the same place at the end of the day.
Practical Information
Another great advantage of Aurora is that there is plenty of space for bicycles on board.
This makes it possible to plan a completely different kind of trip: travel one way by boat and complete another part of your journey by bicycle.
Tickets are available not only as return tickets but also one way, so you can plan the route that suits you best.
This is an especially good option for active families – the boat becomes not only an attraction but also a convenient way to plan a day exploring the Curonian Spit.
A return ticket for the Klaipėda–Juodkrantė–Klaipėda journey costs:
- €29 for passengers aged 12 and over;
- €15 for children aged 5–12;
- free of charge for children under 5;
- €25 for seniors and passengers with disabilities.
One-way tickets are also available.
As sailing dates, the specific boat operating the route and additional excursions may change during the season, we strongly recommend checking the latest timetable and ticket information before travelling.
If you are looking for more than simply a way to get to Juodkrantė and want the journey itself to become part of the experience, this cruise is definitely worth considering.
A large boat, an open deck, views across the Curonian Lagoon, time to explore Juodkrantė and the opportunity to see the Dead Dunes from the water make it a wonderful option for a day by the Lithuanian seaside.
We have previously travelled aboard Forelle, a smaller but very comfortable boat. This time we chose Aurora and were extremely happy with the experience – the boat itself, the wonderful crew led by the captain, and the whole day made it a fantastic experience on the Lithuanian coast.
Looking for more ideas? We have prepared a detailed family guide to the best things to see and do in Klaipėda.
