Host Lighthouse

Host Lighthouse stands alone on a tiny islet at the mouth of Vis harbour, on Croatia's Vis archipelago. It's the kind of landmark you might spot from a ferry deck without ever knowing its story — a small octagonal stone tower on an islet of roughly 40,000 square metres, with nothing else around it.

Where exactly is Host Lighthouse?

The islet of Host sits at the western entrance to Vis harbour, only about 2 kilometres from the town of Vis itself. That short distance means a speedboat ride from the town centre takes just a few minutes, and the lighthouse is visible from the waterfront on a clear day. Host has no permanent residents — the lighthouse and its adjoining building are the only structures on the islet.

Where does the name come from?

The islet, and later the lighthouse, takes its name from British captain William Hoste, who fought a naval battle in these waters on 13 March 1811, defeating a considerably stronger French fleet commanded by Vice-Admiral Dubourdieu. It was one of the more significant Adriatic engagements of the Napoleonic Wars, and the local place name still carries his memory.

What does the lighthouse actually look like?

Built in 1873 on the northeastern side of the islet, the structure combines a small octagonal stone tower with an attached single-storey building, together totaling around 80 square metres. Its light has a nominal range of 8 nautical miles, meaning it still functions as a working navigation aid for vessels passing through the Vis approaches, quite apart from its second life as a holiday rental.

Can you actually stay there?

Yes. The former keeper's residence has been fully renovated into a high-end rental property, available year-round, sleeping up to 8 guests and equipped with a jacuzzi and its own solar power setup for energy independence. What sets a stay here apart from any hotel, though, is exclusivity of a different order: guests have the entire islet to themselves — no neighbours, no foot traffic, no other visitors wandering past. It suits travellers after genuine isolation, open sea views, and the silhouette of Vis in the distance.

How do you get there?

Since Host has no scheduled ferry service, the only way in is by boat from Vis, usually arranged directly by whoever manages the rental, for a trip of just a few minutes. Vis itself is reached by ferry from Split (Jadrolinija runs the route), so the typical journey looks like this: ferry to Vis, then a short boat transfer out to Host.

Frequently asked questions

Is Host Lighthouse still an active navigation light? Yes. Even though the keeper's house is now a private rental, the tower still emits a light signal with a range of 8 nautical miles and continues to serve sailors navigating around Vis.

How many guests can stay at the lighthouse villa? The renovated keeper's house sleeps up to 8 people, with the added privacy of having the otherwise uninhabited islet entirely to themselves.

Why is the island called Host? It's named after British captain William Hoste, who defeated a French fleet in a naval battle near here in 1811, during the Napoleonic Wars.

How far is Host from the town of Vis? About 2 kilometres, usually covered by speedboat in just a few minutes, since the lighthouse sits right at the western entrance to Vis harbour.