Spend a week Island Hopping in Croatia, exploring the Elaphite Islands off Dubrovnik by sea kayak. For paddlers of all abilities, this holiday is perfect for those looking for a blend of sea-based adventure, fantastic local food and relaxation in a Mediterranean climate.
Small Group Classic 8 days
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for two people sharing.
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Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will spend between 3 - 6 hours per day paddling, with the rest of the time reserved for snorkelling, exploring by foot or relaxing on the beach. Heading out from Dubrovnik, where you will meet your group, you will stay first on the island of Lopud, which you will use as your base to explore the island and also the neighbouring island of Kolocep. The blue caves and steep cliffs make for a dramatic and interesting coastline, perfectly geared towards paddlers. Inland, Lopud has a fine set of hiking trails which lead to the Western most point of the island for stunning sunsets and also to the crumbling fort in the centre of the island, with far-reaching panoramic views.
You will then transfer to the island of Sipan, where you will stay for two nights, giving you the chance to explore the secluded beaches and coves that the island has to offer. A particular highlight here is a cave that can only be reached by swimming into it. The sandy bottom gives the water a beautiful azure colour, leading to locals nicknaming it the 'green cave.'
Please note, this itinerary is subject to change, depending on weather conditions.
Day 1: Arrival
Today is your arrival day. You will be met at the airport and driven into Dubrovnik where you will have the chance to spend the rest of the day. Your bags will be stored for you, so you can explore the town. For ideas of what to see, please take a look at our guide of things to do in Dubrovnik. You will be picked up later in the evening (around 7.30pm) and taken to the port where you will catch a ferry to the island of Lopud where you will be welcomed by your local host. The boat ride takes about an hour. Once you have arrived, you will go for a meal or a drink with the rest of the group where you can get to know each other informally.
Day 2: Kayaking around Lopud
After breakfast, which is served on the terrace of the local restaurant, you will gather at the beach and start with the first instructions in a shallow protected bay: your guide will explain safety procedures and give tips on paddling techniques.
After the briefing, you will paddle along the outer scenic coast of Lopud to the sandy beach of Sunj - which is at the other side of the island. This is the main beach on the island and makes for a great place to spend the afternoon. There are two taverns to choose from for lunch and afterwards you can swim and relax on the beach. You will leave your kayaks on the beach for the evening and will walk back to your accommodation on the other side of the island. The walk itself is about 20 mins, although if you fancy more exercise, you can hike to the fort at the peak of the island.
For those wanting more paddling, there is the option of further kayaking to the island of St. Andrew. This is an additional 8kms (2 hours) paddling.
Dinner is included this evening.
Daily activity:
aprx. 1 hour of instructions 3 hours paddling
Paddling distance: 7.5km or 14 km (with St. Andrew’s)
(B, D)
Day 3: Kolocep - Lopud
After breakfast you will walk back to the beach and will paddle to the neighbouring island of Kolocep.
Paddling along the coast of the island, you will pass green forests touching clear water, breathtaking steep cliffs and will have the chance to see a stunning blue caves. After around 2 hours of paddling, you will land at a small beach in front of a water-front restaurant for lunch (included). Your freshly caught fish will be cooked in front of you and you can then sit back and enjoy the view of the water as you eat.
After lunch, you will continue paddling around the island, stopping off for a snorkel or a swim on the way back. You will return to Lopud beach later afternoon (or you can continue round to Lopud harbour if you want more paddling) and will then have an evening at leisure.
Daily activity:
Aprx. 3 hours of paddling
Paddling distance: 14 - 16km
(B, L)
Day 4: Lopud - Trsteno - Lopud
After breakfast you will paddle for about an hour from Lopud to Trsteno, an old seaside village with a rich history, famous for its collection of cultivated and exotic trees and plant species within an oldDubrovnik aristocratic summer palace. You can stop for a swim and enjoy lunch, either at a restaurant, or you can have sandwiches on the beach, enjoying the fantastic views of the islands.
After lunch, your guide will take you around the botanical gardens, pointing out local species and demonstrating an old olive mill and press. You will also see an old pavilion, aqueduct, Baroque fountain, and an old chapel.
Later that afternoon, you will kayak back to Lopud for your last night on this island. Dinner is at your own expense, but you have the chance tonight to go for a meal at a local farm where you can eat locally produced food.
Daily activity:
Aprx. 2 -3 hours of paddling
Paddling distance: 7 km
(B)
Day 5: Lopud - Sipan
You will have a leisurely morning today. After breakfast, you will pack up your luggage and put it on a ferry to the neighbouring island of Sipan. You will then set off to the island yourself, in your kayak.
Sometimes called the Golden Island, Šipan is the largest and most populated of the Elaphite Islands. On the way, you will stop off to explore a cave. Only accessible if you swim into it, the cave has a magical green colour, due to the sandy bottom.
You will then continue kayaking to the far side of Sipan, where you will stop at a small, rocky beach for lunch - either at a restaurant, or you can buy sandwiches to eat on the beach. After lunch, you will catch a bus back to the other side of the island to your guest house.
Dinner is included tonight.
Daily activity:
Aprx. 2 - 3 hours of paddling
Paddling distance: 11 km
(B, D)
Day 6: Island of Sipan
After breakfast at a harbour-front cafe, you will buy provisions for lunch and catch a bus to the other side of the island to your kayaks.
Today sees you continuing your exploration around Sipan island. The amount of kayaking depends on the group ability and conditions. You will stop about half-way for lunch.
Daily activity:
Aprx. 3 - 4 hours of paddling
Paddling distance: 18 km
(B)
Day 7: Optional self guided paddling
Today is a day at leisure, with no guide.
Many people choose to re-visit the green cave on Day 5 and potter around the favourite spots of Sipan. However, you can also re-visit Kolocep or Lopud, hire bikes, or travel to Dubrovnik for the day.
(B)
Day 8: Departure
Transfer from the island of Sipan to Dubrovnik airport.
After breakfast, you will catch a ferry back to Dubrovnik and will be transferred back to the airport in time to catch your flight home.
(B)
Guide price is based on recommended accommodations. Alternative accommodations and upgrades are available. Please get in touch for alternatives and upgrade options.
You will need to fly to Dubrovnik (DBV). Your holiday will start on either a Saturday or Sunday (please check individual dates for departure day) and you can arrive at any time during the day. The airport is serviced by several airlines in the UK.
- From the South East - you can reach Dubrovnik from Stansted (Easyjet), Luton (Wizzair) or Gatwick (Easyjet, British Airways, Thomson, Monarch)
- From the Midlands - you can fly from Birmingham (Monarch, FlyBe and Thomson) and from EMA (BmiBaby)
- From the North - you can fly from Manchester (Thomson and Jet2), Leeds Bradford (Jet2) and Newcastle (Jet2)
- From Scotland - you can fly from Edinburgh with Jet2.
Joining Instructions
You will be met at the airport and transferred to Dubrovnik, your bags will be looked after allowing you to spend the day exploring the City before meeting up again to catch the evening ferry over to the Islands. Depending on your arrival time it is possible to put you on an earlier ferry on request.
For planning flight times:
OUTBOUND FLIGHT TIMES
ON SATURDAYS:
Throughout the season there are ferries from Dubrovnik run at 10:00, 14:00, 16:30 and 20:00. Please make sure your flight arrives in good time to catch one of these ferries.
ON SUNDAYS:
From 01 - 28 June and 27 Aug - 30 Sept, there are ferries from Dubrovnik that run at 09:30 and 20:30.
From 29 June - 26 Aug, there are ferries from Dubrovnik that run at 09:00, 11:45, 18:15 and 21:00.
RETURN FLIGHT TIMES
ON SATURDAYS:
For 29 June - 26 Aug, 06:00 (arrives Dubrovnik 07:15), 11:55 (arrives Dubrovnik 13:10), 15:20 (arrives Dubrovnik 16:20) and 18:30 (arrives Dubrovnik 19:45), so it is usually fine to book flights from 10:00am onwards.
For all other times, ferries return to Dubrovnik at 06:00 (arrives Dubrovnik 07:15), 11:55 (arrives Dubrovnik 13:10), 15:20 (arrives Dubrovnik 16:20) and 17:50 (arrives Dubrovnik 19:05), so it is usually fine to book flights from 10:00am onwards.
ON SUNDAYS:
01 - 28 June and 27 Aug - 30 Sept, ferries return to Dubrovnik at 07:30 (arrives Dubrovnik 08:45) and 19:00 (arrives Dubrovnik 20:15), so it is usually fine to book flights from 11:30am onwards.
29 June - 26 Aug, ferries return to Dubrovnik at 07:30 (arrives Dubrovnik 08:45), 10:20 (arrives Dubrovnik 11:35), 17:00 (arrives Dubrovnik 18:00) and 19:35 (arrives Dubrovnik 20:50), so it is usually fine to book flights from 11:30am onwards
4 nights private accommodation in Lopud
3 nights private accommodation in Sipan
7 breakfasts
2 dinners in local restaurant
1 lunch in local restaurant
5 days sea kayaking guide service
Fully equipped sea kayaks (paddles, life jackets, spray deck)
Ferry tickets
Transfers as indicated
The Dubrovnik region and Elaphite islands enjoy a typically Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild winters. Rainfall is low but cannot be ruled out any time of the year
This holiday is as much about experiencing the food and way of life on the islands as much as as the kayaking. Accommodation and restaurants have been chosen for their authenticity and local ownership, so don't expect 5* ratings. That said, the warmth and friendliness of your hosts will easily compensate for the lack of a marble bathroom.
The suggested minimum age for this trip is 16. If you have younger children, you might want to consider the family kayaking holiday.
This is a group holiday. The minimum group size for this trip is 4 and the max is 20. The guide to kayakers ratio is 1/8
You don't need to have previous experience of kayaking for this holiday. Your guides will give you a full briefing before you head off on your first full day. A reasonable level of fitness is, however, recommended. On each of the days, there is the possibility to be more / less active. Additional paddling can be added for those wanting more of a challenge, likewise you can opt out of some of the longer trips if you want.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
Our customers agree - a conversation with an expert makes for a better trip. Call us now or request a call back out of hours.
Call 0203 291 2907 9am and 6pm GMT Monday to Friday
Or request call back weekday evenings or Saturdays
A few comments on our recent trip
Organization Excellent including pick up and drop off
Our guide Amir was friendly, spoke good English, and competent as our instructor / guide, he went out of his way to give us a good holiday.
Accommodation , First island was fantastic with a friendly family, Breakfast was outstanding
second island was good although the breakfast wasn't up to the standard if the first.
Equipment was all of good quality and in good condition
overall the holiday was relaxing , enjoyable with sufficient paddling for two experienced paddlers,
the restaurants and bars produced food which was fresh, tasty and reasonably priced
we would highly recommend the holiday to friends and family
we will hopefully return again to do more in Croatia in the future
Andrew A reviewing Croatia Island Hopping Holiday on 08 July 2014
My first time to Croatia, very impressed with the organisation from Tourdust, from booking, suggestions and assistance, to airport pickup and transfer.
Each day was planned by the guides and very well arranged. We'd meet for breakfast and discuss the itinerary. Nothing was set it stone, as such, and our feedback was welcomed.
The guides knowledge on history was amazing. Very thorough, and faultless English. Felt very comfortable asking questions of all kinds. We visited where "Game of Thrones" was filmed (tv programme) and also a botanic garden.
The kayaking was fun, we stopped for swims every now and again, and to visit caves. The ocean was pretty flat / calm most the time, which was nice.
The food was lovely and we ate in a variety of restaurants, which had been carefully chosen by the guides. All types of fish were served. And... If you ask to see the fish... Don't be surprised when it turns on with their heads on!!! (which I found out the hard way).
The Accommodation was very comfortable, especially on nights 1-4 in Lopud, with air-con, bathroom and balcony.
Very enjoyable trip, thank you Tourdust
Name W reviewing Croatia Island Hopping Holiday on 18 June 2014
On the whole, I had a lovely time - the group dynamics weren't the best, but then I realise this isn't something you have any control over. The group size was good, and the kayaking and location were great.
My accommodation on Lopud was fine (clean but basic), though much nicer on Sipan (larger room with kitchenette and lovely location). I thought the single supplement was a little bit steep though.
Kit list - it might be worth reminding people to take a plug adaptor if they're from the UK.
Food - the breakfasts provided lacked a bit of imagination but were fine. I felt it worked well to have some lunches/dinners provided and not others.
The team in Croatia took good care of us from arrival to departure, in terms of picking us up from the airport, being flexible re what time we wanted to transfer to the islands, looking after our luggage whilst we looked round Dubrovnik etc.
Our guide, Amir, got the right balance of being friendly without being intrusive. I would have liked to have been challenged slightly more in terms of learning new skills in the kayak (or tackling more difficult conditions) but he was v.willing to share his knowledge when asked. I felt very safe knowing I had a member of the Croatian white water kayaking team looking after us!I was very impressed with Tourdust's service prior to departure - in terms of your prompt & helpful responses to my questions and friendly but professional manner. The trip details on your website were also very helpful. I would definitely use you again.
Anne K reviewing Croatia Island Hopping Holiday on 18 June 2014
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