Want to escape the crowds and discover the real Dalmatia close up? Rough Guides named sea kayaking as one of the 17 unmissable things in Croatia. And if you have not tried it yet, here is what you are missing.
One of the great things about tourism in Croatia is its diversity. Over the seven years I have been writing about tourism in Croatia, I have been fortunate to have witnessed a number of its facets, and to watch certain sectors grow very nicely. Adventure tourism is certainly one aspect of tourism which is not only growing in importance, but whose potential to develop is almost limitless, as well as offering plenty of out of season options for tourists who want to come and do more than visit the beach.
My first experience of adventure tourism was with a local company called Hvar Adventure, a group of local enthusiasts who put together an impressive portfolio of activities for people wanting to explore a different side of Hvar, and their portfolio of key activities – sailing, sea kayaking, cycling, hiking and rock climbing – was impressive indeed, but I was not sure how much actual business they did.
But slowly but surely, adventure tourism began to takes its hold, with more and more tourists willing to take the adrenaline challenges on offer while on holiday in Dalmatia. And one particular activity seems to have come to the forefront more than others – sea kayaking.
In many ways, it is the ultimate way to see Dalmatia close up, either for half a day, a full week, or combining it with some sailing. The team at And Adventure, based in Split and Hvar, have been offering outstanding kayaking tours now for over a decade, and having gone through the tough job of using their local knowledge and contacts to come up with the very best itineraries, the result for the customer is a range of top notch tours of varying lengths to suit your individual needs.
Just think about it. Looking to island hop, escape the crowds and discovered undiscovered gems and hidden coves? Simply get onto your kayak tour and off you go. There are no ferries to wait for, no traffic restrictions. And with flexible itineraries which can be changed on a whim, the day – and secret Dalmatia – are yours to discover. Heck, you may even come across a bathing donkey in the water, as in the lead photo above, one of the great symbols of the Dalmatian way of life.
The And Adventure team has years of experience dealing with both first timers and old hands, with tours adjusted accordingly. And that is one of the beauties of the sea kayaking experience – if you have never tried it before, simply sign up and find yourself a short time later on a sunset kayak around the picturesque Pakleni Islands. Want to try something truly special? How about a two-day kayak to the fabulous Blue Lagoon from Split? And where else in the world can you kayak from one UNESCO World Heritage Site to another – check out the magic of arriving in Trogir from Split in the video below.
Every And Adventure itinerary is well planned, hooking up with trusted local partners where necessary, thereby allowing you to concentrate on kayaking and enjoying the magic of the Adriatic and those amazing beaches. The 7-day tour above,for example, is a camping and kayak combination taking in Bol, Jelsa, the tiny islet of Zecevo, Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands, a week of unforgettable Dalmatian magic.
For the ultimate enjoyment of the majesty of Dalmatia on the water, And Adventure offer a week-long sail and kayak tour, which has a stunning itinerary taking in Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Lastovo and Peljesac, all stopping points on the way from UNESCO World Heritage Site city Split to UNESCO World Heritage Site city Dubrovnik, with some fine food and wine along the way.
Dalmatia away from the crowds with the wind in your hair. Learn more about sea kayaking with And Adventure here.
