How to get the most out of a trip from Split to Dubrovnik? Relax, enjoy, explore and do it in 7 days, rather than for hours with a stunning kayak and sailing combination.
One of our most popular articles is the annually updated advice on How To Get to Dubrovnik from Split. For many, of course, they are looking for the fastest or cheapest way to get between the two Dalmatian hotspots, and common concerns include how to get through the Neum corridor and the Balkan Riviera.
There is another way. It is not the cheapest, and it certainly is not the quickest, but if you are looking to experience the very best of Dalmatia from Split to Dubrovnik – close up, in a way most tourists never will – it is hard to beat the superbly organised sail and kayak combination organised by And Adventure, taking in some of the region’s most picturesque islands and exploring them by kayak.
In the same way as Dalmatian restaurant cuisine has evolved from its standard fare to a much more diverse offering over the last decade, so too has adventure tourism in Dalmatia, and leading local players such as the team from And Adventure, who have been taking adventure tourists to some of Dalmatia’s most secret spots for over a decade, has really opened up the destination to those looking to get off the beaten track and explore something truly outstanding.
Day 1. The first unusual aspect of the tour is that it actually heads away from Dubrovnik in the opposite direction! One of the great kayaking routes if from Split, home to UNESCO World Heritage Site Diocletian’s Palace towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trogir and the island of Ciovo. A delightful day out and perfect introduction to the Adriatic, before a return to Split and swapping kayak for boat, and the first sail of the day, complete with welcome drink, to Bobovisce on the west coast of Brac, and a night on board in this picturesque village harbour.
Day 2. A sail and kayak combination to the infamous Pakleni Islands in front of Hvar Town. While destinations such as Palmizana, Stipanska and Jerolim may be more fashionable, the location of choice is the lesser visited island of Vodnjak, an excellent base from which to explore the coves and bays of these special islands, including a visit to an old Roman villa rustica with accompanying mud bath, and the lowest vineyard in all Croatia, at just one metre above sea level.
Day 3. The first of two visits to the island of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo, firstly sailing into its eastern port town of Vela Luka, before taking the kayaks out to explore the coves and beaches nearby, with plenty of time for snorkelling and swimming, before return to overnight on the boat.
Day 4 sets sail to one of Dalmatia’s most intriguing islands – Lastovo. Famous for its carnival and military history, much of Lastovo today is a nature park, and its more remote location means that it escapes much of the mass tourism elsewhere. The park and its numerous islets are a kayaker’s dream, and don’t miss the only sandy beach in the vicinity, on Saplun.
Day 5. Korcula Revisited, and in quite some style. Sail into the lovely village of Lumbarda, where the famous Grk wine awaits for tasting. Only grown in the sandy vineyards of Lumbarda, it is regarded as one of Croaita’s premium white wines, but don’t get too much of a liking for it, as sales are restircted to two bottles per person due to the limited supply. After that, jump into the kayaks for a paddle into majestic Korcula Town, where the boat will be waiting for an overnight stay.
Day 6. From sea to the mainland and time to explore the richness of the Peljesac Peninsula, with wine tasting at one of the renowned Plavac Mali vineyards, the powerful Dalmatian red which is related to Zinfandel. At the top of the peninsula is the historic town of Ston, whose stone walls it is said are the longest fortified walls outside China, and whose salt pans are the most important in the region and played a great role in building up Dubrovnik’s wealth. After a few days at sea, a firm bed in a Dubrovnik hotel.
Day 7. Ok, the trip did not take the full 8 days, but there is still plenty of sightseeing to do. First and foremost, of course, the historic old city itself, the third UNESCO World Heritage Site on the tour, before heading south to the enchanting Konavle region, close to the border with Montenegro, a region lost in time, and with some rather unusual traditions to experience, inlcluding the process of handmake silk production. A fitting end to an incredible week.
So what is the best way to get from Split to Dubrovnik? If time is on your side, and you are looking for lasting memories, check out the sea less travelled with And Adventure here.
