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Water Sports and Wanderlust in Stunning Croatia
When a country is flanked by so much beautiful, clear blue sea it’s not surprising that one of the favourite past times of visitors to Croatia is to take to the water. And what better way to dream of your next vacation than to picture yourself soaring through the stunning scenery by sea.
This gorgeous country has a huge natural resource – the Adriatic – right on its doorstep (or in this case, coast-step), and it’s the perfect playground in which stage dreamy, long days under the sun, splashing around in the warm waters.
Croatia’s coastline stretches out languorously for over 1,100 miles. Add the shorelines of 1,185 islands, plus its inland lakes, rivers, lagoons, and waterfalls, and it’s clear that this country is a paradise for watersports enthusiasts. And the good news is that you can sail among the islands, kayak the inland rivers and lakes, snorkel or scuba off the Adriatic coastline or kitesurf on your dream trip in Croatia.
But really, watersports in Croatia always begin and end with swimming and snorkeling, both of which are a part of Croatian life. The Adriatic provides one of the cleanest bodies of water in Europe and is the perfect place to splash, swim and explore below the surface.
Island hotspots like Hvar and Brač (especially the ‘golden horn’ of Zlatni Rat) are well worth a visit, while the islands within Kornati National Park are amazing places around which to snorkel and wonder at the stunning marine life. Accessible only by boat,Stiniva Beach on Vis is also a great place to swim and snorkel, while countless beaches like the pine-surrounded sandy paradise of Brela – south of Split and near to Makarska – prove that Croatia is perfect for watersports, or leisurely even just swimming.
If you love swimming, why not go inland to explore the warm salt lakes of Mjlet National Park or swim down the Krka River and frolic in its waterfalls?
The ideal way to see the Croatian coast and its islands is by boat on one of our stunning catamarans or monohulls, whether you are a seasoned sailor or an amateur. Between April and November, the sea is warm and almost current-free and freedom from crowds and ferry schedules mean that taking to a boat is a freeing and fantastic experience.
There are lots of options out there for travellers who want to explore the coastline by boat – whether it’s on a skippered vessel or something smaller, like a kayak.
When it comes to kayaking, locations around Dubrovnik and the Elafitis islands are full of kayakers in the summer, while islands like Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan are also great for exploring.
But kayaking isn’t just reserved for the sea: there’s plenty of opportunity to explore the country’s rivers, too. River kayaking is best in spring when the water runs high and the rapids are in full effect. You can get expert tuition and guided river kayaking tours along the Cetina River, and at Karlovac, where four rivers converge.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, the perfect conditions on the Adriatic mean that windsurfing and kitesurfing is an absolute must.
Croatian hotspots for windsurfing and kitesurfing include Premantura on the southern tip of Istria, Viganj on the Pelješac Peninsula, Bol on Brač Island, Baška on Krk Island, and Zadar. Each of these locations has just the right wind conditions for six months a year, with windsurfing schools that have internationally certified instructors, and excellent equipment rentals.
And what’s not to like about windsurfing? You’ll get to scurry across the water, feel the wind on your face and the sun on your back, observe some magnificent Roman, medieval and Venetian-style architecture from a unique perspective, and, because the waters are so clear, you may just be able to see the odd shipwreck below the water’s surface.
To start planning your Croatian adventure and find more about our tours that give a true and authentic flavor of Croatia, simply speak to a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team.
