Croatia Island Hopping Holiday

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.

Situated in the south of Croatia, the Elaphites are a small group of islands in the Adriatic sea, north west of the ancient city of Dubrovnik. Out of the ten small islands, only three are inhabited; Lopud, Sipan (the largest) and Kolocep. With sandy beaches and quiet coves on the inland sides of the islands, the sea facing coastlines are typified by steep cliffs and blue caves. Inland, the islands are hilly, covered with pine forests, vineyards and olive trees, dotted with crumbling houses and old churches. The pace of life on these sleepy islands is much more relaxed than the touristy Dubrovnik. Whilst all three islands receive their fair share of day visitors, the evenings are left for the island's inhabitants and are best enjoyed with a cool drink watching the sunset in a harbour-side bar.

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 has gives the water a beautiful azure colour, leading to locals nicknaming it the 'green cave.'

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.

• Option 1: Elaphite Island One Week Kayaking Tour

  Day 1: Arrival
  Day 2: Kayaking around Lopud
  Day 3: Kolocep - Lopud
  Day 4: Kayak Lopud - Trsteno - Lopud
  Day 5: Kayak Lopud - Sipan
  Day 6: Kayaking around Sipan
  Day 7: Optional self guided paddling
  Day 8: Departure

  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 and a swim - there are no restaurants here, so it will be a picnic

  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)

  Show Daily Itinerary / Book