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.