Dubrovnik Kayaking Short Break

A Short Break based out of Dubrovnik, kayaking around the Elaphite Islands of Lopud and Kolocep. Staying in a local guesthouse, you'll have a chance to sample the very best in local cuisine, as well as explore an untouched and stunning coastline, complete with caves you can only swim into and clear seas perfect for snorkelling.

Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is based in Southern Croatia. For years it was a prosperous independent principality, relying on sea trade as its main income. Nowadays, the city's riches are mainly driven by tourism, with both independent and cruise ship tourists visiting in their droves every year. The walled city is an intriguing place to visit, but the islands and coastline offer a welcome respite from the madding crowds, with laid-back hospitality and stunning coastlines within easy reach.

The Elaphite islands of Kolocep and Lopud lie about an hour's ferry journey from Dubrovnik. Kolocep, the closer of the two islands is also the larger. The middle of the island is covered with cherry, walnut, fig and almond trees which offer welcome shade when exploring by foot. Numerous chapels and picturesque houses dot the landscape in the middle of the island, while closer to the shore, pine trees dominate the cliffs and the sound of chirping cicadas fills the air.

Lopud is smaller than Kolocep and despite their proximity to eachother, is very different. The island itself is dominated by a large hill which is home to a crumbling fortress, offering fantastic panoramic views of the coast and islands. The island also hosts one of the few sandy beaches in the region, making it a popular destination for day trippers. The coast around both islands is rocky, dotted with interesting inlets and caves to explore.

For this short break, you are based for the duration on the island of Lopud. After an initial afternoon in Dubrovnik where you leave your bags after your flight and explore at leisure, you transfer in the evening to Lopud by ferry. The following morning, after a leisurely breakfast and meeting your group, you head out for a safety briefing and introduction to kayaking. Once you are all confident in the water, you kayak leisurely around half of the island to the beach on the other side, where you spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming. The next day, you kayak over to the island of Kolocep, which you circumnavigate, stopping enroute to sample some of the very best of the locally caught fish. Your next day, your final day of kayaking, is spent kayaking to the mainland to visit an old summer house and botanical gardens. That evening, you have the chance to go for a very special meal at a small holding on the island. The following day is departure day. You can either return to the mainland and spend some more time exploring Dubrovnik, or you can catch a ferry to Split, further up the coast.

This short break is ideal for those visiting the Dubrovnik area and wanting to experience some of what the islands have to offer. This trip is ideally combined with a couple of nights staying in Dubrovnik itself, or with a trip up to Split, which is easily accessible by boat or car.

This trip 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: Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands short break kayaking

  Day 1: Arrival
  Day 2: Kayaking around Lopud
  Day 3: Kayak Kolocep - Lopud
  Day 4: Kayak Lopud - Trsteno - Lopud
  Day 5: 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. 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: Departure
  Transfer from the island of Lopud to Dubrovnik airport.
  (B)

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