While cruising Croatia’s waterways, Explorer Leonie jumped off board as often as possible to explore the best of the country’s landscapes. These are her top reccomendations for Croatia adventures.

 

I cruised Croatia at the height of summer, but rather than idling in port or wandering around aimlessly, I booked in adventures. Some were adrenaline-packed, others were far more serene, but they all added to a week of fun, sun, and thrills.

Here are six Croatia adventures I’d do again and again. 

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

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My Favourite Croatia Adventures

1. Hiking Through Kamačnik Canyon to Kamačnik Springs

Location: Kamačnik, Croatia
Distance: 6km loop trail
Difficulty: Beginner (but there are tripping hazards)

About 1.5 hours’ drive inland from Opatija is Kamačnik Canyon. I hiked the 6km loop trail to the deepest spring in Croatia, Kamačnik Spring. It’s been measured at 120m deep and is brilliant turquoise.

 

 

The trail is alongside the Kamačnik River, which is like a mirror and filled with fallen logs and trout. There are wooden bridges to cross that curve over small rapids, and I was surrounded by lush, forest vegetation in every shade of green.

This isn’t a difficult hike as it’s mainly flat, but the path is uneven and there are many pesky tree root tripping hazards as well as slippery, loose rocks, and some steps. Be sure to wear sturdy, non-skid shoes.

 

 

Handy tip! Dogs are allowed in national parks in Croatia. My hike was guided by Smilia, who loves hiking this trail with her dog.

2. Sailing Croatia’s Islands

Location: Zadar, Croatia
Difficulty: Beginner – No sailing experience is required as the yacht is professionally skippered

Croatia has over 1,200 islands, so it’d be sacrilege not to sail amongst them!

I joined a small group to sail for a half day off Zadar. The boat left from Marina Zadar in a protected bay opposite the peninsula where the Old Town of Zadar sits. We motored to Lazaret, a rocky island covered in trees. The locals call it Small Island as it’s the smallest inhabited island in the Adriatic Sea.

I swam in the warm Adriatic water, then we motored onto another secluded swimming spot where we lolled in the clear water some more. The green vegetation of the islets dotted against the sparkling turquoise of the sea was beautiful.

After the wind began to blow, I helped the captain hoist the sails, took the helm myself, and we sailed back to Zadar.

 

 

The freedom of being on the water (and in it!) felt incredibly intoxicating, and we followed the sail by a walk around Zadar.

Zadar is a fascinating town to wander, having Roman origins, based on a Roman grid with some Roman ruins. It’s a Roman trifecta! And I do love a walled, old city.

3. Hiking Around Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Krka National Park

Location: Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Krka National Park, Croatia
Distance: 4km loop trail
Difficulty: Beginner (although some steep steps and uphill sections)

About 30 minutes’ drive from Šibenik is the majestic Skradinski Buk Waterfall in the Krka National Park. I hailed a taxi to the Lozovac entrance, bought a ticket, and followed the well-marked, 4km loop trail around the falls. It was swelteringly hot, but a lot of the walk was shaded.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

The falls are breathtaking and you can get super close to the thundering water. Until 2021, you were able to swim in the falls, but I’m glad this practice is no longer allowed. Seeing the falls without people splashing about in them felt right.

 

 

This part of the Krka National Park is layered with green, from the trees of all differing heights to the moss-covered rocks below the water.

Skradinski Buk Waterfall changes from 200-400m wide and is the longest, best-known, and most visited waterfall on the Krka River. On the trail, you can see the remnants of the 19th-century Krka Hydroelectric Plant, the world’s first hydropower plant to power a city, namely Šibenik.

There’s a boardwalk most of the way around the waterfalls, while some of the path is paved with stone, and there are some steps. The trail is well set up for tourists and there’s English information as well as English-speaking staff to assist.

The experience doesn’t come cheap, though. Admission in summer was a hefty EUR40 ($66AUD) per adult! In low season, it costs a much more palatable EUR7 ($11.50AUD).

I didn’t know there was an admission price to the national park, so I momentarily balked at the cost of a walk, but I decided that my ticket fee was a small contribution to protecting this amazing natural area. I visited on a Sunday and it was very crowded.

Hot tip! A shuttle bus takes you from the ticket office to the start of the walking trail, which is included in the admission price.

4. White Water Rafting Cetina River

Location: Cetina River, Croatia
Distance: 10km
Difficulty: Beginner (Gentle Grade 2 whitewater rapids)

After an hour’s drive from Split, I donned rafting gear, including a life jacket and helmet, and headed onto the 105km-long Cetina River.

Four of us, plus a guide, paddled for 2.5 hours, stopping twice for delightful swims in the crystal-clear river, with the chance to scramble up and jump off a high rock into the river too. My three companions tried this, but after my personal risk assessment, it was a hard no! The adrenaline rush of the gentle rapids was enough for me!

I thought I’d seen every shade of green between Kamačnik Canyon and Skradinski Buk Falls, but Cetina River continued to deliver the verdant colours. It was stunning.

The rapids were very mild, much gentler than the rapids I’ve experienced in New Zealand and Bali. We floated along, only occasionally paddling whilst we spotted loads of trout swimming alongside us, and iridescent, blue insects buzzed around.

This experience was the epitome of serenity. We drank in the beautiful, natural landscapes around us and the water beneath us. The river was also shaded, so it was deliciously cool.

 

5. Self-Drive ATV Tour from Korçula

Location: Korçula, Croatia
Distance: Approximately 12km
Difficulty: Beginner (Driver’s licence and driving experience required, however)

I’d never driven an ATV before, and then I was in a convoy of 20, with guides leading and following the pack. We were given a basic safety briefing and told to stay in single file and not to overtake. And then we were off!

 

 

Despite my initial trepidation, I had no choice but to floor the accelerator to keep up – the leader of our convoy did not take any prisoners!

We drove single file on local roads and rocky tracks, through gnarled vineyards, ancient olive groves, and charming villages. The ATV was surprisingly comfortable and, before long, I relaxed enough to focus on the breathtaking landscapes and stunning coastal views, whilst still enjoying the thrilling excitement of the ride.

 

 

We paused for a photo opportunity in the middle of steep rows of vines looking out to the sea and stopped at Lumbarda Beach. This was a lovely, sandy beach with a café, changing facilities, and toilets. A swim was just the ticket to cool off before we jumped aboard the ATV again.

After another 30 minutes of driving, we stopped at postcard-perfect La Banya Beach. There was a seemingly high-end beach club there, but room for public use too. We had another refreshing swim and dried off in no time, thanks to the heat.

The ATV allowed us to access hidden and picturesque spots off the regular tourist path. The swims in crystal clear water were heavenly, the views panoramic, and the adrenaline-filled experience of driving an ATV off-road was exhilarating!

Hot tip! The ATVs don’t go above 15km per hour unless you’re wearing a seatbelt. Top speed is set at 66km per hour.

6. Sea Kayaking Beneath the Old City Of Dubrovnik

Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Distance: 4km of kayaking
Difficulty: Intermediate (The water is flat and no prior experience is required but effort is required to paddle 4km)

Last but certainly not least was the most strenuous activity of my trip – sea kayaking in the Adriatic Sea beneath the grand and impressive fortifications of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is often used as a film set and for good reason – it’s magnificent!

 

 

I paddled in a group of about ten kayaks with a couple of guides for about 45 minutes. I’m not used to paddling and, although the water was pretty flat, I found it moderately hard. The way back was easier, so I either worked out how to paddle or the conditions became easier!

Midway, we stopped at a hidden cave beach known as Betina for a swim. You could snorkel if you wanted to, but I chose to relax, preserving my energy for the paddle back. The beach itself, though secluded and gorgeous, was stony, so not super comfy to sit on. Lolling in the water was a glorious way to pass the time.

 

 

Paddling back and looking up at the City Walls of Dubrovnik from the aquamarine water was an amazing and unique perspective.

Hot tip! With the heat of summer in Croatia (35ºC), this was a great activity to do. The last time I kayaked was in Antarctica, so I appreciated the warmth!

All Good Croatia Adventures Must Come to an End

My Croatia adventures showed me every colour of the country’s landscape – each shade of shimmering green and sparkling blue across the sky, water, and vegetation.

It was damn hot, but thankfully, many activities had a water element to them, either swimming or at least being near the water. Just looking at water calms and cools me!

What a magnificent few days… remembering it all again now makes me feel alive.

 

Leonie cruised Croatia as a guest of Azamara Cruises. Some of the activities she did were hosted, including Zadar sailing, white water rafting, and hiking through Kamačnik Canyon, and others were at her own expense.

FAQs Croatia Adventures

What is the best month to go to Croatia?

Summer in Croatia is June-August, however this is famously a very busy time all over Europe. Visiting in the shoulder seasons, around April and May or September and October, will still deliver speccy weather with fewer crowds.

What is Croatia best known for?

Croatia is known for its coastline and islands, so make sure to swim at some stunning beaches while you’re there.

Keep the European Adventures Rolling!

The author was a guest for this article so that they could try all of the experiences for themself. Check out our Editorial Standards for more info on how we approach these partnerships.