15 independent reviews for Family sea kayaking vacation in Croatia
Reviews for Family sea kayaking vacation in Croatia
Darcy Scott review 12 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The islands were beautiful in general, both Lopud where we were staying, and the islands we paddled to. The day we went to Sipan, and biked the length of it was the highlight. Aside from the beautiful beach we ended at on the far end of Sipan, our guides stopped regularly along the route help us to taste the blackberries, apples and figs that grow along the way.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The paddling was amazing, but physically challenging for our kids. Doubles advisable unless the kids are teens.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were certainly staying in locally run guesthouse, and the shared meals where done at some of the local restaurants. No obvious environmental impacts aside from the fact that all of the boating was human powered!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall fabulous trip, made better by a couple of great guides.Sylda Langford review 15 Jul 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Diving and swimming in the secret caves; kayaking to beautiful scenic spots on the Elaphiti islands and having fresh fish cooked in front of us at local restaurants; the wonderful local guides; the sea; the sunsets; the homemade gelato - all of it!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring rash suits, a hat and sunglasses if going in the summer. It is hot on the water and they give you reassurance about sun protection. I used sailing gloves but the others preferred not to. Definitely pack water shoes. Most sea access is rocky and there’s a reasonable amount of (very fun) rock scrambling and sea urchins. Pack mosquito spray. You need reasonable fitness for the kayaking. If you don’t exercise regularly this is not the active vacation to start with. Our 12 year old had his own kayak and it was challenging but definitely the right call over a double for him. Wouldn’t necessarily be the same for all 12 year olds but guides give good personalized advice on arrival. Would also recommend you are a confident swimmer. Also no harm to have motion sickness tablets if anyone in your group is susceptible. Nice to have goggles too because there’s lots of fish to see even close to shore. You have to try the fresh bureks from the bakery for lunch/snack and the homemade gelato. Eating out is expensive on Lopud so keep this in mind for the meals that aren’t included. Expect to pay min of €25 per person per meal including beverages.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We had two incredible local guides who made the vacation and took great care of us. We stayed in a guesthouse run by islanders. Nearly all restaurants grow their own veg, fruit and herbs to use in dishes. Most fish is caught locally. There are no cars on Lopud. We travelled by ferry and kayaked, walked and swam everywhere. Lots of waste recycling options available.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A fantastic unforgettable family experience. If you enjoy an active vacation in a beautiful location with a proper local experience, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Would go back in a heartbeat.Emilie Meinadier review 22 Aug 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
At the end we looked at the great distances we kayaked and for my 10 year old and I it was a huge accomplishment. The guide was amazing at encouraging us through a few rough patches. He never pushed us, just encouraged us to try and we impressed ourselves.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. We were wonderfully received in a local B&B and Lopud was an exceptional location. No cars already was a huge plus. But the island was so local and uncrowded, it was the perfect location as a base.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10.Mark Taylor review 27 Aug 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Swimming in caves on the Adriatic2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring dry bags and it does help to have a little experience of kayaking already.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, certainly it looked like local people were happy to see tourists especially after the loss of work in pandemic.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good. It might have been nice to break up or vary the activities a little more, but weather and a closed restaurant meant we had to be flexible and do what was possible on the day. The guide dealt with all this very well, Ivan was great.Heather Smith review 4 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Experiencing the beautiful coastlines of the Elafiti islands2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you have wet shoes, rash vest, hat, lots of sunscreen and twice as much water as you think you will need.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not sure4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent activty vacation all organised for you. All you have to do is paddle paddle paddle.Sarah Deeks review 22 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Swimming into blue cave.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring snorkel and hat.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great family vacationsarah fisher review 31 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Swimming into the green cave and spending time with the family on our own inside!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take only the clothes advised in Ivana's instructions...we took far too much, but our room actually had a kitchenette, so easy to wash stuff and dried overnight. You'll have to carry all your gear from the ferry to the apartments, about 15 mins walk...so travel light! we found a water back pack useful, so you can drink whilst paddling. Waterproof binoculars would have been useful and we definitely used our waterproof camera a lot when snorkelling.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely, we ate locally (often remotely!) at family-run restaurants, we walked everywhere (helped by no cars on Lopud, but we also avoided the golf buggy taxis as well), we shopped in the local supermarkets and learnt a lot from our guide Yellana about the flora and fauna4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10 made so by our fab guide, Yellana, who could not have been friendlier or more attentive...she really knows her stuff! We were met at the airport for our transfer to the Lopud ferry and Yellana met us on the island...all tickets were sorted out.Chris Vassilas review 22 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Two of us went with our 10 year old daughter. Our kayak guide was fantastic. For most of the trips our daughter came with me in a double kayak but at the end of the week she was able to come on a short trip paddling her own canoe. Over the week there was a huge increase in her confidence and she wants to go kayaking again.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You don't need any special equipment but having a good hat is important, a baseball cap might do but far better is a broad brimmed hat with a chin strap, you'll find it doesn't blow off your head if there's a gust of wind. A long sleeve top is a good idea rather than a T shirt and I took some fingerless gloves with me (I'm prone to blisters on my hands).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The tour company is locally owned and our guide was Croatian. Kayaking is an excellent way to see this part of Croatia with minimal environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
For our family, this was just what we hoped it would be. We got to see this part of Croatia and kept ourselves active at the same time.Catherine Matthews review 30 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was fantastic. Croatia is beautiful. Our guides Ivan and Matej were friendly, helpful and patient. We were very well looked after. The kayaking was wonderful and the kids loved it. We really liked swimming and kayaking in the caves.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Water shoes were very useful as there were sea urchins. We took cycle gloves which meant we didn’t get sore hands from the kayaking. Masks and snorkels were great too in the lovely clear water3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The vacation was provided by an excellent local company supporting the local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A fantastic vacation which I would highly recommend and love to do again!Rachel Daly review 12 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Not only did we get to know our guide quite well, but we also had the opportunity to get to know his family - and through them our kids met and got to hang out with the local kids on the island. An impromptu soccer match on our third evening turned into a nightly gathering of kids from the village and our 3 kids, at the island's only soccer pitch for an hour or two's football, with Dad in one goal and guide Ivan in the other! As the early stages of the World Cup were also on during our stay, there was great banter. Needless to say we went home with 3 new Croatia jerseys. We are shouting for Croatia to beat France in the final after our wonderful experience on Lopud Island! Always great to meet the locals!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
As suggested, make sure to bring caps/hats for kayaking. Not only do they protect your head from the sun but also from salt-water splashing. I forgot my cap one day and really missed it - water was dripping down my face all day and the Med is so salty! Bring insect-repellent, as the mosquitoes can be a bit annoying - especially at night-time - use a plug-in repellent in your bedroom if it is provided. There is no pharmacy on the island (Lopud), so bring anything you think you might need. If necessary the company can arrange to have anything you need sent over from the mainland by ferry. If you are bringing young children it would help if they were pretty confident in the water - if they are not strong swimmers they can wear their life-jackets when they go swimming/snorkelling but it would be easier and more relaxed for everybody if they were relatively comfortable in deep water. (Our youngest was 7 and a little nervous - it wasn't a big problem but he would have got more out of it if he was a little older or a more confident swimmer.)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It was nice to be using a local guide from the area and to be staying with a local family eating local food - all fruit, veg, salad came from their own garden. We also visited a local farm in the hills where the food was prepared by traditional methods by a retired chef/baker and his family. We practised archery in the fields nearby - very novel!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a fantastic time. It was a truly memorable vacation mainly thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of our guide Ivan. He adapted all activities and plans to suit our family, often changing things at short notice depending on the weather or simply on how we were feeling and what he thought would work best. He made it very easy, relaxed and enjoyable for us! We couldn't thank him enough for that. The kayaking was challenging at times but very enjoyable and the kids loved the combined swimming and snorkeling in the caves and around the islands. Although we booked a family kayaking tour, we felt we got a lot more out of the vacation than kayaking, including hiking, paddle-boarding, archery, football!Nia Bryant review 21 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything - from beginning to end.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we stayed in family owned accommodation and ate in local restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We were really looking forward to this trip and it surpassed our very high expectations. Our tour operator was amazing, the organisation was just superb, everything was seamless and yet relaxed at the same time. Right from pick up in Dubrovnick to being taekn back to the airport it felt as if we were being shown around by friends rather than guides. Thank you!Helen Thyter review 1 Aug 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We can not pick out something, the whole trip was memorable - the days when we paddled kayak, the food, the family that owned the place we stayed in, our wonderful guides and all the laughter along with the entire group. It was a trip we will never forget.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I really did.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
One of the best vacations ever. I highly recommend it.Bridget Smith review 19 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The kayaking around Lopud was lovely but the highlight was the supper we were taken to by our guide in the center of the island. We had to walk for 30 mins to get there - traveling back in the dark after a huge thunderstorm. It was in a farmhouse run by an elderly couple who cooked for us on an open fire and produced a really memorable meal. Before we ate, they brought out an enormous selection of home made liqueurs for us to sample.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring lots of sun cream. Give everything a go - including diving into an underwater cave which was pretty scary.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We ate all local food - mainly fish and locally grown salads. We certainly contributed to the local economy. We probably learnt about local conservation issues rather than benefiting them. There were no cars on Lopud so we walked and kayaked to get around.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was an excellent family vacation which suited teenagers, young adults and older adults equally.There was a good balance of organised activity and free time. The accommodation was basic but clean and accessible. The guides were fabulous as was the 'land lady'. Croatia was jolly good value, beautiful and friendly.Peter Wightman review 17 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Lopud island - amazing sunsets, lovely atmosphere and place to relax. Diving /swimming in the blue cave. Kayaking in stunning location & clear waters. The guides - great company, characters and knew their stuff. We got on really well with the other family we met and shared the activities with - it worked really well for both for the adults and the kids2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for the sun (hat/cream/rash vest if you are very sun sensitive) and heat 33degrees was fine. Expect the programme to flex around the weather and other trips - we had one day where there was a mix up on banana boat ride but it worked out ok in the end. It's worth having your mobile phone to hand to keep in touch with Ivana.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely. We stayed at local accommodation, the guides took us to great out of the way restaurants for food, including eating at a local farm/small holding with meat roasted 'under the bell'.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent - loved Croatian Island life, a semi organised trip with a like minded family and great guides. It was right balance of activities and doing our own thing. I would definitely recommend and will be back or book a similar trip again.Trish Horgan review 18 Jul 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were so many highlights to this vacation. Transfer by speedboat to Lopud set the scene for a fabulous adventure. Our guide Matija ( a former member of Croatia National canoe team) who was incredibly attentive and informative throughout our stay .We were delighted to find that our little group of 4 had a guide to look after just us. We really enjoyed conversing with many members of the "Adria Adventure" team who were so kind and helpful. Ivana called by to say hello and check that we were happy. Our accommodation was comfortable and easily accessible, and we were very impressed by the family (Maria, her sister and parents) who were keen to ensure we settled in and served us a lovely breakfast ( including mostly home made jams, lemon/lime juice from the garden, home made pancakes etc) every morning. We loved loved loved the kayaking which was pitched at just the right level for us with 2 kids, aged 11 years and 8 years but we all agree that the absolute highlight was swimming in the green cave, absolutely unforgettable.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, local restaurants etc on Lopud benefitted from our trip.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Holiday Reviews
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