Dubrovnik Sea Kayaking and Snorkelling Guided Tour

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Overview

This two-hour guided sea kayaking tour in Dubrovnik starts in the small bay beneath the Old Town's western walls. You paddle a sit-on-top kayak beside the city walls toward Lokrum Island, stop at a cave beach for a swim and snorkel, and return with stories about the city from your guide. Kayak, paddles, life jacket, snorkelling gear, waterproof bag and insurance are included, and no experience is needed, only a reasonable level of fitness.

Highlights

Paddle a sea kayak along the outside of the famous Dubrovnik city walls
Swim and snorkel for about half an hour at Betina Cave beach
See Lokrum Island and the Old Town from the water
All equipment included: kayak, paddles, life jackets, snorkel gear and a 60-litre waterproof bag
Small groups led by an English-speaking guide, with a safety briefing first
Morning and daytime departures, no experience needed

Full Description

Kayaking beneath the Dubrovnik city walls

Dubrovnik's walls rise straight out of the rocks and the sea, up to about twenty-five metres high, and the best way to appreciate their scale is from a kayak just below them. The route starts in the small bay under the western entrance of the Old Town and follows the coast, with the fortress of Lovrijenac and the stone battlements above you.

A sea kayaking tour in Dubrovnik is a great alternative to the walls walk, because you see the same city from a different angle and away from the crowds. The paddling is easy and steady, and your guide tells you facts and stories about the city, its defences and Croatian culture as you go.

Betina Cave: swim and snorkel

Betina Cave is a small cave beach on the Dubrovnik shoreline facing Lokrum, and it is the halfway point of the tour. You land or moor for a break of about twenty to thirty minutes, with time to swim in the clear water and snorkel around the rocks with the equipment provided.

This stop is what makes the trip more than a paddle, and the water is calm and shallow near the beach. Non-swimmers can join if the sea is calm, and a life jacket is worn on the water. Sea shoes are useful on the pebbles and are not provided, so bring your own if you can.

Lokrum Island views

After the swim you paddle toward Lokrum, the wooded island about 600 metres off the Old Town coast, with its monastery ruins and botanical garden. The tour does not land on the island, but you get a clear view of its shoreline, its pine trees and the water around it.

This is where the story-telling continues, with your guide pointing out how the island and the city are linked. The paddling back to the starting point takes you past the walls once more, with the best views for photos, which you can take safely because your phone and bag go in the waterproof bag.

Practical visit: fitness, weather and meeting point

You need to be able to paddle for around an hour and a half with breaks, and to be comfortable getting wet up to your waist. The kayaks are double sit-on-top boats, so you paddle with a partner, and a child of at least five can sit in the middle. Groups are usually small.

The tour runs only if the weather and sea are suitable, and it may be moved or cancelled for wind. There are no changing rooms or toilets at the start point, so arrive ready to paddle, and wear swimwear under light clothes. The meeting point is confirmed after booking; arrive about ten minutes early for the safety briefing.

Itinerary

Meeting and safety briefingArrive about ten minutes early; your guide explains the kayaks and the safety rules.
Paddle beneath the wallsPaddle from the bay beneath the western entrance of the Old Town along the coast.
Betina CaveA swim and snorkel break of about twenty to thirty minutes at the cave beach.
Toward LokrumPaddle toward Lokrum Island with views of the city and stories from your guide.
Return to the startPaddle back along the walls to the starting beach.

What's included

Kayak and paddles
Life jackets
Waterproof bag (60 litres) for your belongings
Snorkelling equipment
Professional English-speaking guide
Insurance
Bottled water

Not included

Sea shoes
Towels
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Not suitable for

Children under 5 years
People with back or heart problems
People with a low level of fitness
People prone to motion or sea sickness

Meeting point

The meeting point is in Dubrovnik and is confirmed after booking. Please arrive about ten minutes early for the safety briefing. There are no changing rooms or toilets at the start, and parking near the Old Town is difficult, so we suggest walking or taking a taxi or bus.

Important information

Wear swimwear under light clothes; you will get wet up to the waist.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel and sea shoes or flip-flops; sea shoes and towels are not included.
You paddle for about an hour and a half with breaks, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed.
Speakers, littering and joining the tour under the influence of any substance are not allowed.
A minimum number of participants is required; if it is not met or the sea is rough, the tour can be rescheduled or refunded.
Basic English is recommended, especially if you have no kayaking experience.

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