Pag Island Guided Sea Kayaking Tour with Cave Swim Novalja

Rucica Beach and the lunar landscape of Metajna

The tour starts at Rucica Beach near the village of Metajna, on the eastern side of Pag. This part of the island is famous for its bare, almost moon-like landscape: centuries of the strong bura wind and salt spray have stripped the hills of soil, leaving white and grey limestone above a turquoise sea. A walking path nearby, known as the Life on Mars trail, shows how otherworldly the scenery is.

Rucica itself is a long pebble beach framed by steep rocks, with water so clear that the seabed is visible far from shore. After a safety briefing and a short lesson, you set off in your kayak with the guide. If you are looking for things to do in Novalja beyond the town beaches, this quiet corner of Pag shows a completely different side of the island.

Susac Beach and the cliffs of Stogaj and Teplica

From Rucica the route heads toward the sandy cape of Susac, passing beneath the high cliffs of Stogaj and Teplica. Along this stretch, long sandy beaches line the coast one after another, many of them reachable only on foot over rough trails or from the sea, which keeps them empty even in summer.

The first break is at Susac, where you pull the kayaks onto the sand and swim in shallow, warm water. Across the bay you see the islets of Veli and Mali Maskalic and the rocky ridge between the beaches of Mali Zaton and Veli Zaton, where the tour makes a short stop to swim. These beaches are among the best on Pag for families, thanks to their sand and gentle depth.

Gace sea cave

Beyond the sandy beaches the coast turns rocky, and the highlight of the tour appears: Gace Cave, a sea cave about a hundred metres long with an exit on the far side. Light enters from both ends, so the water inside glows green and blue, and the cool air is a welcome change from the summer heat.

You paddle into part of the cave by kayak and then have time to swim in it, a rare experience on the Croatian coast and the reason many travellers search for a Pag island kayaking tour. The guide explains how the sea carved the soft limestone over thousands of years. The stop lasts about 20 minutes; bring a waterproof camera or keep your phone in the dry bag provided.

Malin Beach and Beritnica Beach

After the cave, you paddle to Malin Beach, a sandy cove known for a natural spring of fresh drinking water that flows close to the shore, a surprising find on such a dry island. This is the longest break of the tour, about 40 minutes, with time to swim, rest in the shade of the rocks and enjoy the silence of the coast.

The final swim stop is Beritnica Beach, famous for three large rocks rising from the sea just off the shore. This natural sculpture is one of the symbols of the island of Pag and one of its most photographed places. After a short swim, you paddle back to Rucica Beach, where the tour ends. In total you paddle around 3.5 hours with breaks.

Novalja and the island of Pag

Novalja is the main resort town on the north of Pag, with a lively harbour, a long promenade and a Roman water tunnel that still runs beneath the town. Pag is one of the longest islands in Croatia, known for its salt pans, its handmade lace, listed by UNESCO, and its sheep's milk cheese, flavoured by the salty herbs of the island.

With the default option you join a transfer from central Novalja that leaves one hour before the activity, so you do not need a car to reach Metajna. The best time to visit Pag for sea kayaking is from June to September, when the water is warm. Bring food and water, as the beaches on the route have no shops, and wear plenty of sunscreen.