What’s better…a sea kayaking tour in Dubrovnik or a bike tour?
That was the question.
“They look like water fleas,” observed my husband while watching multiple small specks of kayaks on the Adriatic Sea navigating counter-clockwise between Lokrum Island, Betina Cave and Kings Landing/Dubrovnik Old Town. It was our third night in Croatia as we relaxed on the balcony watching the sunset in progress behind the majestic Old Town trying to decide next day plans. “Sounds like fun, but it just looks so touristy.”
With only two days left in Dubrovnik, potential activities on our list included exploring the Island of Lokrum, doing a full day ferry tour of the Eliphite Islands, walking Dubrovnik’s famous old city walls, and doing a physical activity like bike riding or kayaking. It was easy to agree on both Lokrum Island and walking the Old City Walls. But between a bike ride or kayaking… which one? Both activities make great vacation experiences but we would not have time for both.
In the end the choice was between sweating on hot land or getting a little wet on the water. We chose water. It sounded more refreshing, with inspirational views and somehow seemed a more authentically unique way to experience Croatia from the water floating next to Kings Landing… excuse me, I mean Old Town Dubrovnik.
Here is the 2.5 hour sunset kayaking tour that we decided on.
It was a fun, relaxing tour and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend. The reasons we chose this particular tour and company are listed below, There were many time options available including a sunset tour experience which is what we were looking for.
Our three deciding factors in choosing a kayak tour in Dubrovnik
- We wanted to experience being on the water at sunset, kayaking towards King’s Landing…. um, Old Town Dubrovnik.
- This kayak tour departed and returned from Pile Bay, which is super cool and a famous Game of Thrones filming location known as Blackwater Bay. We heard that only 2 kayak companies leave from this scenic location.
- Something was easy to find and book on the spot in Dubrovnik. Typically, we book most vacation day tours in advance using Get Your Guide or Viator. But our day was open-ended the first half for beach-bumming on Lokrum Island so did not want to commit to a kayak time in advance. We just wanted an easy to find kayak tour company, that offered a sunset tour option, and left from Pile Bay. The kayak tour we booked from the Skybar in Dubrovnik was perfect. The Skybar location is easy to find, on the main road outside of Dubronik’s Pile Gate… just look for Skybar over near where the bus stops are.
Is sea kayaking in Dubrovnik touristy or terrific?
A little of both, but overwhelmingly this felt more terrific than touristy. Our sunset kayaking tour was a terrific way to experience Dubrovnik from the water, take a break from the crowded Dubrovnik city streets, and frankly it was a highlight of our Croatia vacation. Because kayak tours are so popular, there were moments when it did feel touristy. It had to. Dubrovnik simply swarms with visitors in August, so pretty much everywhere you go you are aware that you are a tourist, surrounded by tourists too.
But mostly the kayaking experience was on open water with each kayak team having their own moment, lots of sea space to roam and only pinches of touristy. The touristy feeling parts are crowded areas getting in and out of your kayak at the start and end of the tour, and the stop at Betina Cave where it seems that every other kayaking tour also stops. So while our group had perhaps 10 people/5 double-kayaks, when we got to Bettina Cave there were more like 25+ kayaks in there and well over 50 people. Crowded, but it did make a nice stop to eat the sandwich that came with the tour.
Map of our Dubrovnik Sea Kayaking Tour
- Starting point Pile Bay, aka Blackwater Bay in Kings Landing from Game of Thrones.
From this point, ships battled, Marcela sailed away for Dorne and Tyrion was stabbed. And daily throughout the summer, kayaks launch for tours.
- Blackwater bay, outer walls of Dubrovnik
Stunning! Rocky, beautiful.
- Cross over to Lokrum Island
(NOTE: Tour option to split group here between easier and more advanced routes. Easier paddle went directly to Bettina Cave offered. We chose the longer advanced route around Lokrum Island instead.)
- Kayak into Fisherman’s Cave
Wow. Signs on Lokrum Island call this Pigeon’s Cave and we had seen it from above on the island earlier. But being inside was calm, captivating and just darn cool. Our kayak guide says locals call this Fisherman’s Cave because locals come to fish here. As we were leaving, a small boat was just outside ready to come in and fish.
- Around Lokrum Island
Really beautiful to see this island from the water, and not far past Fisherman’s Cave are large rocky shelves where nudists hang out (no photos to share here…. sorry). - Cross the water back to mainland
This is where we saw the most boat traffic to pass both other kayaking groups and also past anchored yachts and small boats.
- Betina Cave
Super duper crowded. Kayak tour Grand Central Station
- Paddle back cross entryway to Old Town Harbor, pass the Castle
What it feels like to sea kayak around Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island
Our kayak tour was both energizing and yet also a humbling experience. Experiencing being on the water, propelling ourselves across blue waters around Lokrum Island felt amazing and energizing. And paddling into the calm of Fisherman’s Cave felt profoundly humbling and peaceful. I did not expect that personal level impact after watching packs of kayak groups bustle around Dubrovnik throughout the day. It looked touristy. But it didn’t feel touristy when I was in the kayak, moving through the waters by our own energy, rocking along with small waves. I felt free and physically connected to natural elements of air and water…. at least for the first hour that we spent kayaking the route from Pile Harbor/Blackwater Bay around Lokrum Island and into Fisherman’s Cave. That felt amazing and empowering.
The touristy part of our kayak tour
The second half of the tour had its crowded moments such as in the touristy Betina Cave next to the city where we stopped to eat our sandwiches. Betina cave was jam-packed with parked kayaks and tourists snorkeling, wading, and jumping from rocks into the sea. That was more like watching a tourist show and getting in line to play in the water. But after returning to our kayaks to paddle back towards Dubrovnik Old Town center and into Pile Bay / Blackwater Bay during sunset, the views were so captivating and it felt fantastic back in the kayak for the closing leg of the tour. As we beached our kayaks back on the sandy beach in Pile Bay, we were surrounded by smiling people such as tourist hanging out or waiting for the freshwater shower, and with guides offering water or a glass of wine to enjoy a final cheers toast while the sun was setting. Really fantastic experience right down to the end.
A list of kayaking tours in Dubrovnik
There are many kayak tour options for visitors to Dubrovnik, while we chose the sunset tour leaving from Pile Harbor, there are other tours of different lengths, that start from different locations. Our understanding is that most of the kayak tours offer the same or very similar route along Old Dubrovnik city walls, Lokrum and the Betina Cave. Here is a more complete listing of kayak tours from Dubrovnik to help you plan your Croatia vacation… they do sound kind of similar, don’t they?
Dubrovnik 3-hour Sea Kayaking Tour with Snack
Dubrovnik 3-hour Sunset Sea Kayaking Tour
Dubrovnik Sunset Kayaking Tour
Lokrum Island and Dubrovnik City Walls Tour by Kayak
Dubrovnik 2.3 hour Kayaking Tour
2-hr combo: Game of Thrones Walking Tour & Sea Kayak Tour
Is this information helpful in planning your Croatia vacation? Or want to share the love of sea kayaking in Croatia? Please share this post to Pinterest. THANKS!
A list of sea kayak tours in Dubrovnik Croatia plus a review experience of Skybar sea kayak sunset tour. #seakayak #dubrovnik #kayakdubrovnik
