2024-10-08 Adriatic Double Trouble

We decided on a late-autumn getaway to Dubrovnik, perfect for exploring the iconic old town and unwinding a bit. For those who love Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik’s old town is a must-see, and October turned out to be an ideal time to visit, with temperatures still comfortably in the mid-20s Celsius. We spent three days exploring with a Dubrovnik Pass, which included access to the ancient city walls, museums, historic sites, and free bus travel around town.

After exploring the city, we booked a day of sailing and a day of kayaking to take in more of the coastal scenery. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t exactly align with our plans: the day we set out to sail was beautifully sunny and still, while the kayaking day, though still warm and mostly sunny, came with a brisk, strengthening wind.

The sailing trip, despite being mostly motor-powered due to the lack of wind, was fantastic. We cruised around the nearby islands, enjoying the sunny calm seas and taking in the stunning views.

The next day, we rented a double kayak from Adriatic Kayak Tours and launched from Zaton Mali, with hopes of crossing to Koločep Island about a nautical mile away. However, the wind was just too strong, and the forecast called for it to keep strengthening through the day. Plus, since this was Mrs. T’s first time kayaking, it didn’t seem worth pushing it with such unpredictable conditions. So instead, we followed the coastline toward Dubrovnik’s main harbor, Gruž, where the cliffs and inlets gave us some shelter from the wind. Along the way, we spotted a kingfisher and several herons, a real treat to watch as we paddled.

To avoid the bustling traffic of cruise ships and other vessels in Gruž, we crossed the harbor and took a break to stretch and have a snack. Since Mrs. T is a paddle-boarder but new to kayaking, I was careful not to overdo it. After our rest, we continued on to Draksa Island before heading to a secluded beach we’d spotted earlier, only accessible by water. The water there was crystal clear, perfect for snorkeling, and we spent a good while swimming among schools of fish before settling down for a picnic lunch. Finally, we paddled back to Zaton Mali, wrapping up a memorable day on the water.

Renting from Adriatic Kayak Tours was straightforward. I had contacted them ahead of time, providing details on my sea kayaking experience and qualifications, and they allowed us to rent the kayak and equipment without a guide. The night before, they called with instructions on where to find the key to the equipment locker, so we could just pick up the gear ourselves and set off. Payment was around €120 for the day, and other than that call, we didn’t actually meet anyone from Adriatic Kayak Tours in person!

The kayak we used was a Prijon Dayliner Duo, equipped with Werner paddles, buoyancy aids, and spray skirts. The rudder was serviceable but didn’t quite match the responsiveness I’m used to with my Pace 17 Tour. It’s a solid kayak for beginners, stable and comfortable on the water, though not one I’d rush to buy myself.

All in all, Dubrovnik was a fantastic late-season destination—full of history, great weather, and beautiful coastal waters.

Distance 7.5 nm Time: 2.5 hours paddle time (but in reality much of the day, with lots of stops)

What a fab fun day out.