Coastal
Dubrovnik and Lokrum
Sea kayaking under the city walls, a swim in Betina Cave and the forested island of Lokrum, ten minutes offshore. The best way to see Dubrovnik is from the water.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Dubrovnik is one of the most crowded old towns in Europe, and the easiest way to escape the crowds is to get on the water. From the small beach in Pile Bay, just outside the western gate, sea kayak tours paddle beneath the city walls and Fort Lovrijenac, along cliffs no path reaches, to Betina Cave, a sea cave with its own tiny pebble beach. You stop there to swim and snorkel, then paddle out towards Lokrum before turning back to the harbour.
The walls look completely different from below, the water off the cliffs is clear and deep, and the trip takes about two hours, so it fits easily around a city day. Sunset tours run on the same route and finish as the light turns the old town gold. No experience is needed: guides set the pace, kayaks are stable doubles, and children from about five can ride in the middle seat.
Lokrum is the forested island just off the old harbour, about ten minutes away by ferry. It is a protected nature reserve with no cars and no hotels, where peacocks roam an old monastery garden and a small saltwater lake, nicknamed the Dead Sea, makes a sheltered swimming spot. Kayak tours paddle towards it but do not land, so if you want to explore the island itself, take the ferry from the old town harbour and give it half a day.
Dubrovnik is also the starting point for the car-free Elaphiti Islands, day cruises along the coast and sailing trips south into Montenegro's Bay of Kotor. Come in May, June or September for warm water without the peak crowds, and book morning or sunset slots in July and August, when midday heat and cruise-ship crowds peak.
When to go
May to October for kayaking and swimming. June and September give warm water with far fewer people. In July and August, book an early or sunset tour to avoid the midday heat and the cruise-ship crowds in the old town.
Getting there
Dubrovnik Airport is about 30 minutes from the old town by car or airport bus. Kayak tours start from the small beach in Pile Bay, just outside the Pile Gate, and Lokrum ferries leave from the old town harbour.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Kayak tours from €28
2 hours; half day for Lokrum
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, 30 min
Where to stay in Dubrovnik for kayaking and Lokrum
Stay in or near the old town: kayak tours start from Pile Bay just outside the western gate, and the Lokrum ferry leaves from the old harbour. Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik sits right by Pile Gate and a hostel inside the walls is the budget pick, while Hotel Lero near Bellevue beach adds space and a pool, a bus ride from the walls. For island hopping next, read up on the Elaphiti Islands.
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
Right by Pile Gate and Fort Lovrijenac, with an indoor pool. Pile Bay, where the kayak tours start, is a short walk away.
By Pile Gate
Hotel Lero
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Mid range base near Bellevue beach with a heated outdoor pool and sauna. The old town is 1.8 km away by bus or on foot.
1.8 km to the old town
Old Town Hostel
Hostel
Price Range:
Budget
Dorms inside the walls, a minute from the Stradun, with a shared kitchen and breakfast included.
2 min walk to Pile Gate
Who it's for
Best for: First-time kayakers, families with kids from about five, and anyone who wants a break from the old town crowds without leaving Dubrovnik. Two hours, no experience, and a swim in a sea cave.
Skip it if: You get seasick, or you want a quiet, wild paddle. The water under the walls is busy with tours in summer. The Elaphiti Islands or the Albanian Riviera are calmer.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Dubrovnik kayaking questions
How much does sea kayaking in Dubrovnik cost?
The guided tour we link to starts from around €28 per person for about two hours, including the kayak, guide, life jacket, snorkelling gear, a dry bag and water. Sunset tours add a small glass of wine.
Do I need experience to kayak in Dubrovnik?
No. Tours use stable double kayaks and the guide sets the pace. You need reasonable fitness for about 90 minutes of paddling with breaks, but no previous kayaking.
Can kids go sea kayaking in Dubrovnik?
Yes, from about five years old. Small children sit in the middle seat of a double kayak with an adult. It is not suitable for anyone prone to seasickness.
Is the sunset kayak tour worth it?
Yes, especially in summer. It follows the same route as the day tour but in cooler air, with the walls and Lokrum lit up at golden hour. Book ahead, since sunset slots fill first.
Do kayak tours stop on Lokrum?
No. Tours paddle towards Lokrum for the views and then return. To walk the island, take the ferry from the old town harbour, about ten minutes each way.
What is there to do on Lokrum?
Swim in the small saltwater lake known as the Dead Sea or off the rocks, walk the forest trails to the old fort, and wander the monastery gardens, where peacocks roam free. The island is a nature reserve with no overnight stays.
Can you swim in Dubrovnik?
Yes. The sea is clear and warm from June to September. Popular spots include the rocks below the city walls, the beach in Pile Bay, Betina Cave by kayak, and Lokrum.
What should I bring on a kayak tour?
Swimwear, sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses with a strap. You will get wet up to the waist, and the tour supplies a dry bag for your phone and keys.
Ready to paddle under the walls?
A two-hour guided sea kayak tour from Pile Bay to Betina Cave, with snorkelling. Day and sunset departures.
