Croatia is a dream destination for every kayaking lover. Crystal-clear water, stunning national parks, magical sea caves – these are all the reasons why you should plan your adventure-packed travel itinerary in Croatia. In this week’s #ExperienceOfTheWeek series, we talked to Filip, the founder of Kayak & Bike Adventure Tours based in Zadar, Croatia. If you’re a fan of kayaking and you prefer adventure to the book reading on the beach, read the following interview carefully.
Q1: Hi Filip, how are you doing?
Hello there! Thanks, I’m a bit tired, but that’s good! It means we still have our tours going on. 🙂
Q2: Tell us more about the story of Kayak & Bike Adventure. How did it all start? Where does the passion for these sports come from?
Well, before all of this I worked in a construction company as an engineer. I learned a lot from that job but I missed the passion. I wanted to get out of the office to outdoors, from construction sites to nature. Seven years ago, I went kayaking with a group of friends for five days around islands in the Adriatic sea. I saw my homeland with completely different eyes, and an idea started to form.
Luckily, back then in Zadar, there was no one who organized kayak tours. In general, offers for outdoor activities (besides some tour operators in Zadar County, with whom we cooperate today), were quite weak. Tourism in Zadar was mostly limited to activities consisting of filling the boat or bus with fifty people and take them to the national parks.
I was unhappy with my life, trilled with the possibility to spend my working day in a kayak and to share my love. Then, I decided to take a risk. I quit my job, bought first few kayaks, trailer, and an old van, and started a business.
Q3: Zadar is an amazing destination and I bet there are dozens of things to show to fellow travelers around. How big is your team? Are you all locals?
Zadar County is really something. In one hour driving or sailing from Zadar, you can find paradise for outdoor lovers; mountains, sea, rivers, islands, and national parks. Zadar was just beginning to learn how to use and share its natural wealth. Regarding that, few colleagues and I started to organize the outdoor festival every year, to share our knowledge and to ‘’put’’ Zadar on the map of outdoor activities.
Last year there were 6 of us in the team, five locals, and one girl from Belgrade, Serbia. This year, regarding the COVID-19 situation, there are unfortunately just the three of us.
Q4: Your selection of tours includes mostly kayak adventures. What are the most popular routes you take travelers to? How does a typical full-day kayak adventure experience look like?
Currently, most popular, most active, and most diverse tours are on Dugi Otok. Our full-day is divided into 3 parts. In every part, there is something we aim to/paddle to… sea cave & cliff jumping, snorkeling at shipwreck, or playing popular local ball game ‘’picigin’’ on a white sandy beach.
Q5: Today many people travel and plan their itineraries on their own. Is it safe for travelers to rent a kayak and plan a trip on their own?
You just described my favorite traveling option! If you respect nature, if you are able to understand winds and forecast in general, then why not. And of course, if you are aware of your own possibilities.
Q6: The travel industry is in uncharted waters right now but we all hope it will rebound soon. What does the situation in Zadar look like right now? Are tourists already back?
Well, I can speak only from my perspective and experience. We started this season in July (usually it starts in the middle of April)… There are tourists, but in general, we have way fewer tours then past years.
Q7: Last but not least, what is your favorite spot in Zadar (either on or offshore) that you’d take your friends to see or experience? Tips from a true local are always worth it 🙂
There are more than a few spots (on and offshore) where I love to come to by myself or with friends. Most of them you can reach only from the sea, or walking some distance in the mountains (all those places are luckily far from crowds and civilization in general). Maybe, I will give tips to some of my future guests 🙂
Book some of the most popular experiences by Kayak Tours Croatia here:
Zadar Kayak Tour
Kayak Tour on Dugi Otok – Full Day
Dugi Otok – Half-Day Kayak Adventure