Best time to go on an activity vacation in Croatia

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Best time to go on an activity vacation in Croatia

Get set for spring on freezing freshwater rivers; cool off in summer in the sea and under waterfalls; or just enjoy the ambience of autumn after the kids are back at school.

Our small group tours make the most of Croatia’s climate from April to October when the Adriatic is ideal for sea kayaking, snorkelling and SUP (stand up paddle boarding). Although inland rivers are fast and freezing either side of summer, you’ll be fully kitted out, and half the fun is the bracing shock as you plunge into the water before or after rafting the rapids. Summers are hot but there are plenty of ways to keep cool, including canyoning, waterfalls, or snorkelling in coastal caves. Spring or autumn are the best times to go on a multi activity vacation in Croatia, but even in the summer there are shaded pine forests and river canyons to avoid the heat and crowds.

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Split Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

102

NOV

134

DEC

127

Our Croatia multi activity Vacations

Multi activity vacations in Croatia, month by month

January, February and March are great times to visit Croatia without the crowds but not so good for multi activity vacations, as local tour operators aren’t open for business until April, at the earliest. As soon as May is under way, it’s all systems go. Sea temperatures are fine for kayaking, and rivers, such as the Cetina River, will be flowing a lot faster for white water rafting. Land-based activities, especially mountain biking and hiking, are great at the start of the season as it’s not too hot and there’s hardly anyone else around other than local folk getting ready for the summer. The Vis Regatta takes place at the beginning of May and is a very local island event which not only includes sailing, but also concerts, local food and an environmental day. Well worth a Vis visit. June is warming up, but rivers are still cold as the water comes from deep underground. This is one of the best months to go on a multi activity vacation in Croatia and a world away from the crowds and temperatures associated with peak summer season in July and August. Summer in Croatia can equal cruise liners, packed public ferries, and traffic jams from Trieste to Split via Istria. The best way to avoid all of the above is to escape to the Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik or the inland national parks closer to Split. There’s a reason why Croatia is jam-packed in summer and that’s because of the sun, sea and school vacations. Expect high prices in high season. Most Italian, Slovenian and Croatian children go back to school in the first week of September, which is good news for any multi activity seekers hoping for sunshine and sublime sea temperatures without the crowds. Early October is one of the best times to enjoy outdoor activities in Croatia, as the weather is still warm and there aren’t the tourist numbers associated with summer. Although several activity centers and island ferries will be slowing down in October, there’s still plenty of fun to be had against a backdrop of grape harvesting and fiery forest foliage. This is a good time to get to know islands like Vis, as it’s really, really relaxed at this time of year and everything is starting to get back to normal. November is very quiet on the Croatian coast and our multi activity instructors and guides will already have departed for the slopes of Slovenia. Zagreb in December is delightful, but the only activities you’ll find there are strolling around the Christmas markets and making the most of the gingerbread hearts, huge hot dogs and ladles of mulled glögg.

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More about Croatia multi activity

Multi activity vacations in Croatia

Our multi activity vacations in Croatia are about trying one or two different activities every day under the expert guidance of qualified local guides and instructors.

Croatia multi activity holidays map & highlights

Croatia multi activity vacations map & highlights

The local guides that we work with in Croatia are pioneers and still driven to find undiscovered areas for activities. From Vis Island and the Zadar archipelago to Podstrana and Plitvice Lakes – our tours cover all bases.

Types of activities in Croatia

The types of activities in Croatia that we recommend will have you all at sea on a kayak or riding river rapids on an inflatable raft. Elsewhere, on dry land, you’ll be invited to hike to hilltop chapels or cycle to remote farmsteads.

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Family multi activity vacations in Croatia

Multi activity vacations in Croatia for families are like being at an outdoor adventure theme park. Everything's guided by expert local instructors who understand when and where to get kids, and parents, to join in.

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Multi activity vacations in Croatia travel advice

Find out how to get away from the crowds, how to handle the heat and where to discover the mountains, rivers and lakes of Croatia in the company of expert instructors and qualified local guides.

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Written by Chris Owen

Best time to go on an activity vacation in Croatia