03/07/2022
Kayaking: Paddle out on an adventure
If you are willing to paddle, Vodice can be an ideal springboard for exploring by kayak:
- of the Vodice archipelago – the islands of Prvić, Tijat, and Logorun, but also the entire Šibenik Riviera,
- Kornati National Park,
- the Krka River and the Prokljan Lake and
- Vrana Lake Nature Park.
Kayaking is one of the sports which can deliver the most diverse experiences to you. There is a whole spectrum of emotions that these experiences bring, from unforgettable adrenaline to complete meditative tranquility and nirvana. Kayaking provides intense and direct contact with the water, grants access to hidden bays, beaches, and caves, and a tour of cultural and historical attractions.
Prvić – The Island of Faust Vrančić
From Vodice, take a kayak to Prvić, an island without cars. Šepurine is the first place you will see, and its charm will be hard to resist. Some may notice they are familiar with the Church of St. Rocco, and film buffs will remember that Vinko Brešan’s film The Priest’s Children was shot there. Prvić is also called the island of Faust Vrančić – the genius mind of the Renaissance, responsible for many discoveries that we cannot live without today, like parachutes and suspension bridges. You can visit his Memorial Center in Prvić Luka, which is only a fifteen-minute walk away.
St. Nicholas Fortress – Sea Guardian of Šibenik
Before Prvić, you will pass along the coasts of the islands of Logorun and Tijat, and if you are seeking a quiet gastronomic oasis, be sure to stop by the bay of Tijašnica. If you want to rise culturally, continue rowing towards the UNESCO-protected St. Nicholas Fortress, located at the very entrance to the Channel of St. Ante. As you row towards the fortress, built in the mid-16th century to defend against the Turks, try to remember in which episode of Game of Thrones you have seen it before.
Telašćica Nature Park
Perhaps the most beautiful kayaking adventure awaits you in the Kornati, and it is best to embark on it from the Telašćica Nature Park, which hides the healing salt lake Mir. Before you leave, check out the steep slope, vertical cliffs up to 161 meters high. On the way out of the nature park, you will notice the unusual islet Taljurić built of limestone. With a diameter of 60 meters and a height of 3 meters, it looks like a flat plate from a distance.
Find a Piece of Paradise in Kornati National Park
A total of 89 islands and islets are scattered in the Kornati National Park, and a tour of small fishing villages and hidden coves undoubtedly provides a meditative experience. The cliffs that violently emerge from the sea will take your breath away on the island of Mana and Levrnak, and your view will occupy endless pastures and interwoven dry walls with centuries-old olive trees. Don’t forget you’re moving in a kayak, so you can always venture out for free rock climbing, and find refreshments in Lojena Bay on the island of Levrnaki. You can learn more about the geological foundation of the Kornati and the coexistence of nature and man in this area on the educational trail Trtuša, located on the island of Kornati.
Enjoy the Natural Phenomenon – Lake Prokljan
Row on a river adventure in Skradin, a town located at the mouth of the Krka River. Most of the river is under the protection of the Krka National Park, so kayaking is not allowed, but you can row on the smooth surface of Lake Prokljan. Its surface is above sea level, and its bottom is below, but Lake Prokljan is also specific because of its connection with the sea, so its water is brackish in the surface layer and salty at the bottom. Thanks to this, the entire area around the lake is full of gastronomic delicacies that every true gourmet should try. Swim on the beach in Bilice or row out to the islet of Stipanac, which preserves the remains of ancient and medieval religious buildings. Next, go down the Prokljanski Channel to Šibenik, and when you’re there, look at the mussel farm (“pidoča”).
Lake Vrana – A Refuge for Over 250 Species of Birds
If you prefer calmer waters, you will find serenity by rowing on Lake Vrana. The largest lake in Croatia (57 km2) is a refuge for over 250 species of birds. Due to its biodiversity, it has been declared a nature park and is an important European ornithological area. At this place, take advantage of the unlimited freedom of movement by kayak and discover the incredible world of birds or try your hand at fishing.
The Mediterranean climate allows you to explore all the mentioned locations by kayak from the beginning of May to the end of October. Therefore choose a date and come.
Adventure awaits you.
