14.–20. September 2025. — Dugi Otok, Croatia
We’re still not sure who enjoyed it more — us or our guests.
Coastal Serenity, our first official seven-day circumnavigation of Dugi Otok, turned out to be everything we hoped for. The route and tempo we had been shaping for months finally came alive — a mix of longer and shorter days on the sea, enough time to rest, and plenty of moments to simply take it all in.
From the first morning, launching kayaks from Camp Kargita at Veli Rat, to the last paddle stroke a week later at the same place, it all just clicked. Calm sea, steady wind, and a small, close crew — just four of us: two guests and two guides. Melanie & Andreas fit right in — relaxed, curious, and open to whatever the sea decided to bring. Simple plan, big feeling.
Finding Rhythm on the Sea
Morning came quickly, as it always does before a new start.
Coffee, packing, and heading for the sea. We paddled from Veli Rat towards Lopata Cape, finding our pace and getting familiar with the sound of movement. Every stroke brought that quiet reminder of why we love doing this.
By the time we reached Petnica, the sun was low and the rocks had turned golden. Camp went up easily, dinner disappeared fast, and a calm silence settled over the shore.
Over the next days, the island unfolded piece by piece.
We stopped at Vranine (Golubinka Cave) for a swim and snorkel — light and echoes bouncing off the stone — and later climbed up to Jamine (Dragon’s Eye), a karst pool hidden in the rock. By late afternoon we reached Tetevišćica Bay — remote, quiet, shaped by wind and sea. High limestone cliffs, deep blue water, and that simple awareness of how small we are.
The Highlights of Telašćica
The real highlight came as we entered Telašćica.
Conditions were perfect — calm sea, clear light, and just enough breeze to keep us alert. Paddling under the cliffs was something else: 160 meters of stone rising straight from the water. For a long time, no one spoke. Then, just as everything went still, a tuna broke the surface — a short, powerful flash that snapped us all back into the moment. That mix of silence and sudden energy stayed with us — one of those unplanned memories that stick for years.
After the cliffs, we glided into the small sandy bay of Lojišće — calm, bright, and unbelievably clear. The sea turned turquoise, the sand soft under our feet, and everything slowed down. We stayed there for a long while, resting, swimming, just taking it in. It felt like the island’s way of saying well done.
That night we slept in a small bungalow in Uvala Mir. We stayed there because it’s part of a protected Nature Park, where camping isn’t allowed. Sleeping under a roof again felt almost foreign — we’d already grown used to the simplicity of camp life.
A Touch of Comfort in Sali
Reaching Sali felt like arriving in another world.
After days of wild beaches, basic meals, and saltwater rinses, a real room and a shower felt like a treat. We stayed in a small hotel above the harbor — nothing fancy, but after sleeping in a tent on rocky ground, it might as well have been a palace. Dinner in town was easy and cheerful — just good food and stories.
As we continued south, the landscape softened.
Cliffs gave way to green slopes and quiet coves, and paddling felt lighter. We stopped often — not because we had to, but because we could. That night on Utra Islet, surrounded by calm water and a sky full of stars, everything felt steady and simple.
The Final Sunrise Paddle
Before dawn on the final morning, we were already awake.
Not from a long night or too much wine, but simply because we didn’t want to miss it. The air was still, the sea flat as glass. Melanie and Andreas were ready first, kayaks already touching the sea. The first light hit the horizon and the sea turned gold. No words, no hurry — just quiet strokes keeping pace with the sunrise.
We stopped for coffee and breakfast at Tatišnjak Mali. Instead of a bay, we found natural terraces — layers of sea and stone glowing in endless shades of blue. One last swim, a few quiet laughs, and then we turned our bows north toward Veli Rat.
By midday we were back where we started — tired, happy, and quietly proud to have made the full circle. The route was complete, and the feeling we carried stayed with us long after.
Reflections
That week became the starting point for everything that followed.
It reminded us that adventure doesn’t need drama to feel real. You just need to keep things simple, listen to the sea, trust the conditions, and share it all with people who understand that kind of pace.
Melanie and Andreas weren’t just our first guests — they became part of future Garma stories.
Their presence confirmed what we already believed: the best trips happen when everyone moves together — with the sea, the island, and each other.
Learn more
If you’re looking for a sea kayaking expedition in Croatia that blends wild nature, good company, and a quiet sense of accomplishment, Coastal Serenity might be the one.
Dugi Otok offers diversity — open-sea horizons, remote bays, caves, and cliffs — while the eastern side shows a different face: greener, softer, with pine forests, sheltered bays, and a chain of small nearby islands that make the paddling feel calm and intimate.
👉 Learn more about Coastal Serenity and check available dates and spots for 2026.
👉 Curious what’s next? Explore all our other sea kayaking expeditions in Croatia or accommodation based trips and see available dates and spots for 2026.
See you on the sea 🌊
– Garma Team-