Since back during ancient times, proximity to water meant life, and now even in the 21st century it is still exactly the same. One of the most rich rivers in Croatia is the Cetina river, found in the rocky Dalmatia region, which breathes life into everything near and surrounding it. Undoubtedly, this 105km long river offers an assortment of benefits to the local population from; powering several hydropower plants, acting as a source of fresh drinking water and being the back one to the growing Croatian family adventure tourism market.
From the water source’s majestic beginnings, at a height of 385 metres in the Dinara mountains to its humble end, emptying into the Adriatic Sea, the Cetina has many personalities to enjoy. In this article, I will tell you a little more about my favourite sections of the river and how to enjoy it safely and with full respect to nature.
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River tubing
River tubing is great fun, and not just for adults but also for active families holidaying in Croatia. Sitting in giant inflatable donuts, you’ll have the unique opportunity to descend down small river rapids powered only by your hands and feet. Located slightly north of the village of Kučiće, there is a perfect three-kilometre river section, with many memorable twists and turns. If you want to splash and have fun, and see the Dalmatian hinterland from a very rare perspective, then I can highly recommend this activity when visiting the Cetina river.
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Kayaking
All over the world, kayaking is enjoyed as a recreational sport and its particularly popular in Croatia. Our country is blessed with an abundance of pristine rivers, lakes and a stunning coastline, so there are no shortages of places to rent a kayak and enjoy a water adventure. From my experience as a guide, one of the best kayak routes can be found on the Cetina, as the water transcends from sparkling emerald waters to the blue signatures of the Adriatic Sea. This picture postcard perfect route also runs through Omiš, one of the prettiest towns in Dalmatia. Famed for its historical pirates, bringing fear to the whole of the Mediterranean sea throughout the 12th and 13th centuries.
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Although there are no pirates in Omiš now, I can still guarantee that this is one of the most memorable kayak experiences available. In addition, and unique to the Cetina river, guests can rent see-through kayaks, so as you paddle down the river you can explore the flora and fauna growing along the bottom of the river and enjoy feeling one with the water.
Mini rafting
As a qualified rafting guide for many years, I’ve been fortunate to have experienced the best sides to the Cetina river, and still to this day, one of my favourite activities is mini rafting. Unlike kayaking and river tubing, mini rafting is done on the northern part of the Cetina river, where you’ll find exciting river rapids and challenging waterfalls to descend. Going down the class 2 and 3 rapids (the scale is up to 6) in an inflatable canoe raft is an
adrenaline packed adventure. Along this section of the Cetina, adventurous families will discover one of the prettiest river beaches, called Stružica, which is very popular among the locals.
Professional tours typically conclude in the village of Blato na Cetini and over there you can have lunch in a little restaurant along the bank of the river. This has become a popular tour for family activity holidays in Croatia, allowing parents to better bond and connect with their teenagers, as they steer their own destiny along the Cetina river.
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Canyoning
Canyoning along the Cetina is an unmissable adventure activity when visiting this Dalmatian region. Expert guides help lead the way and help adventurous guests to plunge into these newly discovered rocky areas and clear waters, providing the most exhilirating and unforgettable experience. It’s a true treat to be able to swim underneath powerful waterfalls, flow down naturally formed chutes, and jump into emerald pools of water. It's more fun than you can imagine and that’s why it's an unmissable experience when visiting anywhere close to the Cetina river.
If you decide to do the extreme version (not for families!) you can abseil down next to one of the highest waterfalls in Croatia, Gubavica (56 metres high). The starting point is in the village of Zadvarje and the finish is next to the oldest power plant on the Cetina river, called Kraljevac. Unlike white water rafting, canyoning is ungraded. So before booking with any sports agency, ask the right questions and discuss what you can expect with the experience. Remember, no canyon is the same!
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White water rafting
White water rafting is the most popular activity on the river Cetina. The route that you pass along this section of the river is about 10 kilometres long and you will face Grade 2 and 3 rapids. The starting point is north of the village of Kučiće and concludes next to one of the most famous restaurants in Dalmatia, Radmanove Mlinice. On the river, there are a lot of agencies that provide eight-man rafting tours.
Active and sustainable tourism
I hope this article has inspired you to explore the river Cetina and please remember to respect nature. We only have a future if we look after our planet now and give back to the environment and local communities. To try these activities with an Eco-friendly travel company, then contact – Green World Holidays –– a company that believes in sustainable tourism to create wonderful family activity holidays in Croatia. See their INSTAGRAM STORIES – www.instagram.com/
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