KAYAKING ON KORCULA ISLAND: THE BEST KAYAK TOUR FROM LUMBARDA YOU MUST DO!

If you’ve had enough of relaxing on the beach and want something a bit more active, kayaking on Korcula is one of the best activities I can recommend!

During our latest trip to Korcula, we packed our itinerary with some really fun experiences, but this one definitely left the biggest impression. Maybe it’s because it was my very first time in a kayak, but also because it’s so much more than just paddling. You get to explore the coastline, discover nearby islands, and learn so much about Korcula along the way.

We did this tour in collaboration with Spirit of Korkyra, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better first kayaking experience. If you’re already sold on it, you can find the tour here! But if you’re not convinced yet, keep reading because by the end of this post, I’m sure you’ll want to book it too!

WHY SHOULD YOU GO KAYAKING ON KORCULA

Korcula is a truly stunning island, and it’s surrounded by plenty of smaller islands that are definitely worth exploring. While you can visit some of them by taxi boat, reaching them by kayak makes the experience much more exciting and memorable.

You’ll also have a knowledgeable guide with you who will share interesting stories and facts about the islands, which really adds another level to the experience. It’s also something not many visitors do, so it feels like a truly unique and special way to explore Korcula.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR AND GO KAYAKING ON KORCULA

We did our tour with Spirit of Korkyra, a small family-run business with an incredible 5.0 rating for their kayaking tours. They offer several different kayak tour options, depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for. We did their sunset tour, which was absolutely magical, but if you’re looking for something more adventurous, they also offer half-day and full-day tours that take you to more locations around Korcula and the nearby islands.

You can book the tours through their official website here, and if you leave the discount code KARLATYPES5 in the message section, you’ll get an additional 5% off. You can also book through GetYourGuide below!

SPIRIT OF KORKYRA KAYAK TOUR FROM LUMBARDA: ITINERARY

This is what our sunset tour looked like! If you choose one of their other tours, there might be some slight changes and additional stops, but if you decide to go for the sunset tour, this is exactly what you can expect.

You’ll meet in Lumbarda, at Tatinja Beach, where you’ll be greeted by Boris, your guide. He’ll first give you a safety briefing, explain the route and what you’ll be doing during the tour, and share some tips on the best way to paddle and use the kayak. After that, you’ll get into the sea and your kayaking adventure begins!

FIRST STOP – VRNIK

The first stop on this kayak tour is the small island of Vrnik. It takes around 20 minutes of easy paddling to reach Vrnik, and somewhere halfway there, you’ll make a short stop on the sea where your guide will share a bit of history about Lumbarda and the island itself.

Once you arrive at Vrnik, you’ll have around 20 minutes to explore the island. Your guide Boris will introduce you to its history, show you the important landmarks, and explain the story behind the impressive quarry that the island is famous for. You’ll also get a small snack break before continuing your kayaking adventure towards your next stop which is the beautiful island of Badija!

SECOND STOP – BADIJA

Badija was already one of my favourite places near Korcula even before this kayaking tour, but this experience made me fall in love with it even more. From Vrnik to Badija, you’ll have around 20 minutes of paddling, and since it’s later in the day, you’ll be surrounded by the most beautiful soft evening light. The views along the way are absolutely stunning, and as you get closer to the island, you’ll see the impressive monastery from the water. Honestly, the view of the monastery from the kayak is unforgettable.

Once you arrive at Badija, you’ll get to explore the island, see the famous free-roaming deer, and enjoy a short history tour with your guide. We really loved learning more about the island and its story. The best part is that the sun is slowly setting during your visit, so everything is surrounded by the most magical golden light.

THIRD STOP – GUBAVAC 

After Badija, you’ll have your longest stretch of paddling, around 30 minutes, as you make your way to the island of Gubavac. This was probably my favourite part of the kayaking experience because the sea was incredibly calm between the islands, making the whole journey feel so peaceful. We even spotted some wildlife on the nearby islands, which made the experience even more special.

Once you reach Gubavac, you’ll have up to an hour to enjoy the incredible sunset views, go for a swim, and relax a bit. During this stop, Boris will share homemade klasuni pastries and their own Grk wine, so you’ll have the chance to taste some truly local products. This was honestly my favourite moment of the whole kayaking tour. Watching the sunset, surrounded by the calm sea and beautiful island views, was something I’ll remember for a long time!

IS THIS KAYAK TOUR WORTH THE MONEY?

If there’s one thing you spend your money on while visiting Korcula, I’d say make it this! This is not just a kayaking tour, it’s truly a full experience. You’ll get an amazing kayaking adventure, but also a history and culture tour because Boris is a local with so much knowledge about the island. He’ll introduce you to kayaking, make sure you feel safe and comfortable, share stories about Korcula’s history, and introduce you to local products along the way.

Our sunset tour cost only €56, and honestly, it’s a memory we’ll treasure forever. It was one of those experiences that made our trip to Korcula even more special, and I can’t recommend it enough!

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE DOING THIS TOUR

Be prepared for paddling! To be honest, my arms are not very strong, and without my boyfriend I probably would have struggled a lot more, but you definitely don’t need to be a professional athlete to do this. However, you do need to be comfortable paddling around 5 kilometres together with your kayaking partner.

Bring plenty of water with you! Depending on the weather and how much you usually drink while being active, make sure you bring enough water for the whole tour. The guide recommends around 1.5 litres per person. You might not drink all of it, but it’s always better to have extra than to get thirsty while you’re out on the sea!

Don’t forget sun protection! You’re spending hours on the water, and even if the temperature feels pleasant, the sun can be strong, especially during summer. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light shirt to cover your shoulders and protect yourself from burning. This is especially important if you choose one of their half-day or full-day tours that start earlier in the day rather than the sunset tour.

CONCLUSION: MY KAYAKING ON KORCULA ISLAND EXPERIENCE

I absolutely loved this experience! I was honestly quite nervous beforehand because I’m not someone who feels very comfortable on the open sea, and it can make me a little uneasy. However, Boris immediately reassured me that they’ve been running these tours for almost 10 years and that no one has ever been hurt, which really helped me relax.

In the end, the experience was so much more enjoyable than I expected. The combination of kayaking, beautiful island views, local stories, and the sunset made it something truly special. I genuinely think this is one of those experiences you’ll remember for a long time, so I highly recommend booking this tour while you’re on Korcula!