Rafting on the Vrbas River: 12km with swimming stops

Two hours on the water, two stops to swim, one van ride to get there

Rafting on the Vrbas River near Banja Luka is a guided activity where you paddle 12km downriver with stops for swimming and scenery. The operator picks you up at a meeting point, drives you 10–15 minutes to the start, runs a safety briefing, then takes you downstream for roughly two hours (timing varies with river conditions). The trip includes a raft, paddle, safety gear and bottled water. Guides speak English and Italian and welcome children from age three.

The experience

You meet at a designated point and load into a van for a short drive to the rafting start. Once there, a guide walks you through the safety briefing and gets you fitted into your gear (raft, paddle and life jacket), before you push off into the water. The 12km run downriver usually takes about two hours, though higher water can speed it up and lower levels slow it down. The pace is built for first-timers and non-swimmers as much as for people who have paddled before.

The river itself is the draw: you stop a couple of times to swim in the water and take in the landscape, especially welcome on hot summer days. The guide stays with the group throughout, keeping things steady and pointing out the route. Bottled water is provided, and the whole experience (from van pickup to the final paddle stroke) is designed around comfort and safety rather than technical difficulty or speed.

What’s included

• Raft, paddle and safety gear.
• bottled water.
• guide for the full trip.
• van transport from the meeting point to the rafting start (10–15 minutes each way).

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by BanjalukaTravel

Is this one for you?Small groups and families with children from three onward work well here. The fixed two-hour paddle and two swimming stops fit a half-day plan, and the guide's presence means first-timers and non-swimmers paddle with the same confidence as experienced rafters.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the actual rafting part, not counting the drive?

The paddle itself takes about two hours, depending on the Vrbas River's water level that day. Higher water moves faster, lower water takes longer.

Can I go if I've never rafted before?

Yes. The trip is open to first-timers and non-swimmers as well as experienced paddlers. A guide leads you through a safety briefing before you start.

Are there places to swim during the trip?

Yes, the guide stops a couple of times along the 12km route so you can swim and enjoy the scenery.