Rovinj: Kayak Tour with Snorkeling, Cliff Jump & Island Stop

Summary

Kayak Rovinj’s colorful coast swim at St Catherine island cliff jump if you dare

You’ll paddle from Rovinj’s lively harbor past its colorful old town before landing at St. Catherine Island for swimming, snorkeling, or even cliff jumping if you’re feeling brave. With a local guide leading and photos included, expect salty air, small surprises, and maybe even dolphins at sunset — plus time just drifting quietly on the Adriatic.

What’s the experience like?

"You guys ready to get wet?" our guide Luka grinned, handing me a bright red paddle that felt heavier than I’d expected. We were standing right on the pebbly edge of Rovinj’s harbor — you could smell the seaweed and sunscreen in the air, and there was this easy chatter from locals finishing their morning swims. I’d never actually kayaked before (not properly), but Luka just shrugged and said, “Don’t worry, we go slow.” So we pushed off, my arms already questioning my life choices.

Paddling out was… well, not as graceful as I’d hoped. But once we got moving along the old town waterfront — those pastel buildings almost dipping into the water — it started to feel kind of magical. Luka pointed out the Church of St. Euphemia up on the hill (“She protects sailors,” he said) and told us about pirates who used to hide in these coves. At some point I realized how salty the spray tasted and how quiet it got away from shore, except for gulls arguing overhead. Our little group drifted for a minute while Luka shared stories — I liked that he didn’t sound rehearsed or bored by his own facts.

St. Catherine Island looked close but took longer to reach than I thought (kayaking is sneaky like that). The water here was so clear you could see every pebble below. We got out for a swim — cold at first but then perfect — and Luka handed out masks for snorkeling. I tried to follow a silvery fish but mostly ended up swallowing seawater (not recommended). Some folks tried cliff jumping from these low rocks; one guy went all-in from way higher up and everyone cheered like kids at recess. I just sat there with my feet in the water thinking how good it felt to do nothing for a minute.

Afterwards we walked around the island under pine trees that smelled sharp in the sun, then paddled back toward town with tired arms and salt-dried skin. Luka snapped photos all along (he caught my “graceful” entry into the kayak — thanks for that), so you don’t have to worry about your phone getting wet. On the way back someone spotted what might’ve been a dolphin fin near sunset but honestly I was too busy soaking up that golden light on Rovinj’s rooftops to care much about anything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak tour with swimming and cliff jumping

• Attend safety briefing
• Paddle toward Rovinj Old Town
• Pause to hear historical facts
• Stop at St. Catherine Island
• Swim, relax, and snorkel
• Walk to scenic cliffs
• Try cliff jumping or enjoy views
• Walk around the island
• Paddle back to start

Top questions

Is this Rovinj kayak tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, beginners are welcome—your guide gives a safety briefing and keeps an easy pace.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes, masks and snorkels are provided during your stop at St. Catherine Island.

Are drinks included on this kayak tour?

Bottled water and iced tea are included for all participants.

Can you try cliff jumping on this tour?

Yes, there are cliffs ranging from 1–10 meters high where you can jump if you want.

How long do you spend at St. Catherine Island?

You’ll have about 20–30 minutes to swim, relax or walk around before continuing.

Are photos included in this experience?

Yes—your guide takes photos throughout and shares them after the tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; tours start from Rovinj’s harbor area.

Is this kayak tour suitable for kids or people with health issues?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiovascular issues; moderate fitness is needed.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a kayak with life jacket, dry bag for your things, masks and snorkels for exploring underwater at St. Catherine Island, plus bottled water and iced tea along the way—and your guide snaps photos so you can relive every splashy moment without worrying about your phone getting wet.