Rovinj Sunset Kayaking Tour: Paddle the Old Town from the Water

Paddle past the old town's golden cliffs and land on an island to stretch your legs.

A 3.5-hour kayaking tour in Rovinj where you paddle a sit-on-top kayak along the old town's seaside, stop at St. Catherine Island to walk and photograph, then continue to Figarola Island before returning. The tour runs at sunset or in the morning depending on which option you choose, includes a guide in English, lifejacket, drybag and a drink at the end, and keeps group sizes small enough that you're not packed into a tour boat with dozens of other people.

The Experience

What makes this different from the boat tours that cram the harbor is that you're the one paddling. After a quick introduction to the kayak and how to hold the paddle, you head out toward the old town's waterfront. As you move along the water at your own pace, the guide points out the history of the colorful houses and the town itself. The route takes you south along the coast, where St. Catherine Island appears with its golden cliffs — a place to actually get out, walk around and take photographs instead of watching it pass by.

From St. Catherine, you paddle to Figarola Island, moving through the water at a rhythm that suits the group rather than a fixed schedule. The tour lasts about three and a half hours total. You get a lifejacket and a drybag to keep your phone, towel and clothes dry while you're on the water, and a drink waits for you at the end. The flexibility in timing means the guide can adjust the pace or the stops if the group wants to linger somewhere or move on faster.

Pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the launch point. Choose the sunset departure if you want the light and the calm water of evening, or the morning option if you prefer to paddle earlier in the day.

What’s included

• Sit-on-top kayak and paddle.
• lifejacket.
• drybag for personal items.
• drink at the end of the tour.
• English-speaking guide.
• pickup included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by Locus Adventures

Is this one for you?Book the sunset option if you want to paddle as the light changes and the old town glows — the morning tour works just as well if you prefer to be on the water earlier and have the rest of the day free. Either way, you're in a small group with a guide who adjusts the pace, so it's not a race or a crowded boat full of tourists.

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Top questions

What's the actual paddling like if I've never kayaked before?

The kayaks are sit-on-top models, which are stable and easy to get in and out of, and the guide walks you through the basics before you leave the shore. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, so you're not racing or covering distance — you're moving at a pace the whole group can handle, with stops built in.

Do I have to stay with the group the whole time, or can I go at my own speed?

The tour is flexible in timing, so the guide adjusts the pace and can let the group move together or spread out a bit depending on what works. You're not locked to a rigid schedule.

What happens at St. Catherine Island?

St. Catherine Island is where you pull the kayak ashore and get out to walk around. The golden cliffs and the vantage point make it a good spot for photographs, and it gives you a chance to stretch your legs and rest before paddling again.

Is the sunset tour actually at sunset, or does it just happen to be in the evening?

The sunset option is timed for the evening light, so you're paddling as the sun goes down. The exact timing shifts with the season, and the guide will confirm the departure time when you book.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided?

The tour includes the kayak, lifejacket, drybag for your belongings, and a drink at the end. Bring a swimsuit or clothes you don't mind getting wet, sunscreen and a towel. The drybag keeps your phone and valuables dry while you paddle.