Kayaking Sava River Bled: Guided Tour with Pickup & Photos

Summary

Beginner Kayak Adventure on Sava River Near Lake Bled

You’ll learn kayaking basics on Slovenia’s Sava River with friendly local guides—plus hotel pickup, all gear provided, and action shots to remember it by.

What’s the experience like?

The morning kicked off with a quick ride from my guesthouse in Bled—just enough time to spot a few sleepy cows in the fields before we pulled up at the riverbank. The air smelled fresh, a bit earthy, and you could hear the water moving even before you saw it. Our guide, Luka, greeted us with a grin and handed out wetsuits that were still a little damp from yesterday’s group (not a bad thing—it meant they actually get used!).

After gearing up—life jackets, helmets, water shoes—the team ran through the basics. I’d never held a kayak paddle before, but Luka made it simple: left, right, don’t panic if you spin around. The first stretch was calm enough to get comfortable. Then came the rapids—nothing too wild, but enough to make your heart thump when you hit them just right. At one bend, we stopped by this rocky ledge where Luka asked if anyone wanted to jump in. I hesitated but went for it; the water was colder than I expected and left me laughing all the way back to my kayak.

The last part of the trip was slower—a gentle float through a narrow gorge with mossy rocks and birds overhead. By then my arms were tired but happy. When we reached the finish point, the van was waiting (with dry towels). We swapped stories and checked out some GoPro shots before heading back to town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayaking on Sava River

• Pickup from accommodation in Bled
• Drive to kayaking start location (10-15 min)
• Gear-up and safety briefing
• Kayaking down Sava River with guide (120 min)
• Stop for optional cliff jump
• Float through scenic gorge
• Return to vans and transport back

Top questions

Is this kayaking trip suitable for beginners?

Yes! Most people on our tour were first-timers. The guide explains everything and keeps an eye on everyone throughout.

Do I need to bring any special equipment?

Nope—all gear is provided: wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, water shoes, paddle, and kayak.

Can kids join?

Kids over 8 can join as long as they’re swimmers and have an adult with them.

How long does the whole activity take?

The kayaking itself is about two hours plus transfers—expect around three hours total door-to-door from Bled.

What’s included

Your hotel pickup and drop-off are covered. You’ll get all necessary kayaking equipment (wetsuit, helmet, life jacket), an English-speaking licensed guide who knows every twist of the Sava River, round-trip transfers from Bled or nearby villages, plus GoPro photos and videos from your adventure.