Croatia

Island-Hopping SUP Adventure

6 nights from £1350 • €1540 • $1700

Activities

6 days guided adventures

Accommodation

Family-run apartments

Level

Beginner and intermediate

Food

Homemade and healthy

Difficulty

Group Size

Moderate

Transfers

12 new friends

Dates

Fly into Zadar, Croatia

June - October

  • Paddleboarding

    Island-hopping by paddleboard in an undiscovered paradise

  • Kayaking

    We will have the opportunity to swap our boards for kayaks

  • Cycling

    Cycle across islands through rural villages

  • Hiking

    Hike to incredible view points at sunset

Embark on an island-hopping paddleboarding adventure with Gutsy Girl this summer. Our multi-activity SUP and holiday takes you away from the tourist hotspots and away from mass tourism to discover an island paradise in Croatia.

Whether you're new to SUP or a seasoned paddleboarder, our expert coaching will cater to your skill level while you explore the remote and tiny islands, hidden beaches and secluded bays.

We'll explore the Zadar Archipelago, paddling between islands, discovering pebble-beach lagoons, sandy bays and snorkelling in turquoise blue waters. On land we'll hike to incredible viewpoints and cycle across islands, meandering through rural villages.

Immerse yourself in the local life sampling delicious food and embracing the unhurried island lifestyle. This truly authentic adventure allows you to make a positive impact on the communities we visit through responsible tourism practices.

Created for solo women travellers of all ages. No prior experience is required for our beginner weeks, take your first leap into adventure holidays with us!

Location

The Zadar Archipelago is made up of 300 small islands in the Adriatic, with only 89 inhabited, some of which are situated within a mere 50 meters of each other!

Unlike the overcrowded Dalmatian hotspots, the archipelago provides a unique off-the-beaten-track adventure.

You’ll find low cost flights to Zadar from many UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Leeds and Bournemouth.

We will be staying on Molat, a charming island with a permanent population of only 240. The harbour front village boasts more fishing boats than cars, creating a traffic-free environment. Everything is within walking distance, lending to the unhurried and tranquil pace of authentic island living.

Activities

  • Paddleboarding

    This SUP holiday is perfect for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders. Choose from our Entry Level week with coaching and guiding specifically designed for novices, or our intermediate weeks for those wanting to improve their skills and paddle longer distances.

    If you're new to the sport - paddleboarding has a quick learning curve and you'll be gliding across the water and discovering new places on day one! Our highly skilled and knowledgeable instructors provide top-quality instruction to ensure your progress as a beginner, improver, or intermediate paddler.

    Every day, you'll spend 5-6 hours on a paddleboard, honing your SUP skills and gaining confidence in the water while exploring the beautiful coastline of the islands.

    We make learning SUP skills an enjoyable and immersive experience, teaching you how to improve efficiency, learning various types of turns, including step-back turns. By the end of this holiday, you'll leave as a self-assured, independent, and proficient paddler, ready for your next exciting adventure!

  • Hiking

    Kayaking

    We will have the opportunity to swap our boards for kayaks, allowing us to go for longer tours and island hop to new locations. No prior kayaking experience is required, you’ll receive expert coaching and guiding.

    Sea kayaking is optional, but encouraged!

  • Snowshoeing

    Cycling

    We will cycle across the island of Molat on an quiet road with very few cars. It’s around 9km - an hour cycle across island, with a few hilly sections, we’ll meander through small villages and enjoy great views of the islands around.

    At the end of our cycle we’ll jump on our paddleboards for an adventure across to another island, before returning back to Molat and cycling 9km - an hour home again!

    This activity is optional!

  • Hiking

    There’s nothing quite like a hike to get to the top of the islands to take in the incredible views. Our hikes have steady climbs that can be challenging but it’s well worth it for the views from the top!

    Max distance 6km.

Paddleboarding

This SUP holiday is perfect for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders. Choose from our Entry Level week with coaching and guiding specifically designed for novices, or our intermediate weeks for those wanting to improve their skills and paddle longer distances.

If you're new to the sport - paddleboarding has a quick learning curve and you'll be gliding across the water and discovering new places on day one! Our highly skilled and knowledgeable instructors provide top-quality instruction to ensure your progress as a beginner, improver, or intermediate paddler.

Every day, you'll spend 5-6 hours on a paddleboard, honing your SUP skills and gaining confidence in the water while exploring the beautiful coastline of the islands.

We make learning SUP skills an enjoyable and immersive experience, teaching you how to improve efficiency, learning various types of turns, including step-back turns. By the end of this holiday, you'll leave as a self-assured, independent, and proficient paddler, ready for your next exciting adventure!

Kayaking

We will have the opportunity to swap our boards for kayaks, allowing us to go for longer tours and island hop to new locations. No prior kayaking experience is required, you’ll receive expert coaching and guiding.

Sea kayaking is optional, but encouraged!

Cycling

We will cycle across the island of Molat on an quiet road with very few cars. It’s around 9km - an hour cycle across island, with a few hilly sections, we’ll meander through small villages and enjoy great views of the islands around.

At the end of our cycle we’ll jump on our paddleboards for an adventure across to another island, before returning back to Molat and cycling 9km - an hour home again!

This activity is optional!

Hiking

There’s nothing quite like a hike to get to the top of the islands to take in the incredible views. Our hikes have steady climbs that can be challenging but it’s well worth it for the views from the top!

Max distance 6km.

Fitness and Experience Level

  • This active adventure offers the opportunity to explore beautiful islands while learning new paddleboarding skills!

    You don’t need to be an elite athlete to join us, however, you’ll need a good fitness level to enjoy all the activities of the week.

  • Activity Duration: Daily active time of 5-6 hours.

    SUP Distances: Beginners start at 3km, progressing to 10km. Intermediate trips cover 10-12km. You’ll be on the water for the majority of the day!

    Hiking: 6km hike with around 200 metres of ascent on uneven terrain. You’ll be hiking in the sun and heat, following a cycle and paddle.

    Cycling: 9km cycling route each way, featuring climbs and descents - optional activity. 

    Multi-Sport Day: Embrace a full day with 18km of cycling, 8km of paddling, and a 5km hike. It's a rigorous day, but cycling and hiking are optional. The focus is on a steady, non-competitive pace and we encourage all guests to give it a try! 

    Consecutive Activity: Prepare for 5 days of back-to-back paddleboarding and varied physical activities. The week is action-packed which can be quite demanding. 

    Sun Exposure: Expect to encounter warm summer weather with substantial sun exposure, particularly in July and August.

  • BEGINNERS AND IMPROVERS

    These trips are designed to build your skills and confidence on the water, with paddling distances starting at 3km and progressing to 10km by the end of the week.

    The focus will be on building a strong foundation for your SUP technique which will allow you to cover longer distances with ease. You’ll learn to turn your board with forward sweep stroke, cross-bow stroke and start to play with stepback turns.

    Beginner Paddlers: No prior paddleboarding experience is necessary.

    Improver Paddlers: Have had a formal lesson with a qualified instructor and been on a paddleboard a few times, but do not meet the requirements for intermediate level.

    INTERMEDIATE

    Our Intermediate Weeks cater to those with previous SUP experience. Expect daily paddling distances of 10 - 12 km, in conditions that are more challenging than our Entry Level trips, and at a quicker pace.

    Requirements for joining:

    • You’ve taken a lesson from a qualified instructor and have learned SUP techniques.

    • You’ve paddled at least 10 times, with at least 20 hours on a SUP.

    • You’ve paddled at least 10 km previously.

    • You can turn your board with a cross-bow stroke

    • You’re comfortable with standing on the board for several hours at a time

    • You can demonstrate good board control, especially in windy conditions, and are capable of knee paddling against headwinds.

    • You can self-rescue and are comfortable with falling in the water.

    • You are confident being on open water.

    • You’re able to swim 100 metres in open water

    • Have a good to high fitness level and a positive attitude towards challenge

  • You’ll be staying in comfortable, clean and simple apartments across the village.

    Each is unique as the apartments are owned by local families, supporting our responsible and sustainable tourism.

    Choose from a private apartment, private or twin rooms in shared apartments.

  • We'll be immersing ourselves into the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle on this island. During the trip we'll have the unique opportunity to be hosted and cooked for by a local family, filling ourselves with delicious traditional dinners, fresh fish and sampling the olive oil and honey of the area.

    Full board is provided; a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner with wine all taken care of!

    We can cater for all dietary requirements on this adventure!

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Climb aboard the local catamaran from Zadar to Molat our base for the week. Our guides and Host will meet you at the harbour.

    You’ll check into yo ur apartments, before we head out for our first paddle of the week.

    This afternoon’s paddle is about getting you comfortable with the boards and building your skills ready for the week ahead!

    Then it’s time for our first group dinner.

  • Day 2

    After breakfast, paddle out of Jazi bay and circumnavigate the south side of the island, following the coastline on crystal clear blue waters.

    Our first stop is a pebble beach for a swim and a snorkel, before continuing on to Sabuša Beach, where we will play a round of ‘picigin’ - a Dalmation water/ball game. We’ll finish the day at Lučina harbour, weaving between the moored yachts.

    Before dinner, we’ll have a short hike up Straža hill, an archaeological site with great views of the surrounding islands and a chance to see where you’ll be exploring this week!

  • Day 3

    After breakfast we’ll cycle to the village of Zapuntel, taking in great views of the islands that surround u s.

    From here we’ll SUP or kayak over to the island of Ist for its stunning sandy beach. We'll hike 40 minutes up to the Snow Lady chapel for incredible views of the archipelago.

    After lunch and we’ll paddle back to Molat, before cycling back across the island to our village!

    The cycling is optional

  • Day 4

    Today we will have a more relaxed paddle in the sheltered waters of Brgulje bay, enjoying the beautiful clear blue water and paddling around the little island and playing some games on the SUP boards around the buoys.

    If the conditions are right, we'll enjoy a sunset paddle in the habour before dinner.

  • Day 5

    Today we’ll paddle along Molat's northern coast, exploring some secluded beaches and enjoying views of the Molat's northern archipelago and Velebit mountain range. We finish in picturesque village Zapuntel and enjoy a van ride back home.

  • Day 6

    Today we’ll paddle to the island Brščak for a snorkelling exploration of the southern side of the island. With its crystal clear waters and marine life, it's the perfect morning!

    We’ll paddle to Dugi Otok to explore the ex military submarine caves used in the Cold War - at 150m deep, it's a great structure to explore.

    We'll follow the coast line and cross over to Zverinac.

    After lunch and a swim at Zverinac we’ll head back to Molat.

  • Day 7

    It’s an early morning start to jump on the catamaran back to Zadar, breakfast is packed up for us to enjoy on the boat before heading to the airport or continuing our travels.

  • BEGINNERS

    • Sat 5 Oct - Fri 11 October

  • 2025 dates coming soon! We're putting the final touches on our adventures to ensure the best possible experience. We aim to have them live by the end of November, if not sooner — thank you for your patience as our small team prepares everything for you.

    Sign up for updates here

    As a rough guide, these trips will run weekly from Saturday to Friday, starting in June and continuing through the end of September.

Dates

Price

Triple Room
£1350 - £1375 (approx. €1540 - €1600 / $1700 - $1750)

Twin Room
£1350 - £1450 (approx. €1570 - €1690 / $1730 - $1860)

Private Room
£1500 (approx. €1740 / $1930)

Private Apartment
£1550 (approx. €1795 / $2000)

  • Gutsy Girls is a UK-based adventure company welcoming women worldwide. Prices are in pounds (£) with estimates in euros (€) and US dollars ($). The final amount dependant on your card provider’s conversion rate at time of payment and may fluctuate.

  • Secure your spot with a 30% deposit; the balance is due 45 days before the trip.

Included

  • 6 days of guided activities

    • 5.5 days of paddleboarding or kayaking

    • Guided hikes and cycling

  • SUP tuition and coaching from qualified guides

  • Touring paddleboards, paddles, drybags and safety equipment

  • Bicycle and helmet hire

  • 6 nights accommodation

  • 6 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches, 6 dinners with wine or non-alcoholic drinks

    • Flights - Low cost options to Zadar from UK airports

    • Return catamaran tickets - approx 16€

    • Personal travel insurance

  • Cancellations are effective from the date we receive your written notice via email. The following fees apply:

    • 100% of the trip cost if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip.

    • 30% of the trip cost if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip.

    Full terms and conditions are available for review before you book and make payment

Travel

  • We will meet you at the harbour on Molat from the catamaran which leaves Zadar Old Town at 14:05 and arrives in Molat at 14:50. You must be in Zadar by 13:30 to catch the boat at 14:05

    The catamaran runs once a day. You may need to fly a day before your trip starts to ensure you are in Zadar in time for the catamaran on arrival day.

    You will need to buy your own tickets for the catamaran. You can do this online in advance or in person on the day. You’ll find lots of detailed information on travel on our FAQs here.

  • The closest airport is Zadar. Ryanair has many flights from the UK to Zadar.

    You will find full flight information and details in our FAQs

    London Stansted (Ryanair)
    • Depart Friday 19:50 (overnight stay in Zadar), return next Friday 18:00.
    or
    • Depart Saturday 07:50, return next Friday 18:00.

    London Gatwick (EasyJet)
    • Depart Saturday 06:05, return next Saturday 10:15 (overnight stay in Zadar)

    Liverpool (Ryanair)
    • Depart Saturday 06:10, return next Saturday 10:10 (overnight stay in Zadar on Friday).

    Manchester (Ryanair)
    • Depart Friday 20:05 (overnight stay in Zadar), return next Friday 17:55.

    Newcastle (Ryanair)
    Depart Friday 17:10 (overnight stay in Zadar), return next Friday 14:55.

  • You will catch the 06:50 catamaran, that arrives in Zadar at 07:50.

    The airport just 20 minutes away this lines up well for morning flights departing after 10:00.

Packing List

    • 20l dry bags

    • SUP boards, leash, carbon fibre paddles & safety gear

    • Bike helmets

    • Snorkelling equipment

  • Activities

    • Small backpack (for carrying belongings on hikes)

    • Swimwear (a couple of sets)

    • UV protection t-shirt / rash vest

    • Neoprene aqua shoes with a good sole (shoes you can get wet and protect feet on sharp rocks and sea urchins).

      • NO wetsuit booties - difficult to take on and off

      • NO flip flops - not secure enough

    • Quick-drying leggings / or shorts

    • Long sleeve top(s) - to protect you from the sun and spiky vegetation on hikes

    • Quick dry t-shirts

    • Cap / sun hat

    • Sunglasses - with floating strap

    • Trainers / shoes for hiking 

    • Casual clothes / sports wear for hiking and cycling

    • Water bottle(s) or water bladder - at least 2 litres capacity (insulated bottles keep water cooler if hot weather forecast)

    • Snacks - NB local shopping options are limited

    • Towel - a lightweight one is fine, just for taking to the beach

    • Waterproof case for phone

    • Raincoat (weather dependent but good to pack in case)

    • Rehydration tablets / electrolytes (if hot weather forecast)

    Evenings

    • Casual evening clothes - 2 sets is adequate!

    • Warmer clothes for the evenings (weather dependent)

    • Light fleece or jacket for the evenings (weather dependent)

    • Sandals and / or trainers for evenings (weather dependent)

    Personal

    • Toiletries

    • Personal medication

    • Insect repellent 

    • Bite cream

    • Sun block (often not available to buy on Molat)

    • Cash (we recommend €50-100 - NB no ATM on the island)

    • Travel adapter (standard European 2-pin plug)

    Optional items

    • Shorty wetsuit/long john wetsuit - optional but may be useful for early or late summer trips

    • Carabiner(s) - for attaching items to your board

    • Gloves for paddling

    • Compeed / plasters

    • Small dry bags (for organisation within provided dry bags)

    • SPF chapstick

    • Tea bags / coffee for your apartment!

Questions?

If you have any questions, check our FAQs or drop us a message below!