FAQs

Croatia Island Hopping Adventure

Travel

  • You are responsible for getting to the island of Molat, where we will meet you at the harbour.

    The catamaran runs to Molat once a day from the old town of Zadar.

    You can fly direct to Zadar from various UK airports or you can fly to Split and catch a bus from there to Zadar.

    You will need to catch a flight that ensures you are in Zadar in time for the catamaran that runs just once a day. You may need to arrive the day before to do this.

    We will meet you at the harbour on Molat from the ferry which leaves Zadar Old Town at 14:05 and arrives in Molat at 14:50.

  • Flights and ferries are not included in our adventures.

    Timings:

    You will need to catch a flight that ensures you are in Zadar in time for the catamaran that runs just once a day. You may need to arrive the day before to do this.

    The boat departs at 14:05.

    On your departure day, you will arrive back in Zadar at 07:50.

    Zadar airport:

    The closest airport is Zadar. It takes 20 minutes by taxi to get to Zadar Old Town (approx 30€)

    You will find flights with Ryanair from many UK cities including:

    • London

    • Bournemouth

    • Edinburgh

    • Leeds

    • Liverpool

    • Manchester

    • Newcastle

    (NB These may not be daily flights - it is your responsibility to find flights that work with our arrival dates. We have tried very hard to make our dates fit in with as many flight schedules as possible).

    You can also fly to Zadar with Easyjet from London Gatwick.

    Split airport:

    You could also fly to and from Split and then take a bus to Zadar. It will take 2-4 hours by bus to get to Zadar. There are various bus companies which travel this route. See "Getting from Split Airport to Zadar".

    British Airways, WizzAir, EasyJet and Jet2 fly from various UK airports to Split.

    Zagreb airport:

    You could also fly to and from Zagreb and then take a bus to Zadar. It will take 3.5 hours by bus to get to Zadar. There are various bus companies which travel this route. See "Getting from Zagreb to Zadar".

    Whilst we want to give you as much information as possible to make organising your flights and ferry a simple and stress-free process, you are responsible for your travel arrangements to Molat.

  • Please note this is not an exhaustive list! But these are some of the easiest flight options from London airports.

    Outbound:

    Ryanair - London Stansted

    Friday evening - the day before the trip starts - you will need a night in Zadar on Friday night and will have the morning to explore Zadar before the ferry:

    FR 8388 London Stansted 19:50 > Zadar 23:10

    OR

    Saturday morning - the day the trip begins; you will need to make your way fairly swiftly to the ferry port in Zadar Old Town from the airport.

    FR 8388 London Stansted 07:50 > Zadar 11:10

    NB in October these timings may change very slightly

    Easyjet - London Gatwick

    Saturday morning - the day the trip begins; you will need to make your way to the ferry port in Zadar Old Town from the airport. You should have some time to spare.

    EZY8593 London Gatwick 06:05 > Zadar 09:40

    NB these flights start on the 29 June and do not run after the end of August

    Return:

    Ryanair - London Stansted

    Friday evening - the day the trip finishes - you will have the day to explore Zadar before the flight.

    FR 8389 Zadar 18:00 > London Stansted 09:25

    NB in October these timings may change very slightly

    Easyjet - London Gatwick

    Saturday morning - the day after the trip finishes- you will need a night in Zadar on Friday night and will have Friday to explore Zadar:

    EZY8594 Zadar 10:15 > London Gatwick 11:40

    NB these flights start on the 29 June and do not run after the end of August

  • Please note this is not an exhaustive list! But these are some of the easiest flight options from airports in the north of England.

    Outbound:

    Ryanair - Liverpool

    Saturday morning - the day the trip begins; you will need to make your way to the ferry port in Zadar Old Town from the airport. You should have some time to spare.

    FR 8458 Liverpool 06:10 > Zadar 09:45

    NB in October these flights do not run

    OR

    Ryanair - Manchester

    Friday evening - the day before the trip starts - you will need a night in Zadar on Friday night and will have the morning to explore Zadar before the ferry:

    FR 9501 Manchester 20:05 > Zadar 23:45

    NB in October these flights do not run

    OR

    Ryanair - Newcastle

    Friday evening - the day before the trip starts - you will need a night in Zadar on Friday night and will have the morning to explore Zadar before the ferry:

    FR 412 Newcastle 17:10 > Zadar 20:45

    NB in October these flights do not run

    Return:

    Ryanair - Liverpool

    Saturday morning - the day after the trip finishes- you will need a night in Zadar on Friday night and will have Friday to explore Zadar:

    FR 8457 Zadar 10:10 > Liverpool 12:00

    NB in October these flights do not run

    OR

    Ryanair - Manchester

    Friday evening - the day the trip finishes - you will have the day to explore Zadar before the flight.

    FR 9502 Zadar 17:55 > Manchester 19:40

    NB in October these flights do not run

    OR

    Ryanair - Newcastle

    Friday afternoon - the day the trip finishes - you will have the morning to explore Zadar before the flight.

    FR 413 Zadar 14:55 > Newcastle 16:45

    NB in October these flights do not run

  • These flights work for our Wednesday to Tuesday trips, but not for our Saturday to Friday trips. Please note this is not an exhaustive list!

    Ryanair from Birmingham - flying in Wednesday morning (in time to get to the ferry) and returning Wednesday morning (you'd need to spend Tuesday night in Zadar) NB No flights in October

    Ryanair from Bournemouth - flying in Tuesday evening (you'd need to spend Tuesday night in Zadar) and returning Tuesday evening NB No flights in October

    Ryanair from Leeds Bradford - flying in Tuesday morning (you'd need to spend Tuesday night in Zadar) and returning Tuesday morning NB No flights in October

  • There are many more flights from all UK airports to Split. The journey from Split to Zadar takes 2 - 4 hours by bus. Please see "Getting from Split Airport to Zadar" for more information.

  • There are also flights from some UK airports to Zagreb. The journey from Zagreb to Zadar takes 3.5 hours by bus. Please see "Getting from Zagreb to Zadar" for more information.

  • We recommend getting an Uber / Bolt from Zadar Airport to Zadar Old Town. It will take approximately 20 minutes and will cost around 30€.

    You will likely be on the same flights are other Gutsy Girls, you'll be connected via a WhatsApp group to arrange shared travel.

    There is also a local bus that runs from the airport to Zadar. You'll find the timetable here.

    Please make sure you leave plenty of time to get to Zadar Old Town ferry port in time to catch the catamaran to Molat. There is one catamaran each day to Molat from Zadar Old Town. You must be in Zadar by 13:30 to catch the boat at 14:05. You may need to fly a day before your trip starts to ensure you are in Zadar in time to catch the catamaran.

  • Buses from Split run to and from Zadar bus station. To get there from where the catamaran from Molat docks, it's a 25 minute walk or you can take a taxi / Bolt / Uber.

    There are lots of buses between Zadar and Split each day, but you need to be sure to catch a fast bus (about 2.5 hours), not a slow one which can take 4 hours.

    There are no buses which go direct to / from Zadar from Split airport, but the airport is on the Zadar side of Split, so you don't want to take the bus all the way to / from Split which would add an extra hour to your journey.

    You should get on and off the bus to Zadar at Trogir which is about 5km away from Split airport (towards Zadar).

    There is a very regular airport bus (every 20 minutes) from Split Airport to Trogir and back, taking 10 minutes, or a taxi / Bolt / Uber.

    You can book the buses from Trogir to Zadar and back online HERE.

    Please make sure you leave plenty of time to get to Zadar Old Town ferry port in time to catch the catamaran to Molat. There is one catamaran each day to Molat from Zadar Old Town. You must be in Zadar by 13:30 to catch the boat at 14:05. You may need to fly a day before your trip starts to ensure you are in Zadar in time to catch the catamaran.

  • There is a regular Flixbus that runs from Zagreb central bus station to Zadar bus station many times a day. This takes 3.5 hours and can be excellent value.

    To get from the airport to the bus station there's a shuttle bus that takes about 40 minutes. You can find more information here.

    Please make sure you leave plenty of time to get to Zadar Old Town ferry port in time to catch the catamaran to Molat. There is one catamaran each day to Molat from Zadar Old Town. You must be in Zadar by 13:30 to catch the boat at 14:05. You may need to fly a day before your trip starts to ensure you are in Zadar in time to catch the catamaran.

  • Arrival:
    There is one catamaran each day to Molat from Zadar Old Town.

    You must be in Zadar by 13:30 to catch the boat at 14:05

    The boat arrives in Molat at 14:50.

    You may need to fly a day before your trip starts to ensure you are in Zadar in time to catch the catamaran.

    Departure:
    You will catch the 06:50 catamaran from Molat that arrives in Zadar at 07:50.

    The airport just 20 minutes away by taxi from the ferry port in Zadar Old Town. This lines up well for morning flights departing after 10:00.

    You may wish to spend some time exploring Zadar before flying home. There is luggage storage available in the old town for £5-8 a day.

  • You can buy your tickets online at this website: https://www.jadrolinija.hr/en

    You need to book the 14:05 departure from Zadar on arrival day and the 06:50 departure from Molat on departure day.

    You can also buy tickets in person in Zadar from the Jadrolinija ticket office once you are in Zadar. If you are struggling to buy tickets online, please don't panic, you can always buy them on the day from the ticket office.

  • The catamaran to Molat departs from the Zadar Old Town ferry terminal.

  • Depending on your flight times, you may need to spend a night before or after your trip.

    Zadar is a lovely town to explore and many of our guests enjoy adding this in to their holiday!

    Accommodation:

    There are plenty of great accommodation options in Zadar. We recommend choosing accommodation in the Old Town as this is where most tourist sights and restaurants are based! You'll also be in walking distance to where the catamaran to Molat departs.

    We recommend the Downtown Boutique Hostel if you are looking for budget accommodation.

    You may also wish to share rooms and apartments with other guests on your trip, you can arrange this via your WhatsApp group.

  • Before you catch the boat, we recommend you have lunch as we’ll have an afternoon SUP session once we arrive in Molat (providing the conditions allow).

    There are lots of good places for lunch in Zadar!

    If you want, you can arrange to meet your fellow guests for lunch via the WhatsApp group. Please note Gutsy Girls is not responsible for you until you arrive on Molat.

  • Yes, there is luggage storage available in the old town for £5-8 a day.

  • We will connect you with others on the trip via WhatsApp before the trip, so you can arrange to meet at the airport before your flight, or join forces in other travel arrangements.

Activities

  • 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.

    What to Expect:

    • 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.

    Other Considerations:

    • Accommodation: The apartments on this trip are simple but comfortable.

    • Air Conditioning: Available in shared living spaces, but not in bedrooms. Fans provided in bedrooms; expect warm summer nights during July and August.

  • We have two different levels for this adventure; Beginner and Improvers and Intermediate. On both levels you will be on the water for a similar amount of time each day; the difference is the starting point for our SUP tuition and the pace and distances we will paddle. 

    We encourage you to be kind to yourself and realistic in your ability when choosing your level, as this can impact your overall enjoyment of your holiday! 

    Beginner and Improvers:

    Our Beginner and Improvers SUP Weeks are perfect for beginners and improver paddlers who don’t yet meet the requirements for our Intermediate Level trips. These trips are designed to build your skills and confidence on the water, with paddling distances starting at 3km and progressing to 10km in the week.

    The focus will be 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 step back turns.

    Requirements for Joining:

    • Beginner Paddlers: No prior paddleboarding experience 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.

    • You can swim 50m.

    • You have a good fitness level

    Improvers - You’ll benefit more from the coaching on our Beginner / Improver Level trips than jumping ahead to Intermediate where you’ll be playing catch up.

    Intermediate Level:

    Our Intermediate Level SUP Weeks cater to those with more previous SUP experience. Expect daily paddling distances of 10 - 12 km, in conditions more challenging than our Beginner / Improver 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

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

  • You don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you must be able to swim 50m for the Beginner / Improver Level trips and 100m for the intermediate Level trips.

  • You do not need previous experience to join our Beginner / Improver Level trips.

    Please see "Should I choose the Beginner & Improvers Level trip or the Intermediate Level trip?" for our requirements on an Intermediate Trip.

  • We provide carbon fibre paddles and a variety of Red and Starboard boards - touring and race boards, so you can have a go an various different boards over the course of the week! 

    There may also be the option to try out sea kayaking too!

    You are also welcome to bring your own board for this trip.

  • The weather in Croatia can be very hot in the summer. For your safety and comfort in the sun, please do ensure you have a high factor sun block (which is waterproof), a cap / hat and a t-shirt that covers your shoulders and is preferably long sleeved. 


    We will be arranging our activities to avoid the midday heat so we can get into the shade when it’s extra hot, but please do come prepared!


    If you want to avoid the hottest months, we recommend looking at trips in June and September which tend to be slightly cooler.

    Please also bring a rain coat just in case for all trips!

  • In the event that weather conditions prohibit us from paddling, we will arrange alternative activities - sadly we cannot control the weather but we can keep our fingers firmly crossed!

    We will ensure there are fun activities for you to take part in even if the weather is not ideal, and we cannot provide refunds for a change of activities due to weather or other conditions outside our control. 

    None of our itineraries are set in stone - we will always move things around to make the most of the conditions we have on any given day.

  • Yes! Please check out our packing list here.

  • We normally paddle in swimwear or sportswear. Remember a hat/cap and a long sleeved top or rash vest that covers you in the midday heat!

    If the conditions are cooler, we recommend a long john or shorty wetsuit, though this is completely optional! 

    Bring a rain coat just in case.

    You'll need aqua shoes for getting on and off your board in rocky conditions - and to protect your feet from sea urchins.

    Check out the packing list.

  • We tend to dress casually in the evenings, there is no need for lots of outfits! Previous feedback suggests a couple of sets of evening outfits is plenty.

  • You don’t need to be an expert cyclist to enjoy our morning of cycling, we’ll go at a gentle pace to take in the views. The total distance is about 8.5 km and it's a quiet, undulating road along the length of the island.

    Normal sports wear / leggings / shorts and trainers are fine - no lycra or padded shorts required!

    The bike ride is completely optional.

  • The hikes are not too strenuous or challenging, so running trainers should be fine, though you hike in them at your own risk!

  • Each trip is very individual and different due to conditions, we take a flexible approach to the day to ensure you get the best experience.

    One day, you may need to have an earlier start to paddle before the wind picks up, other days it might be later!

    As a rough guide:

    • Breakfast: 8:00-9:00

    • Paddle 9:30-12:30

    • Lunch on the beach 12:30 -13:30

    • Paddle 13:30 - 15:00

    • Free time: 15:00 - 19:00

    • Dinner: 19:00 - 20:30

    On some afternoons you may have more free time than others, we will recommend local walks you might like or beaches you could visit.

    Most guests also like to spend time at one of the small bars on the islands and people watch!

Accommodation

  • We will be staying in locally run apartments, dotted across the small village of Molat, all within a short walk to the harbour and where we meet for food. There will be 1-4 guests in each apartment. This accommodation choice supports our responsible and sustainable tourism ethos, and provides a comfortable stay for your holiday!

    The apartments are simple, clean, spacious and light. You'll have a kitchen, lounge and some have outdoor space.

    All have air conditioning in the shared spaces, fans in bedrooms and WiFi.

    We will buddy you up with other Gutsy Girls to share a triple or twin room, or you can choose to stay in a private room.  

    You will see all of the accommodation options on our booking system. Each set of dates has a different set of accommodation options available. Please choose the date you want on the booking system and then you can choose the accommodation from the available options.

  • You can choose to share with another Gutsy Girl or opt for a private room. There are limited numbers of each room category, so early booking is advised!

  • Yes, all of the apartments have WiFi.

  • The apartments have air conditioning in shared spaces and fans in the bedrooms. The temperatures do usually cool off in the evenings too.

  • The majority of the apartments have shared bathrooms between 1-4 other guests.

    If you would like a private bathroom you should book one of the 1 person apartments.

  • There is a washing machine in Karmen's however we would encourage you to only use this if absolutely necessary to be environmentally friendly and conserve water.

  • The apartments pricing is based on how many other guests you will be sharing with, the facilities and the location.

    Although we have priced the accommodation options slightly differently please note that all our apartments are clean and comfortable but simple, and the differences between them are small. The are all located within an easy walk of the dinner spot, the beach and the harbour.

  • You'll see what accommodation is available on each trip in the booking system at the time of booking.

  • Each set of dates has a different set of accommodation options available. Some options may already have been booked for your date.

    Please choose the date you want on the booking system and then you can choose your preferred accommodation option from the available options.

    Once an accommodation option has been reserved by a guest, it will not show up for that date.

    Although we have priced the accommodation options slightly differently to reflect the facilities at each one and number of guests you'll be sharing with, please note that all our apartments are clean and comfortable but simple, and the differences between them are small.

  • Yes! You can arrange to share with a friend.

    We recommend that one of you books for both of you, to ensure you can select the accommodation together.

Food & Drink

  • We can cater for all dietary requirements and we will request information prior to your arrival. 

    We work with a fantastic local family at an agriturismo (a working farm designed to also receive guests), who prepare all our breakfasts, lunches and dinners, just for us. The balanced meals our hosts create are traditional recipes which are deliciously fresh and use local ingredients.

    We provide a continental breakfast, including muesli, fruit, scrambled eggs, meats, cheese, local honey and jams. Tea and coffee is provided.

    Lunch is a freshly prepared salads with carbohydrates to keep your energy levels up!

    Dinners are delicious 3 course meals prepared using local produce. Wine and non-alcoholic drinks are provided.

    Because we essentially have a private chef for the week, it is easy for us to cater for all dietary requirements!

  • I'm afraid we can't provide discounts for guests who choose not to partake in wine with dinner.

  • There is a small local supermarket. Cash is advised as sometimes the card machine doesn't work!

    It is not open all day - it often closes for a period in the afternoon. We recommend checking the opening hours for your stay when you get there!

    We would recommend buying toiletries and suncream in Zadar as these are not always available in the supermarket.

  • The water on the island is not drinkable. You can still use it to clean your teeth if you wish.

    You will be provided with a 6L bottle per person in your apartment and you'll be able to refill your water bottles at breakfast and dinner.

  • Yes! Croatian currency moved to the Euro in early 2023.

    Croatia still uses cash in most places, on the island the bars and supermarket only accept cash. You'll need a little cash for drinks and ice creams!

    We'd say €50-100 will be plenty.

    As a guide:

    • An ice cream costs €1.50 - €2

    • A beer costs €2 - €3

    You can withdraw Euros from the ATMs in Zadar or at Zadar airport, or exchange them at the airport or before you travel. There is no cash point on the island.

Other

  • The Gutsy Girls community is filled with fun, friendly and supportive women from 18-70+. We never ask your age, just that you are up for an adventure!  

    As a rough guide, most Gutsy Girls guests are 24-65 years old, with around 60% in their 30s-40s. After a day learning to surf, mountain biking over the hills, hiking to peaks for incredible views or exploring remote locations by paddleboard, age becomes irrelevant as we are all connected by our experiences.

  • Yes! We encourage you to book in solo!

    Over 95% of our guests join our holidays on their own.

    Our aim is to connect you with like-minded new friends! We are a very friendly bunch, come as you are, we can’t wait to meet you!

  • Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides, however we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available! 

    Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.  

    Simply due to the ratio of men to women in the outdoors industry, sometimes this means our guides and instructors are male. 

    We keep a close eye on the feedback our guides receive from our guests as we believe that overall this is more important than their gender. We sincerely hope that as more women are introduced to adventure sports and activities, the amount of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.

  • There is no upper age limit for our adventures - we have women up to 70 years old join us. 

  • You must be over 18 to join a Gutsy Girls adventure.

  • Due to the limited number of spots available, we ask that you book in only if you can make your chosen date. Booking and then changing your mind means others will miss out on the opportunity to join. However we understand that things crop up and you may need to cancel. In this case:

    Cancellation will only be effective from the date that the cancellation is received in writing by email. Cancellation charges will be payable as follows:

    • Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip

    • Cancellation fee of 30% is charged if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip

    You should have adequate travel insurance that covers you for cancellation.

  • Our T&Cs are here.

    We do not offer rescheduling of trips, our standard cancellation policy will apply.

    Cancellation will only be effective from the date that the cancellation is received in writing by email. Cancellation charges will be payable as follows:

    • Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip

    • Cancellation fee of 30% is charged if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip

    You should have adequate travel insurance that covers you for cancellation.