5 active adventures to have in Dubrovnik and Neretva County

The rich and varied landscapes of Dubrovnik and Neretva County are ripe for adventure. Head inland to Dalmatia’s rugged interior for active breaks within the forested foothills of the Dinaric Alps. Strike out for the coast for watersports on everything from long stretches of sand to intimate pebbly coves reached only by boat. Drop by one of the islands and revel in a natural beauty combining pine-covered peaks, saltwater lakes and hiking and cycling trails.

As the long, thin Pelješac peninsula snakes its way into the Adriatic Sea opposite the island of Korčula, it creates the perfect home for the maestral – mistral – wind that blows along the channel. And that’s what windsurfers love. The neighbouring villages of Viganj and Kućište are at the narrowest point between the peninsula and Korčula, and their beaches are some of the best places in Croatia from where you can glide across the water on a sailboard on those sea breezes.

Between Viganj’s Sveti Liberan beach on the eastern side of the village and its neighbour in Kućište, you’re in windsurf central. Choose from several windsurfing schools where you can not only hire gear but also get expert instruction whether you’re a complete novice or want to improve your skills. There are plenty of restaurants and beach bars when you want to take a break. And all the while you’re zipping across the waters of the Adriatic, you’ll have view of beautiful Korčula Town and the island’s coastline to spur you on.

The southernmost tip of Croatia makes up the Konavle region, a tranquil area of ancient villages, rugged coastlines, archaeological ruins, thick forests and the foothills of the dramatic Dinaric Alps. It’s a place where time seems to run at its own easy-going pace, and what better way to explore Konavle than on the back of a horse as you totally immerse yourself in nature. Four legs are better than two as you make your leisurely way through spellbinding landscapes.

You don’t even need to be an experienced rider to take part. You’ll have full instruction before you set off on the ride, which will be tailored to suit people of all abilities. Take your time as you wander through forested trails and along paths that hug the coast, giving you sublime views of the Adriatic. Then enjoy a burst of adrenalin as you ride into a river deep within the woods on an exhilarating adventure. During your adventure you’ll stop in an idyllic spot for a delicious picnic of Dalmatian specialities.

Mljet National Park covers the westernmost third of this enchanting island and offers an excellent introduction to Croatia’s greenest island. Whether you’re on two feet or two wheels, you can follow trails running through forests of pine and holm oak. You’ll go past Mljet’s two saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero and Mali Jezero, which will entice you to veer off the path and into those clear blue waters for a refreshing swim. Hike up to the park’s highest peak at Montokuc for astonishing views of those lakes and the forests surrounding them.

There’s plenty more to explore outside the national park. Mountain bikers can tackle the challenging trails that wind through the rest of the island. Hikers trek to one of Mljet’s most impressive sights, Odysseus’ Cave on the southern coast. Start in the village of Babino Polje and make your way down the rough path to the rocky coast – stopping at the picturesque clifftop café – before joining the locals by jumping off the rocks into the sparkling waters of the cave.

The mountains that form the backdrop of much of the Dalmatian coast start to peter out the closer you get to the Neretva Valley. Once you reach the Neretva Delta, where the river flows into the Adriatic, you’re in one of Croatia’s prime spots for kitesurfing. Here on the fine sands of Delta Beach, the various winds that blow along the coast – including the maestral and the tramontana coming in from the north – bring about perfect conditions for kitesurfing.

The flat sands and shallow waters make Delta Beach an ideal place to learn if you’ve never tried kitesurfing before. Book lessons if you want a refresher or to enhance your skills, and you can also rent bodyboards, paddleboards and even waterproof bags. Afterwards, soak up the vibe at the beach bars and catch a stupendous sunset over the Adriatic. While you’re in the Neretva Valley, rent a bike and follow the paths along the river past food stalls selling all the fruit from the hundreds of orchards in the valley.

Cavtat is one of the prettiest towns in Croatia, a collection of Venetian-style creamy stone houses with coloured shutters clustering around its old port. You’ll get wonderful views of this exquisite place when you join a kayak tour around Cavtat’s coast, which is made up of a double-pronged peninsula that harbours two deep and sheltered bays. Tours often start in the second of the bays, and soon you’ll go round the first pine-covered peninsula and enter the old port, where the lively promenade is filled with restaurant terraces and boats and yachts moor in the marina. You might even spot some professional water-polo players practising in the club in the port.

Then you’ll carry on around the second forested peninsula and head out to Cavtat’s trio of little uninhabited islands, Supetar, Mrkan and Bobora, all of which form a nature reserve. That’s your cue to dock your craft and have a swim in these impossibly clear waters. Even if you’ve never kayaked before, you’ll have full instructions and pick up the technique easily.