White Water Rafting · Zadar
How to choose
All 3 tours run the Zrmanja River from Kaštel Žegarski at an "occasionally sporty" physical level, so the real differentiator is your craft. Riva Rafting Centar offers the classic raft (Tour 0) and cano-raft (Tour 1) at 55 € each, both covering 2.5h up to a full day depending on the option you book. The cano-raft puts you lower on the water in a smaller inflatable canoe, which sharpens the sensation on every rapid. Raftrek Travel's packraft (Tour 2) costs 70 € for a fixed 5h session: a packraft is a solo lightweight inflatable that reacts instantly to the current, making it the most intense of the three formats. If you want maximum hull-to-water contact and are comfortable paddling independently, pay the extra 15 € for the packraft.
Compare · 3 offers
Our picks
Packrafting down Zrmanja River from Kaštel Žegarski
Solo packraft on the Zrmanja for 5h at 70 € puts you in direct contact with every rapid, rated the most reactive format of the three.
Rafting down the Zrmanja River from Kaštel Žegarski
Group raft with Riva Rafting Centar at 55 €, rated 4.52/5 across 21 reviews, covers the full Zrmanja canyon experience with the safety of a team paddle.
Frequently asked questions
Which format delivers the most intense experience on the Zrmanja?
The packraft (Tour 2) gives the sharpest ride. You're solo in a small inflatable that sits directly in the current, so every Class II-III drop hits harder than in a group raft.
Do I need rafting experience to join any of these tours?
All three tours are listed as 'occasionally sporty', meaning no prior rafting experience is required. Guides brief you on paddle technique before the put-in.
What's the difference between a raft and a cano-raft on the Zrmanja?
A raft carries the full group on a large inflatable. A cano-raft is a smaller two-person inflatable canoe that sits closer to the water, giving a more reactive feel on rapids without requiring solo paddling skills.
How long is the actual time on the water?
The packraft session (Tour 2) runs 5h. The raft and cano-raft tours (Tours 0 and 1) range from 2.5h to a full day depending on the option selected at booking.
Are tours available year-round near Zadar?
The season runs May through September. The Zrmanja's flow is strongest in late spring when snowmelt feeds the canyon, making May and June the peak months for powerful rapids.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.8°C | 100.1 mm | Poor |
| February | 5.4°C | 87.2 mm | Possible |
| March | 6.8°C | 138 mm | Possible |
| April | 11.3°C | 113.1 mm | Possible |
| May | 15°C | 103.4 mm | Good |
| June | 19.3°C | 67 mm | Good |
| July | 22.6°C | 45.7 mm | Peak |
| August | 23.2°C | 21.5 mm | Peak |
| September | 19.2°C | 85.4 mm | Good |
| October | 13.3°C | 150.4 mm | Possible |
| November | 8.5°C | 190.5 mm | Poor |
| December | 1.7°C | 93.7 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
All tours are rated "occasionally sporty" with sessions lasting up to a full day, so wear a swimsuit under a quick-dry layer and bring water shoes with a strap. Leave valuables at the car since you'll be in the water on the Zrmanja.
Getting there
All three tours depart from Kaštel Žegarski, roughly 55 km east of Zadar via the D27 road. Riva Rafting Centar meets at Obala hrv. c.S. Zupana 6, Obrovac, and Raftrek Travel at Kaštel Žegarski BB, so confirm your exact meeting point at booking.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Zadar
Updated March 2026