Cetina Rafting – This is how rafting works from Split or Omiš

Cetina Rafting – This is how rafting works from Split or Omiš

Are you looking for one of the best adventure activities in Split or Omiš on the Croatian Dalmatian coast? Don't miss this epic Cetina rafting adventure that combines whitewater rafting with a bit of caving, canyoning and cliff jumping!

Adventure seekers visiting Split or the small town of Omiš have a wealth of epic day tours and adventure activities to choose from.

However, if you want to experience a little bit of everything, then the epic rafting trip on the Cetina River is one of the best trips with the best value for money! This tour offers a 1km route with level 3 rapids as well as the opportunity to explore some hidden caves, swim under pristine small waterfalls and jump down the famous Cetina Gorge.

So if you're looking to escape the party city, a rafting adventure sounds like it might be right up your alley, then look no further!

In this quick guide, I'll give you an overview of everything you need to know about the Cetina rafting experience, including how to book, what to expect and much more!

About the Cetina Rafting Tour in Croatia

The Cetina rafting tour follows a level 3 route along a beautiful river called Cetina. This is a long river that begins under the western slopes of the Dinaric Alps and flows into the Adriatic Sea near Omiš.

The river rafting tours follow a short section of this river near its mouth, just a few kilometers inland from the Dalmatian coast. This is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Here you will discover amazing landscapes with deep gorges, dense green jungle-like forests and crystal clear waters.

The rafting tour is always led by experienced and qualified river rafting guides. And the third class rapids mean you'll have a great time without needing any prior rafting experience!
alt="Whitewater rapids on the Cetina River, Croatia">

Tips for booking a rafting adventure from Split or Omiš

Along with the famous ziplining polygon, one of the most popular adventure trips originating from Split and the small town of Omiš is the rafting experience. As a result, there are now over 20 operators offering whitewater rafting experiences on this river!

However, there is one rafting trip that stands out from the rest.

I highly recommend booking a rafting tour with Pirate Rafting (the company I went with). This is one of the longest running companies on the river (20 years experience), is family run and also combines the rafting trip with some canyoning and caving - so you experience the best of the Cetina Gorge!

Coincidentally, their rafting trip is also the most affordable and has the best reviews overall.

alt="Blue water in the Cetina Gorge">

Interesting facts about rafting on the Cetina River

Before you head out on your epic whitewater rafting experience, here is some important information.

• Sie paddeln unter Anleitung eines qualifizierten Guides in professionellen Raftingbooten
• Die Wasserstände variieren stark je nach Jahreszeit. Die Hauptsaison für Rafting ist im Sommer, aber die Stromschnellen der Klasse 3 verwandeln sich während der starken Regenfälle im Winter in Klasse 5!
• persönliche Schwimmhilfen (Schwimmwesten) sind inbegriffen und obligatorisch
• Sie benötigen keine vorherige Rafting-Erfahrung
• Cetina hat einige wirklich tiefe Schluchten! Sie werden den größten Teil des Paddels von hohen Kalksteinfelsen umgeben sein
• Rafting-Boote bestehen in der Regel aus etwa 6 – 8 Personen plus einem Führer hinten

What to Bring – Cetina Rafting Packing List

Wondering what to take with you on the Cetina rafting trip? Here are some tips.

• Badeanzug – nass werden ist angesagt!
• T-Shirt oder Langarmshirt – schützt vor Sonne und wird unter der Schwimmweste getragen
• Nasse Schuhe oder Sandalen – barfuß gehen oder Sportschuhe tragen ist auch in Ordnung
• Langer Neoprenanzug – oder Neoprenanzug, wenn Sie bei kaltem Wetter einen eigenen haben. Unternehmen stellen diese normalerweise bei Bedarf zur Verfügung
• Packsack oder wasserdichter Behälter – an Bord der Raftingboote wird alles nass!
• GoPro oder Action-Kamera – ich empfehle, eine Brusthalterung oder eine Helmhalterung mitzubringen (alle Fotos und Videos wurden mit GoPro Hero 10 und Insta360 One X2 aufgenommen)
• Trockene Kleidung – zum Anziehen nach dem Rafting (Sie können diese im Van oder Auto lassen)
• Warmer Pullover oder Regenjacke – bei kälterem Wetter am Ende der Tour

alt=“White water rafting in Cetina, Croatia “>

Rafting on the Cetina River: What to Expect

Still not convinced that this is one of the must-do activities in Split? Here is a quick overview of what awaits you on the famous rafting adventure on the Cetina River.

The starting point of the river

Depending on the option you chose on the booking page (above), you will either be picked up from your accommodation in Split or make your own way to the meeting point.

The starting point for the rafting tour is just a few kilometers inland from the mouth of the Cetina River at a large parking lot near the village of Penšići. The parking lot is located near the Radmanove Mlinice restaurant/café.

From here the guides will drive you upriver into the Cetina Gorge where you will reach the launch ramp for the Cetina rafting adventure!

Your guides will prepare you with all the necessary equipment, including a helmet, life jacket and paddle. You will also receive a brief safety briefing to set your expectations.

The first section of the rafting route passes through calm waters, giving you a good opportunity to practice paddling for the rapids ahead.

The Cetina rapids

This rafting watercourse on the Cetina River has several sections of mostly calm water of varying depths interspersed with ephemeral rapids.

The largest rapid is a 1.5 meter drop known as Bomba. This is about halfway along a deep part of the river. For me this was the highlight of the experience!
White water rapids with rafting pirates

Mini canyoning adventure

After a long paddle, past a few fun rapids and some nice, calm sections of the river, you'll come to a point that beginners can't handle.

Luckily, there is a way around this section that involves a mini cave adventure!

This is another clear highlight of the trip. It begins with a jump into deep, cold water at the start of a beautiful limestone cave. From here, you will work your way through the caves under the guidance of your instructors and exit on the other side.

Stop at beautiful waterfalls

Another highlight was a stop at some beautiful small waterfalls that flow from the limestone cliffs directly into the clear green waters of the river.

Our rafting guide stopped us at this section for the opportunity to swim under the waterfall. He called it a natural massage.



alt=“Small waterfalls on the Cetina river in Croatia”>

Cliff diving on the Cetina river

At the end of the rafting trip on the Cetina River, our guides stopped one last time to jump from a ledge about 5 meters high into a deep part of the river.

Although the jump isn't massive, it was fun and a good launching pad to practice some flips!

After about three hours of paddling and navigating the fun rapids, we ended the trip near the mouth of a rocky gorge. From here we all shared some snacks and laughed at our new memories before returning to our accommodation in Omiš or Split.

Accommodation in Omiš

While most travelers stay in the larger city of Split, the adventure town of Omiš is a great alternative for those more interested in adventure than partying.

These are the top-rated accommodation options in Omiš for every budget.

• Damianii Luxus-Boutique-Hotel– Nur eine kurze Fahrt vom Zentrum von Omis entfernt bietet dieses 5-Sterne-Boutique-Hotel alles, was Sie brauchen. Jeden Morgen wird ein kontinentales Frühstück serviert und es verfügt über eine eigene Spa-Einrichtung vor Ort. Es liegt gegenüber vom Strand.
• Hotel Plaža – Dieses Hotel liegt im Zentrum von Omis. Es ist von Cafés, Restaurants und Bars umgeben und liegt in der Nähe des Flusses Cetina. Es bietet ein außergewöhnliches Frühstück und Blick auf den Ozean.
• Apartments Nature – Perfekt in der Stadt Omis zu einem günstigen Preis gelegen. Nur 7 Gehminuten zum Strand. Dieses Apartment verfügt über große Schlafzimmer mit eigenem Bad, Küche und Bergblick.

Read more CROATIA ADVENTURE TRAVEL GUIDE

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to the famous Cetina rafting experience near Omiš, Croatia!

For nature lovers and adventure seekers, I have linked some other useful guides that will serve as useful travel inspiration for your adventures on the Dalmatian Coast and Croatia.

.