Stretching along the rocky shores of more than 1,000 islands in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is an eco-paradise of scenic wonders. The natural heritage on the islands is astounding, covering lush mountainous terrains, flat, coastal plains, and stunning seascapes. To discover the natural beauty of the islands, join in some of the eco tours and activities!
Eco Tours: Discover the diverse fauna and flora on the islands
Birdwatching Tours, National Parks, and River Valleys
Birding tours in Croatia are a must when visiting the islands. Bird lovers get a close up look at the local avian species which live in and around the most beautiful scenic valleys, lakes, limestone cliffs, and national parks. Cres Island, Paklenica, and Plitvice have the largest diversity of birdlife in Croatia. Taking a trip into their habitat, one also has the chance to explore many parts of the islands and capture the sightings of the Griffon Vulture, Rock Partridge, Olive-Tree Warbler, Western Rock, and Sombre Tit. A wide variety of rare bird and butterfly species are also spread across the islands and you will spot a few of them along the way.
The island of Cres is home to the Griffin Vulture Colony and Paklenica draws tourists to view rare birds, reptiles, and butterflies at the Paklenica National Park. The Plitvice National Park is a nature lover’s dream, the rolling wooded hills, turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls are magnificent. The Valley of River Sara is another beautiful site covered in riparian forests with villages of wooden houses where the White Storks nest on the rooftops. Birding, butterfly, and botany tours from four plus days can be tailormade to suite your needs.
Herb Tours
Take a half-day tour of the Hvar Island herb garden where you will see over a thousand different healing herbs and aromatic plants growing out in the wild. You can enjoy a pleasant stroll among nature and overlook the scenic coastline at your leisure. On the tour, you can learn more about the medicinal properties and culinary uses of many of these herbs including sage, fennel, rosemary, lavender, and St. John’s Wort.
Eco Activities
Eco fishing from Primošten harbor is a traditional fishing method which you can be introduced to on your vacation. The skippers will give tourists a net throwing demonstration and then each person will be given their own fishing role or duty. The Eco fishing adventure takes place on a 22-meter long boat used for fishing and accommodation. For the guests, there are 4 fishermen to accompany them on the trip who will also teach them how to prepare the freshly caught fish in a number of ways.
A rafting trip up River Cetina in Dalmatia is recommended. Here you will paddle over the clear, green waters of the river and experience its untouched beauty. The trip will carry you over rapids, past waterfalls, caves, and also quieter parts of the river where the flora and fauna are abundant, even as far as themagnificent Cetina Canyon. You can also add in a ziplining adventure and a hike along the canyon if you are up for it. The tours last from just 3 hours to day-long trips, so it’s up to you how you would like to spend your time out in nature.
The pleasant weather conditions in Croatia make it a top spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing, Perna being the favored location. Courses for beginners are the best way to get started and the necessary equipment is available to rent. Surf Center Perna will you hook you up with everything you need, and offer stand up paddle boards, kayaks, and bike rentals. The location is just right for sailing and you’ll find an abundance of yachts and boats for hire, not only in Perna, but across the islands.
Brač is well-known in Croatia for its hiking routes and there are many organized hiking tours across the island. Vidova Gora, the highest point of the Adriatic islands can be reached on an 8km journey where you will be spoilt with views of the Dalmatian islands as you make your ascent. For a relaxed hike, the half-day downhill trip is a great choice. Tourists are transported to a hilltop where they have the most spectacular panoramic views of the island. From that point onward, it’s all downhill, following a trail into the pristine natural wilderness to appreciate the beautiful scenery and scents of the aromatic plants and pine trees growing freely. A walk through the local vineyards and olive fields is all part of the experience and an informative guide will fill you in with interesting facts about the ecosystem.
Eco-living in Croatia
The islands have lovely eco resorts built using natural materials where you can retreat at the end of the day. Villa Dionysus is a laid-back resort located along the cycling trails on the island of Hvar. The villas are surrounded by fragrant gardens with outdoor seating areas just a kilometer from the shore where you can wake up to the sunrise and grab a few walnuts, olives, and figs from the garden to have with your breakfast.
Bračka Perla on Brač Island also offers travelers a beautiful garden setting where one can sit back and hear the waves crashing while the scent of lavender fills the air. Travelers can choose between private suites and guest rooms. For those interested, the eco resort is involved in wine and olive oil production, and guests are welcome to join in and learn these processes, as well as helping with their fruit harvesting.
So, get your bags packed and embark on an eco-trip to suit your lifestyle. Here in Croatia you can have it all as you indulge in nature, luxury, and tradition!