03.04.2025.
In May 2014, we gathered a group of friends, packed up our kayaks, and set off for Dugi Otok—no plan B, just the feeling we were doing something worthwhile. That first sit-on-top kayak adventure was a test—of the gear, the location, and ourselves. Over 10 years later, we still smile when we think back: paddling to a sunken ship, camping under the stars, and the unique atmosphere that formed among us. 📽️ Watch the video, read the blog, and relive with us the start of an idea that’s still paddling strong today!
Every story has a beginning. Ours started in May 2014, with a group of friends and kayaks that had just touched the sea for the first time. None of us really knew what we were getting into – myself included.
It was a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and that contagious energy that only real adventure brings. I had bought the kayaks and all the necessary gear using my personal savings, after eight years working in construction. My parents supported me by taking out a small loan—not because they shared my enthusiasm, but because they understood how much it meant to me and chose to stand behind my decision. It was my first concrete step toward something I hoped would turn into a long-term path I could truly commit to.
I gathered a group – friends, acquaintances, anyone who was up for it. It didn’t take much convincing; a two-day kayaking trip on Dugi Otok sounded like something no one wanted to miss.
We arrived on the island by ferry – the same one our guests still use today – and drove to Verunić with our gear. Once there, we prepped the kayaks, paired up, and set off without much of a plan. Just a group of friends, good vibes, and a direction: forward. We didn’t have a backup plan, but we trusted that we’d find a way as we went.
We paddled across Pantera Bay and from a natural sandbar spotted the sunken ship Mikela in the distance. It was only about 1.5 km offshore, but to some of us, with no real kayaking experience, it seemed much farther. Without being sure about the conditions, part of the group chose to play it safe and carry the kayaks across land to our campsite. The others followed the pull of adventure and paddled toward the wreck. Looking back, these are the moments I remember most fondly – a bit of inexperience, a bit of boldness, and a lot of improvisation. In the end, the group that paddled on got a bit more than just a shortcut – they earned an extra memory that still gets talked about to this day.
At Camp Kargita, we were welcomed with warmth and openness – they were just getting started, just like we were. That first meeting grew into a long-lasting friendship and collaboration that still thrives today. Each summer, one of our guides stays at the camp to help with daily tours and be available to their guests. It’s a relationship built on trust, shared values, and a mutual desire to make people feel good about their time on Dugi Otok.
We camped, cooked, laughed, learned to pitch tents, and tackled each challenge as it came. There was no stress – just the joy of figuring things out together. There’s no better teacher than real experience.
The greatest value of that trip wasn’t the route we took (though it was stunning), but the atmosphere we created. Everyone brought a unique energy, as if we were explorers discovering something entirely new. That feeling, that spark of connection and joy, was probably the final confirmation I needed: yes, this is what I want to do.
More than ten years have passed since then. Countless trips have followed, routes have evolved, equipment has improved. But the spirit of that first journey – raw, real, and exciting – still lives on in every tour we run.
🎥 Want to see what it looked like? Here are two short videos filmed by friends: