FAQs
Croatia Island Hopping Adventure
Travel
Flights
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This trip takes place on the small island of Molat.
Getting to Molat
You are responsible for making your way to Molat, where we will meet you at the harbour.
Flights to Zadar
You can fly direct to Zadar from various UK airports or fly to Split and take a bus to Zadar.
Catamaran to Molat
The catamaran to Molat runs once a day from Zadar Old Town.
Departs Zadar: 14:05
Arrives in Molat: 14:50
Meeting point: Molat harbour
For the 27 September - 3 October trip, we'll meet you at Molat Harbour when the catamaran arrives at 8:50am.
You must book a flight that gets you to Zadar in time for the catamaran. Depending on flight schedules, you may need to arrive the day before. We recommend being in Zadar Old Town by 13:30 to allow time to reach the port.
Return Journey
On your departure day, you will arrive back in Zadar at 07:50.
Getting from Zadar Airport to Zadar Old Town
Closest airport: Zadar (ZAD)
Taxi to Zadar Old Town: 20 minutes (€30)
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We recommend taking an Uber or Bolt, which takes about 20 minutes and costs approximately €30.
Many guests will likely be on the same flights as other Gutsy Girls, and you'll be added to a WhatsApp group before your trip to coordinate shared travel.
There is also a local bus that runs from the airport to Zadar for 5€ - You'll find the timetable here.
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Arrival:
There is one catamaran each day to Molat from Zadar Old Town.You must be in Zadar by 13:30 to catch the boat at 14:05
The boat arrives in Molat at 14:50.
For the 27 September - 3 October trip, we'll meet you at Molat Harbour when the catamaran arrives at 8:50am.
You may need to fly a day before your trip starts to ensure you are in Zadar in time to catch the catamaran.
Departure:
You will catch the 06:50 catamaran from Molat that arrives in Zadar at 07:50.The airport just 20 minutes away by taxi from the ferry port in Zadar Old Town. This lines up well for morning flights departing after 10:00.
You may wish to spend some time exploring Zadar before flying home. There is luggage storage available in the old town for £5-8 a day.
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You can purchase your tickets online at Jadrolinija's website. We recommend booking your tickets in advance to guarantee your place and not risk missing a day of the trip.
Arrival day: Book the 14:05 departure from Zadar to Molat.
Departure day: Book the 06:50 departure from Molat to Zadar.
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The catamaran to Molat departs from the Zadar Old Town Port. Your host will be in touch via WhatsApp before hand to organise a meeting point.
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There are plenty of great accommodation options in Zadar Old Town, where most tourist sights and restaurants are located. Staying in the Old Town is ideal, as it’s within walking distance of the catamaran port for Molat.
Budget option: We recommend Downtown Boutique Hostel for an affordable stay.
Shared accommodation: You may wish to share an apartment or room with other guests on your trip—this can be arranged via your WhatsApp group.
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We recommend having lunch in Zadar before catching the boat to Molat, as we’ll have an afternoon SUP session upon arrival (weather permitting).
There are plenty of great lunch spots in Zadar to choose from. If you'd like, you can arrange to meet fellow guests for lunch via your WhatsApp group.
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Yes, there is luggage storage available in the old town for £5-8 a day.
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Zadar airport is the closest airport to Zadar. It’s from Zadar Old Town that you catch the catamaran to Molat to begin your trip.
You can also fly into Split or Zagreb, but both are much further away and require a long bus ride to reach Zadar.
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The closest airport to Molat is Zadar Airport, but you can also fly to Split or Zagreb and take a bus to Zadar.
Zadar Airport (Recommended)
Zadar is the nearest airport, located 20 minutes by taxi from Zadar Old Town (€30).
Direct flights to Zadar with Ryanair from:
London
Bournemouth
Leeds
Liverpool
Manchester
Direct flights to Zadar with EasyJet from:
London Gatwick
Note: Flights may not operate daily. It is your responsibility to find flights that align with our trip start and end dates. We have scheduled our trips to match as many flight options as possible.
Split Airport
You can fly to Split and take a bus to Zadar (journey time: 2–4 hours).
Several bus companies operate this route. See "Getting from Split Airport to Zadar" for details.
Airlines flying to Split from the UK include:
British Airways
Wizz Air
EasyJet
Jet2
Zagreb Airport
You can fly to Zagreb and take a bus to Zadar (journey time: 3.5 hours).
Several bus companies operate this route. See "Getting from Zagreb to Zadar" for details.
We provide this information to help you plan your travel, but you are responsible for booking your flights and ensuring they align with the trip schedule.
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You are responsible for making your way to Zadar in time for the 14:05 catamaran to Molat to begin your trip. As so many airports offer flights to Zadar, we have highlighted the airlines and locations for you.
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Buses run regularly between Split and Zadar, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth journey.
The bus station in Zadar is about a 25-minute walk from where the catamaran from Molat docks. You can also take a taxi, Bolt, or Uber.
There are many daily buses between Zadar and Split, but be sure to choose a fast bus (about 2.5 hours) rather than a slower one, which can take up to 4 hours.
Split Airport is not in Split itself so make sure to follow the guide below for the best route to Zadar to avoid traveling via Split city, as this adds unnecessary time.
Recommended Route from Split Airport to Zadar
From Split Airport to Trogir (5km from the airport, towards Zadar):
Take the regular airport bus (every 20 minutes, 10-minute journey).
Alternatively, take a taxi, Bolt, or Uber.
From Trogir to Zadar:
Take a direct bus from Trogir to Zadar, which is faster than traveling via Split.
Buses run frequently, and you can book tickets online with Flixbus.
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There is a regular Flixbus service running multiple times a day from Zagreb Central Bus Station to Zadar Bus Station. The journey takes 3.5 hours and is often excellent value.
How do I get from Zagreb Airport to the bus station?
A shuttle bus runs from Zagreb Airport to Zagreb Central Bus Station in about 40 minutes.
Activities
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This active adventure offers the opportunity to explore beautiful islands while learning new paddleboarding skills. You don’t need to be an elite athlete to join us, however you’ll need a good fitness level to enjoy all the activities of the week.
What to Expect:
Activity Duration: Daily active time of 5-6 hours.
SUP Distances: Beginners start at 3km, progressing to 10km. Intermediate trips cover 10-12km. You’ll be on the water for the majority of the day!
Hiking: 6km hike with around 200 metres of ascent on uneven terrain. You’ll be hiking in the sun and heat, following a cycle and paddle.
Cycling: 9km cycling route each way, featuring climbs and descents - optional activity.
Multi-Sport Day: Embrace a full day with 18km of cycling, 8km of paddling, and a 5km hike. It's a rigorous day, but cycling and hiking are optional. The focus is on a steady, non-competitive pace and we encourage all guests to give it a try!
Consecutive Activity: Prepare for 5 days of back-to-back paddleboarding and varied physical activities. The week is action-packed which can be quite demanding.
Sun Exposure: Expect to encounter warm summer weather with substantial sun exposure, particularly in July and August.
Other Considerations:
Accommodation: The apartments on this trip are simple but comfortable.
Air Conditioning: Available in shared living spaces, but not in bedrooms. Fans provided in bedrooms; expect warm summer nights during July and August.
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You don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you must be able to swim 50m/100m and feel confident in the water.
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You do not need previous experience to join this trip. Our guides will get you out on the water and paddling before you know it!
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We provide carbon fibre paddles and a variety of Red and Starboard boards - touring and race boards, so you can have a go an various different boards over the course of the week!
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The weather in Croatia can be very hot in the summer. For your safety and comfort in the sun, please do ensure you have a high factor sun block (which is waterproof), a cap / hat and a t-shirt or rash vest that covers your shoulders and is preferably long sleeved.
We will try to arrange our activities to avoid the midday heat so we can get into the shade when it’s extra hot, but please do come prepared!
If you want to avoid the hottest months, we recommend looking at trips in June and September which tend to be slightly cooler.
Please also bring a rain coat just in case for all trips!
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In the event that weather conditions prohibit us from paddling, we will arrange alternative activities - sadly we cannot control the weather but we can keep our fingers firmly crossed!
We will ensure there are fun activities for you to take part in even if the weather is not ideal, and we cannot provide refunds for a change of activities due to weather or other conditions outside our control.
None of our itineraries are set in stone - we will always move things around to make the most of the conditions we have on any given day.
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Yes! Please check out our packing list here.
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We normally paddle in swimwear or sportswear. Remember a hat/cap and a long sleeved top or rash vest that covers you in the midday heat!
If the conditions are cooler, we recommend a long john or shorty wetsuit, though this is completely optional!
Bring a rain coat just in case.
You'll need aqua shoes for getting on and off your board in rocky conditions - and to protect your feet from sea urchins.
Check out the packing list.
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We tend to dress casually in the evenings, there is no need for lots of outfits! Previous feedback suggests a couple of sets of evening outfits is plenty.
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You don’t need to be an expert cyclist to enjoy the cycling. The total distance is about 9 km each way and it's a quiet, undulating road along the length of the island. You’ll start the day with a cycle, then SUP to another island where you’ll then hike up to a small church for some incredible views. After lunch back down at the bay you’ll paddle back to where we left the bikes and cycle the 9km back home again.
Normal sports wear / leggings / shorts and trainers are fine - no lycra or padded shorts required!
The bike ride is completely optional.
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The hikes are not too strenuous or challenging, so running trainers should be fine, though you hike in them at your own risk! They can be really slippery.
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Each trip is very individual and different due to conditions, we take a flexible approach to the day to ensure you get the best experience.
One day, you may need to have an earlier start to paddle before the wind picks up, other days it might be later!
As a rough guide:
Breakfast: 7:30 - 08:30
Paddle 9:00-12:30
Lunch on the beach 12:30 -13:30
Paddle 13:30 - 15:00
Free time: 15:00 - 19:00
Dinner: 19:00 - 20:30
On some afternoons you may have more free time than others. Your guides can recommend local walks you might like or beaches you could visit.
Most guests also like to spend time at one of the small bars on the islands and people watch!
Accommodation
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We will be staying in locally run apartments, dotted across the small village of Molat. All are within a short walk to the harbour and our dining room. There will be 1-4 guests in each apartment.
The apartments are simple, clean, spacious and light. You'll have a kitchen, lounge and some have outdoor space.
All have air conditioning in the shared spaces, fans in bedrooms and WiFi.
We will buddy you up with other Gutsy Girls to share a triple or twin room, or you can choose to stay in a private room.
You will see all of the accommodation options on our booking system. Each set of dates has a different set of accommodation options available. Please choose the date you want on the booking system and then you can choose the accommodation from the available options.
Using locally owned and run apartments supports our responsible and sustainable tourism ethos, and provides a comfortable stay for your holiday!
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You can choose to share with another Gutsy Girl or opt for a private room. There are limited numbers of each room category, so early booking is advised!
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Yes, all of the apartments have WiFi.
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The apartments have air conditioning in shared spaces and fans in the bedrooms. The temperatures do usually cool off in the evenings too.
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The majority of the apartments have shared bathrooms between 1-3 other guests.
If you would like a private bathroom you should book one of the one person apartments.
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There is a washing machine in Karmen apartment however we would encourage you to only use this if absolutely necessary to be environmentally friendly and conserve water.
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The apartments pricing is based on how many other guests you will be sharing with, the facilities and the location.
Although we have priced the accommodation options slightly differently please note that all our apartments are clean and comfortable but simple, and the differences between them are small. The are all located within an easy walk of the dinner spot, the beach and the harbour.
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Each set of trip dates has different accommodation options, and availability may vary as some options may already be booked.
Step 1: Select your trip date in the booking system.
Step 2: Choose from the available accommodation options for that date.
Please note: Once an accommodation option is reserved by a guest, it will no longer be visible for that date.
While we have slightly different pricing based on facilities and the number of guests sharing, all of our apartments are clean, comfortable, and simple, with only small differences between them.
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If your preferred accommodation is not available, it means another guest has already reserved it. Once an accommodation option is booked, it will no longer appear as an option for that date.
All of our accommodation options are clean, comfortable, and similar in quality, with only small differences. If your first choice isn’t available, we recommend selecting another option from the remaining availability.
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Yes! You can arrange to share with a friend.
We recommend that one of you books for both of you, to ensure you can select the accommodation together.
Food & Drink
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Because we essentially have a private chef for the week, it is easy for us to cater for all dietary requirements. However, as we will be on an island, all dietary requirements need to be highlighted before your trip begins as there may not be many options once you arrive. Please include any allergies or dietary requirements when you check-in to your trip.
We work with a fantastic local family who prepare all our breakfasts, lunches and dinners, just for us. The balanced meals our hosts create are traditional recipes which are deliciously fresh and use local ingredients. All meals also take place in our private dining room.
We provide a continental breakfast, including muesli, fruit, scrambled eggs, meats, cheese, local honey and jams. Tea and coffee is provided.
Lunch is a freshly prepared salads with carbohydrates to keep your energy levels up!
Dinners are delicious two course meals prepared using local produce. Wine and non-alcoholic drinks are provided.
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I'm afraid we can't provide discounts for guests who choose not to partake in wine with dinner.
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There is a small local supermarket. Cash is advised as sometimes the card machine doesn't work!
It is not open all day - it often closes for a period in the afternoon. We recommend checking the opening hours for your stay when you get there!
We would recommend buying toiletries and suncream in Zadar as these are not always available in the supermarket.
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The water on the island is not drinkable. You can still use it to clean your teeth if you wish.
You will be provided with a 6L bottle per person in your apartment and you'll be able to refill your water bottles at breakfast and dinner.
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Yes!
Croatia still uses cash in most places outside of large cities. On Molat the bars and supermarket only accept cash. You'll need a little cash for drinks and ice creams!
We'd say €50-100 will be plenty.
Croatian currency moved to the Euro in early 2023. You can withdraw Euros from the ATMs in Zadar or at Zadar airport, or exchange them at the airport or before you travel. There is no cash point on the island.
Other
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Our community spans from women from their 20s to their 70s and beyond. We don't ask your age when you book and honestly, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're up for an adventure!
Here's the breakdown:
Most of our guests (around 66%) are in their 30s and 40s
About 16% are in their 50s
Around 11% are in their 20s
Roughly 5% are in their 60s
A small but gutsy 1% are under 20 or over 70
Age becomes irrelevant pretty quickly when you're learning to ski, hiking through stunning landscapes, or sharing stories over dinner. The mix of perspectives and life stages is what makes our groups so good. You'll find yourself connecting with women you might never have crossed paths with otherwise.
Our hosts span this range too, from their 20s to their 60s, bringing different strengths and energy to each trip. What unites everyone? A shared love of getting outside, challenging yourself, and having a laugh along the way.
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Yes! We encourage you to book in solo!
Over 95% of our guests join our holidays on their own.
Our aim is to connect you with like-minded new friends! We’re a very friendly bunch and can’t wait to meet you!
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Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides, however we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available!
Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.
Simply due to the ratio of men to women in the outdoors industry, sometimes this means our guides and instructors are male.
We keep a close eye on the feedback our guides receive from our guests as we believe that overall this is more important than their gender. We sincerely hope that as more women are introduced to adventure sports and activities, the amount of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.
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There is no upper age limit for our adventures - we have women of all ages join our trips!
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You must be over 18 to join a Gutsy Girls adventure.
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Due to the limited number of spots available, we ask that you book in only if you can make your chosen date. Booking and then changing your mind means others will miss out on the opportunity to join. However we understand that things crop up and you may need to cancel. In this case:
Cancellation will only be effective from the date that the cancellation is received in writing by email. Cancellation charges will be payable as follows:
Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip
Cancellation fee of 30% is charged if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip.
You should have adequate travel insurance that covers you for cancellation.
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Our T&Cs are here.
We do not offer rescheduling of trips and our standard cancellation policy will apply.
Cancellation will only be effective from the date that the cancellation is received in writing by email. Cancellation charges will be payable as follows:
Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip
Cancellation fee of 30% is charged if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip
You should have adequate travel insurance that covers you for cancellation.
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Our hosts are volunteers who are passionate about our mission and want to help more women get outdoors. They're not professionals in the sports or from the countries the trips are based in. Instead, they are there for you. Our guides on the other hand are employed by our local partners in-country and are there to teach you epic activities, lead your sessions and answer all your questions.
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Tipping is not compulsory on our adventures, but if you've had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated. We recommend giving €20-€30, or whatever you can or feel is the right amount.