Open Water Swimming Week in Croatia's Šibenik Archipelago

Each day follows a similar shape: breakfast at the hotel, then onto the boat to wherever the guides decide the conditions are best. You'll swim in small groups split by speed, each accompanied by its own escort boat — there's one main boat and two inflatables, so nobody swims unaccompanied. Lunch is provided, usually moored in a bay or on a village quay, and afternoons often bring a second swim before you head back to Prvić Luka for the evening.

The week's swimming builds gradually. Day 2 starts close to home with a coastal swim along Tijat finishing at a lighthouse, then a stroke-filming session in Šepurine bay before an afternoon coastal swim back towards the hotel, with video playback in the evening. Day 3 takes you from Zmajan — nicknamed Dragon Island — across to Kaprije, where you can walk up the hill for a view back over your own crossing and then down into the village for coffee and ice cream. The afternoon brings a coastal swim along Zmajan.

Day 4 is spent around Zlarin, which has been inhabited for 700 years and still bans cars. You swim to each of the three small islands south of it in the morning, then spend the afternoon working along the eight bays on its east side. Day 5 goes to the uninhabited Kakan for a morning coastal swim and a short crossing to a neighbouring island, then back to Kaprije in the afternoon. On Day 6 you complete a full circumnavigation of Lupac, the island closest to Prvić, before a final swim along the Zlarin coast — where the guides may hand out extra technique feedback if there's time.

Day 7 is relaxed: a short swim to a remote beach before the trip finishes at 11:00. Over the week, guides give technique advice with video playback, which is one of the main reasons people book this trip as a first open-water holiday.

The 'Leisurely' grading is real — the average swim is around 2km and the average total per day around 3km, spread over two swims. There are longer-distance alternatives in the same archipelago if you want more. What makes this one different is the combination of island-hopping and coastal swimming from a single base, on an island so quiet that it's effectively car-free, with a group size capped at 15 split into a maximum of three speed groups.

Water temperatures run roughly 20–23°C in June, 23–26°C in August and 21–24°C in September, with air temperatures of 22–30°C depending on the month. Be aware that jellyfish, plankton, sea lice and sea urchins are possible in these waters — the guides work to minimise contact, but if you suffer from anaphylaxis you should speak to the office before booking.

What's included

- Fully guided swimming holiday (swimmers only) - Professional swim guides and full safety escort on all swims - Six nights' accommodation at Hotel Maestral - All breakfasts - All lunches (swimmers only) - Technique advice with video playback - Water and electrolytes at every location with bottle refills - ABTOT Protection, in accordance with the operator's terms and conditions

What's not included

- Travel to and from the start of the trip - Evening meals - Drinks and additional activities - Overnight stay tax (up to €2.20 per person per night) - Extra night's accommodation, booked direct with Hotel Maestral - Travel insurance - Airport transfers