On our July trip to Croatia, our family of three went Cetina River rafting with kids at Omiš, booked from Split with Pirate Rafting. Our son had been asking to try rafting for a while, and this was the Split option we found where kids were also allowed. It was a 4–5 hour ride starting around 11:00 am, with about 6 rafts on the river, 8 people per raft, each with a guide. The river runs through cliffs, the water felt just right in July.
Why we chose the Cetina, from Split
For a while, our son had been asking to try white water rafting. Rivers back home in the Pacific Northwest are always cold, so as we planned our Balkans trip I looked for a rafting option there instead, and found the Cetina River.
We picked Pirate Rafting from its TripAdvisor reviews — and kids were allowed, too. That was enough to decide, so we booked it. The rafting was part of our July Balkans trip, on the Croatia leg through Plitvice, Split, Dubrovnik, and Korčula, plus a day trip to Hvar. More on those to come.
Getting there: a 1.5-hour van ride from Split to Omiš
When we booked, we could add pickup and drop-off from Split for an extra charge, and we did. A van picked us up in Split and drove us to Omiš, and it took about 1.5 hours from pickup to the starting point.
There, we joined the other families, along with a few people who had driven their own cars straight to the meeting point. In total there were about 6–8 rafts, each with 8 people and a guide.
Our guide was Mike, a university student who guides during his summer break. He was very friendly, and that mattered a lot on a family trip — a guide who talks to the kids, not just past them, changes the whole mood of the boat.
We started around 11:00 am and spent about 3 hours on the river. The landscape was amazing, and the weather was perfect.
Gear, shoes, and what to wear
We got all our gears from them and changed clothes in the van. Helmets, life vests and paddles were included; only the shoes were extra, at €5. They asked for our shoe sizes when we booked, so the shoes were ready for us when we arrived.
Footwear: closed-toe shoes only. Flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed. Either rent shoes from the company (we did) or wear your own waterproof closed-toe shoes. Whatever you wear on the river will get soaked, so keep a dry pair in your bag for the trip back.
On the river: cliffs, rapids, and instructions before each rapid
The river flows through cliffs, and that scenery is half the experience. It is not just a stretch of fast water — you are rafting between rock walls, with the guide calling out what is coming next.
Rafting on the Cetina is classed between grade 2 and grade 3 (on a scale of 1 to 6), so expect some proper rapids rather than a gentle float.
Our guide gave us proper instructions on how we were going to handle the next one before we reached it, so we knew what to do rather than just reacting when we got there.
Two stops: a shallow-river photo break, then the cave, waterfall and cliff jump
At one point, we got out at a shallow part of the river and took photos, with swimming optional at that stop. It was a welcome pause in the middle of the ride — a chance to stand up, stretch, enjoy the view instead of paddling through it all.
The next stop was the cave with a waterfall — and the jump. To get up to the cliff, you swim. My son and my husband did it. Others had the option of a 5-minute hike to cross the stretch.
That choice is worth knowing if you are traveling with kids of different confidence levels, or with adults who would rather walk than swim up: the jump itself was the shared part, but how you got to the top was not the same for everyone.
Phones, photographers, and the photos we did not take ourselves
We left all our phones in the pickup van. That was a good decision in hindsight — wet, fast water and a phone in a pocket do not mix — but it also means we have no phone photos from the river itself.
There were photographers who took photos along the way, and those photos were a separate payment.
Tip: leave your phone in the van or car. The river photographers have you covered, so you don’t need to risk it.
The end of the day: snacks, the drive back, and a very late lunch
At the finishing point, we were given some snacks. The vans with all our belongings were already waiting there. We changed into dry clothes before we were driven back to the meeting point.
We had missed our lunch, so as soon as we had freshened up, we went for food. Most of all, our 11-year-old son had the greatest time. This was the white water rafting day he had been asking for, and it was everything he hoped it would be.
Tip: if you book an 11:00 am start like ours, eat a proper breakfast and plan for a late lunch. The snacks at the end are not a substitute for a meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cetina River rafting good for kids?
On our trip, yes. Kids were allowed on the Split option we booked, and our 11-year-old did the full trip, including the cliff jump. Our guide, Mike, was friendly with kids, which helped. The company's current listing gives an age range of 6–99, but check with the operator for your child's age before booking, as listing details can change.
Do you need rafting experience for the Cetina?
No. The company lists this trip as suitable for beginners and non-swimmers. Our guide gave instructions before each rapids, which helped first-timers know what to do.
Is there a cave and cliff jumping on the Cetina rafting trip?
There was on ours. The cave with a waterfall was the cliff-jump stop: my son and my husband swam up to the cliff and jumped, while others took a 5-minute walk to the jumping point instead. The company lists the cave, swimming stops, cliff jumping and a waterfall shower as optional stops, so check the current itinerary before you count on the exact stops.
How long does the Cetina rafting trip take?
We spent about 3 hours on the river, starting around 11:00 am. With the pickup in Split, the shuttle, gearing up and the drive back, it took up most of the day, so plan it as a full day out, not a quick morning activity.
Do you need your own shoes for Cetina rafting?
You need closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed. We rented ours from the company for €5; the listing says to request rentals a day before the tour, so don't leave it to the morning. Waterproof closed-toe shoes of your own work too. Either way they'll get soaked, so bring a dry pair for the trip back.
Can you take your phone on the raft?
We left all our phones in the pickup van. Photographers took photos on the river, at a separate payment, so you do not need to risk your own phone to have photos from the day.
More from this Balkans trip
Shaminee is a U.S.-based mom and family travel blogger who designs detailed itineraries for her own family and turns them into practical guides for others. Her goal is to make family travel simpler, more organized, and more enjoyable.
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