Kayak tour in Pula to Valley of Tears/free drinks+photos included

Pula’s best views are often found from the water, and this three-hour outing gets you there under your own power. You paddle beyond the easy reach of the shore, stop for snorkeling and supervised cliff jumping, and leave your phone in a dry bag while the guides record the action.

I like the included GoPro photos and underwater footage, which let you enjoy the water instead of worrying about your camera. I also like the mix of paddling, swimming, and cliff jumping, plus the simple bonus of beer and water at no extra charge. The main drawback is important: the sea cave featured in older accounts closed in March 2025, so you should not book this expecting to enter it.

Key points before you book

• Three hours on the sea: Expect a real active outing, with kayaking to coastal swimming spots rather than a short paddle close to shore.
• The cave is no longer part of the trip: Government authorities closed the sea cave in March 2025, and the tour no longer enters it.
• Photos are included: Guides use GoPro cameras, including for underwater shots, and send the finished images afterward.
• Beer and water come with the price: Drinks are included, although one account says they were available at the stop rather than throughout the trip.
• Moderate fitness helps: You will paddle in an open kayak, handle equipment, and take part in water activities.
• Arrive early: The meeting point is at Valkane in Pula, and you should be there 30 minutes before departure.

What the Pula coastline feels like from a kayak

This is an active coastal outing, not a sightseeing cruise. You sit low on the water, paddle along the shore, and see sections of Pula that are difficult or impossible to reach on foot.

That position makes the coast feel more immediate. You notice small inlets, rocky edges, clear water, and quiet swimming spots at a slower pace than you would from a larger boat. The trip is designed for all age groups, but that does not mean it is effortless. Three hours of paddling can be tiring, especially if you are new to kayaking.

The tour uses kayaks supplied by Puls Events, with life jackets, neoprene, snorkeling equipment, and dry bags included. The equipment list is generous for the price. You can bring small essentials in the waterproof bag, while larger personal items may be left secured at the starting point.

You do not need to carry your phone to capture the day. The guides photograph the kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumps with GoPro cameras. Underwater footage is part of the appeal, since it shows a side of the outing that is hard to record from a kayak.

The paddle to the swimming area

The first part of the trip is the paddle out from the Valkane meeting point. One family described the ride to the former cave area as about 30 minutes, depending on the group’s pace. That gives you a useful idea of the outing: you are not simply being taken to a nearby swimming platform and returned.

Paddling time is part of the experience. A double kayak is generally easy to handle according to the supplied accounts, and a three-person kayak is also available. If you have never kayaked before, the guides provide help and basic safety direction before you set out.

Your comfort depends partly on how well you work with your partner. Two people who paddle together will make better progress than two people pulling in opposite directions. You can expect some instruction and encouragement, but this is still a hands-on activity.

The group size can reach 30 people, though some departures are much smaller. One outing had about 10 participants and two instructors, while another had roughly 20 people. A larger group may mean more waiting at the swimming and jumping stops, but the guides appear to keep the mood relaxed and organized.

Snorkeling without the old cave visit

The former sea-cave stop needs a clear explanation. Older tour descriptions and past experiences included entering a cave, swimming through it, and snorkeling nearby. That is no longer current. The cave was closed by the government in March 2025, so this tour does not enter it.

You can still expect snorkeling as part of the activity, with masks and related equipment provided. The exact swimming location may depend on sea conditions and the day’s plan. The water and coastal rock formations remain the main setting, but you should not assume that an advertised cave photo represents what you will see now.

There is also a practical equipment detail to check at the start. One participant received goggles but no separate snorkel and found that limiting. If you prefer breathing through a snorkel rather than holding your breath, ask the guide what equipment is available before leaving shore.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and water shoes. Neoprene is supplied, which is useful in cooler conditions. An April departure was described as particularly pleasant and peaceful, but sea temperatures can still make a wetsuit welcome outside the hottest months.

Cliff jumping with sensible limits

Cliff jumping is one of the main reasons to choose this trip over a standard kayak rental. The guides take you to a suitable coastal spot where you can watch others jump or try it yourself.

There is an important safety restriction. The highest point is not allowed on this tour. That may disappoint anyone looking for a big adrenaline stunt, but it is a sensible limit for a group activity in unfamiliar water.

You do not have to jump. You can enjoy the stop, swim, snorkel, or simply watch. This makes the excursion easier to recommend to mixed groups, since one person can seek a little excitement while another stays at water level.

The guides are responsible for keeping the activity controlled, and the accounts describe them as patient and attentive. Names connected with individual departures include Erik, Stefan, and Vanya, though your own guides may be different. Their role is not just to steer the group. They also help with equipment, explain the surroundings, and take photographs.

The photo package is a real part of the value

The included photography changes how you experience the tour. Instead of protecting your phone in a kayak or trying to take a selfie while swimming, you can focus on the activity and let the guides handle the camera work.

The photos include kayaking, cliff jumping, snorkeling, and some underwater scenes. Several accounts describe receiving a large number of images and video clips through a link by email within a couple of days. That timing is useful if you want to share the experience during the rest of your holiday.

Quality can depend on the guide, light, water clarity, and how willing you are to pose. Some guides appear to actively direct people into better positions, which can produce more memorable shots. If you prefer a quieter trip with fewer staged photos, say so politely at the start. One person valued the time spent enjoying the coast more than constant group photography.

Air photos made by drone are not included. Separate individual photo requests are also excluded. The standard package is the group’s GoPro coverage, including underwater material, not a private photo shoot.

Drinks, timing, and the value of $60.49

At $60.49 per person, the price includes a kayak, life jacket, neoprene, snorkeling equipment, dry bag, guide, photos, water, and beer. You are paying for more than boat hire. You also get instruction, access to coastal areas reached by sea, safety supervision, and the time needed to paddle there and back.

That package makes the cost reasonable if you want a complete half-day activity. Renting a kayak alone would not include the guide, group planning, snorkeling equipment, or photo service. The beer is a small extra, but it adds to the informal feel of the stop.

Do not read free drinks as unlimited refreshments throughout the paddle. One account says drinks were available in the cave area, and the cave is now closed, so the current drink arrangement may be different. Water is listed as included, and beer is included for participants aged 18 or older.

There is also a price-checking tip worth taking seriously. One person paid about 25 euros more through a third-party booking channel than people who booked directly. Compare the price on the Puls Events website before paying. The listed $60.49 may still suit you for the convenience of a mobile ticket, but direct booking could be cheaper.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you want a social outdoor activity with a clear mix of movement and play. It suits couples, friends, and families who are happy to share a kayak and spend several hours on the water.

Families have used the trip with children, including a four-year-old and children aged 10 and 13. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the group includes a range of abilities. Still, parents should judge their child’s comfort with open-water kayaking, swimming, and waiting around a cliff-jump area.

Older adults can also take part if they have suitable fitness and water confidence. A group with 70-year-old parents was described as receiving patient and accommodating help. The important point is that the trip asks for moderate physical fitness, so it is not the best choice if you need a low-effort sightseeing experience.

First-time kayakers are welcome. The guides help beginners, and the double kayaks are reported to be manageable. You should expect to paddle rather than simply sit back, though, and you may feel tired by the return journey.

What to wear and how to prepare

Arrive at the Valkane meeting point 30 minutes before the official start. The tour begins and ends there, and the location is near public transportation.

Wear sports clothing under or with your swimsuit. Water shoes are especially useful on rocky edges, while a hat and sunscreen help during the open-water sections. Bring a towel and keep valuables to a minimum. The dry bag is meant for essentials, not for carrying a full day bag.

A health questionnaire is required before diving-related activity, though this tour’s advertised water activities are kayaking, snorkeling, and cliff jumping. The supplied information warns that some medical conditions, including asthma and heart problems, may prevent participation in diving activities, so you should consult a doctor if that applies to you.

Do not plan this outing close to a flight if you intend to take part in underwater activity. The guidance says diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended. When in doubt, ask the operator before booking.

The tour needs good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Last-minute changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

What has changed since older accounts

The most important change is the closed sea cave. Older descriptions of swimming into a cave, snorkeling from inside it, and stopping there for drinks no longer apply. Treat those details as historical, not as a promise for your departure.

The rest of the activity remains clearly defined: kayak along Pula’s coast, visit sea-access areas, snorkel, take part in safe cliff jumps if you wish, and receive GoPro photos. The exact stop may change with conditions and the cave closure.

This is a good example of why you should read the current details carefully before booking. If the cave was your main reason for choosing the trip, look for another excursion that still has legal access to a cave. If your main aim is an active coastal outing with photography included, the changed route may still work well.

Should you book the Puls Events kayak tour?

Book it if you want an active and friendly way to see Pula from the sea, especially if you value included photos and do not want to manage a camera around water. The combination of kayaking, snorkeling, supervised cliff jumping, equipment, and drinks gives the outing strong value at $60.49, provided the price is competitive with direct booking.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat ride, dislike paddling, or are booking specifically to enter the sea cave. Also think twice if you need a fully predictable route, since sea conditions and the permanent cave closure affect the stops.

For most reasonably fit visitors who enjoy a little adventure, this is a practical introduction to Pula’s coast. Just arrive early, check the current price, bring water shoes, and book with the understanding that the cave is no longer part of the plan.

FAQ

How long is the kayak tour?

The activity lasts approximately three hours. The time includes paddling, snorkeling, cliff-jump opportunities, and stops along the coast.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Puls Events kayak tours at Valkane, 52100 Pula, Croatia.

Is the sea cave included?

No. The sea cave closed by government order in March 2025, so the tour no longer enters it.

Are kayaks and safety equipment provided?

Yes. The price includes a kayak, life jacket, neoprene, snorkeling equipment, and a dry bag.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. GoPro photos and video, including underwater footage, are included. Air photos taken by drone and separate individual photo requests are not included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and beer are included. The minimum drinking age for alcohol is 18.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No previous kayaking experience is stated as a requirement. The tour is designed for all age groups, but participants should have a moderate fitness level.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.