Rafting is a very interesting experience you can have in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are several rivers where you can go rafting, but the Neretva and Una are among the most popular ones. I went rafting on the Neretva River near Konjic, and this is my full first-hand experience. I went at the end of September, so the conditions can be different during other parts of the year.
In this article, I will explain how I arranged the rafting, how much I paid, how difficult it was, what happened during the trip, what you should know about safety, and what it was like to raft on the Neretva. If you follow my blog, you probably know that I have visited many rivers, lakes, mountains and cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. I really believe Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most diverse countries in Europe when it comes to nature, and rafting was one of the experiences that showed me that.
Rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has many beautiful rivers. Some are calm and great for fishing, hiking, camping and relaxing, while others can become quite wild depending on the season and water level. The Neretva is one of the most famous rivers in the country. It flows through different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina before continuing towards the Adriatic Sea.
The area around Konjic is especially well known for rafting. The combination of the river, mountains, rocks and clear water makes this a very interesting way to explore the area.
Konjic and the Neretva River
Konjic is a small city in Bosnia and Herzegovina located between Sarajevo and Mostar. It is known for its old bridge, Tito’s bunker, nearby Boračko Lake and, of course, rafting on the Neretva. The Neretva is one of the most beautiful rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it is also very cold. Even when the weather is warm, the water can feel extremely cold. This was something I noticed during my rafting trip, especially when we stopped near the river.
How to Arrange Neretva Rafting
If you want to go rafting, you will need to arrange it with a rafting organizer. I recommend contacting the organizer before your trip. It is especially important if you want to go during a weekend because rafting trips can become full.
There are many rafting organizers around Konjic that you can find on the internet or through Google Maps. I would recommend contacting more than one and asking about the price, availability, starting point and what is included in the trip. Prices and conditions can change, so it is better to check directly with the organizer before you go.
What Is the Minimum Number of People?
One rafting boat usually has several (8) people, and I was not sure if rafting would be possible because there were only two of us. However, we still went.There were other people who also came individually or in small groups, so the organizer put us together in the same boat.
This means that you do not necessarily need to come with a large group of friends. If you are only two people, it is possible that you will simply join other people on the same boat. If you are coming with a larger group, the organizer can usually arrange a boat for your group.
How to Get to the Rafting Starting Point
We spent the night in Konjic City, and in the morning we took a taxi to the rafting host. The place was around 20 mintes from Konjic, and we paid about €12 for the taxi.
From the meeting point, the rafting staff took us further towards the starting point where the boats were waiting. They had the necessary vehicles for transporting the people and equipment. If you are coming by car, it is easier because there is parking at the meeting point.
I would recommend asking your rafting organizer about transportation when you make your reservation, because different organizers can have different meeting points and arrangements.
Does the Water Level Make Rafting More Difficult?
Yes, the water level can make a big difference. During spring, or after periods with more rain, the river can have a much higher water level. This can make the rafting more exciting and also more demanding. During summer, especially if there has not been much rain for some time, the water level can be lower.
When I went at the end of September, our skipper told us that the water level was very high. He said that it was similar to the level usually seen in early spring. Because of this, our rafting was more extreme than it might be during a period with lower water. This is something to keep in mind when choosing when to go.
Can a Raft Turn Upside Down?
Yes, it can happen, although it does not happen all the time. The stronger rapids are usually the parts where you need to pay the most attention. If the boat enters a rapid in the wrong position, it can become unstable. Our skipper explained what we needed to do and gave us instructions during the rafting. For me, the most important thing was simply to listen to the skipper. When the river became stronger, everyone in the boat became much more focused.
Can I Bring My Mobile Phone?
I was also wondering about this before the rafting. Our organizer gave us a large waterproof container where we could put our phones. This meant that the phones could stay dry if something happened with the boat. I was actually the only person in our boat who brought a phone with me.
I wanted to take some pictures, but I did not take many because it was not always safe or practical to use the phone. Most of the time I was holding the paddle and following the instructions. I only used my phone during calmer parts of the river and when we stopped at a beach for a break. So, yes, you can take your phone if your organizer provides proper protection, but I would not recommend constantly holding it during the stronger rapids.
Is Neretva Rafting Difficult?
For me, it was not extremely difficult, although I did feel tired after some time. The main physical activity is paddling. However, there are several people in the boat, so everyone shares the work. The most important thing is to listen to the skipper.
The skipper sits at the back of the boat and gives instructions. Usually, the instructions are simple, such as telling people on the left or right side to paddle. When the river is calm, you can relax and enjoy the scenery. When you reach stronger rapids, you need to pay more attention and follow the instructions. I would describe my experience as exciting rather than extremely difficult.
Safety During Neretva Rafting
Before we entered the river, our skipper explained the basic safety rules. One of the most important things he told us was not to panic if someone falls out of the boat or if the boat turns over. This is especially important because when you are in the water, you may not immediately know where the boat or other people are. We also had helmets and safety equipment, and we were told to keep the helmet on during the whole rafting trip.
This is important because there are many rocky sections where the boat comes close to the rocks. If the boat moves suddenly, you could hit the rocks. The possibility of falling into the river is another reason why the safety equipment is important. My advice is simple: listen carefully to the skipper before you start and follow his instructions during the whole trip.
How Long Does Neretva Rafting Take?
For us, rafting was a full-day experience. We started in the morning. Before entering the river, we had breakfast and prepared ourselves for the trip. After that, we received the equipment, had the safety introduction and entered the boats.
During the trip, there were several breaks. One of the stops was at a place where people could jump from the rocks into the water. If you decide to jump, be very careful and check the depth and the area before doing it. Another stop was at a beach near the place where the Rakitnica River joins the Neretva.
These breaks made the whole trip more than just sitting in a boat and going down the river. There was time to relax, talk with other people and enjoy the landscape. At the end of the rafting trip, the host provided lunch, which was included in the price. By that point, we were pretty hungry, so the lunch was very welcome.
How Much Does Neretva Rafting Cost?
The price can be different depending on the organizer, season and what is included in the package. I personally paid about €70 (We payed in BAM) per person for my rafting trip. This was the price I paid for my trip, so I would not use it as a current fixed price. Prices can change over time.
If you are planning to go, I recommend contacting several organizers and comparing their prices and what they include. Ask about things such as breakfast, lunch, equipment, transportation and the length of the trip.
My First-Hand Neretva Rafting Experience
After we arrived, we put on the rafting suits and received a safety introduction. Then we got into the boat. The skipper arranged where everyone would sit so that the boat would have a good balance. He also explained the basic rules and how we should paddle. He was actually very proud that there had been no accidents on his boat during the whole season. At the beginning, the river was relatively calm. We started talking with the skipper and asking him questions about the river, the rocks and the area around us.
This was one of my favorite parts because I was able to learn more about the Neretva from someone who spends a lot of time on the river. But when we reached areas with stronger rapids, everything changed. When there were several stronger rapids, everyone became much more serious. Nobody was talking much because we were concentrating on what the skipper was telling us.
I went rafting at the end of September, and the skipper told us that the water level was very high at that time. He compared it with the water level in early spring. Because of this, the rafting felt more extreme than it probably would during a dry summer period. There were two main breaks during our trip. We had time to get out of the boat, relax and enjoy the river.
The water was extremely cold, so I did not really feel like swimming. However, we were wearing rafting suits, which helped protect us from the cold water. I also tried to take some pictures with my phone, but I did not take as many as I wanted. During the stronger parts of the river, I was too busy holding the paddle and following the instructions. Fortunately, we did not have any accidents and everything finished well. At the end of the trip, we had lunch provided by the rafting host. After spending so much time on the river, we were pretty hungry, so it was a very nice way to finish the day.