Cetina rafting guide
Rafting Omiš: What to Wear and Bring, Month by Month
For rafting in Omiš, wear a swimsuit with a quick-dry T-shirt or rash guard on top, and shoes that strap firmly to your foot: water shoes, sports sandals or old sneakers. No flip-flops. We provide the raft, paddle, helmet and lifejacket, plus a wetsuit in April, May and October. Bring a towel, sunscreen, water and a full change of clothes.
- On the water2.5 hours
- Route10 km of canyon
- Water temp14–17°C
- SeasonApril–October
- Age5+ with a parent
- Meeting pointRadmanove Mlinice
Every season someone turns up at the bridge in flip-flops and white jeans. They raft anyway, and they learn. Here is what I tell guests to wear so they don't have to learn the hard way.
Why what you wear matters more than you think
What you wear for rafting in Omiš decides how comfortable you are for 2.5 hours on the water, not whether you are safe. Safety comes from the helmet, the lifejacket and the guide. Comfort comes from your shoes, your top and how cold you let yourself get.
I have guided the Cetina since 2003. In that time I have seen the same three mistakes again and again: shoes that fall off, cotton that stays cold and wet, and phones that go swimming. All three are easy to avoid.
The Cetina is a spring-fed river. The water on our route stays between 14 and 17°C even in August. The air can be 35°C while the river feels like the North Sea. Dress for both.
What we give you, and what you bring
Here is the split. Everything on the left is included in every Cetina river rafting trip. Everything on the right is yours to pack.
| We provide | You bring |
|---|---|
| Raft and paddle | Swimsuit, worn under your clothes |
| Helmet (EU-certified) | Shoes that strap on: water shoes, sports sandals or old sneakers |
| Lifejacket (EU-certified) | Quick-dry T-shirt or rash guard |
| Wetsuit in April, May and October | Towel and a full change of clothes |
| Dry barrel for phones and keys | Sunscreen and a bottle of water |
| Free photos from the day | A snack for afterwards (we don't provide food) |
We don't serve food on the river. Radmanove Mlinice, the restaurant at our meeting point, is a good place for lunch after the 08:00 trip or before the 13:30 one.
Shoes: the one thing people get wrong
If you remember one line from this guide, make it this one: your shoes must stay on your feet when you swim.
On a Cetina rafting day you will step in and out of the raft, walk 5 to 10 minutes on a rocky path between sections and climb out of the water after a swim. Bare feet and flip-flops lose that fight with the riverbed.
What works
- Water shoes or aqua shoes. Light, drain fast, grip wet rock.
- Sports sandals with a heel strap. Teva-style sandals are perfect.
- Old sneakers. They will get soaked, so bring the pair you were going to throw out anyway.
What doesn't
- Flip-flops or slides. The first swim takes them to the Adriatic.
- Crocs without the strap pulled back. With the strap behind the heel, they are fine.
- Hiking boots. They fill with water and weigh a ton.
Rafting Omiš month by month: how the kit changes
The river changes through the season, so your bag should too. These are the conditions listed on our rafting page, with what I tell guests to wear in each.
| Months | River | Wear |
|---|---|---|
| April–May | Spring high water, Class II–III, livelier rapids | Wetsuit (included and required) over a swimsuit, plus a thin layer underneath if you feel the cold |
| June–August | Calm, warm summer, Class I–II | Swimsuit and a quick-dry top. Sun protection matters more than warmth |
| September | Cooler and quieter, Class I–II | Swimsuit and quick-dry top; a light fleece for afterwards |
| October | Class II, cooler air | Wetsuit (included) and a warm layer and hat for the drive home |
April and May: dress for the water, not the sunshine
Spring is when the Cetina carries the most water. The rapids are bouncier and you get wetter. Our wetsuits are required at this time of year and we fit them at the start. Wear a swimsuit underneath. If you get cold easily, a thin synthetic top under the wetsuit helps.
June to August: sun is the real opponent
In summer the river is gentler and the sun is not. Between the cliff walls, up to 180 m high, there is shade in places and full exposure in others. A quick-dry T-shirt or rash guard protects your shoulders better than sunscreen alone.
Put sunscreen on before you arrive, on your face, neck, shoulders and the backs of your knees. The tops of your thighs burn too, because you sit on the raft tube in the sun for an hour or more. I have seen more red thighs in August than any other injury.
September and October: the quiet months
September is many guests' favorite month on the river. It's quieter and still warm. By October the mornings are fresh, there is one departure a day at 12:00, and we hand out wetsuits again. Bring a warm layer for after the trip. Wet hair and a fall breeze are a cold combination.
Tops, layers and what not to wear
The rule is simple: synthetic dries, cotton doesn't.
- Swimsuit as your base layer, every month.
- Rash guard or polyester sports shirt for sun and a little warmth.
- Board shorts or sports leggings if you prefer not to sit in just a swimsuit.
- Jeans and cotton hoodies. They hold water and stay cold for hours.
- Jewelry and loose watches. Rings come off in cold water. Leave them at your accommodation.
- Sunglasses without a strap. A pair of sunglasses lives on the riverbed near every rapid on this river.
The question I hear most at the bridge is, "Do I really need a change of clothes?" Yes. You will be wet from head to toe. Not damp. Wet. The only person who stays dry on a Cetina raft is the one taking the photos, and that is not you.
Phones, keys and photos
You don't need to bring your phone on the river. We take photos and videos during the trip, and they are free. We post them on our Instagram the same day, so you can enjoy the canyon instead of filming it.
If you do bring your phone or car keys, we put them in a sealed dry barrel that travels in the raft. Leave wallets, passports and anything valuable at your accommodation or locked in the car.
Driving yourself? Parking at Radmanove Mlinice is free, and our return shuttle brings you back to your car at the end. Keep your car key in the dry barrel or with your guide, not in a pocket.
What the day looks like, so you can plan your bag
Knowing the shape of the day helps you pack. Plan for 4 to 5 hours from check-in to drop-off, or 5 to 6 hours if you take our transfer from Split, Trogir or Makarska.
- Arrive 15 minutes early at Radmanove Mlinice, 5 km from the center of Omiš. Look for guides in Malduk T-shirts near the small bridge.
- Gear fitting and safety briefing. We adjust helmets, lifejackets and, in spring and autumn, wetsuits.
- 2.5 hours on the water along a 10 km stretch of canyon, split into three sections.
- Three breaks of 10 to 15 minutes for swimming, optional cliff jumping and rest. Between sections there is a short 5 to 10 minute walk.
- Back to dry clothes. This is when the towel earns its place in your bag.
Packing for kids
Children from 5 can raft with us, sitting in the same raft as a parent. They need the same kit as adults, sized properly.
- Water shoes that fit snugly. Children's sandals often slip off.
- A long-sleeve rash guard. Kids get cold faster than adults, even in summer.
- Two towels: one for the drive, one for the inevitable puddle on the car seat.
- A snack and a drink for afterwards, since we don't provide food.
Let us know the ages and heights of your children when you book. We bring the right sizes of helmets and lifejackets, and a lifejacket that rides up over a child's chin is not one we will use.
Does rain change what you wear?
Light rain doesn't cancel rafting. You are getting wet anyway. On a rainy day, wear the same kit and add a warm layer for afterwards.
Heavy storms or dangerously high water are different. We make that call on the morning of the trip. If we cancel, you get a full refund or move to another day.
The night-before checklist
Screenshot this and you're done.
- Swimsuit on under your clothes
- Strap-on shoes: water shoes, sports sandals or old sneakers
- Quick-dry top or rash guard
- Sunscreen already applied, including thighs and the backs of knees
- Towel and a full change of clothes, in a bag you can leave in the car or van
- Water bottle and a snack for afterwards
- Glasses strap if you wear glasses
- Valuables left at your accommodation
“Lots of local knowledge and super safe.”
Liz P · Google review · 2026 · kayaking and rafting“We were picked up in Split and brought to Omiš without any hassle… I would highly recommend it for a family trip.”
Fiona Ward · Google review · April 2026 · rafting with Split transferPicked your date yet?
Rafting runs daily from Radmanove Mlinice near Omiš, April to October. Tell us who is coming and when, and we'll tell you honestly what the river will be like that week.
- Licensed, HGSS-trained local guides
- EU-certified gear and free photos included
- Pickup from Split, Trogir and Makarska
- No deposit · free cancellation up to 48 hours
Keep planning
- Cetina River rafting for first-timers: The complete guide to your first trip.
- Rafting with the whole family: What the Cetina is like with kids.
- Is white water rafting safe?: How a guided trip keeps you safe.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear for rafting in Omiš?
Wear a swimsuit with a quick-dry T-shirt or rash guard on top and shoes that strap firmly to your foot, such as water shoes, sports sandals or old sneakers. Avoid cotton and flip-flops. We provide the helmet, lifejacket and, in April, May and October, a wetsuit.
Can I wear flip-flops rafting on the Cetina?
No. Flip-flops come off when you swim or walk on wet rock. Wear water shoes, sports sandals with a heel strap or old sneakers that you don't mind getting soaked.
Do you provide wetsuits for Cetina rafting?
Yes. Wetsuits are included in April, May and October, when the water is higher and the air is cooler. In spring they are required. In June to September most guests raft in a swimsuit and a quick-dry top.
How cold is the Cetina River?
On our rafting route the water is usually 14–17°C, even in summer, because the Cetina is fed by cold springs. Expect a refreshing shock when you swim.
Can I bring my phone rafting?
You can, and we store it in a sealed dry barrel in the raft. You don't need it for photos: we take free photos and videos during the trip and share them the same day.
Is food included on the rafting trip?
No, we don't provide food on our tours. Bring water and a snack for afterwards. Radmanove Mlinice, the restaurant at the meeting point, serves lunch.
What should kids wear for rafting?
The same as adults: swimsuit, a long-sleeve rash guard and snug water shoes. Children from 5 can raft in the same raft as a parent. Tell us their ages and heights when you book so we bring the right gear sizes.
Is rafting in Omiš cancelled if it rains?
Light rain does not cancel rafting. Heavy storms or dangerously high water can. We decide on the morning of the trip, and if we cancel you get a full refund or a new date.
Can I cancel my booking, and is there a deposit?
There is no deposit to pay. Day tours have free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure. If we cancel because of weather or water conditions, you get a full refund or a new date.