While we were not there to bounce around on a huge trampoline in the sea, it definitely set the tone for this Swim Project holiday. This swimming adventure took place in the stunning town of Šibenik and nearby archipelago of islands.

I was lucky enough to go on this holiday with a group of friends from my club – Dublin Swimming Club – so we were all experienced sea swimmers with many open-water kilometres under our belts, but that isn’t a requirement for these trips.

Sibenik habour

This is a bit shorter than most swimming adventures, so it’s ideal for a long weekend and surprisingly accessible from Dublin.

Šibenik is located about an hour from Spilt in central Dalmatia, where the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea and where some epic scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed.

Swim Project run swim camps to this part of Croatia from May to early October and, while prices vary depending on when you travel, you should aim to spend around €1,000 on one of these unique trips, which is a lot cheaper than some of the larger swimming adventure companies.

For the price, you get five nights’ accommodation including breakfast and lunch, plus you get two guided swims each day.

Sarah having fun on her swimming holiday in Sibenik, Croatia

There are always two representatives in the water with the group, offering tips and ensuring your comfort, making it a truly hands-on experience.

They start you off slowly too, as on day one we just had a coaching session in a 50m outdoor pool followed by a short stroll around the old town.

The next day is when things really kick up a notch as it starts in earnest with the sea swims. On days two, three and four we headed out on a boat each day and explored and swam around the beautiful nearby islands.

We even got to swim around ‘Hitler’s Eyes’, which is a 200m sea tunnel used by the Italian and German navies as a shelter for u-boats.

At the exit of the canal we pass St Nicholas Fortress, a Unesco heritage site built by the Venetians in the 15th century. From there, we headed for the islands and pick a spot for a 2-3km swim around a small uninhabited island or along the bigger inhabited island, Zlarin – depending on the weather and wind.

Sarah relaxes in Sibenik, Croatia

Zlarin may be better known for its handmade coral jewellery but we were there for the warm pristine blue waters and delicious lunch in Vinko’s place.

There are no cars allowed on the island so people get around on golf buggies – if you didn’t know better you might think you’d stepped off the boat in a fancy five-star resort.

The swimming was other-worldly with what was like an aquarium of tropical fish below you in the crystal-clear waters.

The beauty of these trips is you are never under pressure to swim, and the boat offers a deck to lie out on so you can soak up some rays.

Swimming in Sibenik, Croatia

Oh, and alongside improving our swimming we (the women) also learned the intro dance to the popular Netflix show The Perfect Couple, so you might say this was the perfect end to the open water swimming season.

Swim Project is now taking bookings for summer 2025, so get a gang together and dive into the Adriatic.