Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Located on the border of Montenegro and Bosnia/Herzegovina, the River Tara is stunning with vibrant blue water that winds through a deep and long canyon. The best way to explore this river is by taking a rafting trip. You can choose from a multi-day tour or a single day rafting trip on the river.
Below you can see the details of our trip rafting River Tara and details on how to plan your own visit.
Looking for more travel planning ideas in the area check out our guide:
- Exploring Montenegro
- Exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina
Quick Overview of the River Tara
The River Tara, often referred to as the “Tear of Europe,” is a stunning waterway that winds through the heart of the Balkans. Known for its crystal-clear waters, the river flows through the Tara River Canyon, the deepest gorge in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Tara River forms part of the border between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, cutting through dense forests, towering cliffs, and rugged landscapes.
The river’s powerful rapids, especially in the spring when snowmelt swells its waters, offer a thrilling adventure for both novice and experienced rafters. Along the way, you’ll navigate through sections of whitewater, glide past waterfalls, and marvel at the steep canyon walls that surround you. Rafting trips often include breaks at scenic spots where you can swim, explore hidden caves, or stop at one of the ‘river bars.’
The Best Tara River Rafting Tour
There are many rafting companies that operate on the river and many are similar and do a similar route. Based on our time on the river and our tour guides, here are the ones I can recommend:
- Day Tour Leaving from Bosnia and Hertzegovina
- Rafting River Tara – this is the tour we did and had a great experience. Tour meets at their center in Montenegro
- Full Day Tour with Transport from Kotor – this tour includes transport from Kotor and is a great option if you are staying on the coast.
What you Should Know about Rafting River Tara
Where should you stay?
If you main goal is to raft on River Tara, you can stay right at one of the rafting center or nearby. The River is relatively remote but there are some options.
In our opinion, the best place to stay is in the town of Zabljak. This mountain town in Montenegro offers it’s own set of adventure activities and you can enjoy hiking, biking and a gorgeous drive between here and the River Tara. You can see more about what to do in the area in our guide on Durmitor National Park.
It’s also possible to stay in one of the nearby cities or along the coast and just visit the Tara River on a day trip. This will be a long day but the drive itself is beautiful.
Is one day long enough?
In our opinion – yes. One day was a good amount of time to explore the river. Depending on when you visit, longer trips may involve portages or limitations during high water. One day gives you a good sense of the river.
Is it dangerous/safe?
We found the rafting when we visited in early July to be very safe and none of the rapids were scary or dangerous. In the early spring high waters can really change the river so it’s best to ask your guides in advance what the state of the water it.
What is the Best Time of Year for Rafting Tara
The best time of year for rafting the Tara River depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for.
For adrenaline-seekers, spring (April to June) is the prime time. During this period, the river is swollen with snowmelt from the surrounding mountains, creating powerful rapids and fast-flowing waters. These conditions are perfect for those who want an exhilarating whitewater adventure with Class III to IV rapids. The scenery is also at its most vibrant, with lush greenery and waterfalls along the canyon.
For a more relaxed experience, summer (July to September) offers calmer waters and warmer weather. The rapids are gentler, making it ideal for families, beginners, or those looking to enjoy the breathtaking views at a slower pace. The water is crystal clear, and you’ll have more opportunities to swim and take in the beauty of the Tara Canyon without the intensity of spring rapids.
Both seasons provide an incredible rafting experience, but the spring is best for excitement, while the summer is perfect for those seeking a more leisurely adventure.
Our Experience Rafting River Tara
We booked our rafting trip through Rafting River Tara. Since we were staying in Zabljak, we got an early morning start and did the scenic drive through Durmitor National Park. This is a winding and beautiful drive that is worth doing even if you aren’t hiking. After about an hour, the road descends down towards the beautiful Piva Lake.
After a bit more driving, we arrived at the rafting center and were welcomed with breakfast laid out in the dining room. The rafting center has some lodging and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a meal. The center in on a river but you can’t raft directly from here, so after breakfast, we got our gear, got some basic information and then got in the vans for transportation to the start of the rafting.
The start of the rafting on the river was the same starting point for most of the rafting companies and was busy. Once our rafts were in the water, we set off down the river.
The scenery along the river is truly spectacular and you will go through a series of rapids with a few opportunities for swimming. About 2/3 of the way down the river we pulled over to the side to the ‘bar.’ This is an area with a few wooden benches and some drinks kept cold in a stream that you could buy for a few dollars.
We did find a few places to swim along the way, but the water is VERY cold so we were happy to have wetsuits.
After a brief stop, we continued down the river ending at a bridge where we loaded the rafts and took the shorter ride back to the rafting center. We arrive mid-afternoon and had a hearty lunch waiting before we left and headed back to Zabljak. We had a fantastic day on the river and enjoyed our time rafting.
