Tara River Canyon: The Best Tara River Rafting Adventure

Want to plan the perfect Tara River rafting adventure?

I’ve got you covered.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to conquer the rapids and swim in the turquoise, clear waters of the Tara River Canyon.

Europe’s deepest canyon is a stunning place between the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. It’s famous for its exhilarating white-water rafting tours and jaw-dropping nature.

Ready to jump in?

Let’s go!

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Everything You Need to Know for a Perfect Tara River Rafting Adventure

Find the most important information about the Tara River and the rafting adventure in the section below.

Where Is the Tara River Canyon?

The breathtaking Tara River Canyon is located in the Balkans, between the countries of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The largest portion of the river gorge is on Montenegrin soil.

The Tara River canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s 1,300 m (4,265 ft.) deep, making it the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the deepest in the world. For comparison, the Grand Canyon is 1,737 m (5,697 ft.) at its deepest point. No surprise that locals like to call the river Tara The Colorado of the Balkans.

To help you get an idea of how you can get there, here are the distances between my recommended Tara River rafting center, Rafting Center Tara-Raft, and the major cities in the area:

Town	Country	Distance	Time by car
Foča	Bosna and Herzegovina	20 km / 12 mi	30 min
Višegrad	Bosna and Herzegovina	92 km / 57 mi	1:45 hours
Sarajevo	Bosna and Herzegovina	90 km / 56 mi	2 hours
Mostar	Montenegro	160 km / 100 mi	3 hours
Kotor	Montenegro	205 km / 127 mi	3:30 hours
Budva	Montenegro	225 km / 140 mi	4 hours

The road is extremely scenic with views of the turquoise waters of the Tara and Drina Rivers. You’ll pass by picturesque villages, medieval castles, and monasteries on mountaintops, then drive through tunnels cut directly into the limestone rocks.

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When Is the Best Time for a Tara River Rafting Adventure?

May and June are the best months for a perfect Tara River rafting trip. That’s when the water levels are ideal and the speed of the rapids is most pleasant. If you want to do the adventure with children, you might want to go in July or August when the waters are calmer.

But if you want to conquer the rapids when the water levels are at their highest, go in March or April. The melting snow from the mountains makes it a true adventure only the toughest can enjoy. The cold temperatures and the heavy rains add an extra layer of discomfort to the experience.

I went at the beginning of April and the temperatures at night were almost freezing. It didn’t help that the bungalows we stayed at had no heating. Layering my clothes, warming near the open fire, and consuming sufficient alcoholic beverages helped me to stay healthy.

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What Do the Tara River Rafting Camps Offer?

If you want to do a Tara River rafting, you can join an organized, all-inclusive tour or stay at one of the camps along the Drina River.

If you’re short on time, I recommend booking this amazing Tara River Whitewater Rafting Tour. However, if your travel plans allow it, stay at one of the rafting camps in the area to fully immerse yourself in the incredible nature.

During my Tara River rafting adventure, I stayed at Rafting Center Tara-Raft. The camp is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the little town of Foča. It’s only 90 km / 56 mi away from the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to visit the gorgeous capital city and enjoy any of these awesome things to do in Sarajevo.

The bungalows at the rafting center were very clean but basic and tiny. They were unheated and there was no isolation on the walls. For this reason, I recommend staying there during the warmer months of the year and packing warm clothes. Bringing a sleeping bag is not a bad idea either.

The toilets, showers, and restaurant are in the open. Only a few of the bungalows offer ensuite bathrooms. The rest share the outdoor common bathrooms that are located 50 m / 165 ft. away from some of the accommodations.

✔️ Tip: Try to use the showers as soon as you get back from your Tara River rafting adventure to make sure you have enough hot water.

The highlight of the amenities at the rafting center is the open-air restaurant. It serves organic, locally-produced delicacies.

The local cuisine is famous for its delectable cheeses and home-cured meats, which melt in the mouth. The restaurant also serves perfectly grilled fresh trout, steaming hot stews, freshly baked bread, and homemade pastries.

We washed them down with fiery rakia, the high-percentage alcoholic drink of the Balkans, and heavy wines.

The food and drinks paired with the excellent service made all other discomforts disappear. The magnificent views of the mountains around the camp, the calming sound of the turquoise waters beneath the restaurant, and the scrumptious food melted our stress away.

There’s an open fire in the middle of the covered restaurant. It was great for keeping ourselves warm and drying our shoes and clothes.

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Here’s What to Expect on a White-Water Tara River Rafting Adventure

On the day of our Tara River rafting adventure, the camp woke up slowly to mountains covered in fog and low-hanging clouds. The view was stunning and the air was fresh. Luckily, the fog and the clouds lifted just in time for our ride through Europe’s deepest canyon.

All geared up, we boarded the vehicles and drove to the border. The rafting camp provides everything needed for the adventure.

We crossed into Montenegro on a winding mountain road, made a U-turn, and crossed the border again to head to the rafting starting point. We needed our passports which the rafting guides kept safe for us during the Tara rafting adventure.

The Tara River forms the natural border between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We boarded the rubber rafts and started after a brief safety instructions demonstration.

The first rapids were amusing, the clear water of the river Tara splashed our faces but the neoprene suits kept us warm despite the low temperatures.

The views on both sides of the river were incredible. The left shore is Montenegrin and the right one is Bosnian. We rafted between the two Balkan countries in no man’s land. Towering limestone walls rose hundreds of meters high above the valley.

Tara’s waters are so pure you can drink them safely. The river stones serve as natural filters. Only after a heavy rainfall, the waters become muddy but the stones clean them in no time.

We paddled for 3 hours through 26 rapids, the longest of which is 500 m / 1640 ft. You don’t need previous white-water rafting experience. Even children can join the Tara River rafting adventure.

Still, if you don’t pay attention there’s always the risk of taking an unexpected bath in the refreshingly cool waters or losing your paddle. I might have dropped mine once. Luckily, it didn’t sink and I was able to retrieve it quickly.

The distance we covered during the Tara River rafting trip was about 25 km / 15.5 mi. On the way downstream, we passed stunning waterfalls, stopped to relax, jumped, and swam in the slower waters.

The waters have the most amazing turquoise color and are so crystal clear that the river seems shallow. It feels like you can just lean and grab a stone. We simply had to jump in and try it. Well, we couldn’t reach the riverbed as it actually lies 2 to 4 m / 6.5 to 13 ft. deep but the chilly water felt great on our adrenaline-infused muscles.

About 5 km / 3 mi before we reached the camp, we passed the Piva River. It merges into Tara and the two rivers start the mighty Drina River. The waters of Drina were calmer and there were fewer rapids so we enjoyed the jaw-dropping views and anticipated the awaiting delicious lunch.

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FAQs About White-Water Rafting in the Tara River Canyon

What is the deepest canyon in Europe?

Tara River Canyon is the deepest in Europe and one of the deepest in the world. It’s 1,300 m / 4,265 ft. deep and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For comparison, the Grand Canyon is 1,737 m / 5,697 ft. at its deepest point. Locals refer to the Tara River as “The Colorado of the Balkans”.

Can you swim in the Tara River?

Yes, you can! In fact, I strongly recommend you do. Just wait until you reach the slower-flowing waters and follow your guide’s instructions. The waters are refreshing but the neoprene suit will keep you warm.

How do I get to Tara Canyon?

You can reach Tara River Canyon from Bosna’s capital, Sarajevo, in about 2 hours. From Montenegro, you can travel from Mostar (3 hours), Kotor (3:30 hours), or Budva (4 hours). I recommend joining this Tara River Whitewater Rafting Tour that includes transportation so you don’t need to worry about driving and border crossings.

What level is Tara River Rafting?

According to the skippers, the level of difficulty of the Tara River rafting is from 2 to 4 out of 5. It depends on the water levels. The highest water levels are in March and April when the snow melts in the mountains. In May and June is the actual wild water rafting. In July and August, the waters calm down and are perfect for a family rafting adventure.

How deep is the Tara River?

The waters of the Tara River are between 2 and 4 meters / 6.5 to 13 feet deep. Because they are crystal clear, the bottom appears to be closer. If you decide to jump for a swim, make sure you’re comfortable with not being able to reach the floor.