Anyone been to Croatia with teens?

[CaptainNelson]

I'm looking for somewhere to take my 3 DC - 17, 15, 11 - this summer after the older 2 have done their exams (Yes, I know 11 year old will be taken out of school and the consequences).
One week; not too expensive. All are boys and have loved active stuff like surfing, mountain biking, kayaking. I am thinking about Croatia - anyone been/any advice or tips?
TIA

Which area ? I'm clued up on istria but nowhere else 😂

There is such a variety of things to do and see in Croatia, I am pretty knowledgeable about Dalmatia and Dubrovnik. What is it you want to do? What are they interested in?

Yes it is beautiful, loads to do but EXTREMELY expensive now, probably the most expensive place I have been to outside Iceland
Absolutely everything costs money. Maybe if you go to one of those out of the way places there it might not be too bad but not sure how many activities will be open to you then. I went the last few years, I believe it was cheaper not so long ago

We looked into it this year and were about to book when a deal came up for USA. I'm kind of wishing we'd stuck with Croatia tbh. We were going to do white water rafting amongst other activities. We looked around the Split area which had good access for rafting and also island hoping. There is a company that does an adventure holiday for families there.
www.explore.co.uk/holidays/family-adventure-holiday-in-croatia

Yes, Split would be a good base, easy access to coast, islands, mountains etc and several local operators that do adventure activities, eg: splitadventure.com/daytours/

Not sure you would be able to surf anywhere near there (no waves) but plenty of other options, hiking, rafting, river tubing, kayaking, canyoning, boat trips (blue cave), swimming, climbing, etc.

We stayed in Cavtat a couple of years ago and took the ferry to Dubrovnik a few times. DD19 and DS17 loved it so much were going back this year, basing ourselves in Split this time, and maybe staying on a couple of islands.
Cavtat was lovely, we had an apartment right on the waters edge, and round the corner from a small beach. We swam, kayaked and took a motor boat out to the little islands. Lots more watersport stuff to do. Dubrovnik was really interesting (DH and DCs into Game of Thrones) - the only downside was that we went in August and it was so hot! We visited a small neighbouring island (Lokrum) for a few hours, was all beautiful.
It is getting more expensive, especially for accommodation, but like anywhere you can find cheap places to eat, and the pizzas and seafood are amazing.

Thanks all. Youngest is into ancient history, but the other two not really. But the older 2 could be left to chill out for a day and I can take the youngest off to Roman remains etc.
I think active stuff would be good - doesn't have to be surfing, they just enjoy trying new stuff really. I would love to go rafting. Am a bit worried by desperate's comment about cost - I thought it was a cheaper destination.
Godot, I don't have any preference for region, more what there is to do and is easily accessible.
We have never done a package holiday; we rarely travel abroad except to visit family, so this would be a post-exam one-off treat. But Split sounds good, thanks buttermilk and 3cats

I didn't find it a particularly expensive destination, but I did go outside of peak season (went in October) and also mostly self-catered and used public transport. Dubrovnik is expensive, especially for accommodation and a few other things, but you can find more reasonably priced restaurants away from the Old Town.

Split is great for Roman history.
www.diocletianspalace.org

Well worth paying the small charge to visit the basement too.
www.total-croatia-news.com/tourist-sites/10190-sites-in-split-the-cellars-of-diocletians-palace

Video:

Split is a great city to fly into and the port will give you huge access to the islands which are real gems.

I've done the Explore trip that sweetheart linked to and I would really recommend it. Looking at the link to activities buttermilkwaffles posted - it looks like you can book most of the stuff we did on the tour yourself. I don't know if that would turn out cheaper than the tour.
If you do go, definitely try canyoning on the Cetina river - it was exhausting but brilliant fun.

Thanks again! I've been looking at the links and the trips look awesome. Am currently consulting with the teens and they're keen (doing their own research to make sure I'm not too old to work the interweb or something).
The canyoning looks amazing - thanks corlan, will definitely do that!

I second basing yourself in or near Split. Lots of history in the city and around, you can get on any number of boats and ferries to visit the islands, and nearby there is rafting on the Cetina River as well as some incredible zip wires. Loads on TripAdvisor about the activities. As others have said, none of this comes free, but the white water rafting, where you have to go through a cave, was a real highlight of our holiday (with teenagers) last year. If any of your family are Game of Thrones fans, then that is an added bonus as so many of the locations are in the area.