Rope, rock, and history underground. This Tunnel Abseiling Plus tour takes you through the San Giovanni underground WWII fortress—550 meters of corridors where unfinished architecture meets nature—and you get to try real rope descents. Two things I really like: the certified equipment and guides that handle the safety basics in a hands-on way, and the added touches inside the fortress like audio-video effects plus a wine tasting after you’re done.

One consideration before you book: Abseil Plus adds an extra descent on a cascading rock that’s a bit uneven and slippery, so it’s more demanding than a standard two-descents setup. Also, expect cold air underground (the tour notes temps around 14°C), so plan your clothing and footwear accordingly.

Key things you’ll notice on this tour

• San Giovanni fortress underground: 550 meters of WWII-era structure that mixes human build and natural forms
• Abseil Plus has a third descent: the cascading rock line is uneven and slippery
• Instructor support first: you can practice with an instructor backup before tackling the trickier section
• Simultaneous pair abseil option: you may be able to do a two-person descent together
• Built-in cave atmosphere: audio-video special effects and projections inside the underground space
• Small groups: maximum of 8 travelers, which helps you stay on track during training

San Giovanni’s Underground Fortress: where WWII met nature

You’re not just “in a cave.” You’re in an underground WWII fortress space that was left unfinished, and it shows. The effect is strange—in a good way. You’ll see how building plans stop mid-thought, then nature fills in the rest. That mix is part of why this tour feels more like exploring a real place than doing a standard attraction circuit.

What makes this location especially interesting is that it stayed forgotten for a long time. It was only recently discovered, restored, and equipped for visitors. So you get the sense of something reopened for the public, not something that has been fully polished for tourists for decades. That means the experience feels grounded and practical: you’re moving through an underground environment built for function, not just for views.

And yes, it’s underground for a reason: the tour is all about being in the fortress space while you test abseiling skills. The guiding focus isn’t only storytelling. The guide tour includes your entry into the San Giovanni underground fort, and the descents happen in that same environment, so the place itself is part of the activity.

Inside, there are also audio-video special effects and projections. You shouldn’t expect this to turn the fortress into a theme park. Instead, it’s the kind of added tech that helps you follow the setting while you’re underground and moving around. Think of it as atmosphere, not as the whole point.

Abseil Plus: the cascading rock descent (and the pair option)

Abseil Plus is designed for people who want more than the basics. You’ll do the first two descents as part of the experience, and then you get an additional descent on the cascading rock inside the fortress.

Here’s the practical difference: that third line is described as uneven and slippery. Uneven means your body position may have to adjust more during the descent. Slippery means you’ll want to trust your technique and follow the instructor cues closely, because you’re not just dealing with height—you’re dealing with footing and surface conditions too.

The tour also gives you a sensible way to build confidence. Before you do the more demanding descent, you can prepare for it by executing the first abseils with the instructor’s backup. In plain terms: you get repetition with guidance, rather than being thrown straight into the hardest section.

There’s also an option you might try: a simultaneous abseil in pairs. If you like the idea of doing the rope work with someone next to you (and keeping pace together), that can add a fun team feel. Just remember that simultaneous doesn’t mean chaos—it still depends on how your group and instructors manage the flow underground.

If you’re the type who gets nervous right before heights, this option can still work—but you should be honest with yourself about comfort levels. Abseiling is physical and technical, and the cascading rock section adds another layer.

Your guide and the small-group advantage

This activity runs with professional certified guides, and the group size caps at 8 travelers. That matters more than it sounds. In an abseiling setup, you don’t want to feel like you’re waiting around while everyone else goes first. A smaller group usually means more attention for quick adjustments: harness checks, stance reminders, and the small technique cues that make a difference when you’re on rope.

One review highlights the experience of touring with a guide named Ela, who combined enthusiastic guiding with local history context about Rijeka and the cave. That’s the kind of guiding style that helps the tour land better. You’re doing something physical, but you still want the setting explained.

English is available for the tour. So if you don’t want to rely on gestures and guesswork during the technical parts, that’s a big plus. The better you understand the how-to, the smoother the descents feel.

Equipment, insurance, and the after-descent bonus

You’re provided with all abseiling equipment, and it’s described as certified according to valid standards and regularly checked. That’s exactly what you want to hear with this kind of activity. You don’t have to source harnesses or ropes. You also don’t have to worry that you’re using gear that’s unfamiliar or questionable.

Insurance is included too. That’s a practical value item for a rope-based activity, and it’s especially comforting when you’re dealing with a tougher surface like the cascading rock.

The tour package also includes:

• Guide tour and entrance in the underground fort San Giovanni
• Audio-video special effects and projection inside the fortress
• Wine tasting
• Professional certified guides
• Private tours on request

The wine tasting is a nice “reward moment.” You’re spending about 2.5 hours focused on gear, technique, and moving through underground spaces. Having a drink and a brief pause helps the whole experience feel complete, not like a quick adrenaline stop.

Dress smart: 14°C underground and mandatory non-slip shoes

If there’s one part of this tour you should treat seriously, it’s footwear. The tour states that shoes with non-slip soles are mandatory. That’s not optional. Underground surfaces can be uneven, and you’ll be moving around before you’re on rope.

Also bring warmer clothes. The tour notes the temperature in underground facilities is about 14°C. Even if it feels mild outside, that kind of cool can change how your body feels during activity—especially if you get chilled between turns or while listening to instructions.

So think in layers: warmer top, gloves if you run cold, and shoes that grip. You’ll have a better time when you’re not distracted by cold feet or worry about slipping.

One more practical note: the agency reserves the right to adjust or change the tour in bad weather conditions. Underground can still be affected by overall conditions (like access routes), so don’t assume it will run exactly the way you imagine from a video. Flexibility helps.

Duration, timing, and where you meet

This tour runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. That’s a realistic length for a hands-on activity with training, multiple descents, and time inside the fortress for effects and guided movement.

It’s also scheduled for daily operations with opening hours listed as 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Sunday, across the active season dates. On average, it’s booked about 5 days in advance, which usually means you’ll want to reserve early if you want your preferred time slot.

Meeting point details are specific: Adventurer adventure tours at Plase ul. 21, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia. The tour location is listed as Rovinj, Croatia. That doesn’t automatically tell you whether there’s a transfer or just a general region label. The safe move is to confirm the exact start location and timing with the operator after booking, since the provided meeting point is in Rijeka.

You’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. So plan a little buffer if you’re building a tight itinerary.

Price and value: what you get for $90.36

At $90.36 per person, this is not a bargain activity. But it can be good value if you add up what you actually receive.

You’re paying for:

• Certified abseiling equipment (provided, not rented by you separately)
• Professional certified guides
• Entrance into the San Giovanni underground fort
• Audio-video effects and projection inside
• Insurance
• Wine tasting

For many activities in Europe, the gear + instruction combo is the expensive part. Here, it’s included. That’s a big value driver. You’re also not just buying a ticket to a room—you’re paying for rope work plus guided access to a restored underground WWII site.

The price also makes more sense because the group stays small (max 8). You’re less likely to feel like an extra body in a large crowd. If you’ve done bigger tour groups before, you’ll appreciate that.

Where the value might feel lower is if you’re mainly interested in the fortress as a sightseeing stop and not in abseiling itself. If the rope work doesn’t call to you, you might prefer a more standard underground tour option. But if you want action and history in the same package, this price can feel fair.

Who should book Abseil Plus—and who should skip it

This experience says most travelers can participate, which is encouraging. But it also clearly lists limits:

• Not recommended for persons suffering from epileptic seizures and claustrophobia
• The agency reserves the right to adjust or refuse participation if footwear is inadequate or if someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs

So you should evaluate your comfort level honestly. Abseiling involves heights, harness work, and time in an enclosed underground setting. If enclosed spaces make you panic, you should think twice.

It’s also not a “casual stroll” event. You’ll be active, and Abseil Plus includes the slippery cascading rock descent. That means you should feel comfortable taking instruction, moving carefully, and focusing on technique instead of rushing.

If you’re traveling with a friend and want something memorable and physical, this can be a great call. The pair abseil option adds social energy without turning it into a messy group challenge.

Practical decision tip: choose Abseil Plus if you want the challenge

Abseil Plus is set up for people who want more out of the experience. If you’re excited by the idea of a third descent on an uneven, slippery surface—and you like the idea of practicing first with instructor backup—this version fits.

If that sounds like too much, there’s also an Abseil option that’s specifically described as no experience required. The key is matching your comfort level to the route. You don’t want to treat this like a test you pass by pushing through fear. You want to enjoy the technique and the setting.

Also, if you’re traveling for photography or sightseeing only, Abseil Plus won’t be the most relaxed way to see the fortress. You’ll spend a good chunk of time working with gear and technique.

Should you book Tunnel Abseiling Plus?

Book it if you want a hands-on, safety-guided rope experience inside a restored underground WWII fortress, and you’re ready for cold temps and mandatory non-slip shoes. The small group size, certified equipment, insurance, and the extra cascading-rock descent make it feel like a real activity package—not just a tour with a photo stop.

Skip or reconsider if claustrophobia is a concern, if you have epilepsy, or if the idea of descending a slippery, uneven rock makes you uneasy in a way that won’t improve with instruction. And if you want an easy underground walk-through, choose the less demanding version instead.

If you book, go in prepared: warm layers, grippy shoes, and a mindset that technique matters more than speed. That’s when Abseil Plus turns into one of those rare trips you remember for both the place and the feeling.

FAQ

How long is the Tunnel Abseiling Plus tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What does the price include?

It includes certified abseiling equipment, a guide tour with entrance to the underground fort San Giovanni, audio-video special effects and projection, insurance, professional certified guides, and wine tasting.

Do I need prior abseiling experience for Abseil Plus?

The tour notes you can prepare for the more demanding cascading rock descent by doing the first abseils with the backup of an instructor. If you want an option described as no experience required, there is also an Abseil tour.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring warmer clothes, since underground facilities are about 14°C. Shoes with non-slip soles are mandatory.

Who is this tour not recommended for?

It is not recommended for people with epileptic seizures or claustrophobia.

What happens if weather is bad?

The agency reserves the right to adjust or change the tour in bad weather conditions. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.