Dugi Otok Island

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About the island

Dugi Otok is the largest island of the Zadar archipelago, 50 km long and about 5 km wide.

Located off the beaten path

It is quite far from the coast, and it is off the usual tourist routes. This makes Dugi Otok a quiet destination, ideal for tourists who will appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty that cannot be missed on the island.

Its central location in the Adriatic Sea (further away than the islands of Ugljan and Pasman) makes the weather in Dugi Otok even better and more Mediterranean than elsewhere in Dalmatia.

Terrain and landscape

The island with its diverse morphology, altitude differences of 300 m and more, is an interesting place for trekking lovers, but also for those who want to take a walk to discover the great differences from one place to another, such as the delicious Saharun, in the northern part of Dugi Otok – a white sandy beach (ideal for small children) – and the lighthouse of Veli Rat on the next headland.

Visiting Dugi Otok island

Getting to the island

Dugi Otok can best be reached by ferry from Zadar.

There are three or four ferries daily in summer, and the journey takes about an hour and a half. The ferry terminal is in the town of Sali. Sali (about 1000 inhabitants) is the largest village on the island of Dugi Otok and takes its name from the medieval salt production.

Located in the southern part of the island, it is the closest place to the National Park Kornati. Surrounded by olive forests, the village stretches between two bays that house the port and the beaches.

Travelling from Sali

 

5 km from Sali, you can find the town of Zaglav which rises on the seashore and is characterized by a very transparent and deep bay. Zaglav has a small protected harbor, ideal for mooring various types of boats.

20 km from Sali, you’ll see the small village Brbinj. It is situated between the Kamicina promontory and two bays – the bay of Lucina with the small island of Utra, which is characterized by lush vegetation, and the bay of Sabusica. The sea – like everywhere on the island – is pure and crystal clear. In the village there are two small grocery stores and two typical restaurants.

South of the island

In the south of Dugi Otok is the deep bay of Telascica with its nature park, which can be reached on foot or by boat directly from the sea. The main attractions of the Telascica Nature Park are the salt lake – a drainage area 2 km long full of lukewarm water with a high concentration of salt – and the white rocks in the part above the open sea, which after a hundred meters drop into the deep sea.

Beaches on the island

The beaches of the island of Dugi Otok vary from one area to another; in the zone of Sali there are mainly rocks and cliffs with a part of terraces under the hotel side and pine forests.

There are also some sandy beaches that can be reached only by boats, and a beautiful white sandy beach (Saharun) in the southern part of the island, which can also be reached by car.

Things to do on Dugi Otok island

There is no shortage of things to do on Dugi Otok. Here are some of the most popular activities:

Hiking

There are plenty of hiking trails on Dugi Otok, ranging from easy to challenging. The views from the top are well worth the effort!

Swimming

The beaches on Dugi Otok are some of the best in Croatia, and they offer plenty of opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and enjoying the views.

Windsurfing

The strong winds on Dugi Otok make it a great place to windsurf.

Sailing

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sailor, Dugi Otok is the perfect place to indulge your passion for sailing.