Sailing to Dugi Otok: What Makes This Island Special
Dugi Otok is an island of great diversity and contrast, the largest of the North Dalmatian islands. In 12 small villages and ports, today lives around 1500 inhabitants. The island road connects all towns and offers magnificent views of the surrounding islands. Dugi Otok has a good ferry and fast boat connection to the mainland.
Dugi Otok translates to "Long Island" because of its 45 km long coast. The island's most famous natural attraction is the Nature Park "Telašćica" on the southern tip of the island that belongs to the National Park Kornati.
The most beautiful natural resources of Dugi Otok are its beaches and bays. Wherever you turn, you will find a place for swimming. The fascinating blue and clear sea will attract you with its beauty.
You will find Mediterranean mood and spirit in small fishing villages on the island, Sali, Božava, Zaglav, Veli Rat, Brbinj, and several more small, rarely inhabited.
Sali
Sali is located on the southeastern coast of Dugi Otok. Sali is the municipal and administrative center of the island. Sali has a thousand-year-old fishing tradition, and the ancient olive groves surrounding the village have witnessed intensive agricultural activity throughout the centuries.
The vicinity of the Nature Park Telašćica and the National Park Kornati makes Sali an ideal sailing destination.
Sali port has a berth capacity of 90 boats across 2 quays: N and S. Both quays are equipped with laid moorings, water, electricity, toilets, and showers. In the restaurants of Sali, you can try the traditional dishes of the area, made with fresh, local ingredients.
Božava
Božava is a small village and port located on the northwest side of Dugi Otok, in a bay surrounded by pine trees. It's a little place, but it offers everything you might need during your sailing trip: a post office, a store, a bakery, and bars/restaurants. The city port offers an adequate shelter, moorings, water, and an electricity supply.
Close to Božava, on the opposite side of Dugi Otok, lies one of the most famous bays on the Adriatic, Sakarun. If you have time, don't miss the opportunity to visit Sakarun, a safe bay for sailors. There is a road train transportation from Božava to Sakarun beach during the summer months.
Zaglav
Zaglav is a small village located on the island's southeastern coast, above the bay Triluka. Traditionally, the population is engaged in agriculture, olive growing, and fishing. The settlement is the main ferry port on the island.
Zaglav is an unavoidable sailing point for all boaters because of the gas station located there, the only one located in this part of the Zadar archipelago. Zaglav port has a small nautical port with power and water supply, no showers.
Veli Rat
Veli Rat is the northernmost place of the island and is located in the Čuna bay. It dates from Roman times, and the most distinguished sacred building is the St. Anthony parish church.
Veli Rat's pearl is the lighthouse Punta Bjanca, located three kilometers northwest of the village. Punta Bjanca is the highest lighthouse in the Adriatic, standing 42 meters tall. To all visitors seeking solitude and privacy, accommodation is available in an apartment suite at the lighthouse. However, it is necessary to make a reservation in advance due to high demand for accommodation. In the courtyard of the lighthouse is a chapel of St. Nicholas, which can be used to host a romantic wedding with views of the open sea.
In Pantera, a naturally sheltered bay in Veli Rat, Marina Baotić has 200 berths. Marina in Veli Rat is the perfect starting point for sailing to fascinating landmarks such as the white sand Sakarun beach or the Telašćica Nature Park.
Brbinj
Brbinj village stretches over two picturesque bays, Jaz and Lučina, which are ideal anchorage for boaters. There are a ferry port and a small port with power and water supply, but no showers.
The most important branches in Brbinj are agriculture and fishing, so that you can enjoy delicious specialties, such as healthy, homegrown food and freshly caught fish. Because of its coastal position, it has excellent potential for water sports and sailing.
Telašćica Nature Park
Telašćica Bay is located in the southeastern part of Dugi Otok and, thanks to its exceptional beauty, richness, and importance, was declared a Nature Park in 1988. It is surrounded by 13 islands and islets, including 6 within the bay.
Telašćica Bay itself is the safest, most beautiful, and largest natural harbour in the Adriatic Sea, and one of the three basic phenomena that represent the Nature Park area named after it.
Dugi Otok's cliffs, or "stene," rise to a height of 161 meters above sea level and drop to a depth of 90 meters.
Salt Lake “Mir” is the third phenomenon in the Telašćica Nature Park and is located in the southwestern part of the park. The lake is situated in a narrow part of the mainland between the bay Telašćica and the open sea. It is about 8 km deep inland and about 1.6 km wide in the southern, widest part. That part of the bay is open to the neighboring Kornati. The bay itself is very indented, with 25 bays, capes, and 6 islets. The excellent position enables protection from the Bora from the mainland and the Jugo from the open sea.
In Nature Park, you can dive in several attractive spots near the cliffs and walk or ride a bike through exciting areas. The beautiful view from the Grpašćak lookout point should not be missed. You can also enjoy a variety of sports and water recreation, and if you are a little lucky, you will have the opportunity to hang out with dolphins.
Please be aware that there are special rules of conduct in the Park, and every visitor must have a valid ticket for each day of their stay. More information can be found on the Telašćica Nature Park website.
The island of Dugi Otok is truly a paradise for sailing and nature lovers, a perfect destination for a city escape, recreation, sports, long walks, jogging, swimming, and diving.
If you would like to include Dugi Otok on your Croatia sailing itinerary. In that case, you can rent a sailing yacht or a catamaran , or motorboat from the coastline marinas in Dalmatia, from Zadar, Šibenik, Trogir, or Split.
