Beach

Sakarun Beach

Dugi Otok Island, Zadar County, Croatia

Rating
★★★★ ★

Location

Dugi Otok Island, Zadar County, Croatia

Verdict

"Croatia's most beautiful sandy beach — a remarkable 800-metre crescent of white sand on the remote island of Dugi Otok, where shallow turquoise water in a protected bay creates Caribbean-like conditions in the northern Adriatic."

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Overview

Sakarun is the anomaly of the Dalmatian coast: a genuine white sand beach in a sea renowned for pebbles and rock. The Adriatic’s coastline is predominantly limestone — clean, dramatic, and clear-watered, but almost entirely devoid of the fine quartz sand that defines the world’s most celebrated beaches. Sakarun breaks this rule entirely: its sand is fine, white, and soft underfoot, and the shallow bay it occupies amplifies its brilliant colour into the turquoise-azure palette more associated with the Maldives than with Croatia.

The beach is on the island of Dugi Otok — which translates as “Long Island,” and at 44 km in length but rarely more than 5 km wide, the name is entirely accurate. Dugi Otok is one of the Zadar archipelago’s larger islands, located approximately 17 nautical miles west of Zadar. It is connected to the mainland by a regular ferry but remains significantly less visited than the more southerly Dalmatian islands of Hvar and Korčula, giving it a quieter, more authentic character.

Sakarun sits on the northeastern tip of Dugi Otok in a sheltered bay called Uvala Sakarun. The bay is protected from the open Adriatic by the curve of the headland and by an offshore reef system that calms the water inside the bay. The result is swimming conditions of unusual tranquillity — the water barely moves, the depth is very gentle (1–2 metres for the first 50 metres), and the transparency is extraordinary. The colour, in the midday sun, is a pale electric blue that looks entirely artificial until you are standing in it.

The beach extends approximately 800 metres in a gentle crescent. The landward side is backed by pine and macchia scrub vegetation rather than buildings — the beach’s setting within the protected Telašćica Nature Park environment has prevented the hotel development that might otherwise have arrived. A small car park, some seasonal refreshment stands, and basic facilities are the sum of the infrastructure at Sakarun.

How to Get There

Getting to Zadar

Zadar Airport (ZAD) receives direct flights from:

  • UK: London (Ryanair, easyJet), other UK cities in summer
  • Germany: Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf (Ryanair, Eurowings)
  • Scandinavia: Various routes in summer season
  • Netherlands: Amsterdam (Transavia)
  • Numerous other European cities on seasonal routes

The airport is approximately 8 km from Zadar city.

Split Airport (SPU) is a larger alternative (approximately 1.5 hours from Zadar by road), with more connections.

From Zadar to Dugi Otok

Jadrolinija ferry: From Zadar harbour (Liburnska obala) to Brbinj on Dugi Otok. Journey approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Multiple daily departures in summer.

G&V Line catamaran: Faster passenger service from Zadar to various Zadar archipelago islands including Dugi Otok.

From Brbinj to Sakarun

  • Brbinj to Sakarun is approximately 6 km by road. No public transport links; options are:
  • Rental car or scooter: Available on the island. The road is good.
  • Bicycle: Flat to gently undulating. Very pleasant ride through the macchia landscape.
  • Taxi: Island taxis can be arranged, though they are few.
  • Water taxi or boat tour: From Sali or Bozava (the two main settlements), boat excursions visit Sakarun as a swimming stop.

When to Come

  • June and September: The ideal months — warm sea (22–24°C), far fewer visitors than peak summer, and the landscape at its most beautiful with the maquis vegetation in full late-spring or early-autumn condition.
  • July and August: Peak season. Sakarun becomes one of the busiest beaches on Dugi Otok, though “busy” remains moderate by international standards. Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon for the best experience.
  • May and October: Quiet months. The water is cooler (18–21°C) but the beach is largely empty. The island is beautiful.

Where to Stay

Dugi Otok’s main settlements offer accommodation:

Sali (the island’s main town, on the southern coast) has the most accommodation options:

  • Small hotels, guesthouses, and private room rental (sobe) run by local families.
  • The town centre has a harbour, a fish market, and several restaurants serving excellent fresh fish.

Božava (on the northern coast, nearest to Sakarun):

  • Smaller than Sali, with boutique hotels and private accommodation. Very pleasant position on a sheltered bay.
  • Hotel Božava is the main hotel option in this part of the island.

Veli Rat (near the northern tip):

  • The village at the northern end of the island, with the white lighthouse that serves as a landmark across the archipelago.
  • Very peaceful, minimal tourist infrastructure.

Experiences

Telašćica Nature Park

The southern part of Dugi Otok encompasses the Telašćica Nature Park — a remarkable landscape of sea cliffs (up to 160 metres above the sea), a 7 km enclosed bay (the Telašćica Bay, one of the safest natural anchorages in the Adriatic), and the Mir Lake — a salt-water lake inside the cliffs whose temperature is significantly warmer than the sea and whose mineral content is said to be therapeutic. Boat excursions from Sali and other ports visit the park regularly.

Cycling Around the Island

Dugi Otok’s 44 km length makes it an excellent island for cycling — long enough to provide a real journey, but with terrain (mostly flat on the eastern side) that is manageable for ordinary cyclists. The road runs along the island’s spine between the main settlements, with occasional views across to the mainland and other islands.

Snorkelling and Diving

The clear waters around Dugi Otok and in Sakarun bay offer excellent snorkelling from the shore. Dive centres operate from Sali and Božava, offering access to deeper underwater landscapes including the famous Kornat coral walls (part of the Kornati National Park, accessible by day trip from Dugi Otok).

Kornati National Park Day Trip

The Kornati archipelago — 89 mostly uninhabited limestone islands southeast of Dugi Otok, with some of the most dramatic sea cliffs in the Mediterranean — is accessible on boat excursions from Sali. The park is often described as the most beautiful cluster of islands in the entire Adriatic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Sakarun really sandy? Yes — genuinely fine, white sand, extremely unusual for this part of the Adriatic. The sand is partly of biogenic origin (from the local marine life) and extends into the shallow water, making the entry and swimming particularly pleasant.

How crowded does Sakarun get? In July and August, the beach is busy during the peak midday hours, particularly when tour boats arrive. In early morning and late afternoon it is significantly quieter. In June and September it is noticeably less crowded than in peak season.

Is there a naturist beach on Dugi Otok? Yes — the island has traditionally had naturist-friendly sections and there is an established FKK (naturist) area on the island. Ask locally for current details.

Do I need a car on Dugi Otok? For comfortable island exploration including Sakarun, having a vehicle (car, scooter, or bicycle) is strongly recommended. Public transport on the island is minimal. Bicycle hire is available in Sali and Božava and is the most enjoyable way to get around in good weather.