How to Get to Dugi Otok from Zadar and What to Do There
Beautiful Dugi Otok is one of the largest islands in the Adriatic Sea. At 45km long, the name translates as “Long Island”. It is also home to the spectacular Kornati National Park, stunning Telašćica Bay and dramatic cliffs. We were lucky enough to visit this incredible natural beauty during the spring. In this post, we detail how to get to Dugi Otok from Zadar and what to do there, including up-to-date tips and and links to public transport timetables
Where is Dugi Otok
The island lies off the western coast of Croatia. Because of this, it is super easy to get to Dugi Otok from Zadar for a fantastic day of exploring the incredible island.
How to Get There
Getting to Dugi Otok from Zadar is pretty easy. There are 4 ports on the island but the most popular is Sali. There is a ferry from Zadar to Sali quite regularly throughout the day. Tickets can be bought online HERE and cost about €3 each way
The port in Zadar is just 5 minutes walk from the old town. When we arrived, there were many different ferries waiting to depart. Make sure you look out for G&V Line – the destination will be on a sign near the entrance. The ferry takes around an hour to reach Sali. We rode the ferry in March and there were only a few other passengers on the boat. It’s almost certain we were the only tourists.
Currently, the Port at Sali is under restoration. This is due to last until this year – 2024. The ferry will take you to Zaglav where you will find a bus to Sali. If you miss the bus, like we did, you can walk. However, a portion of the route is on quite a busy road. The bus will also take you back again and runs in time with the ferry departures.
How to Get Around the Island
The island is a pretty large space to cover. So what’s the best way to get around Dugi Otok? Public transport is minimal, so it is easier to walk or cycle. There are very few cars on the island and it is relatively flat, making it easy to get around on foot or two wheels.
There are also organised tours that will take you to the island to explore the many natural beauty sites. However, these only run in the summer season (April – September).
As we visited in March, we made our own way around Dugi Otok and thoroughly enjoyed walking through the national park and ancient olive groves.
The Best Things to Do on Dugi Otok
There is so much to explore on this island, whether you stay for a day, a week or more! So how to decide what to do on Dugi Otok? We have done some of the hard work for you. Here are a few of the very best things to do on Dugi Otok.
Kornati National Park
This spectactular national park take up a large chunk of the island. A visit to Kornati National Park is definitely one of the best things to do on Dugi Otok! Often referred to as a “Nautical Paradise” Kornati is home to some fascinating nature and history.
Telašćica Bay
The beautiful blue waters of Telašćica Bay are well worth a visit when travelling to Dugi Otok. Within the bay, there are six islets and dramatic, rugged cliffs towering over 200m tall. The bay is home to hundreds of animal and plant species – including 14 donkeys that roam freely in the bay of Mir.
Wander Through the Twelfth Century Olive Groves
If you decide to walk from Sali to most places on the island, you will come across beautiful, ancient olive groves. Studies show that some of these plants are around 700 years old!
Explore the Golubinka Cave
This natural phenomenon on Dugi Otok should not be missed when visiting the island. This cave is only accessible from the sea. A great way to explore the cave is by kayak and tours are offered from the village of Brbinj.
Relax on Sakarun Beach
If you fancy a day spent on white sand and turquoise waters, you must visit Sakarun Beach! This beautiful beach is located in the north of the island between the villages of Božava and Veli Rat. There is a small car park but little more evidence of building development making it a natural, relaxing environment.
Other beaches worth a visit are Veli Žal and Brbinjšćica Bay.
Marvel at the Veli Rat Lighthouse
The lighthouse – Veli Rat – is famous for its imposing position. Located in Čuna Bay, there is also a beach bar and a campsite nearby. If you are visiting the lighthouse, don’t miss the nearby ship wreck at Lagnići Cliffs (ironic, we know)! Known as “Michelle” the wreck is home to to many beautiful fish and other sea creatures. It is possible to view it with even basic snorkelling kit in the summer.
There are several diving schools on the island if you feel like exploring further. Try Diving in Kornati or Kornati Diving Center.
Try the Amazing Food
A visit to Dugi Otok would not be complete without sampling some of the amazing food. Seafood is, of course, very popular on the island and is incredible! We visited Konoba Krsovica and LOVED it! This place is so off the beaten path. It is most often visited by tourists by boat but can also be accessed on foot from Sali.
The food here is incredible as is the company. We found the owners and staff so welcoming and kind, even though we arrived off season! Seafood and meat is grilled on an open fire and there is a beautiful view across the bay.
Sali Vi 14, 23281, Sali, Croatia
How Long to Spend on Dugi Otok
We travelled to Dugi Otok from Zadar and stayed for the day. This gave us plenty of time to explore the island and see some of what it has to offer. If you would like to relax on the island, it would be worth spending a night or two and explore at a slower pace. Others hire a boat and visit multiple Islands in the area over the course of a week or two.
What is the Weather Like on Dugi Otok?
The weather on Dugi Otok is very pleasant. It has a mild, Mediterranean climate with wet winters and warm summers. Saying that, when we visited in a March, it hadn’t rained in nearly 3 months until that afternoon! Trust the Scots to bring the rain…
Can You Camp on Dugi Otok?
Yes, you can camp on Dugi Otok. This is a great way to experience the island and really connect with nature and switch off from the outside world. There are a few campsites on the island. We heard really good things about Camp Dugi Otok near the picturesque village of Luka.
Is Dugi Otok Worth Visiting?
Dugi Otok is definitely worth visiting! It is especally easy to visit Dugi Otok from Zadar for a really fun day trip. We enjoyed talking with the friendly locals on the island, learning the history and viewing the spectacular natural beauty.
By the time we took the ferry back to Zadar, it was pouring rain. But we were exhausted and still buzzing from such an incredible day.
What to Bring for a Day Trip To Dugi Otok from Zadar
We have put together a basic packing list for an exciting day exploring the Island of Dugi Otok.
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Snacks for the hike
- A picnic if you visit off season
- Water bottle (at least a litre in summer)
- Weather appropriate clothing such as a waterproof or sun protection. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions if you plan on hiking further
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Cash (euros)
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try chasing the sunsets in Zadar? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Zadar.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Croatia or Dugi Otok? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
In a hurry? Save the post “How to Get to Dugi Otok from Zadar and What to Do There” for later by pinning below.
This looks like a lovely island to visit. It would be nice to spend a few days relaxing here.
Great post! It looks like a beautiful island to walk around. I think camping on the island sounds amazing too!
Really enjoyed reading your article! I have never been, but now hope to visit one day. I am a huge fan of lighthouses, so I would definitely want to see Veli Rat Lighthouse first.
I loved visiting the island of Brac when hiking in Croatia. I wish I could have visited this island. Great post!
Thank you for sharing such a short and sweet guide.