Telašćica Nature Park showcases Dugi Otok’s special connection between island and sea. It covers the southern part of Dugi Otok, the surrounding islets and part of the sea area of Zadar County. It covers 70.50 km² in total: 25.95 km² are accounted for by Dugi Otok and the neighboring islets, and 44.55 km² by sea. The sea area is therefore larger than the combined land and island areas. This comparison makes the park’s maritime component just as tangible as its land areas.
Cliffs and views
Dugi Otok’s cliffs, also known as “stene,” are described in the park information as rising up to 161 m above sea level and extending down to 90 m below the sea surface. These measurements give a sense of the coastline’s vertical scale. Diving is possible at several attractive locations near the cliffs within the nature park.
On foot and with a range of activities
In the nature park, you can walk to interesting places and enjoy the views from the Grpašćak viewpoint. The range of activities also includes organized nature tours, boat trips, water sports, diving, fishing, cycling and photo safaris. This brings together a specifically named viewpoint and a variety of activities. You can plan your visit according to whether you would rather walk and enjoy the views or explore other offerings in the nature park.
The island’s tourist information mentions several diving schools on Dugi Otok and lists the underwater cave Brbinjšćica and the island of Mežanj as destinations visited by their course participants. For diving enthusiasts, this adds two specific place names and another perspective on diving around the island to the opportunities near the cliffs.
Sakarun on the northwest coast
Sakarun is on the northwest coast of Dugi Otok. The beach is about 300 m long. Around 250 m from the shore, the water is 3.5 m deep; the swimming area is wide and shallow. The figures refer to different measurements: 300 m describes the beach’s length, while 3.5 m is the water depth at a point farther offshore. This makes it possible to consider the extent of the shoreline and the depth of the water separately. Veli Rat, Veruni, Soline and Božava are near the beach; pine trees provide shade there in summer. Sakarun thus contrasts with the cliffs: two different coastal landscapes on Dugi Otok.
Excursions and regional overview
Dugi Otok is a starting point for trips to Telašćica Nature Park and Kornati National Park. Telašćica covers the southern part of the island; Kornati is an excursion destination from Dugi Otok. For planning purposes, these offer two different perspectives: a park area on the island and another national park as an excursion destination. This distinction helps you think separately about your stay on the island and possible excursions.
For a broader overview of the Zadar Region as a travel destination: the region is easily accessible by land, sea and air, has good infrastructure and offers direct connections to major cities in Croatia. Check transport connections again before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Dalmatia, Ciovo, Pag, Krk, Vir, Brod-Posavina, Virovitica-Podravina, Rab.
Back to the main travel overview: Croatia.
