Dugi Otok and Telascica Nature Park

For a magical vacation, you do not need a magic formula. It’s enough to spread maps and look for Croatia, the ancient Zadar, and the Dugi Otok, say in the Croatian Tourist Board.

These oases of beauty are hard to detect, and those who do it are mostly people who do not accept sophisticated destinations but diligently searching on geographic maps looking for an ideal vacation spot. One of these places is the Dugi Otok in the Zadar archipelago, the perfect blend of man, nature and the most beautiful sea oases of Croatia. Indeed, once you’ll be grateful to me because I wrote this, you’ll be grateful to Google who shown this content to you and you’ll be grateful to yourself because you chose well.

The island has a lot of natural beauty, particularly the Telascica Nature Park in the southern part of the island, a large and a small lake near Zman, and bays Solinscica and Saharun.

What to see at Dugi Otok

Dugi Otok (means “long island”) belongs to the Zadar island group of North Dalmatian islands. The name is most likely given due to its length of 43 kilometers and its width is up to 4.6 kilometers, on the whole island has about 2,000 inhabitants.

Telascica Nature Park

Telascica Nature Park stands out with three natural phenomena: the bay Telascica as the largest and safest natural Adriatic port, Strmica, or so-called ‘cliffs’ of Dugi Otok which rise to 200 meters above sea level and descend to a depth of 90 meters, and the salt lake Mir, with its healing characteristic.

Telascica Nature Park is rich in contrasts: quiet and peaceful beaches on one side and wild and rough cliffs on the other side, the area of the Aleppo pine and oak trees on one side and bare rocky grounds on the other, the area of cultivated fields of vineyards and olive groves, and the area of scarce vegetation that covers dry rock habitats. You’ll easily notice on Dugi Otok that besides the Adriatic blue, there are two more dominant colors on this island, and that are the extremely red colors of earth, gardens and vineyards, and the endless green, soothing colors of pine trees, olives and shrubs that covering the entire island.

Diving on attractive underwater locations with cliffs is an unbeatable activity for most visitors as well as strolling in the Mediterranean setting and enjoying the beautiful view from the lookout of Grpascak.

You can also go to Dugi Otok for a one-day trip from Vodice, Pirovac, Pakostane or Zadar. Departure is usually around 8 am and return about 18 pm, just before the evening. The cost of the trip is around 35 euros and includes lunch also.

Sea Lake Mir

This lake is located in the southwestern part of Telascica Nature Park. It is situated in a narrow strip of land between the bay Telascica and the open sea. After the last ice age, the sea level was raised for about 120 meters, where the karst filled with the sea, which penetrated through numerous underground channels. The length of the lake is approximately 900 meters and its maximum width is about 300 meters, and the maximum depth is around 6 meters.

The lake is salty because it is connected with the sea by underground channels. Salinity is generally higher than in the surrounding sea due to evaporation and closed lakes. The temperature of the lake is warmer in the summer than in the Sea and in winter is colder as a result of its shallowness. The lake has its healing characteristic due to the high temperatures in summer and is recommended for bathing for people with rheumatism.

The Cliffs

Vertical cliffs reaching a height of up to 200 meters above sea level offering a breathtaking view, and they are located on the south side of the Telascica Bay, and the deepest rocks are located up to 90 meters in the sea. This area is rich with interesting flora and fauna and next to the cliffs can see the dolphins. On the cliffs beneath the sea live different corals, including those who are nowadays rarer such as red corals, and many endemic species are on the cliffs above the sea making absolutely interesting all these cliffs.

Dolphins and Donkeys

Telascica Nature Park is a refuge for abandoned island donkeys who freely walk there. Donkey in Dalmatia is an important part of the traditions and customs because in the past used as a burden animal, especially on rugged terrain. Here in Telascica donkeys are well cared and free to move, hanging out with visitors, especially those who will offer them carrots or salad.

Apart from donkeys, in the Telascica Bay, the safe house also found dolphins from the family of bottlenose dolphins. So visitors sometimes have an unusual opportunity to enjoy in their company. Whether in the company of donkeys or dolphins, in Telascica Nature Park you are never alone!

Lighthouse Veli Rat

On the northwestern cape of Dugi Otok in 1849 was built the lighthouse Veli Rat or Punta Bjanka with the height of 42 meters, making this lighthouse the highest lighthouse on the Adriatic. The lighthouse owed impressiveness to the yellow facade, in which, according to the legends, was spent 100,000 yolks. The islanders claim that from the top of the lighthouse, which offers an incredible view of the sea, you can see the curvature of Earth. In the courtyard of the lighthouse is the chapel of St. Nicholas, an increasingly sought place for organizing romantic weddings.

Sakarun

Sakarun Beach is one of the most famous beaches not only on the Dugi Otok but also all over the Zadar area, and it is even more famous outside of Croatia. This beach is well known because of the whiteness of sand and the purity of the sea, and by the pine forests that protect from the sun in the summer. Sakarun beach is about 800 meters long, and only 250 meters from the shore is about 3.5 meters deep, so it is suitable for all kind of fun and playing in the sea.

Strasna Pec – Cave

Strasna Pec (means “a terrible furnace”) is a cave located in the central part of Dugi Otok, more precisely near the village Savar.
The cave was visited by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1904 who was impressed by her beauty so he gave to decorate the cave and put an iron gate at the entrance. The entrance to the Strasna Pec cave is 70 meters above sea level.

Things to do in Dugi Otok

Bicycling

There are plenty of bicycle trails on the Dugi Otok that provide you the full experience of the island. Trekking routes are throughout the island.
Bikers, as well as walkers, will enjoy the hilly landscape of Dugi Otok, where will even demanding people find something for themselves.

Kayaking

Telascica Bay, which is one of the safest natural ports in the Adriatic, has created the preconditions for being one of the most beautiful areas for Kayaking. The bay itself is protected from wind and waves, and since it is part of the Telascica Nature Park is limited the speed of boats, it contributes to the safety of the area itself.

Fishing

The fishing offers here are very varied, so you have more options available: morning, day, evening and multi-day fishing.
But for each of these options check in more detail with your host or in travel agencies, considering that this is performed under the supervision of professionals because in addition to fishing in the traditional manner with fishing stick is incorporated and hunting on the old-fashioned Dalmatian way and big game fishing.

Diving

If you are a lover of the underwater world, we suggest you dive in Telascica Nature Park. In this way, you will see the fascinating underwater world of this Mediterranean gem!
Diving under the crystal clear sea, lazing on the hills, observing the remains of old cultures or simply lying on the beaches, is possible only here.