Dugi Otok Island – which translates to “Long Island” – is a 50-kilometer long sliver of island inhabited by only 1,500 locals, and is home to some fantastic beach escapes. Sakarun Beach consists of 800 meters of brilliant white pebble beach, curling around an enclosed bay with a shallow swimming area that extends 250 meters from the beachfront. The tantalizing, clear waters shine with turquoise hues, reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Situated on Dugi Otok’s uninhabited and untouched southern coast, Sakarun Beach is the most popular beach on the island. Although this sandy stretch is located over a mile from the nearest towns (Soline, Veli Rat, and Verunić), you’ll never feel the need to leave the beach during your perfect vacation day. Amarcord Beach Bar sits on the southern edge and offers beachfront picnic tables, food, drinks, and rental lounge chairs. You can also escape from the sun into the thick pine forest, just a few feet behind the beach.
Reaching the beach area can be a bit complicated – you can take the daily ferry from Zadar, which runs about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The beach itself can be reached by train from Božava, bus, or car on a dirt road that leads to beachside parking. Taking a boat over to the beach is also an option, and the bay is a popular spot to anchor for the day and enjoy the beach. Since the island has so few inhabitants, transportation is not readily available, so your best choice may be to rent a car. While in the area, be sure to visit the Veli Rat lighthouse – built in 1849, it’s the tallest lighthouse on the Croatian coast at 138 feet (42 meters). Overall, Sakarun Beach is a gorgeous vacation destination that has it all!
