The complete guide to Dugi Otok, Croatia: Sakarun Beach, Blue Lagoon, Golubinka Cave, and how to get there on a day trip by boat from Zadar.
Dugi Otok — "Long Island" in Croatian — stretches for 45 km along the edge of the Zadar Archipelago and is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on the Adriatic. Crystal-clear lagoons, a vast national park, olive-covered hillsides, and the near-mythic white sands of Sakarun Beach: this is a Croatian island that rewards everyone who makes the journey.
The good news for visitors based in Zadar is that Dugi Otok is one of the most accessible full-day boat destinations on the entire Dalmatian coast.
Getting to Dugi Otok from Zadar
Dugi Otok is located approximately 35 km west of Zadar's old town. There are two practical options:
- Car ferry (Jadrolinija) from Zadar to Brbinj — takes around 1.5 hours; suitable if you want to explore the island independently by car or bike
- Day trip by boat from Zadar — the most popular option for visitors; covers the key highlights in a single day without ferry logistics
The vast majority of day visitors choose a boat tour from Zadar, since the distances between Sakarun, the Blue Lagoon, and Golubinka Cave make independent travel by public transport impractical.
Sakarun Beach
Sakarun is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Croatia — and it is easy to see why. A gently curving bay of bright white sand (rare on the rocky Dalmatian coast) backs onto shallow, impossibly turquoise water that shades from pale mint at the edges to a deep electric blue further out.
The beach is about 500 metres long, faces west, and is sheltered on both sides by pines that come almost down to the water's edge. Facilities are minimal — a small bar and some sun beds — which preserves the natural feeling. The best time to visit is before 10 AM or after 4 PM, when the large excursion boats have cleared out.
The Blue Lagoon
Between Dugi Otok and the smaller surrounding islands lies a chain of pristine lagoons where the sea is exceptionally calm and water clarity is extraordinary. Known locally as the Blue Lagoon, this area is a top snorkelling and swimming destination — the shallow, sandy bottom illuminates the water from below, creating the vivid turquoise and cyan shades that feature in every Adriatic postcard.
The lagoon is anchored rather than beached — you swim directly from the boat — which keeps it clean and far less crowded than the larger beach destinations.
Golubinka Cave
Golubinka Cave is a coastal sea cave on the northern shore of Dugi Otok, accessible only from the water. Boats pull up to the cave entrance and swimmers can explore it on foot or by swimming. The interior is cool, dramatic, and lit by a shaft of natural light that creates a blue-green glow on the water inside. The name means "Pigeon Cave" — feral pigeons nest in the higher cavities.
Visiting Golubinka is a highlight of every full-day tour from Zadar, and one of those rare experiences that photographs as well as it feels in person.
Zmajevo Oko (Dragon's Eye)
Zmajevo Oko — Dragon's Eye — is an unusual natural feature on the northwest coast of Dugi Otok: a circular pool open to the sea through an underground channel. At calm sea conditions, the pool fills and drains rhythmically with each wave, creating an otherworldly effect. At sunrise and sunset, the light on the rock face turns the whole cove into a natural amphitheatre for photography.
Lighthouses of Dugi Otok
The island has three notable lighthouses. The most dramatic is Veli Rat lighthouse at the northern tip — at 42 metres, it is the tallest lighthouse on the eastern Adriatic coast. Built in 1849, it stands at the edge of a wild headland surrounded by pine forest, with views across the open sea. Two of the lighthouses (Veli Rat and Prišnjak Veli) are also available as holiday rentals for visitors seeking complete seclusion.
Local Food and Restaurants
Dining options are spread across several small settlements:
- Konoba Šćeba in Telašćica — a much-loved traditional restaurant inside the Telašćica Nature Park; serves fresh fish, lamb, and local wine at the water's edge
- Sali — the island's main town; the best place for a proper sit-down meal, fresh fish market, and local pastry shops
- Veli Rat — the settlement near the lighthouse has a small konoba open in summer, with views across the channel
When to Visit Dugi Otok
The island is most accessible from May through September. July and August are the peak months for swimming and beach visits; May, June, and September offer better conditions for hiking and exploration with fewer crowds. Outside the summer season, most facilities are closed and boat connections from Zadar are less frequent.
Not Ready for a Full Day?
If you are new to boat tours from Zadar or have limited time, our half-day boat tour guide covers the shorter morning and afternoon options — perfect for seeing the nearby islands without a full-day commitment. The half-day tours stop at Ošljak Island, one of the Adriatic's smallest inhabited islands, with outstanding snorkelling coves just minutes from Zadar.
Book a Day Boat Tour from Zadar to Dugi Otok
All three tours below depart from Zadar harbour in the morning and return in the evening, covering the key highlights of Dugi Otok in a single day:
- Full-Day Boat Tour to Dugi Otok, Blue Lagoon & Sakarun Beach — the classic route; visits Sakarun, the Blue Lagoon, and Golubinka Cave with swimming stops at each
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Dugi Otok — the same highlights in a faster boat; more sea time and a more dynamic ride
- Dugi Otok Gems: Full-Day Group Tour — the most comprehensive option; includes Sakarun, Golubinka Cave, lagoon snorkelling, snacks, and drinks on board
All tours include an experienced local skipper, snorkelling equipment, and depart from S Branimirova Obala, Zadar harbour.