Detailed Tour Information
Planned Route Description
Google Maps Route
The Tour's Photo Gallery
Boat Tour Video
Detailed Tour Information
Island Dugi Otok North – Lighthouse Veli Rat, Cave Golubinka, Dragons Eye, Island Mežanj, Veli Žal Beach, Saharun Beach, Army Boat Tunnel, Božava.
Join us on an Amazing Boat Tour of Dugi Otok to explore the island’s hidden coves, pristine beaches, and other hidden gems. Then, dive into Golubinka Sea Cave, the largest and most exciting cave in the archipelago, by jumping from the cliffs above it. Next, dip in the pristine water off Big White Stone Beach, also known as Veli Žal. Finally, snorkel at the shipwreck full of wild fish, relax on the sandy Saharun Lagoon, and watch the sunset from the top of Croatia’s tallest lighthouse. See the island’s way of life as you ride through underground military tunnels and visit the quaint town of Božava. The Zadar archipelago is stunning, and you will fall in love with it again on this tour.
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION
Zadar, or Petrčane
DEPARTURE TIME
Please arrive at the meeting point by 08:45 AM for a prompt departure at 9:00 AM.
RETURN TIME
Approximately by 06:30 PM.
WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING WITH YOU
To ensure your comfort on tour, bring only the absolute necessities, such as: Valid ID, swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, water shoes or light athletic sneakers, sunhat and some cash for individual expenses. It could be helpful to bring a windbreaker jacket with you. The boat has a big cooler with a volume capacity of 70L in case you want to bring sandwiches (advisable) or preferred drinks.
BOAT TOUR INCLUDED
- Experienced Skipper & English Speaking Tour Guide
- Anchoring & Berthing Fees
- Fuel Cost
- Tickets to National & Nature Parks
- Tourist Tax
- Safety Equipment
- Snorkeling Goggles
- Diving Fins
- Light Fruit Snacks
- Bottled Water
- Fruit Juices
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING:
Depending on the weather and the sea, the itinerary for this boat tour may be altered. In bad weather, the Skipper will make immediate choices, provide behavioural guidance, and adjust the itinerary to ensure everyone’s safety. Whatever the case, and wherever you may be, we will do everything we can to ensure your stay is memorable and exciting.
Planned Route Description
Starting at 9 am from Zadar or Petrčane
We start our boat ride drive between Sestrunj and Molat islands through the Maknara passage, where we can see the lush landscapes and the smell of the island’s vegetation. Along the way, we will see seagulls and terns, as well as flocks of cormorants. We often meet dolphins, a shoals of tunas hunting, and sometimes a sea turtle. From the Maknara pass, you can see the northern part of Dugi Otok island, the largest island in the Zadar archipelago, 44.5 km long and 338 m high.
The Wreck Of The Italian Merchant Ship Michelle
West of the Veli Rat lighthouse, which is the northernmost point of Dugi Otok, at about 500m, there are two low islets Lagnjići, and on one of them, at a depth of only 6m, is the wreck of the Italian merchant ship Michelle, which ran aground in 1983. The ship lies on a sandbar surrounded by sand and fields of tall Posidonia seagrass. Over the years, it has become a part of the underwater environment and a shelter for many fish and marine flora species. Only a part of the mast and the stern remained from the wreck above the surface, and the rest of the deck collapsed due to waves and corrosion. However, the entire hull is still preserved in one piece and is ideal for snorkelling and swimming around it in a very tame and attractive underwater environment.
The Golubinka Sea Cave
After the Michele wreck, we head south to the outer side of Dugi Otok to the furthest point of this trip, the Golubinka cave near the Brbišćica Bay, located in the middle of the outer side of Dugi Otok. You enter the cave by swimming through the entrance, which in one part narrows to only a meter wide, and then widens slightly and ends with an expansive room on the ceiling of which there is an opening that creates a play of light and gives this cave a unique charm and mysticism. The depth decreases, and we come out to a large round hole from where we can enjoy the view of stalactites and large stone pebbles shaped by the winter waves that enter the cave’s depth.
The Dragon’s Eye Sea Cave
Just a hundred meters from the cave is the Dragon’s Eye Cave, a natural phenomenon created in carbonate rocks about a hundred million years ago. The pool is 12m deep, has an underground tunnel on two sides, and is very attractive for snorkelling, swimming and diving.
Veli Žal Beach & Islet Mežanj
After the cave and the Dragon’s Eye, we drive to Veli Zal Beach opposite the islet of Mežanj to swim in the azure-coloured sea with a white sandy sea bed, or for those with an adventurous spirit who are good at diving and snorkelling, to the underwater wall located south of the islet Mežanj, about 100m from the coast, where the depth of 7m ends with a falling wall 30m to the sandy bottom that can be seen during the summer when the sea is most transparent. The edge of the wall and the wall are rich in fish; you can often see smaller groupers, moray eels, octopuses, and schools of small fish.
Sakarun – The Famous Sandy Beach
Afterwards, we will drive to Saharun Beach, a famous sandy beach with two beach bars. The beach is located in an 800 m-long natural cove, the shallows extend far from the coast, and the bottom is made of white sand, specific to Dugi Otok. The sandy shallows are ideal for the famous Dalmatian game Picigin, similar to volleyball, but also for swimming and snorkelling.
The first beach bar is located on the edge of the pine forest, providing shelter from the intense sun amidst the trees, while the second beach bar is further south on another part of the beach.
The Military Tunnel From The Yugoslav Era
Around 4 pm, we leave to visit the military tunnel for torpedo boats and submarines from the Yugoslav era built from 1950 to 1953 on the inside of Dugi Otok. The military tunnel for torpedo boats and submarines situated in Dugi Otok, Croatia, stands as a testament to the strategic importance of this region during the Yugoslav era. Constructed during the mid-20th century, this impressive engineering feat served as a secure harbor and storage space for naval vessels, particularly torpedo boats and submarines. The tunnel, carved into the rugged coastal landscape, provided a concealed and fortified area for the maintenance, storage, and deployment of these military assets. Its strategic location along the Adriatic Sea offered easy access to the open waters while remaining well-protected within the island’s confines.
Božava Town – Dugi Otok
Our final destination is the delightful tourist town of Božava, where we will stop for refreshments and ice cream. Božava, a serene coastal town on Croatia’s Dugi Otok island, captures the essence of the Adriatic Sea’s tranquillity. The town’s harbour is filled with colourful fishing boats, providing a picturesque backdrop for a peaceful retreat. The town’s narrow cobblestone streets weave through the area, leading to local cafes, family-run restaurants, and charming shops that showcase traditional Croatian crafts.
Journey Back to The Mainland
Once we have taken a break to enjoy some refreshing drinks and snacks in the charming town of Bozava, we will continue our journey back to either the coastal village of Petrčane or the historic city of Zadar, depending on where we started the boat tour. The scenic route offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, and we’ll stop at any points of interest to make the most of our trip.
The tour is a full-day excursion that starts at 9 am and ends at 6:30 pm in either Petrcane or Zadar. Clients are welcome to bring sandwiches and drinks with them. During the latter part of the day, there will be an opportunity to purchase drinks at the beach bar. Before the return trip to Božava, there is an option to buy drinks at a shop and a pastry shop. Dinner arrangements can also be made. Regarding equipment, we can provide masks, snorkels and fins. It would be good if clients brought windbreakers, sun hats, and sun cream. The boat has a large shelter and a good windshield. Cruising speed is 28 knots, much faster than most of the competition.
