Sakarun Beach

Sakarun (sometimes spelled Saharun) is the most beautiful beach in the whole of northern Dalmatia and a strong candidate for the finest in Croatia — an 800-metre crescent of pure white sand on the sheltered north-western coast of Dugi Otok, backed by a pine forest and lapped by extraordinarily shallow, translucent turquoise water. The shallow underwater sand shelf extends more than 100 metres out to sea and the water rarely exceeds a metre deep for the first 50 metres, making it one of the safest beaches in Croatia for small children — an unusual quality on the generally deep, pebbly Adriatic coast. The beach has been declared a Blue Flag site every year since 2010 and has admirably modest facilities: two small beach bars serving cocktails and grilled fish, one small watersports hut with kayak and pedalo hire, sunbed rental, and clean showers and WCs — but no big hotel developments, no jet-skis, and no music beach clubs. Access is by car from Božava village (10 minutes) with parking a 5-minute walk from the sand. Come as early as 08:30 in July and August to secure sunbed space; by 11:00 the parking lot is full. The pine forest behind the beach provides welcome shade for lunch picnics.