Zavratnica Bay Fjord

Just south of the small ferry port of Jablanac on the southern Velebit coast — technically inside Northern Velebit National Park's marine protected area but usually visited from the coastal side — lies the extraordinary Zavratnica Bay, a 900-metre-long narrow fjord-like inlet ranked among the geological wonders of the Croatian Adriatic. Formed by a spectacular karst rift dropping into the sea between vertical limestone cliffs 100 metres high, Zavratnica has the exact fjord character of Norway despite being at latitude 44° North: the water is extraordinarily deep close to shore, the emerald-green colour is unforgettable, and small pebble beaches nestle at the head of the fjord and along the eastern side. A lovely 1.2-km walking trail from the small car park above Jablanac descends via wooden platforms and stone stairs into the fjord and along its whole length; halfway down is the fascinating wreck of the German WWII cargo ship Albona, sunk in 1943 by an Allied air strike and still partly visible in the shallow eastern arm. The clear water is popular with snorkellers and freedivers. Come outside July–August peak — the tiny beach fills to capacity by 11:00 in high summer. The nearby Jablanac village has excellent fish restaurants.