Full-Day Dugi Otok: Telašćica, Sakarun & the Michelle Shipwreck
Difficulty
easy
Duration
10 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average physical condition; requires comfortable mobility for short walks, ladder transfers and basic swimming ability.
Overview
Leave Zadar’s Foša pier for a full-day circuit of Dugi Otok—cliffs and a healing salt lake at Telašćica, a secret cave, powder sand at Sakarun, snorkeling over the Michelle wreck, and a lighthouse with unforgettable views. This is an adventurous, accessible day on the Adriatic.
Full-Day Dugi Otok: Telašćica, Sakarun & the Michelle Shipwreck
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The boat slips away from Foša pier and Zadar shrinks into a warm smear of stone and red tile. Salt sharpens the air; gulls wheel as the bow meets open water. Within an hour the coastline of Dugi Otok rises: ragged cliffs, coves like secret pockets, and the low profile of pines that have learned to grow into wind. This is a day of contrasts—vertical cliffs and horizontal calm, warm sand and cold cave shadows—staged across the Adriatic.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring water shoes
Pebble beaches and rocky cave entries are easier on your feet with water shoes; they also help on slippery boat ladders.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Apply biodegradable sunscreen before you swim to protect Posidonia meadows and marine life.
Pack light, quick-dry layers
A light windbreaker is useful for the open-boat crossings when the wind picks up; towels and a dry bag are recommended.
Cash for optional lunch
Restaurants near Veli Rat accept cash; bring some euros or kuna for a relaxed seaside meal if you choose the lunch stop.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Adriatic seagulls and terns
- Mediterranean fish like wrasse and damselfish around the wreck
History
Dugi Otok’s strategic coves hosted 20th-century naval activity—evident in the island’s former military tunnels and bunkers used during Cold War-era coastal defense.
Conservation
The area is sensitive: Telašćica is a protected park and seagrass (Posidonia) beds are critical; tour operators avoid anchoring on meadows and encourage responsible snorkeling.
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Adventure Hotspots in Zadar
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Water shoes
Protect feet on pebbles, rocky cave entries, and when boarding the boat.
summer specific
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and the Adriatic’s seagrass habitats.
summer specific
Quick-dry towel & swimsuit
Essential for multiple swims and cave excursions throughout the day.
summer specific
Light windbreaker or packable layer
Useful for cooler mornings, open-water crossings, or shoulder-season tours.
spring specific