Half Day Tour to Sakarun – The Best Way to Spend 4 Hours of Your Day
Jun 13, 2024The Croatian Adriatic Sea offers a plethora of unforgettable experiences for the avid traveller, especially in the Zadar archipelago, a region with more than 300 densely-packed islands and islets.
Among these, Dugi Otok stands out for its unique charm, breathtaking landscapes, and Sakarun Beach, a stunning crescent of white sand and turquoise waters. And the best way to experience the beauty of Dugi Otok and Sakarun Beach firsthand is by embarking on a speedboat tour with Zadar Archipelago Speedboat Tours.
The journey to Sakarun
Your journey begins in the historic city of Zadar, a place where the ancient and modern blend seamlessly, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry. The tour starts early in the morning or in the afternoon, ensuring that you get a full half day of exploration and enjoyment.
As you board the sleek and powerful speedboat, a sense of anticipation builds. The boat, designed for both speed and comfort, promises an exciting ride ahead.
Once the speedboat departs from Zadar’s marina, the cityscape quickly fades into the distance, replaced by the endless expanse of the Adriatic Sea. The journey to Dugi Otok takes you past numerous smaller islands, each with its own story and allure.
The skipper is always an experienced local, and provides fascinating insights into the history and culture of these islands, while the speedboat slices through the waves, bringing you closer to Dugi Otok. The island’s name, which means “Long Island,” is fitting as it stretches for about 45 kilometers, offering a diverse range of landscapes from rugged cliffs to serene bays.
The northern approach to Dugi Otok is marked by the towering Veli Rat Lighthouse, the tallest in the Adriatic.
The destination – Sakarun beach
Upon reaching northern shore of Dugi Otok, the speedboat heads towards Sakarun Beach, arguably the island’s crown jewel. As the boat slows down and the beach comes into view, it’s easy to see why Sakarun is often compared to Caribbean beaches. The water here is an ethereal shade of turquoise, and the sand is so fine and white that it feels like walking on powdered sugar.
The shallow bay ensures that the water remains warm and calm, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even just wading in the gentle waves.
Sakarun Beach offers more than just stunning scenery. The surrounding pine forests provide ample shade, creating a perfect backdrop for a leisurely day by the sea. There are a few quaint beach bars where you can grab a refreshing drink or a light snack, but the beach remains largely unspoiled by commercial development, maintaining its natural charm.
The experience
Often compared to the idyllic beaches of the Caribbean, Sakarun boasts powdery white sands that stretch for nearly 800 meters, gently sloping into the shallow, turquoise waters that make it a perfect destination for relaxation and water activities.
The bay’s shallow waters create a gradient of blues, from deep azure at the horizon to crystal-clear near the shore, inviting visitors to dive in and explore. Upon disembarking, the soft, fine sand underfoot immediately signals that you’ve arrived at a special place.
The beach is framed by dense pine forests, providing a lush, green contrast to the bright sand and clear water, and offering plenty of shaded spots to relax away from the sun.
The clarity of the water is astounding, allowing you to see the bottom even at several meters depth. For snorkeling enthusiasts, this means plenty of opportunities to observe small fish and marine life in their natural habitat.
Zadar Archipelago Boat Excursions often provide snorkeling gear, allowing you to explore the underwater world more thoroughly. You can glide over patches of sea grass, discover hidden nooks in the sand, and marvel at the variety of small, colourful fish that inhabit the area.
One of the unique aspects of Sakarun Beach is its relatively undeveloped state. Unlike many other popular beaches that are crowded with amenities and tourists, Sakarun retains a sense of untouched beauty.
The lack of large-scale commercial infrastructure means that you can enjoy a more tranquil and intimate beach experience. This simplicity is part of the beach’s charm, allowing you to connect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
As the day progresses, you might choose to take a leisurely walk along the beach. The gentle curve of Sakarun offers plenty of picturesque spots for photos, with the changing light creating different moods and colors throughout the day.
For those interested in a bit of exploration, the surrounding pine forests are crisscrossed with walking paths. These paths offer a cool, shaded respite from the sun and lead to various vantage points where you can admire panoramic views of the bay and the open sea.
The trip back home
The return journey to Zadar is just as exhilarating as the trip out. As the speedboat flys across the Adriatic, the setting sun casts a golden glow over the sea, creating a picturesque end to a perfect day.
For those seeking an unforgettable adventure, a speedboat tour with Zadar Archipelago Speedboat Tours is the perfect way to explore Dugi Otok and Sakarun Beach. The combination of speed, comfort, and expert guidance makes for a thrilling and educational experience.
