Dugi Otok

From Skipper2Skipper

Latest Information

Nothing to report, if you have anything to add, please add it here. Don't forget to put a date next to it!

General

Dugi Otok is the biggest island of Zadar's archipelago, 50km long and about 5km wide. It is quite distant from the coast - one hour and a half by ferry from Zadar (3 or 4 lines daily in the summer) and it remains out of usual tourist routes. That makes Dugi Otok an quiet destination, ideal for tourists that will appreciate the peace and the natural beauties that don't miss on island. The central position in Adriatic Sea (more distant than Ugljan and Pasman Island make a weather in Dugi Otok even more better and "Mediterranean" than elsewhere in Dalmatia.

The island, with its variety of morphology, difference in height of 300m and more, is an interesting place for trekking lovers, but also for who want to walk around discovering the big differences from one site to another, like the delicious Saharun, in the north part of Dugi Otok - a white sand shore - and the lighthouse of Veli Rat on the next promontory. In the south of Dugi Otok there is the deep (8 km) bay of Telascica with the homonyms Natural Park achievable walking through the mainland part of the park up to the bay and the salt lake, or with ships (ideal), directly from the sea.

In the surroundings there are a lot of little islands: near at the south-east coast of Dugi Otok there are Kornati islands - 147 islands with charming shores and luxuriant nature, with few people living there. The principal attractions of the Natural Park of Telascica are the salt lake - a drainage area of 2 km of length full of lukewarm water with a high concentration of salt - and the white rock in the part over the open sea that, after hundred meters, fall down into the deep sea.

Dugi Otok was mentioned by Constantine Porphyrogenitus in the mid-10th century under the name Pizuh (preserved in the name of the locality Cuh near the Telascica Bay). In the 10th-11th century the island was mentioned in the sources as Insula Tilagus (the name was preserved in the name of the Telascica Bay). The name Veli Otok (Big Island) was first mentioned in a Glagolitic source from 1460. More prominent peaks of the island comprise the remains of Illyrian fortified settlements and stone grave-mounds. A large Roman mansion (villa rustica) stood once on the isthmus of Mala Proversa. The mansion was partly investigated and conserved. Early Croatian remains include small churches, small houses built in dry construction technique and graves.

Approaches

BOZAVA

(44° 08'N; 14° 55'E), village, small harbour and tourist resort on the NE coast of Dugi otok. Landmarks: the white tower with a column and gallery (green light), the chapel on Sv Nedjelja point (pine wood) and the belfry in the village.

BRBINJ

(44° 04.4'N; 15° 00.6'E), village and cove on the NE coast of Dugi otok. Brbinj may be identified by the white tower (white light) at the extremity of the N end of the cove (Koromasnjak point). SALI (43° 56'N; 15° 10'E), largest village and fishing harbour on the NE coast of Dugi otok.

LUKA

(43° 59'N; 15° 06'E), village in the cove of the same name, some 4.4M northwest of Sali on the NE coast of Dugi otok. A point lying midway between the church (left) and the chapel (right) should be steered for.

SALI

(43° 56'N; 15° 10'E), largest village and fishing harbour on the NE coast of Dugi otok. Landmarks: the quadrangular tower (green light) on Bluda point at the entrance to the harbour; the red tower with a column and gallery (red light) on the head of the outer breakwater; the belfry in the village and the factory chimney at the SE edge of the village. Yachts can lie alongside the town quay - water sometimes available. The best iced coffee is from the small bar at the head of the bay!

TELASCICA

(43° 55'N; 15° 10'E), natural harbour in a deep uninhabited bay on the SE end of Dugi otok. From open sea the following landmarks can be identified: Grpascak hill and the lighthouse on the islet of Sestrice vele (white light); next to the lighthouse attendant's house there is an iron tower with spiral red and white bands; red tower (red light) on the Vidilica point.

Marinas and Anchorages

BOZAVA

(44° 08'N; 14° 55'E) Mooring: The harbour is sheltered from all winds and seas except the SE wind and it is recommended to anchor in the Dragove cove (2 M SE of Bozava). Along the N coast there is a landing ground for local passenger ships. Somewhat on the W side there is a breakwater which closes a small harbour (capacity ca. 20 yachts), depth along the breakway is 26 m. In front of the hotel to the south there is a quay; depth 23 m.

Facilities

• Harbour master's branch office;
• post office;
• medical service;
• the Bozava hotel complex.
• Provisions in local shops;
• limited water (from the locals or the hotel);
• Fuel from the pump at the hotel.

BRBINJ

(44° 04.4'N; 15° 00.6'E) A cove on the NE coast of Dugi otok. Mooring: The N part of the cove is protected from all winds, the outer part is exposed to the bora. Small yachts can moor at the quay (depth 1 m) and the mole fronting the village (N part of the cove), which is also used by local passenger ships. W from the village there is the Lucina cove, good for anchoring of yachts of all sizes. Anchorage gives protection from all winds. In the cove there is a landing ground for car ferries.

Facilities

• Post office;
• The boatyard in nearby Lucina bay undertakes the construction and repair of all types of boats and smaller vessels.

LUKA

(43° 59'N; 15° 06'E) Mooring: The cove is open to NW winds, which may cause a swell in it. Smaller yachts can moor at the mole in the village harbour (depth 11.5 m). There is a good anchorage SW of the islet of Luski (depth 24 m).

Facilities

• Provisions; water from the main.

SALI

(43° 56'N; 15° 10'E), A fishing harbour on the NE coast of Dugi otok. Mooring: The outer part of the cove is exposed to SE winds. The inner part with the harbour is better sheltered. Secure by using the four-point moor. Most of the berths in the harbour are occupied by the local fishing boats. Small yachts can anchor in the outer part of the harbour; during SE winds go to the anchorage in Sascica bay (0.5M northwest of the village of Sali; depth up to 26 m).

Facilities

• Harbour master's branch office;
• post office and medical service;
• Provisions and water available.

The boatyard in Sascica cove carries out hull and engine repairs. Marine engine maintenance and repairs at the workshop attached to the Mardesic fish cannery. Sali is the venue of the annual fishermen's festival called Saljske uzance (Sali party), which is held in August.

TELASCICA

(43° 55'N; 15° 10'E) A natural harbour in a deep uninhabited bay on the SE end of Dugi otok.

Mooring: The bay affords good anchorage and shelter to yachts of all sizes; it is particularly attractive for a longer stay. The bora is violent and a strong sirocco may cause a considerable sea. During the bora larger vessels should anchor some 800m WNW of the islet of Korotan, during the sirocco some 400m S of the islet. Small yachts can anchor E or SE of Skoljic rock but should take care of the remains of the masonry mark on the shoal some 200m SW of the rock.

The buoy in the middle of Tripuljak cove (on the W coast) is reserved for naval vessels.

Facilities

• Provisions are available in the village of Sali.