Sakarun Beach
Sakarun Beach
3.5
About
Nicknamed the 'Caribbean of the Adriatic', this square shaped bay with a picturesque white pebble beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Zadar island archipelago. Its vibrant blue waters are shallow and gentle, perfect for a leisurely soak and families with children. Nearby attractions worth seeing include the Veli Rat lighthouse and you can also snorkeling around the remains of a sunken ship. Located on the northwestern tip of Dugi Otok island, boat tours are the best way to access this remote beach—there are no hotels directly on the beach. Alternatively, hop on a ferry and tourist train to get here. – Tripadvisor
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
376 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
85
Average
54
Poor
37
Terrible
65
Géza B
5 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Organized boat trip was a disappointment. They advertised it as beach with white sand, lunch, 1 hour stay at Bozava, 4h stay at Shakarun beach.
First of all they asked to be at the port at 9am, and start at 9:30. The reality was the ship showed up at 9:25, made us waiting in the hot sunny day until then.
As soon as we arrived to Bozava, we were split into two groups, because thakwn by a single bus to the beach. The first group had no time to look around, the second got half an hour.
The meaty food was said to be pliskavica, but we got hamburgers with french fries. Again not as advertised.
The beach was rocky both the shore as well as under the water in the first 10 meters. There was no white sand, only normal sand.
The only place where you could find shade is a small forest at one side of the area. The food and drink options were provided by 3 services, basically expensive and not so geeat quality.
Not to mention the offered unlimited drink offer which was true on the ship only. They offered 2 dl low quality white wine on thr route back.
Long story short, the clear water and bay is nice, but not exceptional. The boat trip was not as advertised. I don't recomment taking this trip.
First of all they asked to be at the port at 9am, and start at 9:30. The reality was the ship showed up at 9:25, made us waiting in the hot sunny day until then.
As soon as we arrived to Bozava, we were split into two groups, because thakwn by a single bus to the beach. The first group had no time to look around, the second got half an hour.
The meaty food was said to be pliskavica, but we got hamburgers with french fries. Again not as advertised.
The beach was rocky both the shore as well as under the water in the first 10 meters. There was no white sand, only normal sand.
The only place where you could find shade is a small forest at one side of the area. The food and drink options were provided by 3 services, basically expensive and not so geeat quality.
Not to mention the offered unlimited drink offer which was true on the ship only. They offered 2 dl low quality white wine on thr route back.
Long story short, the clear water and bay is nice, but not exceptional. The boat trip was not as advertised. I don't recomment taking this trip.
Written 10 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana
6 contributions
Jul 2022
Only one day stay, I liked the funky bar with old retro furniture. It was cheaper than the main beach bar and they make much better cocktails and homemade pancakes. The beach has sand but not all the way and unfortunately, you can see some tiny pieces of plastic washed off the sea (did not bother me as it was not major but I noticed it and it made me sad as it's us, humans, causing this). It is still nice and quite relaxing, it was not too busy when we visited.
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PetDim
Madrid, Spain443 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
For anyone who visited few beaches around the world will be a great disappointment.
Bay is small crowded with boats.
Water is crystal clear and spectacular blue.
Beach is pebbles with few sunbeds.
From the boat I was seeing crowds coming by foot. Obviously few buses were just there. Spent 30 minutes for a swim and not going to the land at all.
Bay is small crowded with boats.
Water is crystal clear and spectacular blue.
Beach is pebbles with few sunbeds.
From the boat I was seeing crowds coming by foot. Obviously few buses were just there. Spent 30 minutes for a swim and not going to the land at all.
Written 2 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adna M
5 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Do not waste your time. We travelled for 1.5 hours from Zadar to get to this "idylic" beach, or at least this is how most of the travel bloggers have presented it. We found a ghost beach, with no sand at all. Just big rocks and an enormous quantity of seaweed. The most disturbing part is the trash, which is everywhere. It looks like no one is maintaining it. 80 kuna per person to get here by boat, 200 kuna for a two-way taxi ride, 50 kuna for a sunbed. There are 3 bars on the beach, which are pretty expensive: 50- 80 kuna for a cocktail, 60-90 kuna for a small pizza, salad or sandwich. The water is an amazing turquoise colour, it is such a pitty to be so neglected and forgotten, otherwise it would have been a true gem.
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva
Woudrichem, The Netherlands12 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We visited Sakarun beach by a boat of Arbiana cruises. This is the worst cruise company in all of Zadar. We had to be at the boat at 8:30 because it was too crowded to have the reassurance of actually having a seat. There are not enough life jackets available and the hosts are very rude. We had asked whether we needed to inform the company about allergies and they said we did not, but when we went to the boat nothing separate was prepared. For the people who did not have allergies, the food was very bad and on the way back we were not even offered a drink, even though we should have gotten this according to the brochure. When also looking at the brochure, we noticed there was a sundeck at which we were promised to see the nature of Zadar. The boat is closed all the way with filthy windows and nothing to see. We thought this would become better when we arrived at the beach, but also this was not great. It’s not a sandy beach, the restaurants are too expensive for food and drinks (twice as expensive as in the city centre of Zadar), there was plastic waste everywhere, there were only a couple of beds for rent and there was a lot of ghastly animals . The water was clear but not the most beautiful beach around Zadar at all. Don’t ever come here!
Written 9 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vedran S
Mississauga, Canada13 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
The beach is perfect if you have small kids. Clear sea, sand, just perfect for them to run and play all day.
Bars at the beach offer some kind of refreshments and food but as everything on croatian coast line is way over priced.
Bars at the beach offer some kind of refreshments and food but as everything on croatian coast line is way over priced.
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edith338
Budapest, Hungary45 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This natural beauty unfortunately full with rubbish. No change cabin, no free toilet, negligant caretaking.
We went there with national Jadrolinia ferry line to Božava and little tourist train further, to the beach. The ferry is good value 80 kunas return, passing by many beautifull islands. Departs from Zadar 8:15 Sundays and returns 18:50.
The little train's station up on the hill above the hotel. No signs anywhere. Goes every half an hour or so. Ticket cost 15 kunas one way, cash only. More people from the ferry wants the ride than it can take. No civilised queue but racing for the seats. Those who miss it can take private hunters offering taxi service.
We went there with national Jadrolinia ferry line to Božava and little tourist train further, to the beach. The ferry is good value 80 kunas return, passing by many beautifull islands. Departs from Zadar 8:15 Sundays and returns 18:50.
The little train's station up on the hill above the hotel. No signs anywhere. Goes every half an hour or so. Ticket cost 15 kunas one way, cash only. More people from the ferry wants the ride than it can take. No civilised queue but racing for the seats. Those who miss it can take private hunters offering taxi service.
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua L
11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Excited by the reviews of this 'European Caribbean' we embarked on a long, multi-modal journey to Sakarun Beach, ready for the white sand and crystal waters.
Far from the secluded, white-sand paradise advertised, the beach is incredibly overcrowded, dirty (think hideous festival portaloos and cigarette butts everywhere) and covered in rocks, pebbles and wood chips.
The only refreshments available come from beachfront shacks that blast out terrible dance remixes and charge €4 for a small bottle of water, knowing they have the monopoly on this niche of comfort and convenience. A reasonably tasty yet unfulfilling fast food lunch of 2 burgers and some chicken wings with 2 waters came to €54 for perspective. It is very very rare to go abroad and the UK is cheaper, so, congratulations to Sakarun Beach for that.
The water is lovely and clear, warm and inviting, but avoiding twisting your ankle on the pebbles and rocks getting into it is a true feat; the endless line of boats and catamarans, too, completely ruins the vista and swimming experience.
Overall, this may be slightly better than the beaches in Zadar/Bibijne, but only by virtue of it being slightly bigger and, thus, not quite as crowded. I would not recommend this beach to anyone unfortunately.
Far from the secluded, white-sand paradise advertised, the beach is incredibly overcrowded, dirty (think hideous festival portaloos and cigarette butts everywhere) and covered in rocks, pebbles and wood chips.
The only refreshments available come from beachfront shacks that blast out terrible dance remixes and charge €4 for a small bottle of water, knowing they have the monopoly on this niche of comfort and convenience. A reasonably tasty yet unfulfilling fast food lunch of 2 burgers and some chicken wings with 2 waters came to €54 for perspective. It is very very rare to go abroad and the UK is cheaper, so, congratulations to Sakarun Beach for that.
The water is lovely and clear, warm and inviting, but avoiding twisting your ankle on the pebbles and rocks getting into it is a true feat; the endless line of boats and catamarans, too, completely ruins the vista and swimming experience.
Overall, this may be slightly better than the beaches in Zadar/Bibijne, but only by virtue of it being slightly bigger and, thus, not quite as crowded. I would not recommend this beach to anyone unfortunately.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara
7 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Visited this place with my husband using Excursions for 350 kuna/ person. it is HORRIBLE. We arrived to the beach and it is way too far from what we could see from the photos. White sand on the beach ? Well not on this one, or maybe if they dig it out from the mess. There was 1 “toilet”kinda toi toi, something similar to the one my great-grandma had back in 1940. 1 “restaurant” and another bar which was expensive as hell. 2x0.5 L WATER 30 kuna. Money wouldn’t have been a problem if the place was just a little bit close to what we payed for. We got lunch right after we got back to the boat, but it was cold. Please spend your money on something else but not this one, or before you travel, try to get some info if the beach is cleaned or not. Attached some photos as well
Written 8 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zala
Skofja Loka, Slovenia29 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
The entire coast of Croatia is beautiful and I have been going there on summer vacations since childhood. The biggest problem of the Croats is that they don't know how to take care of the nature they live on and are successfully destroying it.
Saharun is one of the finer examples of this. The whole beach is full of plastic, I'm not exaggerating. I believe that a large % is washed on the beach from the sea, but the Croats should clean it regularly. They don't do that, but they will charge you 15 euros for parking and 6 euros for beer.
We arrived 6 days ago and since then I have been picking up trash every day. It's also a terrible realisation that apparently this garbage everywhere bothers only me. One well organised cleaning campaign and the beach would be clean. At least for a short while. Of course, it would be necessary to take care of the newly placed garbage on a daily basis. But yes, this is already too much for the Croats. Sad. I don’t recommend it, I really don’t. Unless you love watching plastic everywhere, then this is the place to go.
If you decide to come, bring trash bags with you and clean just a small spot everyday. Maybe we can make a change.
Saharun is one of the finer examples of this. The whole beach is full of plastic, I'm not exaggerating. I believe that a large % is washed on the beach from the sea, but the Croats should clean it regularly. They don't do that, but they will charge you 15 euros for parking and 6 euros for beer.
We arrived 6 days ago and since then I have been picking up trash every day. It's also a terrible realisation that apparently this garbage everywhere bothers only me. One well organised cleaning campaign and the beach would be clean. At least for a short while. Of course, it would be necessary to take care of the newly placed garbage on a daily basis. But yes, this is already too much for the Croats. Sad. I don’t recommend it, I really don’t. Unless you love watching plastic everywhere, then this is the place to go.
If you decide to come, bring trash bags with you and clean just a small spot everyday. Maybe we can make a change.
Written 22 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A settembre andro' a Zara e vorrei fare una giornata a Sakarunbeach.Premetto che non avro' auto e che quindi prenderei un biglietto per il traghetto senza auto.
Se si fa in giornata senza auto è fattibile?quali sono i collegamenti da Zara e gli orari? Ho visto che ci sono piu porti ma necessito di collegamento dal porto alla spiaggia arrivando di mattina presto. ci andrò a settembre
Written 24 June 2023
Waar stappen jullie op de veerboot richting sakarun beach?
Written 10 August 2019
Bonjour comment se rendre du ferry de dogi otok sur la plage de saharum ? Nous sommes à pied
Merci
Written 9 August 2018
Hallo sind Hunde an diesen Strand erlaubt beziehungsweise ist es möglich abseits des Strandes mit Hunden in dieser Lagune zu baden
Written 28 June 2018
Ja kein problem denke ich, als wir vor 5 tagen da waren, war auch ein paar mit einem hund anwesend.. allerdings ist der strand leider nicht sehr sauber, sehr dreckig waren ziemlich enttäuscht:(
Written 7 July 2018
How much is the tourist train from bozava to Sakarun beach?
Written 9 June 2017
thanks :-)
and it's free for children under the age of 6, and children up to the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
i also got the timetable from tourism božava
tour retour
1000 1030
1100 1130
1200 1230
1600 1630
1700 1730
1800 1830
Written 15 September 2017
Vorrei fare una gita giornaliera da Zara. Consigli?
Written 16 August 2016
Assolutamente si. Tieni presente che ti devi sorbire almeno tre ore di traghetto tra andata e ritorno, e se ci vai con la macchina il costo aumenta. Se posso suggerire, prevedi due o meglio tre giorni, magari prenotando un appartamento, ce ne sono tanti. Ne vale veramente la pena
Written 18 August 2016
Hi,
I have plan to visit Sakarun beach on August from Zadar for one day and come back again from Sakarun to Zadar at the end of the day. What do you suggest and what is the best way to go?
Thanks a lot,
Amir
Written 6 July 2016
Hi Amir, it's a lovely beach but I think you will need a car to get from brbinj ferry terminal to the beach itself. There may be a bus or taxi option but contact the tourist office in sali about that they may be able to give better advice. It's about a 25 min drive from the ferry terminal. The beach itself is pebbly so I'd still recommend water shoes and a cushioned mat to lay on. Once you're in the water it's very sandy underneath and of course very clear water. There's a couple of kiosk type cafes which offer cold drinks and some simple hot and cold food. There are also a few sun loungers and parasols set up along the beach but all were taken when we visited we assume you pay for these at one of the kiosks. There was a very basic toilet at the car park just behind the beach, a greet place to visit on day out from Zadar. If you have time to visit again, also think about visiting the Telesciaca park which is breathtakingly beautiful.
Written 23 July 2016
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