Yacht Captain Advice – 5 astounding locations on the island of Dugi Otok

About the yacht captain

Captain Ivan was born and raised in Croatia, where he was introduced to the skill and craft of maritime travel from a very young age so we truly recommend his yacht captain advice. His rich experience in sea travel led him to secure his first yachting job in 1999.

From then, he acquired his first sailing boat, learning much about different maritime techniques. After sailing, he got work as a captain for various privately-owned and charter yachts, finally joining the M/Y EVA. 4EVA team in 2018. He implements a `go the extra mile` approach on his yacht, ensuring that all charter guests feel the difference between superyacht service and on-land accommodations.

About the yacht

Giving charter guests 43 meters of extravagant space, superyacht EVA. 4EVA can accommodate 12 guests in 5 cabins. Her plethora of water toys are sure to satisfy every charter guest’s thirst for a sea adventure, while a spacious beach club and a glamorous salon entice take care of leisure needs, meaning EVA. 4EVA will surely capture the imagination of her charter guests.

Explore these 5 Beautiful locations for a fun-filled yacht charter itinerary on the island of Dugi Otok

The region of Zadar is a unique location because it incorporates more than 300 islands and islets in a radius between 60 and 70 miles. This high concentration of islands is rarely found anywhere else in the world. It also means that you can visit 300 islands in 3 hours, if you charter a superyacht that can cruise at a reasonable 20 knots and if you take into account your yacht captain advice.

Arriving in the Zadar region, you have countless options of how and where you want to spend your holiday. If you are up for a relaxing tour of pretty destinations with attractions like beautiful beaches, lighthouses and abandoned submarine bunkers, then climb aboard EVA. 4EVA yacht charter and let captain Ivan introduce you to the hidden treasures of the island of Dugi Otok.

Consider exploring these 5 points of interest, enjoying all the perks of your chartered superyacht and your yacht captain advice.

Swim in the Crystal-Clear Sea on Sakarun Beach

One of the most coveted beaches in the greater region of Zadar, Sakarun is located on the northwest coast of the Dugi Otok island. The beach is about 700 meters long, with a very shallow seabed, perfect for families with children. This marvellous stretch of coastline is known as the `Croatian Caribbean with white sands, clear turquoise sea and ample of shade, thanks to an abundance of pine trees. Furthermore, the Veli Rat lighthouse is located very near the beach.

Climb the top of the Veli Rat Lighthouse on your yacht charter

This magnificent lighthouse is located on the north-western part of Dugi Otok Island. Built-in 1849, it has long since been a local attraction, beckoning travellers to come and explore its 42 meters of height. Veli Rat is the highest lighthouse in the Adriatic Sea, also offering apartment accommodations, so you could potentially spend the night in a unique environment. The chapel of St. Nicholas endows the courtyard of the lighthouse, adding to the overall beauty of the site.

Revisit history with your yacht captain through the Military tunnels

Abandoned military architecture is something that remains closely tied to Croatia’s turbulent past 30 years ago. The war for independence left scars throughout the country, and some of these scars have re-emerged as tourist attractions. Dugi Otok Island is known for harbouring several abandoned army submarine bunkers, located and scattered around the island. Built by the army of the former Republic of Yugoslavia for sheltering its submariners, the sea bunkers are one of the main tourist attractions of Dugi Otok island. There are three submarine tunnels in total, accessible by yacht and hiding around the island in Bukašin, Paprenica and Zagračina bays.

Admire the colours inside the Golubinka cave

The next yacht captain advice is that you must visit the magical Golubinka cave, located north of the Brbinjščica bay and accessible only by sea. You could ask your charter crew to launch a kayak, so you could explore the cave in style because the narrow hull of the kayak can just fit into the tight gap that is the cave’s entrance.

The inside of the cave is home to a true spectacle of colours because there is a hole on the cave’s ceiling, which lets in natural light. This produces a magnificent light show and numerous light refractions, illuminating the whole cave into a turquoise and aquamarine shade of blue.

Snorkel around the sunken ship with your yacht captain

North of the Veli Rat lighthouse, there is a marooned Italian cargo ship that ran aground in 1983. The inhabitants of Dugi Otok island say that the crew marooned it on purpose, so they could claim the insurance money. The shipwreck stood above sea level for years, but slowly sank and today only the mast remains above the water.

Because it is an extremely shallow shipwreck, it is an attractive location for diving and snorkelling excursions. There are several other, less attractive shipwrecks scattered in the greater Veli Rat vicinity, bearing witness of how exactly dangerous it is to approach the shallow waters of Veli Rat without any local knowledge. Luckily, your expert charter crew knows these waters like the palm of their hand.

Yacht Captain Advice

If you are cruising with your superyacht in the greater Zadar region, Dugi Otok island is a must-visit location. Its stunning nature will leave you breathless and you will be introduced to the island’s secrets if you listen to your yacht captain advice. Sakarun beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia, and it is reachable by yacht.

Also interesting are the army submarine tunnels, several shallow shipwrecks and awesome natural cave systems. All in all, Dugi Otok will be an ideal target for a day-cruise on your superyacht charter, in the beautiful Croatian Adriatic Sea.

Ask your captain for advice, and he will tell you the following…
If he had to choose between all of the locations on Dugi Otok, his choice would be to take you on a trip that would encompass all the locations at once. Starting from the picturesque Sakarun beach, you could cruise between Veli Rat, Lagnjići and Golubinka in a couple of hours, enabling you to witness all the magnificent natural treasures that await discovery on the fantastic island of Dugi Otok.