#170 European Rank
Sakarun
Dugi Otok, Zadar, Croatia•Adriatic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Laurent de Walick from The Hague, The Netherlands (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.64/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
25°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€42/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Fine White Sand
Shallow & Gentle
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Calm & Glassy
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces SW (220°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces SW (220°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
SW (220°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 50°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the SW-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Sakarun: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Dugi Otok, Zadar, Croatia
Ideal Swimming
Early August
25.0°C
Air ~33°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 25.0°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.6°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.5°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 12.6°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 14.2°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.7°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 21.7°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| July | 24.3°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 25.0°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 22.8°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 20.2°C | 28°C | Refreshing |
| November | 17.7°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 15.4°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Croatia Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 10 Jun – 6 Oct (>21°C) · 118 days
Planning around peak water warmth (25°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Sakarun for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Sakarun (Dugi Otok, Zadar, Croatia)
🌊 Water temperature: 25°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €18–€35
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces SW (sheltered from NE winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/sakarun-hr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.7 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.7 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.9 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Sakarun
A rare sandy Adriatic lagoon whose shallow turquoise water draws comparisons to the Caribbean.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Reached by ferry/catamaran from Zadar to Dugi Otok, then local road or tourist train/bus from Božava; boat excursion moorings available.
•Protected Status / Environment: Protected landscape area in Zadar archipelago known for pristine pine forest backdrop and Posidonia oceanica beds.
•Notable Feature: 800-meter-wide cove with fine white sand and extraordinarily shallow turquoise waters extending hundreds of meters out.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Balanced Concession Mix
Free Public Sand (75%)Private Concessions (25%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€18low season→€35August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Regulated municipal umbrellas alongside spacious free public sectors. Ample towel space available.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Under Croatian maritime law (Pomorsko Dobro), beaches are common public property. Concessionaires cannot forbid towel placement.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Dugi Otok, Zadar. Accessible via regional coastal roads (44.093°N, 14.866°E).
•Shallow, warm, family-friendly.
•Pine-backed bay on a remote island.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
ZAD · 45m driveFast 45-min highway drive from Zadar Airport (ZAD) or 60 min from Split Airport (SPU).
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Sakarun?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sakarun
What is the water temperature at Sakarun?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Sakarun averages 25°C (77°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Sakarun?
Sakarun is classified as a fine white sand shoreline located in Dugi Otok, Zadar, Croatia.
Is Sakarun good for families with kids?
Yes, Sakarun is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Sakarun?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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