#108 European Rank
Saplunara Beach
Mljet, Croatia•Adriatic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Lichinga (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.69/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
25.7°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€46/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden 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 Saplunara Beach: 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) · Mljet, Croatia
Warm Bathwater
Early August
25.7°C
Air ~34°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
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 · 25.7°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.2°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 14.0°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 14.1°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 15.3°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 18.4°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 22.4°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 24.7°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 25.7°C | 34°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 23.5°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 20.9°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 18.3°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 15.9°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Croatia Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 4 Jun – 14 Oct (>21°C) · 132 days
Planning around peak water warmth (25.7°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Saplunara Beach for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Saplunara Beach (Mljet, Croatia)
🌊 Water temperature: 25.7°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €18–€35
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces SW (sheltered from NE winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/saplunara-beach-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 & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.7 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Saplunara Beach
Golden sand in a sheltered, pine-ringed inlet on Mljet, the green island of Odysseus.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Road access to the southeastern tip of Mljet Island from Sobra ferry terminal.
•Protected Status / Environment: Designated Protected Landscape (Značajni krajobraz) with pristine coastal pine forests.
•Notable Feature: 1 km natural bay comprising two sheltered fine-sand beaches (Velika and Mala Saplunara) with shallow, warm waters and protected sand dune habitats.
Official Tourism Authorities:croatia.hr
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
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Mljet. Accessible via regional coastal roads (42.687°N, 17.730°E).
•Calm and shallow inside the pine-ringed inlet.
•The sandy southern tip of green Mljet, Odysseus's island.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Mljet, Croatia.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Saplunara Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Saplunara Beach
What is the water temperature at Saplunara Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Saplunara Beach averages 25.7°C (78°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Saplunara Beach?
Saplunara Beach is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Mljet, Croatia.
Is Saplunara Beach good for families with kids?
Yes, Saplunara Beach is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Saplunara Beach?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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