#399 European Rank
Sveti Ivan Beach
Lubenice, Cres, Croatia•Adriatic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Pinky sl assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.49/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
24°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€38/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Pebbles / Shingle
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Gentle Wave Action
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
...
Good 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 Sveti Ivan Beach: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. 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) · Lubenice, Cres, Croatia
Ideal Swimming
Early August
24.0°C
Air ~32°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 · 24.0°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.7°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 10.7°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 11.0°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 13.0°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.0°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 21.1°C | 30°C | Refreshing |
| July | 23.6°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 24.0°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 21.4°C | 30°C | Refreshing |
| October | 19.0°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| November | 16.3°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 13.7°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Croatia Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 14 Jun – 20 Sep (>21°C) · 98 days
Planning around peak water warmth (24°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Sveti Ivan Beach for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Sveti Ivan Beach (Lubenice, Cres, Croatia)
🌊 Water temperature: 24°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces SW (sheltered from NE winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/sveti-ivan-lubenice-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: Good
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 & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.2 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Sveti Ivan Beach
A luminous pebble half-moon 378 metres below the ancient hamlet of Lubenice. Earn it on foot or arrive by boat.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Reached via a steep 45-minute hike down a rocky footpath from the medieval hilltop village of Lubenice (378 m elevation) or by private boat/water taxi from the sea.
•Protected Status / Environment: Pristine, undeveloped natural pebble cove on Cres Island; Lubenice medieval settlement is on Croatia's Tentative UNESCO World Heritage list.
•Notable Feature: Crescent of bright white pebbles and turquoise waters nestled directly beneath towering 378-meter limestone cliffs crowned by the 4,000-year-old stone village of Lubenice.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
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
Recommended for Shingle / Pebbles
Pebbles and dark sand become scorching hot by midday and challenging under barefoot tread.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Lubenice, Cres. Accessible via regional coastal roads (44.807°N, 14.345°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Sveti Ivan Beach involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Deep, brilliantly clear; snorkelling water.
•A 45-minute scramble below the 4,000-year-old clifftop hamlet of Lubenice.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Lubenice, Cres, Croatia.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Sveti Ivan Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sveti Ivan Beach
What is the water temperature at Sveti Ivan Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Sveti Ivan Beach averages 24°C (75°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Sveti Ivan Beach?
Sveti Ivan Beach is classified as a pebbles / shingle shoreline located in Lubenice, Cres, Croatia.
Is Sveti Ivan Beach good for families with kids?
Sveti Ivan Beach has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Sveti Ivan Beach?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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