6 Beautiful Beaches To Explore In Croatia

Croatia’s beaches appear as nature intended: sea, sky, a stretch of unspoiled shoreline and invariably of smooth white pebble. Those near main towns or resorts have basic amenities such as sun beds, sunshades and showers, perhaps even a bar. Elsewhere, take water with you and wear sandals to negotiate the hot pebbles and sea urchins, the only natural hazard.

# Kamenjak

At the southernmost tip of Istria, beyond the Roman wonders of Pula, even beyond Premantura, sits the bare and unspoiled Kamenjak. Row after row of infrequently visited beaches—where clothes are an either/or option—are dotted with tucked-away caves and coves with a back drop of rocky cliffs. Leap from one and into the clear sea below for a swimming experience like none other. Though wild, Kamenjak is not without its odd amenity, such as the delightfully ramshackle Safari Bar to the south-west of the promontory.

# Badija

Badija is a tiny island just off the coast of Korcula that has been uninhabited since the community of Bosnian monks was broken up in the 1950s. In their place there are now free-roaming deer and—on a more temporary basis—leisure-seekers and naturists. With a regular taxi boat service from the smaller harbour in Korcula, Badija sees a steady flow of visitors in summer. Fringed with pine forest, the pebble beaches are the perfect relaxing getaway.

# Palmižana

Professor Eugene Meneghello established this island resort, which conveniently faces the harbour of Hvar Town, in the early 1900s. A botanist, he created an exotic botanical garden here at the eastern end of the Sveti Klement, the largest island of the Paklinski archipelago. His tropical plants still flourish and provide a backdrop to the string of undisturbed beaches and hidden coves that make up the shoreline. Beyond the beach, rosemary and aloe grow wild, the aromas of which are discernible as you cross the vegetation to find another idyllic corner of coast all to yourselves.

# Betina špilja

Located between two opulent hotels in Dubrovnik—but a world away from the moneyed bustle of Croatia’s tourist jewel—Betina špilja is a cave with a fine white beach that gives out to the sea. Paying guests at the Grand Villa Argentina hotel and the Villa Sheherezade, high above Betina špilja, cannot access the beach. Anyone who wishes to experience this beach must ask a boat owner at Dubrovnik’s old harbour to take them. Be sure to also arrange a pick-up time, as there’s no mobile coverage or amenities; it’s just a beautiful beach and secluded cave that offers shelter from the sun. Take water and provisions.

# Saplunara

Most visit Mljet, Dalmatia’s most southerly island, for its national park that covers the western tip. The rest is mostly forest with one solitary road and few signs of life, save for the occasional scampering mongoose. Given the length of the island is only 37 kilometres (23 miles), and the attractions of the national park at one end, few venture to Mljet’s eastern tip, the beach-lined Saplunara. Those who do find the sandy beaches are a rarity in Croatia. Naturists prefer Blace, the most secluded beach, but crowds are rare at this far end.

# Kandarola

Kandarola, easily reached by taxi boat from Rab Town, has the honour of being Croatia’s most notorious beach. It was here in the summer of 1936 that Wallis Simpson and reigning monarch Edward VIII, at the height of their infamy, bared all and swam in the clear waters. The controversial skinny dip kick-started a trend for naturist tourism, not only on Rab, but also across Croatia. Kandarola remains a nudist getaway. Non-residents pay nominal admission to enter this beautiful beach dotted with pretty coves.