Zadar
via Pag.
Sail a 7-day yacht charter from Zadar to Pag via Molat, Silba, Ilovik, Šimuni & Olib. Discover hidden bays, tranquil islands & the 'Moon Island' charm.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Zadar → Ždrelac Bay
Easy 8 nm shake-down leg out of Zadar across the Pašman channel to Ždrelac — a 250-metre passage between Pašman and Ugljan with a sheltered bay either side. Sandy bottom, calm water, perfect first-night transition from city to sailing rhythm.
Distance
10 NM
Sailing
~2h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who've actually run this passage.
Zadar → Ždrelac Bay
Begin in Zadar, where ancient Roman stones hum alongside the Sea Organ’s eerie melodies. Sail north to Ždrelac Bay, a sheltered Eden where pines lean over turquoise shallows like gossiping elders. Dive into water so clear you’ll swear you’re floating in air, then feast on brudet (fish stew) at a cliffside tavern as the sun stains the horizon burnt orange.
Things to do
Listen to the Zadar Sea Organ
Anchor for an afternoon swim
Walk the Ugljan/Pašman bridge
Brudet stew dinner ashore
Mooring tip
Free anchoring on sand at 5-7 m. Sheltered from N/NW; town quay short-stay only.
Ždrelac → Molat
Follow the scent of wild sage to Molat, an island where goats reign and time dissolves. Anchor in Brgulje Bay, its pebbles whispering underfoot, and hike to Zapuntel’s deserted beach—a crescent of sand untouched but by seabirds. At dusk, join villagers for arancini (fried citrus peels) and rakija under a sky thick with stars, the Milky Way your only map.
Things to do
Walk between the three Molat villages
Beach time at deserted Zapuntel
Try Molat arancini citrus sweets
Stargaze in true dark-sky waters
Mooring tip
Free anchoring on sand and seagrass at 5-8 m in Brgulje Bay. Restaurant moorings off the village.
Molat → Ilovik
Chase the horizon to car-free Silba, a bohemian oasis where cobbled paths lead to secret art studios. Swim at Torta Beach, then sail south to Ilovik, the “Island of Flowers.” Drop anchor in Paradise Bay, snorkeling through schools of glittering sardines. Dine under bougainvillea on lamb under the bell, its rosemary perfume mingling with the salt-kissed breeze.
Things to do
Lunch swim at Silba Torta Beach
Walk Silba car-free art alleys
Anchor in Ilovik–Sveti Petar channel
Lamb peka at an oleander konoba
Mooring tip
Pick up a free restaurant buoy in the Ilovik–Sveti Petar channel — pay for dinner ashore and the buoy is included. Channel is fully sheltered.
Ilovik → Šimuni (Pag)
Sail west to Pag’s moonlike terrain, where stone and salt sculpt the landscape. Dock in Šimuni, a village of fishermen mending nets under olive trees. Cycle through Lun’s ancient olive grove—gnarled giants older than empires—then devour Pag’s famed lamb at a beach grill, its smoky richness paired with the sharp tang of sheep cheese.
Things to do
Cycle the Lun olive grove (1600 trees)
Paški sir tasting at Gligora dairy
Day-trip to Pag salt flats
Pag lamb at a beach grill
Mooring tip
ACI Marina Šimuni — book ahead in summer. Anchor in adjacent coves on sand at 5-7 m for a quieter night.
Šimuni → Olib
Glide north to Olib, where sandy coves defy Croatia’s rocky reputation. Wade ashore in Slatina Bay, your toes sinking into powder-soft sand, and explore abandoned stone houses reclaimed by fig trees. Hunt for Roman mosaics hidden in meadows, then feast on honey-drenched fritule (doughnuts) at a farmhouse lit by fireflies.
Things to do
Swim sandy Slatina and Banve bays
Cycle the deserted stone-village trail
Olibške makarule pasta lunch
Hunt for Roman mosaics in fields
Mooring tip
Small fishing port — limited slots. Anchor in Slatina Bay on sand at 4-6 m, sheltered from N/NE.
Olib → Iž
Sail to Iž, where potters spin clay into tradition. Tour workshops crafting peka bells, then bike to Koromačna Bay—swim in water so still it mirrors the sky. As dusk falls, join a fjera feast: tables groan with smoked ham, sheep cheese, and wine poured from dusty jugs, mandolin strings weaving through laughter and clinking glasses.
Things to do
Visit a Veli Iž peka pottery
Cycle to Koromašnjak swim cove
Try smoked Iž octopus salad
Stay for a Fjera village fair
Mooring tip
ACI Marina Iž (Veli Iž) — small but well-protected. Anchor in Knež Bay on sand at 5-8 m for a quieter alternative.
Iž → Zadar
Sail homeward, stopping at Ugljan for a final plunge into Veli Školj’s aquamarine embrace. Return to Zadar as the Greeting to the Sun ignites, its kaleidoscope of light dancing beneath your feet. Toast your odyssey with Maraschino liqueur, the Adriatic’s whispers promising: This is not goodbye, but until next time.
Things to do
Final swim off Ugljan
Walk the Roman Forum at the centre
Watch Greeting to the Sun light show
Maraschino tasting at Konoba Skoblar
Mooring tip
Marina Zadar (Borik) is the standard charter berth. Confirm fuel slot 24h ahead and clean the boat the evening before.
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