At the southern end of Dugi otok, Telašćica Bay cuts deep into the land – one of the safest natural harbours in the Adriatic, with islets, pines and olive groves. On the narrow strip facing the open sea lies Mir salt lake, whose water is much warmer than the sea, and beyond it cliffs drop up to 160 metres sheer into the sea. Telašćica borders Kornati National Park and is often combined with it.
At a glance
Region
North Dalmatia, Dugi otok
Access
excursion boats from Zadar, Biograd, Murter; by car via Sali
Area
approx. 70 km², mostly sea
Special feature
Mir salt lake, sheer cliffs
Best time to visit
May, June, September
Ideal for
boat-trippers, sailors, nature lovers
Mir salt lake and the cliffs
Lake Mir is connected to the sea through cracks in the karst; its salty water warms up a lot in summer, and there is healing mud along the shore. A few minutes away the cliffs (Stene) rise above the open sea – on clear days you can see as far as the Kornati from the viewpoint. Semi-wild donkeys live in the park.
Getting there and tickets
Most visitors come on excursion boats, often combined with the Kornati, with admission included. If you take the ferry to Dugi otok, drive via Sali to the park entrance. Boats pay a daily fee based on length; combined tickets with Kornati National Park are available.
Honest verdict
At midday, when the excursion boats arrive at the same time, Lake Mir gets crowded. Come early or late in the afternoon – for example as a sailor spending the night on a buoy in the bay – and you'll experience Telašćica in all its calm.
