Dugi Otok Travel Guide

It is best if you can catch your own food and prepare it same day.that is the best food you can eat on this island, because there are only 2 months of trully tourism, so restourants have sooo big prices if you want to eat somethin fresh and good.we were looking for good restaurats around Dugi otok, and we find only one good and cheap enough.It is in place called Zman, and it s name is konoba Regula.
but i prefer to catch fresh fish or octopusy and cook it myself.

After a peaceful night full of stars – no light pollution from towns – it was such a wonderful surprise to meet Mr. Toni! He approaches anchored boats and offers fresh bread, home made cheese, cakes, fruit – wow, see the assortment on the picture! I even got the privilege to be offered a drink early that morning. Fantastic experience, chatting and sipping some bitter-sweet “universal remedy” with Tony.

What to buy: Home made cheese was so good, we had to leave it all for our daughters.
Fresh fruit - first ask for local products, then for stuff from Neretva river.
Everything is fresh, his children are sending goods from Zadar with the first ferry.

What to pay: A bit more expensive than in towns - of course.

Finding things for cooking can be limited to few, basic things in local shops at higher price which is reasonable since they have to bring it all from Zadar.
This can cost you a lot, so if you plan your own cooking when staying on island (whether you plan to stay wild camping or at rented appartment) and I think that's reasonable if you're on a tight budget (thugh, not ideal, but enivej, people have different ways of meandering through holidays and travels) do some shopping at Zadar before you embark on catamaran/ferry to Dugi otok. Well, buy most of things there but especially their local vegetables and fruits, and seeds. Zadar market is one of best in region and prices there are good too.

Once when you're on Dugi otok, you'll see how little things can grow there... and when it's dry as it was this year when there was no rain from April on, then it grows almost nothing.
Ah, yes... and there is big shortage of water anywhere on islands, too and in critical times they bring it by special ferry from continent, so think before you spend any single drop unnecessary. The water is luxury.

How about meat and fishes? To my suprise they had only frozen (and mostly no local or even imported!) sea food and fish in the fridge of several shops and thereafter we only bought them straight from fishermen. Nothing can beat fresh fish, that's for sure.

By the small salt lake on other side from cliffs at Telašćica, there's big hype about donkey beach, well advertised just because there are few donkeys parading the shore where most people seem to end swimming on their day trip on organized tours. Litteraly every agent in Zadar or near brings his crowd here.
Ok, they're cute but it's funny when the beach people begin to complain about donkey trying their swimming paraphenalia and some screaming at the sight of an animal approaching them or their stuff.

Unique Suggestions: You don't have to swim at the most crowded, loudest and dirtiest spot in the island. Better take 10 min walk and be on your own at the sea shore, even naked if you wish so. There's nothing nice about swimming at donkey beach by the lake, really, well, except for donkeys.

Fun Alternatives: Anyways, donkeys are key animal figures of the island. Locally, they're known as 'tovari'.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Uf, if you're not prepared and you let windows open there are chances that mosquitos will eagerly drink your blood whole night. Close doors well and don't remove window screens. And if that doesn't help, bring something to cover your insect bites, like fenistil or something. Add repellent if you're on terrace or burn candle with citrus taste to turn away mosquitos.
Some basic first aid kit is very useful too because rocks are sharp and you can easily break something if only little un-attentive you are. Bivacin, the spray form antibiotic can be very good to have with you for immediate treatement of wounds. Then there are also sun burns if you're taking mid day sunbathing at middle of summer season, allergy reactions, so just a little note.... the doctor services are not straight available unless you're somewhere in Sali.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: There is no camp on the entire island for now and you can only discreetly camp illegaly, but then again... don't set a fire on island which is very easy in dry season, never even try to make open fire where risks overweight your pleasures. And bring all trash back to continent whether disposable or not, as they are ugly to be left there lying in nature... or use trash bins near settlements.