A real gem in the middle of the Adriatic Sea
Vrgada is a little Croatian island in the middle of the Adriatic Sea just off the coast of Pakostane, between the cities of Zadar and Sibenik, and is the smallest island I’ve been on! There are no cars on the island (apart from the very old jeep wreck welcoming you in the marina) and there are only a little over 200 inhabitants. Its azure blue and turquoise waters will surely leave an impact on any visitor.
My first day out in Vrgada
I went there twice but the first time left a permanent mark on me.
That day my Croatian friend’s dad invited us to dinner at his house as he had gone fishing earlier that day. Seabass and sea bream were waiting for us at home. But before dinner, we decided to catch a ferry to Vrgada and in just under an hour we found ourselves in paradise.
After having stocked on cold beers in the only shop on the island, we headed to the beach which is right next to a pine forest, leading down a small cliff. We got there just in time for a swim in the nice warm seas and were enjoying the sunshine and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea. Time flew by. Before we knew it, it was almost time to take the ferry back home – so we rushed back to the marina!
The last ferry was already overcrowded and there were tens of people still waiting to get on! We realised there was no way we could make it home that evening and we’d miss that splendid dinner that was waiting for us.
Meanwhile, the ferry started its engines and the few people that were still waiting started heading for the Vrgada settlement. But my intuition was telling me to wait there and so far it has never failed me. So we did. And at the very last moment, the captain shouted ‘Jump on!’ and on the ferry we hopped, pleased with our persistence. The delicious pescatarian dinner was well worth the stress!
How to get to Vrgada
If you are looking for an intimate, secluded and picturesque beach when all the other beaches are overcrowded in high season, Vrgada is the perfect place for you.
It is only accesible by sea, and there is no car traffic on the island. Unless you happen to be a lucky yacht owner, you will have to take the ferry from either Pakostane or Biograd na Moru. There are regular ferry services on route 415 (ferry Lumbrikata or Vrgadinka) in the high season from both places and fewer services available outside the season. Pets and bikes are permitted on board, subject to space availability.
From Pakostane: The journey takes 25 minutes and ticket prices are HRK 15 in high season and HRK 12 in low season. In the high season, it runs 4 to 7 journeys per day, in total 46 times per week. In the low season it runs 2 to 4 journeys per day, in total 26 times per week.
Timetable for July and August
| Days | Ferry Departure | Ferry Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 08:00 | 08:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 09:30 | 09:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 10:30 | 10:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 12:30 | 12:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 15:05 | 15:30 |
| Monday to Saturday | 17:30 | 17:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 19:30 | 19:55 |
| Sunday | 09:00 | 09:25 |
| Sunday | 11:30 | 11:55 |
| Sunday | 17:30 | 17:55 |
| Sunday | 19:30 | 19:55 |
Timetable for June and September
| Days | Ferry Departure | Ferry Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 10:30 | 10:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 12:25 | 12:50 |
| Monday to Saturday | 15:30 | 15:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 17:55 | 18:20 |
| Monday to Saturday | 19:55 | 20:20 |
| Sunday | 09:25 | 09:50 |
| Sunday | 11:55 | 12:20 |
| Sunday | 19:55 | 20:20 |
Timetable for September to May
| Days | Ferry Departure | Ferry Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 12:00 | 12:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 17:30 | 17:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 10:05 | 10:30 |
| Monday to Saturday | 15:05 | 15:30 |
| Monday to Saturday | 19:55 | 20:20 |
| Sunday | 11:00 | 11:25 |
| Sunday | 17:30 | 17:55 |
From Vrgada to Pakostane:
Timetable for July and August
| Days | Ferry Departure | Ferry Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 06:00 | 06:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 07:00 | 07:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 09:00 | 09:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 10:00 | 10:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 11:30 | 11:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 13:00 | 13:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 17:00 | 17:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 19:00 | 19:25 |
| Sunday | 08:30 | 08:55 |
| Sunday | 11:00 | 11:25 |
| Sunday | 17:00 | 17:25 |
| Sunday | 19:00 | 19:25 |
Timetable for June and September
| Days | Ferry Departure | Ferry Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 06:00 | 06:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 11:30 | 11:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 13:00 | 13:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 17:00 | 17:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 19:00 | 19:25 |
| Sunday | 08:30 | 08:55 |
| Sunday | 11:00 | 11:25 |
| Sunday | 19:00 | 19:25 |
Timetable for September to May
| Days | Ferry Departure | Ferry Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 11:30 | 11:55 |
| Monday to Saturday | 17:00 | 17:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 06:00 | 06:25 |
| Monday to Saturday | 13:00 | 13:25 |
| Sunday | 10:30 | 10:55 |
| Sunday | 17:00 | 17:25 |
From Biograd na Moru: The journey takes 1 hour and ticket prices are HRK 18 in high season and HRK 15 in low season. Both in the high season and the low season it runs 12 times per week.
Timetable for January to December
| Days | Departure time | Arrival time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 09:30 | 10:30 |
| Monday to Saturday | 14:30 | 15:30 |
Return from Vrgada to Biograd (all year round)
| Days | Departure time | Arrival time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 06:00 | 07:00 |
| Monday to Saturday | 13:00 | 14:00 |
Don’t forget to check departure times for the last ferry, otherwise you’re doomed to spend a night under the starry sky!
Hi! I'm Alicja. Come travel with me! :) 