Silba Island – A Hidden Treasure at the Gates of Dalmatia
The island of Silba is one of the hidden treasures of the Adriatic located at north end of the Zadar archipelago in northern Dalmatia. This beautiful island is characterized by untouched nature, quiet beaches and an authentic island charm. With its area of only about 15 square kilometers, Silba is an ideal destination for those looking for a relaxing and authentic vacation. Centrally located for sailors, It is a short sail from diverse destinations such as Zadar and Pag or Lošinj.
Arriving on Silba with your boat or yacht gives you the opportunity to explore the diversity of its shores and hidden coves. There are several anchorages on the island, on the north and south side of the island, which provide safe and comfortable accommodation for your vessel. The friendly staff will be at your disposal and provide all the necessary information and services you may need during your stay on the island. Because of its location, some people call Silba the gate of Dalmatia. Historically it was a target for pirates, so the inhabitants had defensive towers built of which only one stands today, as well as small watchtowers built on nearby bays, such as Paprenica and Sv.Ante (St Anthony).
Located on the southwest of Silba, St. Anthony bay is one of the more popular moorings with 20 buoys. In the western part of this spacious bay, which is well protected from northern and mistral winds, there is a chapel of the same name, and on the eastern side a beautiful sandy beach. When sailing over a long distance, you should avoid the shallow NW point, but also watch out for the reef in front of the SW point, so it is best to tie to one of the buoys. Lovers of anchoring (depth five to 15 m) should keep in mind that the bottom here does not hold well, and should watch out for the numerous settlements of Posidonia, protected marine plants.
Passing through the narrow roads in this island of pedestrians, you will see many old captain's houses, which speak of the island's rich maritime history. Since the 15th century, Silbenians have been engaged in fishing, and developed maritime trade networks in the 16th century, as the position between the Zadar - Venice sea route played an important role.
The most famous monument on the island is Toreta, a hexagonal building that rises 15 meters in the middle of the town like a small lantern, behind which is hidden a somewhat unusual love story of the Silbenian captain Petar Marinić. The top is reached by circular stairs on the outside of the tower, and from the top there is a view of the entire island and its surroundings, so from there you can see Premuda, Ist, Olib, Ilovik, Lošinj, Susak and before that, the islet with the lighthouse - Grujica.
In Pocukmarak bay, at a depth of only three meters, there is a small underwater museum with ancient sarcophagi, which you can only see with a mask. In the port of Mul, on the north side of the island, there are about thirty moorings equipped with water and electricity connections, which is under the jurisdiction of the County Port Authority, as well as the ferry terminal in Žalić. There you will also find the Harbourmaster's Office and the small harbour of the local sports fishing club Galeb, which will come in handy if you need a repair. You can dock behind the breakwater, but due to shallow depths, it is recommended to dock bow first.
Photo: Mihaela Miškić/TZM Silba
