What to See and Do

Fort Grpašćak is the park's centrepiece — a former military fortress perched on the cliff edge, now converted into an interpretation and educational centre. Inside, several exhibitions cover the park's geology, ecology, and cultural history; from the tower, visitors can observe both the underwater world and the stars. The centre is open daily, and the entrance is included in the park ticket. Free shuttle transport to Grpašćak is organised from the Dolac pedestrian entrance and from Mir Bay, taking about 10 minutes each way.↗

The island donkeys are Telašćica's most beloved residents. A herd of fourteen free-roaming donkeys — descendants of the indigenous Dalmatian island breed once essential to local farming — congregate primarily around Lake Mir and Mir Bay. They are accustomed to visitors, curious and friendly, and often become the highlight of a family trip. Approach them slowly and let them come to you.↗↗

For hikers, several marked educational trails thread through pine and holm oak forests, past aromatic herb fields, and along the lake shore. The most popular is the 2.2 km loop around Lake Mir. A 1 km medicinal plants trail leads from Grpašćak to Gmajno Polje, and another 2.5 km path connects Mir Bay to Lake Mir. Guided tours range from a two-hour Natural Beauty walk around Mir Bay to a five-hour expedition covering all three of the park's phenomena.↗

Snorkellers can explore a unique 200-metre underwater educational trail in Tripuljak Bay, complete with an audio guide in four languages, suitable for anyone comfortable with a mask and snorkel. Equipment rental is available at the trail entrance. Divers can explore several sites along the cliffs. Above water, the tiny flat islet of Taljurić — a wind-eroded limestone plate measuring just 60 × 3 metres — and the picturesque island of Katina are favourite photo subjects. Near the park's edge, the 1876 Austro-Hungarian lighthouse on Sestrica Vela island is reachable by a walk through a century-old forest from the pier.↗

A quirky and photogenic stop lies south of Lake Mir toward the open sea: an area called Skraca, where thousands of small stone sculptures stacked by visitors have turned ancient rocks into an impromptu outdoor gallery.↗

Getting There and Practical Information

Telašćica sits in the southeastern part of Dugi Otok, with the fishing village of Sali as the nearest settlement and the park's administrative base. From land, the simplest route is by road from Sali. Because 64% of the park is sea, arriving by boat — whether your own vessel, a day cruise from Zadar or the mainland, or a local water taxi — is equally natural and often the most scenic approach. Mooring facilities are arranged inside the bay for visiting boats.↗↗

The park is protected under Croatian law (since 1980) and designated a Nature Park of the Republic of Croatia (since 1988). The region sees more than 2,500 sunshine hours per year, and sea temperatures hover around 23°C in summer. Archaeological remains across the area — pre-Romanesque churches, Roman foundations at Mala Proversa, and Illyrian burial mounds — testify to millennia of human life here. The first written record of Croatian fishing dates from the late 10th century and refers to these shores specifically.↗

A Park at the Crossroads

Telašćica sits within easy reach of three of Croatia's national parks — Kornati, Paklenica, and Krka — and two additional nature parks, making it a natural stop on a broader Zadar-region itinerary. Its rich Mediterranean flora with over 500 recorded plant species, a diverse underwater ecosystem of 300 plant and 300 animal species, and its cliff-nesting raptors all underscore why it holds the highest category of protected status in the country.↗↗