Visiting Zavratnica the smart way
Zavratnica is the most photographed spot between Senj and Karlobag: a narrow bay about 900 m long between cliffs up to 100 m high, with turquoise water and a WWII wreck just below the surface.
How to do it:
• Park in Jablanac and take the shore path, about 20 minutes, easy but stony, so wear proper shoes.
• Come early in the morning for the best light in the narrow bay and some calm before excursion boats arrive from Rab, Pag and even the Zadar area.
• The wreck: on 25 August 1944 British aircraft sank a German patrol boat here. Its steel frame lies close to shore and is easy to see with a mask. Remains of a Siebel ferry lie at the mouth of the bay.
• The bay is part of Velebit Nature Park and Natura 2000, with 24 of its 116 plant species protected, so stay on the paths.
• Tickets are sold by the nature park, see pp-velebit.hr for current prices.
Combine it with the ferry from Stinica to Rab, or enjoy the island view from Jablanac.