Croatian holiday beaches that you will want to explore

Croatia's varied, scenic and at times, dramatic Adriatic coastline stands out in the Meditteranean region as a beach explorer's adventure land. Hidden amongst the country's coast, which extends for over 1,700 kilometres, are 78 islands, 524 islets and 642 rocky outcrops. With that amount of variety there will certainly be a number of beaches in Croatia that will appeal to almost anyone looking for a memorable seaside holiday experience.

In some ways, the quality of Croatia's beaches and coastal resorts can be measured by the increase of notable and famous people visiting the country. In more recent years many internationally known figures and celebrities have been spotted in and around Croatian seaside locations. Some of them include Princess Caroline of Monaco, Prince William (the future King of England), Prince Harry (Prince William's brother), Steven Spielberg, Robert de Niro, Clint Eastwood and many, many more.

Of course, its not just in recent years that famous people have been visiting our marvellous beaches. Wherever you go in Croatia nudist beaches are to be found, a trend that is largely credited to King Edward VIII of England and his then American mistress Wallace Simpson, who in 1936 took their infamous nude swim off the coast of Rab Island...

There is no doubt that Istria offers some of the cleanest and best maintained beaches in all of Croatia. Almost surrounded by the clear blue Adriatic sea, the Istrian peninsula is home to no less than 43 beaches which have been awarded the prestigous Blue Flag Award! This represents 42% of all the beaches in Croatia that have received this international mark of excellence.

Six of the Croatian Blue Flag awarded beaches are located close to Umag and Novigrad right here in northwest Istria.

This region, covering the towns of Brtonigla, Buje, Novigrad and Umag is an ideal location for enthusiastic surfers, families with children who want a safe and clean beach for their holiday, as well as for night owls looking for a beach party.

Some of the more popular beaches in the region include Katoro beach, Stella Maris and Kanova beach all situated around Umag, whilst in Novigrad, favorites beach locations include Mareda beach, Sirena and Maestral beach.

For active holiday lovers, Porec and Rovinj offer many clean and well maintained beaches with plenty of sports facilities available. Many of the beaches in this region are especially suitable for families with children including Lone Bay beach near the picturesque Croatian town of Rovinj.

If naturism is what you are looking for then there's no better place than Koversada beach in Vrsar which has the distinction of not only being the largest naturist beach in Croatia but also in Europe.

Pula, as the queen of the Istrian peninsula offers a number of sandy beaches that are popular with holday makers to Croatia, such as Bijeca beach in Medulin, whilst Cape Kamenjak is the perfect location to enjoy a romantic Robinson Crusoe type of holiday away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation.

Whilst smaller in size compared to Istria, the Kvarner region of Croatia has 28 beaches that carry the Blue Flag award.

Wherever you go in Croatia islands are to be found everwhere, and especially so in the Kvarner region. Rab, Krk, Cres and Losinj are all islands that offer a variety of beaches that will appeal to many holiday makers. Add the beaches that are available on the mainland part of this region such as Crikvenica, and there's plenty of options to choose from.

Families are well catered for in this region, particularly those with small children. A favourite is Rajska beach (Paradise beach) on the island of Rab, which has very shallow waters and a warm sea. Similarly, Spiaza beach on Susak Island, about 7 kilometres south-west of Losinj Island, is a great spot for small children with its shallow sea and sandy beach.

Alternatively, try the ever popular Vela Plaza beach in Baska on Krk Island, which has a lovely promenade and many small shops and restaurants to to explore, useful if you get too hot sitting by the Blue Flag beach. Beware though, this beach is extremely popular at weekends, so finding a spot by the sea particularly on a Sunday in high season could be difficult.

If you're a little adventurous and want to find a small secluded cove to spend the day with that special someone in your life, then why not borrow or hire a small outboard powered boat for the day. Then do as the locals do, cruise just off the coast of Krk, particularly the western part of the island and keep a lookout for the next available empty cove ... there are plenty there if you look, where you can spend the day on your own in peace and quiet in the sun. Other alternatives for getting away from it all include Koromacna beach and Sveti Ivan, both on Cres Island.

Dalmatia has plenty of beaches to discover and explore. This region of Croatia has 26 beaches that have been awarded a Blue Flag for the quality of the beach and sea.

Not least of these is the Blue Flag Zrce beach on the island of Pag, which has been a clubbers paradise for many years with its open air clubs located right on the beach. The clubs operate right around the clock and have no sound restrictions ... needless to say this beach will very definitely appeal to people young of mind and body!

Family holiday makers may prefer the more sedate beach lifestyle to be found around the Zadar archipelago and the beaches on nearby islands which are good choices to try. Dugi Otok, Ugljan Island and Pasman Island all offer a chance to explore numerous sheltered coves and bays which will provide you with an opportunity to enjoy solitude and beautiful natural surroundings.

Notable amongst the beaches to be found in the Split and Makarska Riviera region of Croatia are Bacvice beach, home to the traditional beach game of Picigin dating back to the early 1900's, and Brela beach with its maginificent surroundings of thick pine forests.

For romantics, southern Dalmatia and the islands of Korcula and Mljet are an exellent choice to pick. Saplunara beach on the Island of Mljet is a wonderful beach full of sand and the perfect get-way spot for a couple on holiday together.

Of course, mention must be made of Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brac. This has to be one of the most popular beaches in Croatia and is the one you will most often see on brochures about Croatia, featuring as it does its distinctive shape which is changed by the winds and can be different from year to year.