Rab beaches offer holidaymakers a choice where each will find what they are looking for. Sandy beaches in Croatia are not that numerous and mostly range from rocky or pebble to concrete. According to official Spatial plan for Primorsko Goranska County Rab belongs to, island Rab has the biggest concentration of beaches per one microregion.
Rab beaches, ranging from a sandy to pet friendly to nudist are often labeled the best beaches in Croatia.
Beaches of Rab island, being predominantly sandy, probably offer the best choice one could find in one single destination. We’ll try to enumerate and classify largest and most popular Rab beaches. However the complete selection is of course much larger as the whole island is encircled by them. Wherever you find yourself on island Rab, you are bound to be close to one of those places that make a summer vacation truly count.
SANDY BEACHES OF ISLAND RAB
Rab Croatia beaches can accommodate almost any type of requirement from visitors. Tastes vary from person to person, so one may find a white rocky beach of peninsula “Kalifront” more convenient because of it’s isolation and clear water. You may find them prevalent toward the tip of the peninsula. However one should note that the ones more secluded are not accessible by car but rather by bike or walking. Reason is because “Kalifront” is a protected forest zone and in most part except central driving is forbidden. Families with children may prefer large sandy beaches because they are shallow and warmer. Some of them also offer facilities for sports and entertainment. Rab beaches like that can be found in regions Lopar, Kampor and Supetarska Draga. Rab beaches with fun and sports activities such as volleyball, pedaline, or beach clubs, bars and night clubs are also numerous. Largest and most popular sandy beaches are found in Lopar, such as a massive beach “Rajska plaža” (Paradise beach). Rajska plaza has been termend numerous times the best beach in Croatia. Nudist Rab beaches of equal size on North coast of Lopar are not so crowded, like huge nudist Rab beaches Sahara or Ciganka.
NUDIST BEACHES
Actually, island Rab has a lot of popularity to thank just to one of those beaches. It was Edward VII – the King of England accompanied by his mistress at the time – Wallis Simpson, that made nudism or naturism popular. Not only on island Rab because Rab already had a short history of naturism, but in Europe and worldwide. It was in year 1936, when King of England and his american wife to be Wallis Simpson, decided to jump into the water of the now Rab Croatia nudist beach “Kandalora”. They left their garments of pointlessness out on the land to history. Naturism and FKK culture (Freikörperkultur) have in fact been existed decades earlier in the form of “Freikörperkultur club” in Essen, Germany. Also the nude beach on “island Sylt” in Germany, “Swedish baths” in the northern seas and “Naturist movement” that began in France. However at that time naturism remained much in anonymity or was even banned by the government in 1933.
SAHARA BEACH IN LOPAR
Sahara beach on the north coast of Lopar is posibly the best example of a nudist-optional sandy beach on island Rab and is the largest of that type. Often populated wth boats and yachts accross it’s shallow sandy bay, sun unbrellas and beach tents on the shore. It is a marvel for photography.
Most Rab beaches are not naturist, but family oriented and with facilities such as restaurants and fun for kids. You should not be afraid that you will have to take your clothes off completely. Most of the nudist beaches have this option open, but it is not obligatory, except on beach Kandalora. Also note that most have a section designated for dogs, so number of beaches listed here that accept dogs officially, is smaller than in reality.
ISLAND MAMAN NEAR DONJA SUPETARSKA DRAGA
Maman is a small island on the west side of island Rab. Access to the island is obviously not easy unless you are arriving by boat. It is possible however to walk to the island from the east side (from Donja Supetarska Draga) across a channel about 1 meter deep and with rocky bottom. Most of the shore of island Maman is rocky, but there are also two sandy beaches and they are most visited. There are no facilities of any kind on the island but that is exactly why most visitors will come. West part of the island has a steep cliff that is appropriate for jumping into the sea if you feel brave. You will experience real isolation here and there are no special rules to follow except keeping the environment clean. Island on the Southwest side has a particularly interesting sea bottom for diving. One can observe here various seabed vegetation and rock formations.
BEACH FUZA ON THE WEST SIDE OF ISLAND RAB IN SUPETARSKA DRAGA
Beach Fuza is located in Donja Supetarska Draga on the west shore and toward island Maman. It was not easily accessible before, but a wider forest path has been created recently. It is possible to park your car on the hill about 300 m before the path down to the beach. On this beach you’ll find areas that are sandy, rocky, and with pebbles. Beach Fuza has traditionally been visited by naturists and nudists but not exclusively, so it is allowed but not obligatory. It is mainly popular because of the isolation and orientation toward the Southwest and island Cres providing beautiful sunsets. Also the shallow sandy bottom with vegetation is interesting for shallow diving. It is possible to walk from here over the canal to the small island Maman.
BEACH GONAR IN DONJA SUPETARSKA DRAGA
One of the most popular and active beaches in the west part of island Rab is beach Gonar (locally also known as “Skoljic”). It is located between the coast of Donja Supetarska Draga and Kampor bay. Gonar bay doesn’t lack in summer activities and beach facilities. Inside the sandy bay is a small pictoresque island “Boljkovac”. A small peninsula is suitable for spreading your towels and beach amenities. Three restaurants and beach bars with tables by the sea offer a wonderful seaview. Restaurants it Gonar are popular on island Rab for their good Croatian food and for the fresh seafood.
It is possible to arrive by car and park in the parking lot free of charge next to the beach. There is also a diving center where diving tours can be organized as well as diving school teaching classes. In the diving center it is also possible to rent diving equipment for the experienced divers. Rental of boats is also available on the beach so you may use a boat to tour around island Rab or visit other beaches. Daily boat rental or renting a boat for half of a day to cruise around the island is also possible. Ranging from small boats to speedboats or inflatable boats, you can arrange your rental right at the beach. Jet ski rental is also available at beach Gonar at the same place. Long pier where you may tie your boat leads straight to the restaurant and cafe bar at the middle of bay. In front of the restaurant and bar terrace there is also a volleyball court in the sea. Soft sandy bottom about half meter deep is excellent for the game and allows for a fun volleyball competition.
BEACH LIVACINA ON THE EAST SIDE OF LOPAR NEAR SAN MARINO CAMPING
From the big selection of beaches in Lopar, beach Livacina might be in the golden middle. It is very close and almost connected to the huge beach “Paradise” to the right. But beach “Livacina” is a bit less crowded and sea temperature does not get too high. Reason for that is because part of the bay is facing the open sea and canal under the Velebit mountain. Plenty of facilities are here. Exotic beach bar and a number of restaurants can make anyone wish to spend a whole day here. Rental of pedal boats, jet ski, and a volleyball court in the sand can fill your day with lot of fun. If you are bringing a dog, rocky part of the beach is more secluded and dogs are allowed on the beach in that part. Shower as well as dressing rooms, toilets and a large parking lot behind the beach are available to guests.
