Protected maritime areas

National parks

Brijuni, a group of 14 islands and islets along the SE coats of Istria, across from the city of Pula, cover the area of 7.42 sq k km. They are the site of valuable Roman and Byzantine cultural heritage and perfectly preserved diverse land and littoral life communities. The National Park includes not only the islands, but the surrounding sea as well; it was established to protect the rich Mediterranean vegetation, many endemic and rare species, and undefiled nature.
On the two larger islands, Veliki Brijun and Mali Brijun, you will see a safari and an ethno park, bird reserve, imported plant species, ancient olive tree, parks and forests, museums, fortresses and villas. For decades, this archipelago has been a vacation destination for statespersons and wealthy. In the last several years it has become very attractive to boaters, as well as other sport lovers. See more at Brijuni National park.

Kornati islands are an archipelago of 140 uninhabited islands, islets and reef that cover the area of only 70 sq km (of which 3 are water). The largest part of archipelago (89 islets, 220 sq m) enjoys the utmost protection as a National Park. The Kornati islands are situated in the North Dalmatia, between Šibenik and Zadar, and are known for their unusual shapes, “crowns” and many other geologically unique forms. The Kornati islands are the most indented island group in Mediterranean and a renowned nautical paradise. Sailing between hundred of islands is a unique and challenging experience. Check out their web site Kornati National park.

Mljet is an island in the south Adriatic, west of Dubrovnik. It is well known for its rich and diverse Mediterranean vegetation (some spices are endemic), cultural and historical heritage dating from the Illyrian times, two 10,000-year-old saltwater lakes (these are in fact gulfs, but the passage connecting them to the sea is so narrow they are called lakes) that used to be freshwater (geological and oceanographic phenomena), the landscape and exceptionally well indented coastline, monasteries, churches and overall unique beauty. These are all the reasons why the SW part of the island and the surrounding sea was proclaimed a National Park in 1960. It was the first attempt to protect an original ecosystem in Adriatic. It is a perfect choice for anyone seeking unspoiled nature. For details of the island click National park Mljet.

Nature parks

Telašcica is a bay area that is made of the biggest, safest and most beautiful inlet in the Adriatic Sea, a geomorphologic phenomena lake Mir and high cliffs and hundreds of wildlife species. It is situated in the SE part of the island Dugi otok, just north of the National Park Kornati islands. It is surrounded with islands and islets, and there are 6 islets inside the bay. The total coastline is 69 km long and indented with 25 smaller inlets.
Among other things, it is protected because of its plant and animal life, over 550 species in submarine life communities, geological characteristics and archaeological heritage. Learn more about this wonderful place at Nature park Telašcica.

Lastovo archipelago is the youngest Nature Park in Croatia. All 44 islands and almost 96 sq km of surface (only 1 is land) were put under protection in October 2006. The archipelago is situated in the southern Dalmatia, just behind the island of Korcula. The biggest islands in the group are Lastovo, the second most wooded island in the Adriatic (after Mljet) and Sušac, which is almost uninhabited. This archipelago is one of the most preserved maritime areas in Adriatic, cultivated and ecologically unspoiled.
In the words of George Bernard Shaw:
“Amidst the string of silver islands, over the Adriatic sea, stands the wooded Lastovo, amazingly beautiful island which from the outside seems a forgotten companion of history, while there, in the shadow of high olive-trees, life has flourished since the pre-Hellenic times.”
For details about these islands see the web site of Lastovo Tourist office.

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