The best beaches in and around Vodice

Every good day in this corner of Dalmatia seems to end in the sea, and around here that usually means Vodice. The lively little seaside town has everything a beach day needs: Blue Flag beaches, a long waterfront promenade, a busy marina, rows of restaurants and — once the sun goes down in summer — some of the liveliest nightlife on this stretch of coast. From PRIKA Pool House it's an easy drive of about 15 km, roughly 15 minutes — close enough to swim whenever the mood strikes, far enough that none of the noise follows you home.

And that is exactly the trick of staying inland. At a beach apartment you get the crowds, the parking hunt and the music until 2 a.m. whether you want them or not. At PRIKA you start the morning with a swim in your private pool, pick a different beach every afternoon, and come home to nothing louder than crickets. The best of both coasts, so to speak.

Plava plaža — the family classic

Vodice's main beach is Plava plaža ("Blue Beach"), and the name is a promise: it has flown the Blue Flag for clean water and good facilities. This is the town's family beach — a gentle, shallow entry that lets small children paddle safely, on a comfortable mix of pebbles and sand. It sits right by the promenade, so ice cream, cafés and shade are never more than a few steps away. If you have kids in tow and want zero logistics, start here.

Hangar — where Vodice turns the music up

Hangar beach is Plava plaža's extroverted sibling: one of the most popular spots in town, lined with beach bars and with a distinctly younger, sociable energy. Come for an afternoon swim and stay as the day slides into cocktails — in high season the party simply carries on into the Vodice night. It's great fun; and when you've had enough, your quiet terrace in the hills is fifteen minutes away.

Quieter waters: Srima, Tribunj and Prvić

The real luxury of having a car and a base inland is choice. When the town beaches fill up, locals drift to the edges:

• Srima — a small peninsula just 3 km from Vodice (about 17 km from the house), stitched with a string of calmer coves. Same clear water, a fraction of the towels. Pick a cove, claim a pine shadow, stay all afternoon.
• Tribunj — a fishing village about 5 km from Vodice whose old town crowds onto a tiny islet. Swim near the village, then wander the harbour and reward yourself with seafood where the boats come in. Pure Dalmatian charm, minus the resort feel.
• Prvić island — the quietest escape of all: a car-free island reached by boat or water taxi from Vodice. Stone lanes, unhurried villages and swimming spots where the loudest sound is the water itself. A perfect slow day trip.

Local tips from your hosts

Beat the parking, not the beach. In July and August the seafront car parks fill fast — arrive before 10:00 or after 17:00 and you'll slot in easily. Late afternoon is our favourite anyway: softer light, warmer sea, and you've already had a full morning at the pool.

Pack water shoes. Most beaches here are pebbly — wonderful for water clarity, less so for bare feet. Cheap water shoes from any beach shop solve it, especially for children. In season the main beaches also have loungers, parasols and paddle equipment to rent, so you can arrive with almost nothing.

Pair your beach with a morning trip. An early walk at the Krka waterfalls followed by an afternoon swim at Srima is our idea of a perfect day. Or spend the cooler hours exploring the stone villages of the hinterland and save the sea for later.

When you're ready to trade the beach towel for a bit of culture or adventure, the marble old town of Šibenik is just down the coast, and boats leave Vodice daily in season for the otherworldly Kornati Islands. Around here, the hardest part of the day is choosing.