The long, lush Ugljan Island is the first in the Zadar Archipelago. It is located northwest of the island of Pašman and southeast of the islands of Rivanj and Sestrunj. Separated from the mainland by the Zadar Channel, it is a popular place for chartering a boat and exploring the Zadar Archipelago. The archipelago is popular among sailing enthusiasts as well as among travelers seeking remote, unspoiled havens. There are seven small villages on the island, inhabited by a total of 1000 residents. Vineyards and olive groves grow abundantly here and the island has a long tradition of pressing olive oil.
There are two marinas on island Ugljan: Olive Island Marina and Preko Marina, as well as numerous protected bays. Its proximity to Zadar makes it a good charter base for boat rentals.
Ugljan is well connected to the mainland by ferryboat and so is a good starting point for cruising. Ferries from Zadar to Preko, Ugljan leave every hour and the ride takes about 20 minutes. Bus and train stations are located in Zadar as well as ferry port and ferries lines to other islands and to Italy. The closest international airport is located in Zadar.
The Zadar Channel has fantastic sailing, both in the channel and further out. Well connected with nearby, vibrant Zadar, there are also enough far-away places to be a perfect location for a relaxing Dalmatian sailing vacation. The entire Adriatic coast has a pleasant Mediterranean climate and is known as an easy sailing destination. Winds are friendly and nautical tourism infrastructure is excellent.