Golden Wave Beach
Golden Wave Beach is a free, concrete city beach near Zadar's Old Town, built around a salt-water pool and a multi-level diving tower rather than sand. Visitors swim directly into clear Adriatic water via steps and platforms, then relax on flat stone terraces or in a shaded bar. It's popular with locals and young people, offering an easy, urban swim spot with basic facilities.
- Best time:
- Late afternoon into sunset in summer, when the sun terraces catch the evening light; arrive early to beat the daytime crowds.
- Who it's for:
- Urban swimmers, divers and young people wanting a free, walkable swim spot near the Old Town — not those seeking a sandy family beach.
The facts
- Sand / surface
- concrete
“concrete areas for lying on or large steps to sit on”
- Water quality
- crystal clear
“crystal clear waters”
- Family friendly
- yes
“a deep pool with salt water where you or children can jump”
- Bar
- yes
“A bar well priced and in shade”
- Restaurant
- no
“have a drink and a snack at the beach bar”
- Showers
- yes
“use the free showers to wash off the salt water”
- Toilets
- yes
“Toilets also”
- Sunbeds
- no
“places where you can relax and put your towel”
- Diving
- yes
“jump into the water from the 10m tower (5m and 2.5m too)”
- Cleanliness
- clean
“The beach was clean with lots of showers”
- Crowd level
- busy
“It gets crowdy too”
- Beach size
- medium
“Plenty of space and can accommodate large gatherings”
Good to know
- High diving boards (up to ~10-15m) uncontrolled — “jumping from the tower has to be controlled”
- Stony/sharp entry, sandals advised — “no sand but smaller stones and sea shels”
- No real beach — direct deep-water entry — “There's not a beach but you directly enter into the water”
Pros
- +Free entrance and public access
- +Multi-level diving tower and salt-water pool
- +Crystal-clear Adriatic water
- +On-site bar with fair prices and free showers
- +Walkable from Zadar Old Town
- +Beautiful sunsets
Cons
- −No sand — concrete and stone surfaces, water shoes advised
- −Can get crowded
- −Bar is cash only
- −Toilets reportedly need improvement / not obvious
- −As a city beach, cleanliness varies with wind direction
FAQ
- Is there an entrance fee?
- No, reviewers consistently report free entrance and public access.
- Is it a sandy beach?
- No, it's a concrete beach with flat stones and steps; you enter the water directly, so water shoes help.
- Are there diving boards?
- Yes, a diving tower with roughly 2.5m, 5m and 10m platforms, plus a salt-water pool.
- Are there facilities?
- There's a bar/cafe (cash only), free showers, and toilets, though some found the toilets in need of improvement.
- Can I get there from the Old Town?
- Yes, several visitors walked from the Old Town, or took a short Bolt/taxi ride.
Location
23000, Zadar, Croatia
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