Nin Sandy Beach
Nin Sandy Beach is one of the few genuinely sandy beaches near Zadar, known for its long, wide shoreline and extremely shallow water that makes it a top pick for families with young children. It offers amenities including sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, showers, food and water sports, plus a nearby medicinal mud pond that many visitors enjoy. Opinions on water clarity and cleanliness are mixed, and paid parking (cash only) is a recurring complaint.
- Best time:
- Late spring to early autumn for warm shallow water; visit in the morning to avoid afternoon wind and get a sunbed before the limited supply runs out.
- Who it's for:
- Families with toddlers and young kids who want safe, shallow, sandy water and beach amenities.
The facts
- Sand / surface
- sand
“Nice sandy beach”
- Water quality
- mixed
“the water wasn't too clean when we visited”
- Family friendly
- yes
“perfect for families and children”
- Bar
- yes
“coffe shop”
- Restaurant
- yes
“Food is bad but cheap”
- Showers
- yes
“Showers, toilets, coffe shop”
- Toilets
- yes
“had toilets and a changing place”
- Parking
- yes, paid (prices vary €1.5–€10/day, cash only; some report free)
“Parking €10 bit expensive”
- Sunbeds
- yes, ~€20 for two sunbeds and umbrella
“20 euros for two sun beds and an umbrella”
- Cleanliness
- mixed
“how many cigarettes this beach features”
- Crowd level
- moderate
“not crazy busy”
- Water sports
- windsurfing, paddle boards
“Lots of water spots on offer (windsurfing, paddle boards etc)”
- Changing facilities
- yes
“had toilets and a changing place”
- Beach size
- large
“It's very long and wide”
Good to know
- Sudden deep drop-off past the buoy line — “the sea is dangerously getting deep very very sudden so watch your kids”
- Wind and currents pushing floating toys out — “very windy and currents push floating toys out to deeper parts”
- Hot sand — bring footwear — “Bring definaty shoes! The sand is hot”
Pros
- +Rare sandy beach in the Zadar/Nin region
- +Very shallow, safe water ideal for small children
- +Long, wide beach with space between umbrellas
- +Good range of amenities: toilets, showers, food, sunbeds
- +Water sports like windsurfing and paddle boarding available
- +Unique medicinal mud pond nearby
Cons
- −Paid parking is pricey and cash-only
- −Water clarity/cleanliness can be murky and disappoint some
- −Cigarette litter reported by some visitors
- −Very shallow water is unsuitable for adults wanting to swim
- −Gets windy in the afternoon with currents near the drop-off
FAQ
- Is Nin Sandy Beach good for young children?
- Yes. The water stays shallow for a long distance and the beach is sandy, making it very popular with families and toddlers.
- How much does parking cost?
- Reports vary widely, from around €1.5 up to €7–€10 per day, and payment is cash only. A few visitors reported free parking.
- Are sunbeds and umbrellas available?
- Yes, though in limited numbers. Expect around €20 for two sunbeds and an umbrella, collected on the beach.
- Can adults swim here?
- The water is extremely shallow far from shore, so it's better for wading and relaxing than for proper swimming.
- What is the mud pond?
- There's a nearby medicinal mud area where visitors can take mud baths, which many reviewers find fun and beneficial for the skin.
Location
65WH+CG, Unnamed Road, 23232, Nin, Croatia
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