Silba Island Croatia: Our Unforgettable Boat Trip from Novalja

There are places on the Adriatic that impress you immediately, and then there are places that slowly make you forget about everything else. Silba is one of those places.

Turquoise water, small stone paths, Mediterranean gardens overflowing with flowers, peaceful beaches and an extraordinary absence of city noise make Silba Island in Croatia feel completely different from the busier coastal destinations.

We visited Silba on a boat excursion from Novalja on the island of Pag, travelling aboard the KIT-KAT excursion boat operated by Dolphin Excursions. What followed was one of those summer days that you remember long after your holiday has ended: sailing across the Adriatic, swimming in crystal-clear water, exploring island streets, enjoying an excellent fish lunch on board and meeting an exceptionally friendly crew.

If you are staying on Pag Island and wondering whether Silba deserves a place on your itinerary, our answer is simple:

Absolutely.

For us, this was not simply transportation from Novalja to another island. It was a complete Adriatic experience.

Silba at a Glance

Silba is a small island in Croatia’s Zadar archipelago, famous for its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful beaches and car-free character. The island covers around 15 square kilometres, and its only settlement sits in its narrow central section. The Zadar Tourist Board describes Silba as an island of turquoise beaches, picturesque streets and complete freedom from normal road traffic.

Why visit Silba?

Silba is especially worth visiting for:

• crystal-clear Adriatic water
• beautiful sandy and pebble beaches
• a peaceful, largely car-free environment
• Mediterranean vegetation
• picturesque stone streets
• traditional houses and gardens
• swimming and snorkelling
• the famous Toreta tower
• authentic Croatian island atmosphere
• an easy day excursion from Novalja

And perhaps most importantly, Silba still feels like an island rather than a resort.

That distinction matters.

Getting from Novalja to Silba by Boat

One of the most enjoyable ways to discover Silba while holidaying on Pag is by joining the Silba–Olib excursion from Novalja aboard the KIT-KAT boat.

The official Dolphin Excursions itinerary currently leaves the main harbour in Novalja at 09:30, normally every day except Friday. The published route first visits Olib, includes lunch aboard the boat, continues to Silba and later returns to Novalja. The operator currently lists departure from Silba at 16:00 and expected arrival back in Novalja at approximately 17:45.

Always check the current timetable before travelling because sailing schedules, prices and routes can change.

For current information and reservations, see Dolphin Excursions Novalja.

Boarding the KIT-KAT in Novalja

The experience begins in Novalja harbour, where KIT-KAT immediately stands out.

It is a spacious excursion boat with outdoor areas that allow passengers to enjoy the surrounding Adriatic landscape during the journey.

Once the boat leaves Novalja, the holiday atmosphere begins almost immediately.

Pag slowly disappears behind you, the open sea stretches ahead and neighbouring Adriatic islands become visible on the horizon.

There is something special about seeing this part of Croatia from the water. Distances and landscapes suddenly make much more sense. Instead of experiencing Pag, Olib and Silba as isolated destinations, you begin to understand them as part of one spectacular island world.

The official excursion currently includes a welcome drink, and Wi-Fi is also available aboard KIT-KAT.

But what impressed us considerably more than the amenities was the atmosphere.

Dolphin Excursions: An Exceptionally Friendly Crew

A boat trip depends enormously on its crew.

And this is one area where Dolphin Excursions really stood out for us.

The people working aboard KIT-KAT were genuinely friendly, relaxed and welcoming. Nothing felt forced or overly commercial.

From the beginning of the excursion until our return to Novalja, the atmosphere was easy-going and pleasant.

That makes a difference on a full-day excursion.

You want to feel that you’re spending your day with people who actually enjoy welcoming visitors to their part of Croatia — and that was exactly our impression.

There was no unnecessary rush.

You could enjoy the sea, talk, take photographs, swim and simply experience the day.

For families, couples and anyone visiting Pag for the first time, that friendly atmosphere alone makes the trip easy to recommend.

The Journey Across the Adriatic

Leaving Pag behind and sailing toward the smaller islands is part of the attraction itself.

The Adriatic changes constantly as the boat moves.

At some moments the sea appears intensely dark blue. Closer to beaches and shallow bays it suddenly turns turquoise, aquamarine and almost transparent.

This is the Croatia many visitors imagine before arriving.

But seeing it from a boat is different.

You have uninterrupted horizons, islands appearing in the distance and the feeling that you are heading somewhere genuinely removed from the crowds.

Keep your camera or phone nearby during the sailing because some of the best photographs of the entire excursion can be taken before you even arrive.

Olib and Silba: Two Islands in One Day

An important detail about this excursion is that it is not exclusively a Novalja–Silba transfer.

The official KIT-KAT itinerary combines Olib and Silba, giving visitors an opportunity to experience two very different islands during a single day.

The first stop is Olib, where there is time for swimming, sunbathing or a short exploration.

After Olib comes something we particularly remember from the trip:

lunch aboard KIT-KAT.

And the fish deserves its own section.

The Fish on KIT-KAT Was One of the Highlights

Food on mass-market excursions can sometimes feel like an afterthought.

That was not our experience here.

We chose the fish and were genuinely surprised by how good it was.

It was beautifully prepared, simple in exactly the right Mediterranean way and tasted perfect after a morning spent swimming and travelling across the Adriatic.

For us, it was one of the best-prepared fish meals we have ever eaten on a boat excursion.

That is not something we expected to be writing before the trip.

Fresh air, the sea surrounding you and properly prepared fish create one of those simple combinations that hardly needs anything else.

The official excursion currently offers a choice between a fish or meat menu, with wine and juices provided with lunch.

Our recommendation?

Choose the fish.

It became one of our favourite memories of the entire day.

Arriving on Silba

And then comes Silba.

The moment you step ashore, the atmosphere changes.

There are no streams of cars, huge hotel complexes or crowded boulevards.

Instead, Silba welcomes you with stone walls, Mediterranean vegetation, narrow paths, gardens and glimpses of unbelievably blue water appearing between houses.

One of the most distinctive things about Silba Island is its relationship with traffic.

Silba is essentially a pedestrian island. Normal car traffic is absent, helping preserve the peaceful atmosphere for which the island is known. The Zadar Tourist Board notes that only limited service vehicles, small mopeds and bicycles are permitted, with bicycles also restricted during the peak tourist season.

That absence of traffic changes the entire experience.

You hear footsteps.

Cicadas.

Wind in the trees.

Conversations from gardens.

And the sea.

It is remarkably relaxing.

Silba: The Island Where the Sea Is Never Far Away

One fascinating characteristic of Silba is how narrow the inhabited centre of the island is.

According to the Zadar Tourist Board, the central part is only around 700 metres wide, meaning you can walk between the western and eastern sides of the island in approximately ten minutes.

That explains one of Silba’s most charming qualities.

While walking through the village, the sea constantly seems to reappear.

You turn a corner.

Walk beside an old stone wall.

Pass a garden filled with bougainvillea.

And suddenly, at the end of the path, there is the Adriatic again.

Those small visual moments may actually be more memorable than any single attraction.

Silba Beaches: Turquoise Water Without the Big-Resort Feeling

If there is one reason alone to visit Silba during summer, it could easily be the water.

The island has a wonderful collection of beaches and bays.

The Zadar Tourist Board highlights Šotorišće in particular for its sandy seabed and striking turquoise water, while other notable beaches and bays include Ugljanica, Vele Stene, Slatina, Žalić, Dobre Vode, Pernastica and others.

Šotorišće Beach

For visitors looking for the classic turquoise Silba experience, Šotorišće is one of the island’s best-known choices.

Its light seabed helps give the water its characteristic bright colour.

On a sunny day, it can look almost tropical.

It is especially appealing if you enjoy:

• swimming
• shallow water
• relaxing in clear sea
• photographing turquoise bays
• simply spending your limited time on Silba close to the water

Pebble Beaches and Hidden Corners

Silba is not about one enormous commercial beach.

Its beauty lies partly in discovering smaller places.

Walk away from the busiest path and you quickly find rocky sections of coastline, small pebble beaches, clear water and viewpoints overlooking neighbouring islands.

Some are perfect for swimming.

Others are better for simply sitting beside the sea.

This variety gives Silba its character.

Toreta: Silba’s Famous Tower of Love

You should not leave Silba without seeing Toreta, the island’s best-known landmark.

The approximately 15-metre-high stone tower dates from the 19th century and is distinguished by the spiral staircase winding around its exterior.

But architecture is only part of its attraction.

Toreta is connected with one of Silba’s most famous romantic stories.

According to local tradition, sailor Petar Marinić had the tower constructed in connection with his love for Antonija Mauro. The story has become so closely associated with the monument that Toreta is often described as Silba’s monument to love.

Whether you visit because of the architecture, view or legend, Toreta gives Silba something more than beautiful beaches.

It gives the island a story.

Wander Through Silba Instead of Rushing

One of the mistakes you can make on Silba is treating your visit like a checklist.

Toreta? Done.

Beach? Done.

Photograph? Done.

That misses the point.

Silba is best experienced slowly.

Walk.

Take the path that looks interesting.

Notice the stone houses.

Look at the gardens.

Stop when you see the sea between two walls.

The bougainvillea alone can be spectacular, with brilliant pink and purple flowers set against blue Mediterranean skies and traditional stone.

Our photographs from the island capture exactly that atmosphere.

The flowers, stone walls and narrow paths are not merely decorative details.

They are part of what makes Silba feel like Silba.

Why Silba Feels Different From Pag

We love Pag, but one reason Silba makes such an enjoyable excursion is precisely because it feels so different.

Pag is dramatic.

Its rocky landscapes can look almost lunar. It has larger towns, long roads, beaches, restaurants and some of Croatia’s best-known nightlife.

Silba feels softer.

Greener.

Smaller.

Slower.

More intimate.

Experiencing both during the same holiday provides an excellent contrast.

Spend several days exploring Pag, then dedicate one day to travelling from Novalja across the sea to Olib and Silba.

It makes the whole holiday feel broader and more adventurous.

Is Silba Worth Visiting?

Yes — especially if you are already staying on Pag Island.

Silba is ideal for travellers who enjoy:

• beautiful sea
• quiet islands
• photography
• beaches
• nature
• Mediterranean villages
• authentic destinations
• boat trips
• relaxed sightseeing
• travelling away from mass tourism

It may be less suitable if your ideal excursion revolves around shopping centres, nightlife or highly organised attractions.

Silba’s luxury is different.

Its luxury is space, silence, water and simplicity.

And that is increasingly difficult to find.

Silba for Couples

Silba is an exceptionally romantic day-trip destination.

There are no giant attractions fighting for your attention.

Instead you have:

quiet paths, flowers, stone houses, the sea, small beaches and the story of Toreta.

Spend part of your time exploring and then find somewhere beside the water.

For couples holidaying on Pag, it is an easy way to turn an ordinary day into something memorable.

Silba With Children

Silba can also work extremely well for families.

Children often need very little when the sea is this inviting.

Swimming, exploring small paths and travelling aboard a proper excursion boat can become an adventure in itself.

The combined Olib and Silba itinerary also introduces enough variety that the journey does not feel like an ordinary sightseeing tour.

For very young children, bring sufficient sun protection and remember that island exploration generally means walking.

What to Bring on a Silba Boat Trip

For a comfortable day aboard KIT-KAT and on Silba, we recommend bringing:

• swimsuit
• towel
• sunscreen
• hat
• sunglasses
• comfortable sandals or walking shoes
• phone or camera
• waterproof phone pouch
• small backpack
• drinking water
• a light layer for the boat if needed
• snorkelling mask if you enjoy exploring underwater

Do not overload yourself.

Silba is best explored lightly.

Photography Tips for Silba

Silba is extremely photogenic, but the best photographs are not necessarily the obvious postcard views.

Look for combinations of:

pink bougainvillea + blue sky

stone walls + narrow island lanes

turquoise water + pale coastline

Mediterranean greenery + sea

KIT-KAT + Novalja harbour

clear shallow water + distant sailing boats

These images communicate what visiting Silba actually feels like.

For the strongest visual storytelling, alternate wide landscape photographs with intimate details such as flowers, stone walls and village paths.

The Perfect Silba Day Trip From Pag

If you are building a holiday itinerary around Pag Island, a balanced schedule could look like this:

Spend several days discovering Pag’s beaches and towns.

Visit Novalja.

Enjoy Pag’s local cuisine.

Take time to relax.

Then reserve one full day for the Olib and Silba boat excursion.

The change of scenery makes the day feel almost like a miniature holiday inside your holiday.

And because you return to Novalja the same afternoon, you can experience two additional Croatian islands without changing accommodation.

Our Experience With Dolphin Excursions

There are many boat trips on the Croatian coast.

The reason we would recommend this one is not simply because of the destination.

It is the combination.

Novalja.
Open Adriatic.
Olib.
Swimming.
A fantastic fish lunch.
Silba.
A genuinely friendly crew.
And the sail home.

Dolphin Excursions created a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day.

The crew were really friendly, and the trip never felt impersonal.

The fish served aboard the boat exceeded our expectations and became one of the highlights of our excursion.

And Silba itself?

Even better than we expected.

Current KIT-KAT Silba–Olib Excursion Information

At the time of our latest check, Dolphin Excursions publishes the following schedule:

Departure: Novalja main harbour
Departure time: 09:30
Operating days: every day except Friday
Route: Novalja → Olib → lunch aboard KIT-KAT → Silba → Novalja
Departure from Silba: approximately 16:00
Arrival in Novalja: approximately 17:45
Lunch: fish or meat option
On board: Wi-Fi available
Children under 5: currently free
Children 5–12: currently €25
Adults: currently €55

These details were checked against the operator’s published information in August 2026. Prices, schedules and conditions can change, so always verify them directly before travelling.

For reservations and current information:

Dolphin Excursions Novalja – KIT-KAT boat excursions

Frequently Asked Questions About Silba

Where is Silba?

Silba is a Croatian island in the northern part of the Zadar archipelago, between the wider Zadar and Lošinj island areas.

Is Silba worth visiting from Pag?

Definitely. If you are holidaying on Pag, a boat trip from Novalja allows you to combine the Adriatic sailing experience with Olib, Silba, swimming and lunch in one day.

Can you take a boat from Novalja to Silba?

Yes. Dolphin Excursions currently operates a KIT-KAT excursion from Novalja combining Olib and Silba.

Are there cars on Silba?

Silba is known for being essentially car-free and strongly pedestrian-oriented, which contributes enormously to the island’s peaceful atmosphere.

What is Silba famous for?

Silba is particularly known for its beaches, clear turquoise water, peaceful atmosphere, Mediterranean village environment and Toreta — its distinctive 19th-century tower connected with a local love story.

What are the best beaches on Silba?

Šotorišće is one of Silba’s most famous beaches because of its light sandy seabed and turquoise water. Other noteworthy beaches and bays include Pernastica, Ugljanica, Slatina, Žalić, Dobre Vode and Vele Stene.

What should you see on the island?

If your time is limited, combine a walk through the village with Toreta and at least one swimming stop.

Is it good for couples?

Very much so. Its lack of traffic, quiet lanes, flowers, beaches and Toreta’s romantic legend make Silba an especially attractive destination for couples.

Is it good for families?

Yes. A boat excursion, swimming and easy island exploration make it an enjoyable family day trip, although parents should prepare for sun exposure and walking.

How much time do you need on the island?

Silba deserves several days if you want to explore remote bays, but even a few hours during the Novalja excursion provide enough time to experience the village atmosphere, swim and see some of its highlights.

Should I visit Olib and Silba together?

If you are staying on Pag, the combined excursion works extremely well. Olib adds another swimming and island experience without requiring a separate day trip.

One of Our Favourite Day Trips From Pag Island

Some excursions are enjoyable while they last and are forgotten a few days later.

This wasn’t one of them.

We remember leaving Novalja.

We remember the colour of the sea.

We remember the friendly people aboard KIT-KAT.

We remember the fish.

We remember stepping onto Silba and immediately noticing how quiet everything felt.

We remember the flowers against the impossibly blue sky.

And we remember swimming in water so clear that photographs barely capture it properly.

That is why Silba deserves far more attention from travellers visiting Pag Island.

It offers something increasingly valuable on the Adriatic:

simplicity.

A beautiful island.

A beautiful sea.

A boat.

Good food.

Friendly people.

And enough time to actually enjoy them.

If you are planning a holiday on Pag and looking for an unforgettable day trip from Novalja, put Silba Island high on your list.

We would happily go again.

Author: Blaž Fabjan

Blaž Fabjan writes about Pag Island, Croatia and the surrounding Adriatic destinations based on first-hand travel experiences. His guides focus on authentic beaches, local food, excursions and places worth discovering during a holiday on Pag.