Barbat – Isola di Rab

Barbat is located in the southwestern part of the island of Rab. Between the villages of Barbat and Pudarica are numerous beaches with the characteristic of having very fine sand (difficult to find in Dalmatia) as well as clear waters. Pudarica is one of these beaches, the largest and the best equipped in terms of services for tourists but also the most crowded because of easy access from land, along the two villages you will be able to find other smaller but more reserved beaches, in this area you are also protected from the bura but to be recommended in case of sirocco that creates current and an annoying wave.

The island of Dolin is arranged parallel to the island of Rab forming a channel (maximum speed 6 knots, strictly adhere to the maximum speed, harbormaster presence is constant).

To access from the south to the beach and village of Pudarica and then to the anchorage of Barbat one must enter the channel, the entrance is marked with a flashing light (2 seconds) and the advice is to proceed slowly and to keep to the right while staying clear of the south side of Dolin Island, an area where there are dangerous shallows and outcropping rocks. From the sea Pudarica is easily visible, there is a pier (depth two meters overhead) with a bar.

Barbat is visible just after the series of beaches, and there are numerous small piers here, most reserved for restaurant and guesthouse customers. The entrance to the channel from the north, on the other hand, is marked by a white flashing beacon (two seconds and 7 m high).

Barbat is a quiet place, if you are looking for busier days the nearby island of Pag has better offerings, otherwise if you are looking for clean air and less influx of tourists the island of Rab is a more appropriate choice. It’s worth leaving the coast, where construction is beginning to increase, and going into the still unspoiled forests where you will be able to appreciate the scents of rich Mediterranean vegetation.

The village of Rab, further north, is famous because “the 4 bell towers” can be seen from the sea, and a stop is almost obligatory since the village is very old and in the past was a crossroads of different cultures. The tallest and also the oldest bell tower is the one erected for the monastery of St. Andrew. The paved streets are perfect for soaking in the past since cars are forbidden here; walk from the ports to the highest point of the town to the church of St. Christopher.