Silba is an island in Croatia with an area of 15 km2, located in northern Dalmatia, south-east of Lošinj, between the islands of Premuda and Olib. It has a Mediterranean climate with 2,570 hours of sunshine per year. Most summer days are hot, bright and clear with light westerly Maestral wind cooling the island in the afternoons.
Silba has an area 15 km2 (6 sq mi) in the shape of number 8, with the village of Silba located at the narrowest point in the middle. It takes only around 10 minutes to walk the 600 m from the north-eastern harbour of Mul to the south-western harbour of Žalić (Zhaleech).
Officially, Silba's population is 292, but it varies seasonally; from a few hundred, mainly pensioners, in the winter, to several thousand during summer months. Many have jobs and properties on the mainland. There is also an influx of tourists during the summer months as tourism is now the main economic activity on the island. The whole island is a pedestrian zone, no traffic is allowed with the exception of vehicles supplying the local businesses.
Zadar is Silba's mainland administrative centre; it is part of the Zadar County.
The island has numerous small beaches and coves. The main public beach Sutorišće (Sotoreeshche), located close to the harbour of Mul, has very clear shallow waters with sandy bottom. On Žalić, there are a number of pebbly beaches and a pier. Ships carrying passenger and commercial traffic dock here.
There are a number of coves outside the village that can be reached by footpaths. On the southern side of the island, at walking distances of about 30–45 minutes, are:
Vele Stene (Large Rocks), the only point on the island where the shores are steep and rocky.
Port Sv. Ante, favoured with yachtsmen because it is protected from major winds.
One can also view a small chapel on the side of the bay.
Dobre Vode, a beach with shallow sandy bottom.
Nozdre, a big cove with characteristic flat rock formations cut out by the sea.
On the north side of the village is the highest point on Silba, Varh (86 m). The northern shore is less accessible than the southern due to rocky shores, however, there is a path leading north out of the village to the small port of Papranica. Further on along the path, about an hour’s walk from the main village, is a cove Pernastica, which is considered one of the nicest coves on the island. It faces westwards towards the sunset and has a long shallow sandy bottom.
