Ošljak (island)

Ošljak is a very small inhabited island in Zadar County in the Adriatic Sea, off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. It is commonly cited as Croatia’s smallest permanently inhabited island.

A single coastal settlement and a compact shoreline are the main features; the island is used for fishing, small-scale agriculture and short recreational visits by boat. Visitors typically come by private boat or local taxi-boat to swim, walk along the shore and see traditional stone houses.

The island has been inhabited for centuries and has been part of the maritime economy of the Zadar archipelago, with settlement patterns shaped by fishing and coastal trade. Over time it has remained a small community rather than developing into a larger port or resort.

Ošljak sits in the Zadar archipelago of the central Adriatic Sea, within Zadar County and close to larger islands and the city of Zadar on the mainland. Access is by water from nearby ports and villages on the mainland and neighbouring islands.

• Small size: Often described as Croatia's smallest permanently inhabited island; population is very small and fluctuates seasonally.
• Practical access: No regular vehicle traffic and limited services mean visitors should bring supplies and plan transport in advance.