Soline Bay

Soline is a wide shallow inlet on the north-eastern side of Krk where the water is only knee deep a long way out and warms up faster than anywhere else on the island. The bottom is a fine grey mud, and there is a long local tradition of coating yourself in it, letting it dry in the sun and washing it off, on the belief that it helps skin conditions and rheumatism - the claims are folk medicine rather than clinical, and are worth taking as such. The bay was worked for salt in the middle ages, which is where the name comes from. Families come here specifically for the warm shallow water.

The landscape

• Water knee deep a long way out - and warmer than anywhere else on Krk.
• Fine grey mud - used as a coating and left to dry in the sun.
• A folk medical tradition - claims that are not clinically established.
• Medieval salt pans - the origin of the name.

When to go

June to September, when the shallows are warm. Half a day.

What to expect

Medical claims about the mud are traditional, not proven. The bay smells at low tide in hot weather. Parking along the shore fills quickly. Facilities are limited.

Nearby

Klimno is next door; Vrbnik is south on the same coast.