Beaches Sheltered from Afternoon Maestral (NW Wind): Istria County (Istra) (71)
Geomorphological guide to 71 coves and beaches in Istria whose eastern and southeastern coastal orientation (55°–215°) provides natural leeward shelter from the afternoon summer Maestral breeze (NW, 315°)—ensuring calm afternoon swimming (97.2% rated "Excellent" by IZOR). View all 217 beaches in Istria →
Wind Patterns & Natural Shelter (Istria)
Istria’s western coast (from Umag to Pula) is naturally sheltered from strong north-easterly Bora winds by the Učka mountain range, ensuring calm waters even during breezy days. The eastern coast (Rabac) features deep, turquoise bays beneath steep slopes.
Map of All Beaches & Coves: Istria
Interactive map (71 beaches) loads as you scroll…
Quick jump to town or municipality in Istria
AC Kažela - FKK
AC Kažela - FKK III
AC Kažela - Textil Strand
AC Medulin - Mali poluotok (punta)
AC Medulin - Markovi brigi
AC Medulin - Škrape
AC Medulin - Spoj mali poluotok
AC Stupice - Južno od poluotoka
AC Stupice - Poluotok
AC Stupice - Rt Munat
Hotel Holiday - Ispod hotela
Mala Kolumbarica
Pomer - Plaža prema ACY Marini
Portić
Uvala Bijeca - Plaža
AC Amarin - Molo
AC Polari - Plaža Polari
Crveni otok - Uvala istočno od nasipa
Crveni otok - Uvala zapadno od nasipa
Otok Katarina - Uvala Lone
Otok Maškin - FKK, južna strana otoka
Punta Corrente - Rt Kurent
Škaraba - Rt Rusi
Škaraba - Uvala Velika Škaraba
TN Villas Rubin - Mali molo
Uvala Kuvi - Plaža
Val de Lesso
Hotel Girandella - Ispod restorana
Hotel Lanterna - Ispod hotela (istok)
Hotel Lanterna - Ispod hotela (zapad)
Hotel Marina - Ispod hotela
Hotel Merkur - Ispod hotela
Hotel Neptun - Ispod hotela
Hotel St. Andrea - Ispod hotela
Rabac naselje - AC Maslinica I
Rabac naselje - AC Maslinica II
Novigrad - Karpinjan
Novigrad - Rivarela
Novigrad - Zidine
Pineta - jug
TN Tere - AC Sirena
TN Tere - Hotel Laguna
TN Tere - Hotel Maestral
AC Stoja - Prema gradskoj plaži
Hotel Histria - Ispod hotela
Punta Verudela - Kod aquagana
Stoja - Gradska plaža
Stoja - Naselje Zelenika
Valovine
Verudela - Svjetionik
AC Marina - Crkvica
AC Marina - Pozicija II
AC Marina - Uvala
Pripanji
TN Ravni - Pozicija I
TN Ravni - Pozicija II
Brestova - Uz pristanište
Plominski zaljev - Dražine istok
Plominski zaljev - Dražine zapad
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Boat trips & experiences in Istria
Book top sea excursions, national park day trips, skippered boat charters, scuba diving, and wine tours in Istria.
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Explore remote beaches, scenic coastal roads, and hidden coves across Istria. Compare rental car deals at airports and hubs like Pula.
Frequently Asked Questions (Istria)
Key facts about sea water quality, bays, and wind conditions in Istria.
Which are the top "Maestral-Sheltered" beaches in Istria? ▾
There are 71 officially monitored swimming spots matching "Maestral-Sheltered" in Istria. Top verified locations include: Punta kod sidra (143°), Val de Lesso (200°), Pripanji (202°), Portić (60°), Mala Kolumbarica (197°), with 69 rated "Excellent" under EU bathing water standards.
How does MareSpot verify "Maestral-Sheltered" in Istria? ▾
MareSpot cross-references official Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IZOR) field inspection tags with coastal open-sea bearing vectors (0°–360°) and real-time marine weather models.
How many official beaches are in Istria and what is the water quality? ▾
Across Istria County (Istra), there are 71 officially monitored swimming spots spread across 16 towns and municipalities. According to IZOR laboratory tests, 69 beaches (97.2%) hold the highest "Excellent" bathing water grade.
Which towns in Istria have the most monitored beaches and coves? ▾
The destinations with the highest number of officially monitored beaches and bays in Istria include: Medulin, Rovinj, Labin, Novigrad Istra, Pula, Raša.
Explore Other Adriatic Regions & Nautical Guides
Compare sea water quality, bay distribution, marinas, and natural shelter along the Croatian coast.
Verified marinas, anchorages, mooring buoys, depth parameters, and 4-wind shelter index for Istria.
Open Nautical Pilot →Islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj & Rab, historic Opatija Riviera & wild turquoise coves
Guide & coves →Zavratnica sea fjord, Pag moonscape bays, Zrće & Planjka in Novalja
Guide & coves →Sakarun white-sand beach, Queen’s Beach in Nin, Pag moonscapes & 300 islands
Guide & coves →Murter sandy coves (Slanica), Primošten peninsula, Rogoznica & Kornati gateway
Guide & coves →Zlatni Rat in Bol, Stiniva Cove on Vis, Punta Rata in Brela, Pakleni Islands & Makarska
Guide & coves →Pasjača cliff beach, Banje beach by Dubrovnik walls, Saplunara sand dunes & Pelješac coves
Guide & coves →Looking for a sheltered cove in Istria?
Try our interactive wind simulator calculating which of the 71 coves is currently in mirror-calm bonaca in real time.