Kozada (Kotež) Island

Visit Pula Review

Kozada Island is a small, low-lying Brijuni islet that feels wild and simple: no crowds, no infrastructure, just clear sea, rocky-pebbly coves and quiet views back towards Pula and Hidrobaza.

It’s best for confident swimmers, snorkelers and small groups of friends who enjoy jumping off the boat, exploring rough paths and having a peaceful anchor stop with a bit of history in the background. The ruined seaplane station and overgrown structures add character, but the real draw is the easy access to the water and the sense of being away from it all while still close to town.

Most visitors experience Kozada as part of a half-day boat or kayak outing from Pula or Štinjan, with a relaxed swimming stop in the middle of the Brijuni scenery. Come on calm, sunny days when the sea is clear and you can really enjoy the views and snorkeling.

About

Kozada is a small uninhabited island on the edge of the Brijuni archipelago, opposite Štinjan and the Hidrobaza area near Pula. Low and rocky with patches of vegetation, it feels like a wild outpost looking towards the city, but without the noise and bustle.

In Austro-Hungarian times, Kozada served as a hydroplane station and pilot training centre, taking advantage of its sheltered position close to the naval base in Pula. Today those military days are gone, but crumbling walls and overgrown remains still peek through the green, giving the island a subtle historical backdrop rather than a polished attraction.

Now the focus is on simple pleasures: anchoring nearby, swimming in the clear sea, a bit of snorkeling, and picking your own way along the low coastline. There are no paths in the classic sense, just natural, uneven rock and informal tracks created by visitors, so it suits people who like a basic, natural environment rather than a landscaped beach.

Most people experience Kozada as a short swim stop or half-day visit combined with nearby spots such as Sv. Jerolim or the Štinjan coastline. It’s a quiet option when you want Brijuni nature and history without a full-day, structured excursion.

List of amenities

• No toilets on the island.
• No bars, restaurants or kiosks.
• No drinking water points.
• No showers.
• No lifeguards on duty.
• No official rubbish bins – take all waste back to the mainland.
• Simple access for small private and excursion boats to approach and drop anchor nearby.

Getting there & parking

Kozada is reached exclusively by sea. Visitors usually arrive as part of small boat excursions from Pula or Štinjan, by taxi boat, or with their own small vessel. Many tours include Kozada as a swimming and snorkeling stop together with other Brijuni-area coves.

If you are coming with a private boat, Kozada is suitable for shallow-draft boats to approach and briefly moor or anchor off the Pula-facing side. Skippers normally choose a calm day with light winds and check local regulations for Brijuni National Park before stopping.

For organised tours and taxi boats, departure points are typically Pula harbour or the Štinjan / Hidrobaza area, where you can find standard seaside parking along the coast. In peak summer it is wise to arrive a bit earlier to secure a spot along the waterfront streets.

There are no roads, vehicles or formal infrastructure on Kozada itself, so once you step off the boat it is just rocks, paths and sea.

Things to do

Swim and snorkel on the Pula-facing side. The most commonly used swimming area is the side of Kozada that faces towards Pula and Hidrobaza. Here you find rocky and pebbly entries into clear water, good for jumping in or easing yourself in slowly. The seabed is mostly rock with patches of sea grass, making snorkeling pleasant for spotting small fish and underwater details.

Explore the coastline on foot. There are no marked trails, but you can walk around sections of the island on unmarked, natural paths over uneven rocks. Good shoes help on the jagged limestone, and you’ll be rewarded with changing viewpoints towards Brijuni, Pula and the open sea.

See the remains of the seaplane station. Discreetly tucked into the vegetation are the remains of the former Austro-Hungarian hydroplane base. These structures are crumbling and not maintained, so any exploration should be careful and entirely at your own risk – they are more for distant admiration and photos than for climbing.

Enjoy a quiet anchor stop. For many visitors, Kozada is simply the peaceful middle point of a boat trip: a place to drop anchor, swim a few times, sunbathe on deck and enjoy the feeling of floating between Pula and the Brijuni islands.

Tips for families and kids

Kozada is not a classic family beach. The coastline is mostly rocky with some pebbly patches, and access to the water can be uneven and slippery. This makes it better suited to confident swimmers and older children rather than toddlers or anyone needing very gentle access.

There are no lifeguards, no marked bathing areas and no facilities at all. Parents should keep a close eye on children near the water and around the crumbling remains of the former seaplane station, which should be approached cautiously and not used as a playground.

The island has low vegetation and limited natural shade, so in the middle of the day it can feel hot and exposed. A good strategy for families is to visit in the morning or later afternoon, keep the stop relatively short, and treat Kozada as part of a wider boat trip rather than a full-day base.

Strollers and wheelchairs are not practical on Kozada due to the rocky terrain and lack of paths. Plan to carry small children and keep things simple – swimming, a short explore, then back on the boat.

What to bring

Because Kozada has no services, you need to be fully self-sufficient. Consider bringing:

• Plenty of drinking water and light snacks or a picnic.
• Swimwear, towels and spare dry clothes for the boat ride back.
• Strong sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
• Water shoes or sturdy sandals for rocky entries and walking along the coast.
• Mask and snorkel if you want to enjoy the underwater scenery.
• A light bag or dry bag for valuables and to keep things protected on the boat.
• A small first-aid kit for minor scrapes on rocks.
• Rubbish bag so you can take all waste back to the mainland.