Levan Island

Visit Pula Review

Levan Island offers a fun sandy beach experience in the middle of Medulin Bay, with shallow water, easy access by taxi boat and plenty of food and drink options. For many visitors, it feels like a small beach club on a sandbank: music, sunbeds, cocktails, and a relaxed, holiday atmosphere.

However, this is not a pristine, low-key island. In high season, Levan becomes very crowded with day-trippers and large excursion boats, prices for loungers and food are high, and several areas and structures feel worn or untidy, with rubbish sometimes visible. Boat and jet-ski activity close to shore can disturb the setting, and reviews are very mixed – some people enjoy the lively vibe, others leave disappointed and would not return.

Overall, Levan is a solid 3★ choice: memorable for its sandy beach and easy family-friendly access, but held back by crowding, commercialisation, and lack of polish. If you come early, know that it is busy and pricey, and treat it as a simple beach outing rather than an untouched island escape, it can still be an enjoyable half-day or full-day trip from Medulin and Pula.

About Island

Levan Island is a very small sandy islet set in the middle of Medulin Bay, within easy reach of the wider Pula area. You can walk a simple loop around the island in about 10–15 minutes, moving from the main sandy bay to low dunes and rocky edges with views across to the mainland and nearby islets.

The landscape is a mix of soft sand and low coastal vegetation rather than tall pine forest, so natural shade is limited and most people rely on umbrellas or the shade of beach bars. The focal point is the long sandy beach where boats land, sunbeds are lined up and most visitors spend their time swimming, relaxing and enjoying drinks and meals by the sea.

Levan is uninhabited in the traditional sense, but in summer it feels like a floating beach club: restaurants, music, anchoring boats and plenty of people. Some visitors love the easy-going, holiday vibe and shallow family-friendly water; others find it crowded, a bit run down and overpriced, especially in peak season. It works best for those who want a simple half-day or full-day beach trip rather than a nature hike or historical excursion.

List of amenities

• Beach bars serving drinks, snacks and cocktails.
• Restaurants offering simple meals and lunches.
• Sunbed and umbrella rental on the main sandy beach.
• Taxi-boat pier / landing area.
• Mooring buoys and anchoring area for private boats off the bay.
• Basic toilets provided by bar/restaurant venues.
• Trash bins in limited number (can overflow in peak season).
• No public showers on the island.
• No public drinking-water taps (bottled water sold at bars).
• No lifeguards on the beach.

Getting there & parking

Levan Island is reached almost exclusively by small taxi boats that shuttle across from the Medulin shoreline and nearby beaches. The ride typically takes less than 5 minutes, and boats run frequently throughout the main season, especially on sunny days.

In addition to taxi boats, excursion boats sometimes stop on Levan as part of wider bay tours, bringing short bursts of larger groups. Private boats and yachts often anchor off the sandy bay or tie to buoys, especially in the afternoon and overnight when the island is calmer.

On the mainland side, you can usually park in Medulin or near the departure points along the seafront, then walk a short distance to the taxi-boat stands. In high summer it’s wise to arrive earlier in the morning to find parking and secure both a boat spot and, if you want one, a sunbed on the island.

Things to do

Beach time & swimming: The main activity on Levan is simply stretching out on the sand and enjoying the shallow sea. Many visitors rent sunbeds and umbrellas for the day, while others bring their own towels and set up on the free sections of the beach.

Snorkeling & paddling: The clear water is pleasant for casual snorkeling and paddling, especially near the rocky edges of the bay, though the central sandy area is more about playful swimming than spotting lots of fish. Sea urchins appear closer to rocks, so care – and water shoes – are recommended.

Walk around the island: A short walk takes you around the island’s low sandy and rocky shoreline. It’s an easy, mostly flat stroll with views back towards Medulin, nearby campsites and other islets of the Pula area, and it gives you a feel for how small Levan really is.

Food, drinks & sunset: Beach bars and restaurants are a big part of the experience. Many people stay for a late-afternoon drink or dinner, enjoying music and the sunset over the bay. Service can be unhurried and prices are higher than on the mainland, so it’s best to treat it as a “holiday treat” outing.

Boating & overnight stays: For those arriving with their own boat, Levan is a popular anchorage. It’s busy with day boats until late afternoon, then often becomes quieter and more atmospheric towards evening and overnight, though it can be exposed to wind when the bora blows.

Tips for families and kids

The shallow, sandy entry into the sea makes Levan attractive for families with children who like to splash and play in the water. The very short boat ride also tends to be fun rather than stressful for most kids.

However, there are important caveats: there are no lifeguards, and at busy times boats and jet skis may pass relatively close to the island. Close supervision is essential, especially near the edges of the main swimming area and around the boat landing zone.

Shade is limited because the island has only low vegetation and few taller trees. Families who don’t plan to rent an umbrella should bring their own shade, hats and plenty of sunscreen. Strollers work on the main sandy section but can be awkward in deeper sand and along the rougher back paths.

For a more relaxed family experience, aim for morning hours before the biggest crowds and excursion boats arrive, or consider a slightly earlier or later part of the season when Medulin Bay is quieter.

What to bring

• Plenty of drinking water, especially if you prefer not to buy drinks all day at the bars.
• Snacks or a simple picnic if you want to limit eating out.
• Sun protection: high-SPF sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and light clothing.
• Beach umbrella or small pop-up shade, particularly if you don’t plan to rent loungers.
• Water shoes to protect from sea urchins and slippery rocks near the edges of the bay.
• Swim goggles or a basic snorkel set for casual underwater exploring.
• Cash and a bank card, as prices are higher and payment options can vary between venues.
• A light cover-up or windbreaker for breezier afternoons, especially if you stay towards sunset.
• Dry bag for phones and valuables during the short boat ride and beach time.
• A rubbish bag so you can easily take any trash back to the mainland.