Cres Island

Cres Island is located near the top of Croatia, between the Istrian Peninsula and the mainland, below Rijecki Bay. At the south end, Cres Island is joined to Losinj Island by a bridge, and a road runs the entire length of this long skinny island down to Losinj. The island does not see huge numbers of tourists and is only lightly populated. The north portion of the island is home to a colony of protected griffin vultures, as well as eagles, hawks, buzzards, and many other species.

Cres is well known for the large number of birds that nest on the island.

The southern portion of Cres Island is more populated than the north and sees a more mild climate because it is more protected from the bura winds which race across the north side of the island. The center of the island contains the large Vransko Lake, which supplies water to the island. The main communities on the Island of Cres are the towns of Cres, Osor, Martinscica and Valun.