From its crystal-clear waters to its historic coastal towns, Croatia is famous for many things—but did you know that its islands are full of surprises too? Beyond their natural beauty and laid-back charm, some of Croatia’s islands have taken on shapes so unexpected, you’d think they were drawn by hand. A heart here, a fish there—even what looks like a giant fingerprint imprinted in the sea.

Whether you’re an aerial photography fan, a map enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys discovering quirky travel facts, these oddly shaped Croatian islands might just be the most fun detour on your Adriatic adventure.

Galešnjak – The Island of Love

Let’s start with the most famous one: Galešnjak, also known as Lover’s Island. Galešnjak is so picture-perfect, even A-listers like Beyoncé can’t resist a flyover. Located in the Pašman channel near Zadar, Galešnjak gained international attention in 2009 when Google Earth users spotted its nearly perfect heart shape. Since then, it’s become a popular symbol of romance—and a favorite backdrop for proposals, weddings, and drone photos.

Galešnjak is uninhabited, with no buildings or infrastructure, which only adds to its allure. It’s just you, the shape of love, and the sea. While you can’t stay the night, boat tours from Zadar or Biograd will happily take you there for a romantic afternoon dip or a quick selfie from above (if you have a drone!).

Baljenac – The Giant Fingerprint

A little further south, in the Šibenik archipelago, lies Baljenac (also called Bavljenac), a tiny island that looks uncannily like a fingerprint when seen from the sky. The reason? Its maze of old stone walls—over 23 kilometers of them, packed into an island just 0.14 square kilometers in size.

Built by locals over generations to divide agricultural plots and protect crops from wind, these dry-stone walls (called suhozidi) are now a testament to human history and hard work. Today, Baljenac’s fingerprint-like appearance is a curiosity for tourists and researchers alike, and it’s even been nominated for UNESCO recognition.

Fish Island – Otok Gaz

Next up: an island shaped like a fish. Otok Gaz, part of the Brijuni archipelago near Pula, is small but undeniably fish-shaped. When viewed from above, it resembles a sleek mackerel—or maybe a sardine, depending on your seafood preference.

This island is uninhabited, but its fun shape has made it a favorite for nautical charts and coastal tourism maps. If you’re in Istria, a day trip to Brijuni National Park can include a glimpse of Gaz from a boat—or better yet, from the air if you're into scenic flights or paragliding.

The Heart That’s Not Galešnjak

While Galešnjak may be the best-known heart-shaped island, it’s not the only one! Smaller, lesser-known islets in the Kornati archipelago and around the island of Šolta also have heart-like curves and silhouettes—just less perfectly symmetrical.

Some of them are only visible as "hearts" from certain angles or elevations, but they’re still fun to spot if you’re island-hopping with a curious eye.

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Why Do These Shapes Happen?

There’s no grand design—just a mix of geology, erosion, and a bit of coincidence. Over time, the sea, wind, and tectonic shifts have sculpted Croatia’s coastline into all kinds of surprising forms. Sometimes, it’s pure luck that the final shape looks like something familiar. Other times, it’s a combination of human influence (like Baljenac’s walls) and natural evolution.

Either way, it’s another reason to admire the Adriatic—not just for its beauty, but for the little quirks that make it unique.

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