When you think Croatian coast, your skin warms up from the imaginary sunshine. Your toes feel a gentle dent from the dreamed-up stroll along a pebbly beach.
And then there’s a sweet wave of goosebumps as the fanciful cool sprinkle lands on you.
Am I right?

Sakarun - famous sandy beach on Dugi otok island, photo by Paul Prescott
The sun and the sea on the Croatian coast are so hypnotic that we always yearn a close encounter with them.
And when I say close, I don’t only mean intimate. I also mean near. Because when our whole body immerses in this summer reverie, it’s like admiring a blown up photo with a single detail.
You senses adjust to the object as if they were a photographer’s micro lens. There is sharpness in every grain of sand and every sea drop. Every cell in your body responds to beauty with sharp acuity.

Happy swimmer, photo by Paul Prescott
But what if you could step back and see the big picture too?
What if you could soar up and catch the view of the Croatian coast from high above?
Then your encounter with the Adriatic sea would change. In a second, you could have an eye-opening moment because the same object would become beautiful in more than one way.

Lake Telašćica nature park, photo by Paul Prescott
Just like any change of perspective causes a profound a-ha discovery.
And let’s face it: who wouldn’t want to float in the air to get that?
Unusual map of Dalmatian coast
The photographer Paul Prescott did just that. When I asked him why he shot Croatia from the air, he replied:
People are attracted to colours, and when they look at my photos, they end up feeling happy. It’s some kind of eye and soul therapy.
When you switch your point of view, colours change. They become more intense, maybe even more real.

Primošten town, photo by Paul Prescott
And as you broaden your field of vision, the shapes too start to acquire different meanings.
From you favourite sunning spot, the shore may seem to stretch for ever. But switch to the bird’s eye view and you’ll quickly recognise Croatia’s most celebrated beach: Zlatni Rat.

Zlatni rat - Croatia's celebrated beach on Brač island, photo by Paul Prescott
This curious zooming effect goes in the opposite direction too. The shapes that seem familiar from your human close-up perspective can diffuse into abstract textures. Like the fish pods off the Croatian coast.

Fish pods, photo by Paul Prescott
Suddenly, they lose their pragmatic purpose. And all that is left is a gorgeous art canvas – a tapestry of colours, shapes and emotions.
Read more post on places to visit in Croatia.
Why the best pictures of Croatia are from high above
Have you heard of Galešnjak – the famous Croatian island of love? When you see the heart shape it creates in the sea, it’s hard to dispute its nickname.

Galešnjak - Croatian island of love, photo by Paul Prescott
But someone had to see it from high above to make this sweet discovery. Imagine if they didn’t.
Imagine if you sailed next to it without ever knowing how close you were to love incarnate?
Maybe we can’t fly like the birds. But Paul’s aerial pictures of the Croatian coast will give you just as much excitement.
They will take you up and broaden your horizons. And with your senses open to new vibrations, you will see the new map of Croatia.
na trenutak je tako uvjerljivo bilo ljeto kroz ove predivne fotografije i komentare, a onda opet stvarnost brrrrr…
a onda uskoro, prije nego kažeš keks, opet ljeto 🙂
GORGEOUS!!! Love the perspective, so much story to be told on the bold choices that were made way-back-when. Beautiful photos and another fun story!
Thank you Melissa, I am glad you’re enjoying the Photos of Croatia series 🙂
Gorgeous! I shared this post on Facebook, Very Hungry Traveller.
Thank you, Sarah!
Great shots. Did you make any videos too?
I am not sure. You will have to ask Paul. Look him up on Facebook and ask him, he’d be happy to reply. 🙂
Just WOW! What beautiful pictures! I love croatia so much but sometimes its hard to catch its beauty in picture, you did a great job here! =)
Very kind regards from Patricia
Thanks Patricia. I work with many excellent photographers on my blog and promoting their fantastic work!