Sveti Nikola Island

Školj, orSveti Nikola Island, seen from Budva

Sveti Nikola Island (Montenegrin/Serbian: Острво Свети Никола, Ostrvo Sveti Nikola or Otok Svete Nikole in Croatian) is an island on the Adriatic Sea, in Montenegrin municipality of Budva.

About the island

Sveti Nikola island is located opposite to the town of Budva, 1 km from Budva's old town. The island is 2 km long, and it has an area of 36 hectares (89 acres). Highest point on the island is a cliff that rises 121 m above the sea.

The island is a popular excurison site in the Budva area. It has three bigger sandy beaches of total length of 840 metres (2,760 ft), and numerous small beaches around the island, accessible only by boat.

Deer inhabit the uncultivated part of the island. The island is called Školj by Boka Kotorska Croats^{[citation needed]} which is an ancient Croatian word for island used throughout Dalmatia^{[citation needed]}, while the youth refers to it as "Hawaii" island.

Probable owner of the island

An advisor of Thaksin Shinawatra has confirmed that the ousted Thai prime minister is holding a Montenegro passport.

Noppadon Pattama also confirmed that Mr Thaksin is bidding to purchase Sveti Nikola island in the country, located in Southeastern Europe. Thaksin's advisor says the former prime minister sees the potential that the island could be developed into a tourist destination.

Thailand and Montenegro have established diplomatic relations since late 2007. But neither country has had an embassy or consulate in the country.

Mr Thaksin has been living in exile. He was convicted of corruption in absentia.^{[citation needed]}

See also

Budva Riviera