The name Jadrija comes from St. Andrew (sv. Andrija), a small islet with a chapel of the same name that was located directly across from St. Nicholas Fortress and is visible in old depictions of Šibenik. The St. Andrew lighthouse was built on the islet in 1871 and is still in operation today. The story of Jadrija as a beach began in 1922 when the islet was connected to the nearby mainland by an embankment.

The mastermind behind the first Šibenik beach located outside the Šibenik bay was Šime Grubišić-Rovilo, known, among other things, as the first Šibenik tourist guide. He got the idea to build a beach at this location while working on reforesting the coast in St. Anthony's Channel. Given the unwavering support of his fellow citizens, Jadrija Beach was ceremoniously opened on August 6, 1922. Initially, the beach consisted only of cabins on the southeastern side, divided into male and female wings, and a catering facility with a sun terrace. As the needs of bathers grew, private cabins for wealthier Šibenik residents were built. As early as the 1920s, Jadrija hosted the election of Miss Jadrija, as well as water polo matches, followed later by picigin and other water sports. Today, Jadrija is a surfing mecca for the Šibenik region because its coastal position, exposed to every wind, is ideal for windsurfing, and not just during the summer season.

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Over time, weekend houses began to be built on Jadrija, and after the construction of the Šibenik Bridge as part of the Adriatic Highway, Jadrija—which until then could only be reached by boat—was connected to Šibenik by road. Nevertheless, the favorite way to reach Jadrija remains by sea, as the ride offers a panoramic view of Šibenik and the beauty of St. Anthony's Channel. A regular boat line connects Jadrija with Šibenik during the summer months.

Owning a cabin or a weekend house on Jadrija, or simply swimming there regularly, is an integral part of the Šibenik identity, and the doors of the Jadrija cabins, painted in every color imaginable, are a widely known trademark of the area. Due to its importance, Jadrija Beach has been included in the Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia, as has the nearby lighthouse.

Today, Jadrija offers a diverse range of dining options, but it is most famous for its renowned Rušije doughnuts, which are worth waiting in line for. Whether the secret lies in the recipe or the hunger that sets in after enjoying the sea—you will have to find out for yourself, perhaps before or after jumping off the Jadrija diving board, another symbol of the area.