Escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in a landscape unlike any other in the Adriatic. The Kornati National Park, an archipelago of around 89 largely uninhabited islands, islets, and reefs, is a nautical paradise renowned for its raw, stark beauty, crystal-clear waters, and sense of profound tranquility. Often described as having a “lunar” landscape due to sparse vegetation on the outer islands, Kornati offers a unique sailing experience, best discovered at a leisurely pace.
While stunning, navigating this labyrinth requires awareness, and there’s no better vessel for the job than a catamaran. Your catamaran charter provides not only comfort but crucial advantages: the shallow draft allows access to countless beautiful coves inaccessible to deeper monohulls, and the stability makes anchoring in these secluded spots a dream.
Starting from the historic cities of Zadar or Šibenik, this 7-day itinerary guides you through the heart of the Kornati National Park and the adjacent Telašćica Nature Park on Dugi Otok. Get ready for incredible snorkeling, breathtaking viewpoints, unique dining experiences, and unforgettable starry nights.
Thinking of exploring this unique archipelago? Find your ideal catamaran with SkipperCity.
The Route Overview (Example from Zadar):
- Day 1: Zadar to Sali (Dugi Otok) or nearby bay
- Day 2: Sali to Telašćica Nature Park (Mir Bay / Katina)
- Day 3: Telašćica to Levrnaka Island (Kornati NP – Lojena Bay)
- Day 4: Levrnaka to Ravni Žakan / Piškera (Kornati NP)
- Day 5: Exploring Central Kornati (e.g., Mana Island, other bays)
- Day 6: Kornati NP (e.g., Opat Bay, Kornat Island) to Žut Island (outside NP)
- Day 7: Žut Island back to Zadar
(Note: A similar route can be adapted starting from Šibenik, potentially entering Kornati from the south near Opat)
Important Notes for Sailing Kornati:
- Park Tickets: Valid tickets are required for sailing and staying within both Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park. Purchase them online in advance for better prices or from official park boats/offices. Fees depend on boat size and duration.
- Provisioning: Facilities within the parks are extremely limited. Stock up thoroughly on food, water, and supplies in Zadar or Šibenik before you leave. Our Provisioning Guide can help.
- Water & Fuel: No reliable water or fuel sources within Kornati NP. Conserve water onboard. Ensure fuel tanks are full. ACI Marina Piškera (within Kornati) and Marina Žut (outside NP) offer some facilities, but always check availability/status.
- Restaurants: Several excellent, remote konobas exist within Kornati, often offering mooring buoys or small jetties for patrons (booking essential!). Examples include Konoba Opat, Konoba Levrnaka, Konoba Festa (Žut).
[Add/Verify other recommended Kornati restaurants] - Weather: Be mindful of the weather, especially the strong NE Bura wind, which can funnel fiercely through the islands. Always check forecasts and seek secure shelter if needed.
- Navigation: While stunning, the islands can look similar. Careful navigation using charts and GPS is essential. Watch out for shallows and submerged rocks, especially in less-trafficked bays – another reason a catamaran’s shallow draft is beneficial.
Day 1: Zadar to Sali (Dugi Otok) / Nearby Bay
- Approx. Distance: 12-15 NM
- Approx. Sailing Time: 2-3 hours
Departure: After check-in and provisioning in Zadar (consider Marina Zadar or Marina Borik), depart southwards, navigating through the Zadar Channel between the mainland and Ugljan/Pašman islands.
Route Highlights: Enjoy views of Zadar’s waterfront from the sea. The passage takes you towards the long island of Dugi Otok (“Long Island”).
Destination: Sali or nearby: Sali is the main village on Dugi Otok, offering a bustling small harbour, shops for last-minute items, and restaurants. Alternatively, find a peaceful anchorage in a nearby bay like [Recommended Anchorage near Sali].
Things to Do: Explore Sali village, have dinner ashore, or enjoy a quiet evening at anchor preparing for the parks ahead.
Mooring/Anchorage:
- Sali Harbour: Town quay with water/electricity (can be busy).
- Anchoring: Possible outside the harbour or in nearby coves.
Tip: Sali is your last chance for significant provisioning before entering the more remote park areas.
Day 2: Sali to Telašćica Nature Park (Mir Bay / Katina)
- Approx. Distance: 8-10 NM
- Approx. Sailing Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Route Highlights: A short sail south along the coast of Dugi Otok brings you to the entrance of the magnificent Telašćica Bay, a designated Nature Park adjacent to Kornati NP.
Destination: Telašćica Bay: This huge, deeply indented bay offers numerous anchoring options and stunning scenery, including dramatic cliffs on the seaward side and a saltwater lake inland. Aim for the inner part near Mir Bay or the passage near Katina island.
Things to Do:
- Hike to Lake Mir: Walk from Mir Bay to the saltwater lake, known for its reputed therapeutic mud.
- Cliffs Viewpoint: Hike up to the viewpoints atop the dramatic cliffs (“Stene”) on the outer edge of the bay for breathtaking views over the open Adriatic and Kornati islands. Be cautious near the edge!
- Swim & Snorkel: The bay offers countless spots for swimming in clear, calm water.
Mooring/Anchorage:
- Buoys: Numerous concessioned mooring buoys are available throughout Telašćica Bay (park fees apply, collected by rangers). This is the most common way to stay overnight.
- Anchoring: Possible in designated areas, but buoys are generally preferred and encouraged. Check local signage/charts.
Tip: The hike to the cliff viewpoint is highly recommended for unforgettable photos, especially closer to sunset. Your stable catamaran provides a comfortable base camp.
Day 3: Telašćica to Levrnaka Island (Kornati NP – Lojena Bay)
- Approx. Distance: 5-7 NM
- Approx. Sailing Time: 1-1.5 hours
Route Highlights: Navigate out of Telašćica (likely via the Mala Proversa passage) and officially enter the Kornati National Park. The landscape changes, becoming more rugged and sparsely vegetated.
Destination: Levrnaka Island: Home to one of the Kornati’s most famous spots: Lojena beach/bay. Lojena is unique for its sandy seabed (in parts) and pebbles, creating stunning turquoise water colours.
Things to Do: Swim and snorkel in the beautiful waters of Lojena bay, relax on the beach (accessible by dinghy or swimming), hike up the hill on Levrnaka for panoramic views across the Kornati archipelago. Enjoy dinner at Konoba Levrnaka (booking essential, may offer moorings).
Mooring/Anchorage:
- Buoys: Mooring buoys are available in the bay near the restaurant/jetty (expect fees, park ticket also required).
- Anchoring: Possible further out in the bay, depending on space and wind. Good holding in sand/weed. Can get crowded.
Tip: Lojena is exceptionally beautiful but can be popular. Arriving earlier or later might offer a more peaceful experience. This is where your catamaran’s shallow draft might allow anchoring in slightly less crowded spots.
Day 4: Levrnaka to Ravni Žakan / Piškera (Kornati NP)
- Approx. Distance: 6-8 NM
- Approx. Sailing Time: 1-1.5 hours
Route Highlights: A short sail deeper into the heart of the Kornati archipelago. Navigate through the passages between islands, admiring the unique geological formations and stone walls crisscrossing the land.
Destination Options:
- Ravni Žakan: An island with a popular restaurant (Konoba Žakan) offering reliable mooring buoys/jetty space for patrons. Good central location.
- Piškera Island / ACI Marina Piškera: Home to the only marina within the National Park boundaries. Offers protected berths, some facilities (restaurant, small shop – check opening times/stock), but limited water/fuel. Booking essential. Located opposite the small islet of Panitula.
Things to Do: Depending on your choice: Enjoy a meal at Konoba Žakan, use marina facilities at Piškera, swim/snorkel in nearby coves, hike on the islands for views.
Mooring/Anchorage:
- Restaurant Moorings (Žakan): Buoys/jetty usually tied to dining at the restaurant.
- ACI Marina Piškera: Book well in advance. Offers the most secure berthing within the park.
- Anchoring: Possible in bays nearby, e.g., Lavsa bay offers good protection.
Tip: Choosing between a restaurant mooring, the marina, or anchoring depends on your preference for facilities vs. seclusion. ACI Piškera provides the most services within the park itself.
Day 5: Exploring Central Kornati (e.g., Mana Island, other bays)
- Distance: Variable (Short Hops)
- Activity: Exploration & Relaxation
Route Highlights: Dedicate today to exploring the fascinating central part of Kornati at your own pace.
- Mana Island: Famous for the ruins of a fictional village built as a movie set in the 1950s, perched dramatically on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Great hiking and photo opportunities.
- Other Bays: Discover numerous coves and inlets perfect for a swim stop or quiet anchorage. Use your catamaran’s agility to explore.
Things to Do: Hike up Mana for the views, snorkel in pristine waters, find your own private cove for lunch, enjoy the silence and unique atmosphere of the Kornati.
Mooring/Anchorage: Primarily anchoring or using available concession buoys in various bays. Choose based on weather and desired level of seclusion.
Tip: This is where having a skipper with local knowledge on a skippered catamaran charter can be invaluable for finding the best, lesser-known spots.
Day 6: Kornati NP (e.g., Opat Bay, Kornat Island) to Žut Island (outside NP)
- Approx. Distance: 10-15 NM
- Approx. Sailing Time: 2-3 hours
Route Highlights: Spend the morning enjoying a final part of Kornati NP. Perhaps visit Opat Bay on the main island of Kornat, known for Konoba Opat and good shelter, or hike up Metlina peak for a last panoramic view. In the afternoon, sail northeast out of the park boundaries towards the island of Žut.
Destination: Žut Island / ACI Marina Žut: Žut is part of the larger Kornati archipelago but lies outside the National Park boundaries. ACI Marina Žut is located in a deep, sheltered bay and offers good facilities, including a restaurant and shop (better stocked than Piškera usually).
Things to Do: Enjoy the marina facilities, have dinner at the marina restaurant or Konoba Festa (nearby, requires booking/dinghy), hike up Tvrdomešnjak hill behind the marina for fantastic sunset views over the Kornati islands.
Mooring/Anchorage:
- ACI Marina Žut: Offers secure berths with water, electricity, restaurant, shop. Booking recommended.
- Buoys/Anchoring: Possible in bays around Žut, but the marina is the primary destination here.
Tip: The hike for sunset views from above ACI Žut is highly worthwhile, offering a stunning perspective back over the archipelago you’ve just explored.
Day 7: Žut Island back to Zadar
- Approx. Distance: 15-18 NM
- Approx. Sailing Time: 3-4 hours
Route Highlights: A final sail back towards the mainland, navigating likely between the islands of Pašman and Ugljan to reach Zadar. Enjoy the last views of the island world before returning to civilization.
Destination: Zadar Charter Base: Return to your base marina (Marina Zadar or Marina Borik), refuel your catamaran as required, and complete the check-out process.
Things to Do: If time permits after check-out, explore more of Zadar’s attractions like the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun before heading home.
The Kornati Catamaran Experience
Sailing the Kornati National Park is an experience unlike any other in Croatia. Its raw beauty and tranquility are captivating. While requiring a bit more planning regarding provisions and facilities, the rewards are immense, especially aboard a comfortable and capable catamaran allowing access to its hidden gems.
SkipperCity offers a range of bareboat and skippered catamarans perfect for your Kornati adventure, starting from Zadar or Šibenik. Let our expertise guide you through this unforgettable labyrinth.
Ready to answer the call of the wild Kornati islands? Get Your Free Quote for a Kornati Charter! Explore Catamarans Available from Zadar & Šibenik