Kornati Islands Croatia – What to See, How to Visit & Tips

Kornati National Park

Kornati – An archipelago that steals hearts (and blows hats off)

Imagine a place where land gives way to sea, and the sea forms a mosaic of 89 islands, islets and reefs. This is Kornati National Park – the treasure of the Adriatic, stretching over 320 sq. km. between Zadar and Šibenik. Although you won't find palm trees and noisy promenades here, Kornati compensates for this with its pristine beauty, wild nature and...absolute tranquility.

These stone wonders are often referred to as a ‘sailor's paradise’, but you could just as well call them ‘nature's favourite maze’. This is no coincidence – the Kornati Islands account for as much as 12% of all Croatian islands (and there are 1,264 of them!), although only a handful of them are inhabited. The rest? Wild, beautiful and ready to be discovered.

Cliffs, caves, coves – a landscape straight out of an adventure film, but without the green screen. This is where you can go boating, have lunch with a view, swim in crystal clear waters and take photos that will win all the hearts on Instagram. If you are planning a holiday in Croatia and you don't visit Kornati... well, it'll be like being in Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Except that Kornati is much much older and there are no queues for the lift. 😉

Safety first:

Your safety is not an afterthought for us — it is the absolute foundation of every sea adventure. Our crew are experienced sea dogs who know the Adriatic like the back of their hand. The ship meets all safety requirements: from technical inspections and certificates to all mandatory rescue equipment.

⚓ We obey the captain – his word is law at sea. If he yells ‘put on your life jacket’, we put our life jackets on. If he says ‘we're going back to port’, we go back to port. The sea does not negotiate.

⚓ Change of plan? Weather conditions? We monitor them as often as a chef checks on the oven. Sometimes the weather plays tricks on us. Then the captain may change the route, shorten the cruise or cancel it altogether – all for YOUR safety. It's better to have a coffee in the harbour than be fighting the waves.

⚓ Respect for nature – Kornati is a natural treasure. Therefore, we do not collect shells, crayfish, mussels, snails or anything else that lives in the sea. We do not want to contribute to high fines or sad stories about endangered species.

⚓ Prohibitions in protected areas – We comply with all rules applicable in Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park. No messing around, just complete relaxation and respect for nature.

⚓ Who should think twice? – If you suffer from severe seasickness or motion sickness, this cruise may not be the best idea for you. We will ensure a smooth route, but we cannot perform miracles with the waves.

Your task? Relax, take in the views and enjoy the day, knowing that you are in safe hands. 🌊🛟

What a typical Kornati boat trip looks like?

• 08:00 Departure from the port of Zadar. Branimir coast.

• 08:30 Departure from the port of Zadar. Drażenica

• 09:00 Aperitif – welcome toast (rakija) and breakfast (ham and cheese sandwich) on the boat. Cruising along the Kornati Islands and viewing of the cliffs.

• 11:30: The first stop for swimming - the beach in a gorgeous cove at Katina Island.

• 12:30: Lunch at a restaurant on the island (grilled mackerel, chicken, salad, bread, water, juice and wine).

• 13:30: Second stop: Lake Mir in Telašćica Park. One of the few salt lakes in Europe. An opportunity to go for a swim in the sea and/or in the salt lake.

• 16:30 The third stop is the charming fishing village of Kukljica on the island of Ugljan. Swimming, exploring the picturesque village, walking around for an ice cream or buy some souvenirs.

• 18:00 Arrival in Zadar.

• Timetables are important... but the sea writes its own script.

  ⏰ The times of individual items on the programme are approximate (except for the departure times – which are set in stone!)
  🌊 During the voyage, our schedule may change slightly, depending on what Mr. Sea & Mrs. Weather have in store for us.
  📢 Therefore, it is important to pay attention to what the crew is saying and adhere to the meeting times, which will be announced on an ongoing basis.
  👉 This will make every stop and every swim a pure pleasure, rather than a last-minute rush.

  The sea likes surprises — we, on the other hand, love it when our dear guests are bang on time!

With a limited number of trips, we always put the comfort, safety and entertainment of our passengers on top of our priorities. That is why our spacious ship is designed for the comfort of its passengers and is even equipped with a sun deck, covered outdoor areas with seating and tables, a bar and, of course, toilets.

👉 Want to experience Kornati yourself? Check available boat tours from Zadar