Kornati

Day 1: Northern gateway, clear-water lagoons, and an easy first night A gentle introduction to the archipelago. Enter the park early, before the afternoon Maestral builds, and aim for a relaxed swim-and-sail day with short hops and plenty of time to settle on a buoy before sunset. Buy your park ticket online in advance to save money and time when rangers do spot checks.

• Morning: Depart from Murter/Biograd bases at first light and enter via Proversa Vela or Proversa Mala (use visual pilotage; reefs and shallows abound). Pause for coffee while slowly threading the channel by Katina; keep speed down and eyes out for fishing gear.
• Midday: Pick up a buoy in Uvala Levrnaka (Anica/Lojena field) for swimming and snorkelling at Lojena beach (arrive by late morning in July–August; it fills fast). Lunch on board and conserve fresh water—there are no public supplies here.
• Afternoon: A 1–2 hour sail through the inner channel via Lavsa and Gustac to ACI Marina Piškera or the nearby Ravni Žakan buoy field (pre-book Piškera in peak season; it’s the park’s only marina). If you want to dive tomorrow, arrange with a licensed centre here for one of the Panitula or Rašip zones.
• Evening: Sunset stroll up the low ridge above Piškera or Panitula for big-sky views. Dinner at a konoba (book ahead; fish is sold by weight). Quiet hours are observed—keep generators and music low after dark.

Day 2: The outer “crowns” and dramatic cliffs With settled weather, trace the wild southwest edge where islands drop into the open Adriatic. This is Kornati at its most theatrical—plan your timings so you round headlands before the Maestral peaks and avoid the outer route if a Jugo or Bura is forecast.

• Morning: Depart early and skirt Rašip Veli and Mana for cliff-side vistas and the film-set ruins on Mana (go ashore only where paths exist; no collecting or fires). Maintain a safe offing; swell wraps around these points.
• Midday: Swim and snorkel on the lee side of Mana/Rašip if conditions are calm, then continue to a managed buoy field for lunch (good options: Strižnja or Šipnate on Kornat). In peak season, expect a tender to come for buoy fees—cash helps.
• Afternoon: Sail on to Uvala Opat at the SE tip of Kornat or settle in Šipnate if you prefer a livelier bay (reserve restaurant berths by phone; spaces go early). If diving, today’s the day for a guided wall dive in a designated zone.
• Evening: Moor on a konoba pontoon or buoy and linger over a long dinner (order peka in advance if offered). Tip: winds usually ease after sunset, but rig extra lines if a night-time Bura is hinted in forecasts (watch for a clear, cool NE).

Day 3: Stone walls, quiet channels, and a hilltop panorama Slow the pace and step into the islands’ human story—dry-stone walls, tiny hamlets, and a hike for a grandstand view. Sail the calmer inner channel, then exit the park unrushed.

• Morning: Short hop to Vrulje on Kornat and take a buoy. Walk through the hamlet to the chapel and old oil-mill remains, then hike a nearby ridge (carry water, hats; there’s no shade). Respect walls and gates—these are working landscapes.
• Midday: Lunch at a small family konoba in Vrulje or Strižnja (call ahead; menus depend on the morning’s catch), followed by a swim from the boat. In shoulder seasons, this is blissfully quiet.
• Afternoon: Meander north along the inner coast past Kravljačica and Šipnate, pausing for one last snorkel stop. Time your exit through a Proversa channel while visibility is good and the Maestral is easing.
• Evening: If returning to base, plan a calm final leg before dusk; otherwise, spend a last night on a buoy near the park boundary. Dispose of rubbish ashore and keep black/grey water contained—discharge is prohibited in the park. For safety, monitor multiple forecasts (including local ALADIN) and keep VHF 16/112 in mind for emergencies.

Notes for all days:

• Arrive at buoy fields by mid-afternoon in July–August. Use buoys wherever provided; anchoring is restricted to protect seagrass.
• Dive only with licensed centres in designated zones; fishing is prohibited inside the park.
• In off-season, many konobe and Piškera close—be self-sufficient, and treat Bura/Jugo forecasts conservatively.

By Air

• Zadar (ZAD) is the closest airport. Driving times to main embarkation points: Zadar marinas 15–20 min; Sukošan (D‑Marin Dalmacija) 15–20 min; Biograd na Moru 30–40 min; Murter (Marina Hramina/Jezera) 1–1.5 h; Šibenik 50–60 min.
• Split (SPU) is the next best option. Driving times: Šibenik 50–60 min; Murter 1.2–1.5 h; Biograd 1.5 h; Zadar/Sukošan ~1.5–2 h.
• Zagreb (ZAG) works for long‑haul connections; allow ~3–3.5 h by car to Zadar/Šibenik region.

By Train

• There is no rail to the islands or Murter/Biograd. The coastal hubs are better served by bus.
• Long‑distance trains run to Split from Zagreb (approx. 6–7 h). From Split, continue by intercity bus to Šibenik, Biograd, Zadar or Tisno/Murter (2–3 h depending on route).
• Limited regional rail reaches Šibenik via Perković; most travellers still use buses for speed and frequency.

By Bus

• Frequent intercity services connect Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik with Zadar, Šibenik and Biograd (typical times: Zagreb–Zadar 3.5–4 h; Split–Zadar 2.5–3 h; Zagreb–Šibenik ~4–4.5 h).
• Local buses run from Zadar/Šibenik to Tisno (bridge to Murter), and onward to Jezera, Betina and Murter town; also to Biograd and Pakoštane. Expect 60–90 min from Zadar to Murter via Tisno, and ~45–60 min Zadar to Biograd.

By Car

• Use the A1 motorway. Typical routes/exits: for Zadar/Sukošan use Zadar 1/2; for Biograd use Benkovac; for Murter use Pirovac (then over the short bridge at Tisno); for Šibenik use Šibenik exit.
• Approximate driving times: Zagreb–Zadar ~3 h; Zagreb–Šibenik ~3.5 h; Split–Šibenik ~1 h; Zadar–Biograd ~30–40 min; Zadar–Murter ~1–1.5 h.
• Paid parking is available at major marinas (Zadar, Sukošan, Biograd, Murter, Šibenik), which serve as launch points to the park.

By Boat

• The national park is accessible only by sea. There is no public ferry into the park itself.
• Main departure marinas/ports for private boats, charters and organised excursions: Murter (Marina Hramina, Jezera), Biograd (Marina Kornati), Sukošan (D‑Marin Dalmacija), Zadar, Šibenik, and Vodice; also Sali on Dugi Otok.
• Typical underway times to the park’s edge (calm conditions, motor-sailing): from Murter 30–60 min; Biograd ~1.5–2 h; Zadar/Sukošan ~2–3 h; Šibenik/Vodice ~2–3 h.
• Options:
  • Bareboat/skippered yacht charters from the above marinas (most common).
  • Day trips on licensed excursion boats from Zadar, Biograd, Murter, Vodice and Šibenik (seasonal, prebook).
  • Private water taxis/boat transfers arranged via local operators in Murter/Biograd/Šibenik (pricey but flexible).
• Park entry tickets are required for vessels; buy online in advance or via authorised sellers outside the park for lower prices.