Kornat

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Revision as of 20:30, 15 June 2015

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Kornat Island in Croatia.

Kornat/wiki/Kornat

Kornat 43°48′N, 15°20′E43.8;15.333333333333 destination

Anchorage on Kornat Island - Click for larger view

Kornat Island lies 11 miles off the mainland coast of Croatia, 18 miles S of the city of Zadar. Lying in a NW/SE orientation and shaped rather like a long, wingless dragonfly, the island is over 13 miles long but barely 1.5 miles wide at its widest point near the settlement of Vrulje. It is the largest of the Kornati Islands and, together with 88 other islands, forms the beautiful Kornati National Park, one of the most celebrated in the country. There are seven principal anchorages along the more sheltered SW coast of the island as well as several minor ones, but just two on its more exposed (at least, to the infamous bora) NE coast. For full details see below or, for a zoomable summary map of all the anchorages in the Kornati Islands, click on: Map of marinas and anchorages in Kornati Islands. There are Kornati National Park visitor centres, where daily visiting permits can be purchased, at U. Tomasovac at the N end of the island and at Vrulje half way down the SW coast. All the anchorages except U. Statival have restaurants ashore during the season.

Charts

British Admiralty

2711

Croatian charts

MK14

MK15

Imray

M25 (Otok Rab to Sibenik)

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

Diurnal winds among the islands are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5, although gusting is common in narrow channels between islands and on the lee side of headlands. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains affect some of the islands close to the mainland coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared, especially along the coast from Rijeka down to Zadar, although its effects can be felt as far south as Split.

Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast.

For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.

Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)

Zadar is the nearest all-year port of entry. In summer only, Sali on Dugi Otok is also a port of entry.

Berthing Options

Ports

None.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

There are nine principal berthing options on Kornat Island. Beginning at the NW end of the island with U. Tomasovac and continuing anti-clockwise, details are as follows:

U. Tomasovac

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The bay of U. Tomasovac is situated at the NW extremity of the island, a mile SE of the entrance to the popular anchorage of Telascica on Dugi Otok. There are no dangers in the approach, but note that there are shoals extending for over 100 metres off the coast S of the bay. Anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres or pick up one of the (free) mooring buoys provided. The holding is good in sand. Ashore there is a visitor centre of the Kornati National Park, where it is possible to buy a visiting permit (although it is much cheaper to buy it before arriving). There is also a restaurant open during the season. Shelter here is good in settled weather, but strong winds from almost any direction seem to send in a swell and it would be untenable here in very strong W winds.

U. Sipnate

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The bay of U. Sipnate lies SW side of the island just under two miles SE of U. Tomasovac. The bay is partially sheltered from the W by the island of Velo Silo and three smaller islets. There are no dangers in the approach from N, but if approaching from S note that the islet of Tovarnjak has a dangerous reef extending for 250 metres from its NE tip. Anchor in the bay in 5.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. Alternatively pick up one of the (free) mooring buoys. There is a restaurant open ashore during the season. Shelter here is excellent from all directions except NW.

U. Kravlacica

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U. Kravlacica is situated just over two miles SE of U. Sipnate at the N end of a wide bay facing the island of Levrnaka. At the S end of the same bay is the anchorage of U. Striznja. U. Kravlacica inlet offers good shelter from all directions except S. Anchor in 10 - 12 metres and take a line ashore if possible. The holding is good in sand. There is a restaurant open here during the season.

U. Striznja

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U. Strinzja lies just half a mile SE of U. Kravlacica at the other end of a wide bay facing the island of Levrnaka. U. Strinzja offers reasonable shelter in settled conditions, but, like U. Kravlacica, is open S. It is also more affected by W and NW winds than its near neighbour. Anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres or pick up one of the (free) mooring buoys. The holding is good in sand. There are two restaurants open here during the season.

Vrulje

Vrulje inlet on Kornat island - Click for larger view

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The small settlement of Vrulje (arguably the capital of the Kornati Islands) is a mile and a half SE of the anchorage of U. Striznja, opposite the small islets of Mana and Bisaga. The inlet at the head of which it lies offers excellent shelter from all except strong W winds (or, in the outer part, SW). There are no dangers in the approach from N, but in the approach from S note that there is rocky shelf extending 50 metres or so off the S entrance to the inlet. Anchor in 4.0 - 6.0 metres and take lines ashore if necessary. The holding is good in sand and weed. Alternatively, pick up one of the (free) mooring buoys along the S side of the inlet. Depending on your draft, it may also be possible to moor bows or stern-to the quay in the centre of the settlement, between the short stone jetties, or to the end of one of the jetties themselves, using your anchor. Depths here are mostly 1.5 - 2.5 metres, but less towards the head of the two short arms enclosing the settlement. Ashore there is a Kornati National Park visitor centre as well as two restaurants and a small provisions shop.

U. Lopatica

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The bay of U. Lopatica is situated just over two miles SE of Vrulje, protected from S by the islets of Kontnjak and Gustac and, a mile further to the SW, Piskera. Anchor in the NW corner of the bay in 5.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. Alternatively moor up using your anchor on the jetty of the restaurant at the head of the inlet. Depths here are 2.0 - 3.0 metres. Shelter in the inlet is good in all but moderate to strong SE winds.

U. Opat

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The inlet of U. Opat lies at the extreme SW end of the island, opposite the island of Skulj a mile to the S. There are two shoals in the approach to the bay from N and W. One lies 500 metres SW of the W headland of the bay and has just over 2.0 metres over it; the other lies a similar distance N of the N end of Skulj island and has just under 3.0 metres over it. Anchor at the head of the bay in depths of 12-15 metres and take lines ashore to the bollards for security. Good holding in sand (but you need a lot of chain). Alternatively tie up on one of the two restaurant jetties in the NE corner, using the mooring lines laid for the purpose. Shelter here is good from all but S winds.

U. Stiniva

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U. Stiniva is a small and rather exposed inlet on the NE coast of the island, two miles WSW of the southernmost tip of Zut Island. Shelter here is adequate in settled conditions, but it is not a place to head if there is anything N or E in the wind. Moor at the head of the inlet, dropping your anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres to go bows or stern-to the jetty built for the restaurant here. The rest of the inlet is mostly too deep to anchor. Holding is good in sand and weed.

U. Statival

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The wide bay of U. Statival lies at the top NE corner of the island, opposite the NW end of the adjacent island of Zut two miles to the E. Consisting of two inlets, the bay is partially protected from E by the islet of Vela Svrsata, which can be left on either side in the approach. Anchor at the head of the westernmost of the two inlets in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed. There are no facilities ashore. The anchorage offers good shelter in all but SE winds. In these conditions, better shelter can be found in the bight at the NW end of Vela Svrsata.

Offshore Islands

• Zut
• Levrnaka
• Piskera
• Lavsa
• Zakan
• Vela Smokvica

Yacht Services and Repairs

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

No fuel. No water or electricity in any of the anchorages.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Tureta on Kornat island - Click for larger view

The landscape offers poignant reminders of former days
Click for larger view

There are no permanent settlements on Kornat, the sparsely scattered houses being occupied seasonally by fishermen or other owners from the mainland or adjoining islands. A large proportion of the summer residents consists of the restaurant owners and their families and national park staff, including the wardens whose job it is to ensure the regulations are observed. Visitors stepping ashore on Kornat are required to stick to designated paths on the island as much of the land is private property, especially on the landward side. Drystone walls and the occasional straggly plantation are a reminder of the former days of sheep farming and basic agriculture on the islands. The main shore-based attractions for walkers are the high viewpoints of Metlina or Opat, which can be climbed by anyone reasonably fit and offer fantastic views over the archipelago.

Architecturally there are few traces of the various civilizations that inhabited the island in former times, although there are outlines of dwellings and burial tumuli dating from pre-Roman times in several places. Half way down the SW coast, easily reached from the anchorage of U. Kravlacica, is the Tureta, the substantial remains of a squat, powerful fort believed to date to the 16th century and constructed to protect the seaways from pirate and other incursions.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Basic shop in Vrulje only.

Eateries

See entries for anchorages.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Garbage Disposal

Very limited. Best to take it with you.

Transportation

Excursion boats from Zadar only - no ferries.

Routes/Passages To/From

See Croatia.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• Croatia Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

External Links

• Kornat at the Wikipedia
• Kornati National Park
• List of all Croatian marinas
• List of government-owned ACI marinas
• Croatian National Tourist Board
• Find Croatia travel guide
• Wikipedia - Croatia

References & Publications

See Croatia.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)'

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• July 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)

Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington