The Kornati Islands offer a unique cruising ground
Kornati archipelago lie off the mainland coast of Croatia, 20 miles S of the city of Zadar and surrounded by the islands of Dugi Otok to the N, Murter to the E and Zirje to the S. The group consists of over 140 islands and islets of all sizes distributed on a NW/SE axis over an area of almost 85 square miles. Once generously covered with vegetation, the islands were gradually deforested over several generations to reveal bare, white limestone formations that gleam in the sunlight against the azure blue of the surrounding seas.
Geographically these islands can be divided into two main groups:
Gornji Kornati (Upper Kornati) aka Žutsko-sitska skupina (Žut-Sit group) are located closer to the mainland, including the northernmost island of Sit and the surrounding islets, divided by a channel from Žut and its surrounding islets to the south. Žut is the largest and most indented of these islands.
Donji Kornati (Lower Kornati), including the island of Kornat, are mostly facing the open sea in the southwest.
The islands of Donji Kornati belong to the National park Kornati/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#National_park_KornatiborderNational park Kornati [[Kornati archipelago#National park Kornati|National park Kornati]] National park Kornati;{{|}}%3CPlacemark%3E%0A++++++%3CLineString%3E%3Ccoordinates%3E15.1953883%2C43.8320079+15.2188629%2C43.8450311+15.2217714%2C43.8472777+15.2215649%2C43.8493983+15.2193557%2C43.8529153+15.2173892%2C43.857519+15.2163505%2C43.8581187+15.2123599%2C43.8598858+15.2101597%2C43.861171+15.2079821%2C43.8628056+15.2050132%2C43.8652846+15.2034571%2C43.8673455+15.2035794%2C43.8696329+15.2048711%2C43.8716861+15.2076292%2C43.8730182+15.209622%2C43.8734768+15.2119704%2C43.8735801+15.2164301%2C43.8735996+15.2204666%2C43.8758561+15.2214913%2C43.8762861+15.2220978%2C43.8763284+15.2231078%2C43.8762005+15.2252284%2C43.8752993+15.2268986%2C43.8757663+15.2299403%2C43.8784048+15.2312742%2C43.8787222+15.2367117%2C43.8769722+15.2392057%2C43.876279+15.2415433%2C43.8760815+15.2437427%2C43.8759473+15.246281%2C43.8766082+15.2506938%2C43.8784399+15.253034625070001%2C43.875016583929998+15.25380862634%2C43.875148242359998+15.2548874%2C43.8752408+15.2562795%2C43.8751658+15.2576622%2C43.8749303+15.2589796%2C43.8745301+15.260199%2C43.8740121+15.2618104%2C43.8740906+15.2634218%2C43.8739964+15.2648807%2C43.8735961+15.2662235%2C43.8730575+15.2678639%2C43.8720813+15.2694317%2C43.8710531+15.2710866%2C43.8700485+15.2723496%2C43.8690359+15.274244%2C43.8688868+15.2759877%2C43.8683532+15.277728%2C43.8673797+15.279089%2C43.8659825+15.2816367%2C43.8658962+15.2827254%2C43.8655587+15.2837305%2C43.8651108+15.2848594%2C43.8643969+15.2857957%2C43.8633843+15.288289%2C43.8633136+15.2905052%2C43.8626056+15.2917621%2C43.861932+15.2927798%2C43.8610675+15.2933408%2C43.8602599+15.2937828%2C43.8594368+15.2939941%2C43.8582659+15.293859%2C43.8571809+15.2932211%2C43.8560599+15.2922816%2C43.8550159+15.2901508%2C43.853893+15.287296%2C43.8532852+15.281388293879999%2C43.853314870779997+15.279568%2C43.8531914+15.277112181030001%2C43.852831025290001+15.27455143503%2C43.85305760712+15.28131508333%2C43.848744747330002+15.285106347859999%2C43.84667662535+15.28878289485%2C43.845162469949997+15.29251544435%2C43.842981544350003+15.29599508704%2C43.840676602339997+15.2991439%2C43.8392292+15.3030199%2C43.8377842+15.305283841490001%2C43.836068382100002+15.30804132073%2C43.834634058749998+15.31238904147%2C43.831534295970002+15.31677056875%2C43.828774361100002+15.3273961257%2C43.82211852388+15.3302128269%2C43.821314980060002+15.33219800863%2C43.820513764780003+15.33385460349%2C43.819369460209998+15.337367894390001%2C43.815725667320002+15.34006200798%2C43.81432022688+15.342195645449999%2C43.813582900420002+15.34521479142%2C43.811939868289997+15.34796471179%2C43.809975062379998+15.350577251240001%2C43.807215808530003+15.35855037929%2C43.800088316919997+15.36015227719%2C43.797510364419999+15.3622919%2C43.7949686+15.36499640507%2C43.792020435029997+15.3666594%2C43.790666+15.37220029471%2C43.787302346659999+15.37677%2C43.7841997+15.38011100314%2C43.783324618400002+15.383117115359999%2C43.781969015050002+15.3888009%2C43.7792474+15.3904254%2C43.7776451+15.39144229073%2C43.775720799200002+15.3950418%2C43.7746421+15.3985722%2C43.7729712+15.403781675059999%2C43.770060035690001+15.406618930260001%2C43.768416007820001+15.4081936%2C43.7671353+15.4093045%2C43.7657422+15.4095876%2C43.7653726+15.4106219%2C43.7650266+15.414382195869999%2C43.763693931639999+15.41677922491%2C43.762481984120001+15.4195497%2C43.7618814+15.4248445%2C43.7602061+15.42740857717%2C43.758837439559997+15.43075213567%2C43.757642441770003+15.435012%2C43.7553277+15.440947980380001%2C43.750976948549997+15.44680873163%2C43.750765524880002+15.4521767%2C43.7490846+15.45626974888%2C43.746750778059997+15.4582169196%2C43.744607634429997+15.4620549%2C43.7438876+15.4654333%2C43.7423306+15.4675422%2C43.7401435+15.468520944450001%2C43.739391311349998+15.47205796331%2C43.739133666160001+15.4752559%2C43.7385417+15.4804767%2C43.7370599+15.48325912978%2C43.735653719589997+15.48517775232%2C43.734201999669999+15.488398478780001%2C43.732124495779999+15.49138381613%2C43.730407889399999+15.494690724650001%2C43.72844446549+15.50495697154%2C43.72403611184+15.51565748424%2C43.720311994440003+15.53993747671%2C43.713163893599997+15.54300122447%2C43.711607284940001+15.545393295209999%2C43.707338804450004+15.549318266869999%2C43.702202922589997+15.55298786553%2C43.698379681029998+15.5616563291%2C43.69133283435+15.56390836388%2C43.689410979949997+15.56441499486%2C43.687472607229999+15.56386494507%2C43.685791836900002+15.562598851920001%2C43.684213642510002+15.56165120238%2C43.683502083779999+15.558915897669999%2C43.682461875679998+15.551549220989999%2C43.680347374980002+15.54229120856%2C43.6786928557+15.53261576445%2C43.676674005119999+15.52812831162%2C43.675039137310002+15.52392509581%2C43.673002009080001+15.51944589264%2C43.671401158519998+15.51658413198%2C43.671045163359999+15.51343207383%2C43.671190216779998+15.51042665922%2C43.671271498229999+15.50853575048%2C43.671318642689997+15.50626211472%2C43.670966314010002+15.503916115699999%2C43.670282228399998+15.499925515819999%2C43.668661933110002+15.497646372869999%2C43.667843281090001+15.49423674564%2C43.667427964799998+15.49003199667%2C43.667574961760003+15.48689573411%2C43.667996798510003+15.46676551689%2C43.673283464290002+15.454315421780001%2C43.676063912819998+15.45043628985%2C43.67627267009+15.44638862319%2C43.676211192350003+15.440840455249999%2C43.676578587469997+15.431816585130001%2C43.678482949169997+15.421213%2C43.6838216+15.4171762%2C43.6875277+15.413253926599999%2C43.690719326900002+15.4099686%2C43.6931015+15.395100594520001%2C43.704939994519997+15.38328989146%2C43.714134305899996+15.37872409987%2C43.717502324549997+15.3764567%2C43.7193105+15.3705991%2C43.7228671+15.3667014%2C43.724724+15.3521437%2C43.732687+15.3497809%2C43.7337021+15.3459918%2C43.7360861+15.340337881989999%2C43.738703790670002+15.33531955302%2C43.740791459790003+15.3304376512%2C43.743572195180001+15.3239705%2C43.7475204+15.30191709875%2C43.759029001370003+15.29372650248%2C43.761975460050003+15.286562869739999%2C43.765261549210003+15.279553934100001%2C43.770111355929998+15.2748719%2C43.7739221+15.2722006%2C43.775747+15.2697313%2C43.7776375+15.2675388%2C43.7786826+15.26576870799%2C43.780143244530002+15.25619673317%2C43.784744772389999+15.24936148494%2C43.787266370819999+15.2380377%2C43.7930045+15.2314947%2C43.7999388+15.22912981971%2C43.803566372580001+15.2245551%2C43.8078047+15.2195177525%2C43.80993698252+15.2139543%2C43.8124208+15.2099523%2C43.815585+15.2066741%2C43.818657+15.203274022760001%2C43.823876193030003+15.198608189070001%2C43.828453616879997+15.1953883%2C43.8320079%3C%2Fcoordinates%3E%3C%2FLineString%3E%0A++%3C%2FPlacemark%3E. Although tourism is allowed and even encouraged there, the majority of land there is still privately owned. The park is just S of the island of Dugi Otok where there is another Croatian park, Telašćica Nature Park, located around the homonymous bay of Luka Telašćica.
Mooring in the National park is only allowed in the designated bays, some of which are equipped with mooring buoys. At some of these bay you'd find also a few restaurants. There is also an ACI-operated marina,Marina Piskera, on the SW side of Otok Piskera which is open from April to October only.
Another marina in the archipelago is located at the island of Žut, which is off the limits of the National park.
islet of Purara/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#PurararestrictedPurara [[Kornati archipelago#Purara|Purara]] 43°41.823'N, 015°26.216'EPurara43.69705;15.43693{{|}}%3CPlacemark%3E%0A%3CPolygon%3E%0A%3CouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3CLinearRing%3E%0A%3Ctessellate%3E1%3C%2Ftessellate%3E%0A%3Ccoordinates%3E15.414042598709999%2C43.699985043360002+15.416160640059999%2C43.697698318340002+15.423649058620001%2C43.692166788229997+15.429486379409999%2C43.687973989440003+15.435560826050001%2C43.68390899816+15.44028233944%2C43.681310926560002+15.444004416869999%2C43.67983456636+15.449624148350001%2C43.678608697309997+15.45454139556%2C43.678546378199997+15.45673713147%2C43.679010702379998+15.457985562099999%2C43.679564765649999+15.46006677466%2C43.680545504949997+15.46280605109%2C43.682340595299998+15.46531012915%2C43.684351579709997+15.466984799820001%2C43.686365877980002+15.466993417219999%2C43.687483888769997+15.46694675472%2C43.689118144669997+15.46489582071%2C43.692136571479999+15.46260532698%2C43.694854911509999+15.458483225749999%2C43.698354547569998+15.454181221060001%2C43.701639734990003+15.44828090093%2C43.705275009049998+15.444799200369999%2C43.707395598010002+15.43918447996%2C43.709696245750003+15.43534033581%2C43.710957895900002+15.42888857392%2C43.712358166389997+15.42515777705%2C43.712931026089997+15.4229035651%2C43.71272432104+15.42029099432%2C43.712131866039996+15.418091954519999%2C43.71132284238+15.416128024360001%2C43.710211915610003+15.414636626289999%2C43.708841244559999+15.41361980228%2C43.70751185156+15.41271513097%2C43.705236011289998+15.41270312444%2C43.703472986869997+15.413103670430001%2C43.701364469239998+15.414042598709999%2C43.699985043360002%3C%2Fcoordinates%3E%0A%3C%2FLinearRing%3E%0A%3C%2FouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3C%2FPolygon%3E%0A%3C%2FPlacemark%3E with cliffs Klint, Volić and 1200 m off their coastlines
islet of Mrtovnjak/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#MrtovnjakrestrictedMrtovnjak [[Kornati archipelago#Mrtovnjak|Mrtovnjak]] 43°42.454'N, 015°32.114'EMrtovnjak43.70756;15.53523{{|}}%3CPlacemark%3E%0A%3CPolygon%3E%0A%3CouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3CLinearRing%3E%0A%3Ctessellate%3E1%3C%2Ftessellate%3E%0A%3Ccoordinates%3E15.53567844664%2C43.704750642919997+15.536630816820001%2C43.705197717700003+15.537286259769999%2C43.705581670370002+15.53740862697%2C43.706011114310002+15.538005574190001%2C43.706481339429999+15.538691060270001%2C43.706908144910003+15.53946470212%2C43.70724852939+15.539943318160001%2C43.707740800350003+15.53989018317%2C43.70842907518+15.539570491899999%2C43.709140102239999+15.539040829859999%2C43.709572602980003+15.5382428787%2C43.709834351570002+15.537652011600001%2C43.710052124599997+15.53655555848%2C43.71007874859+15.53566543526%2C43.709975396079997+15.53450666466%2C43.709658278260001+15.53355272201%2C43.709039187160002+15.53283704117%2C43.70854798861+15.532241626759999%2C43.708249735869998+15.53176136842%2C43.707563933140001+15.53187424881%2C43.706918387130003+15.532251969920001%2C43.70605660703+15.533075366709999%2C43.705321764529998+15.534257417339999%2C43.704929262530001+15.53499642876%2C43.704710817500001+15.53567844664%2C43.704750642919997%3C%2Fcoordinates%3E%0A%3C%2FLinearRing%3E%0A%3C%2FouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3C%2FPolygon%3E%0A%3C%2FPlacemark%3E and 100 m off its coastline
islet of Kolobučar/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#Kolobu.C4.8DarrestrictedKolobučar [[Kornati archipelago#Kolobučar|Kolobučar]] 43°44.389'N, 015°22.947'EKolobučar43.73982;15.38245{{|}}%3CPlacemark%3E%0A%3CPolygon%3E%0A%3CouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3CLinearRing%3E%0A%3Ctessellate%3E1%3C%2Ftessellate%3E%0A%3Ccoordinates%3E15.383969607319999%2C43.743176749760003+15.38521543253%2C43.743215592090003+15.385866631580001%2C43.743019906610002+15.386486660979999%2C43.742587814499998+15.387045858760001%2C43.741919415860004+15.38722007867%2C43.741338311859998+15.38703678872%2C43.740500400960002+15.386526346569999%2C43.73951308294+15.38577800695%2C43.738419055869997+15.3847028277%2C43.737218612059998+15.38342189364%2C43.73629835202+15.382440506849999%2C43.735850099099999+15.381459270060001%2C43.735423337930001+15.380005369059999%2C43.735277637460001+15.37885270174%2C43.735883453249997+15.3784135567%2C43.736787926060003+15.37809301175%2C43.737692007920003+15.3781283023%2C43.738594921519997+15.37840109623%2C43.739540056590002+15.37876192169%2C43.740334396649999+15.379211048649999%2C43.741020941430001+15.380135615129999%2C43.741856421500003+15.3814748463%2C43.742604518980002+15.38263400055%2C43.743009187989998+15.383969607319999%2C43.743176749760003%3C%2Fcoordinates%3E%0A%3C%2FLinearRing%3E%0A%3C%2FouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3C%2FPolygon%3E%0A%3C%2FPlacemark%3E and 250 m off its coastline
islets of Mali and Veliki Obručan/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#Mali_and_Veliki_Obru.C4.8DanrestrictedMali and Veliki Obručan [[Kornati archipelago#Mali and Veliki Obručan|Mali and Veliki Obručan]] 43°50.042'N, 015°13.609'EMali and Veliki Obručan43.83403;15.22682{{|}}%3CPlacemark%3E%0A%3CPolygon%3E%0A%3CouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3CLinearRing%3E%0A%3Ctessellate%3E1%3C%2Ftessellate%3E%0A%3Ccoordinates%3E15.22225315225%2C43.832817769579997+15.223380279080001%2C43.832407095009998+15.224536931739999%2C43.831953351339997+15.225457003900001%2C43.831779561360001+15.226496673690001%2C43.831820533799998+15.22753723149%2C43.832097999+15.22854858412%2C43.832504514519997+15.22914381424%2C43.832825843720002+15.229799592459999%2C43.833448054649999+15.23018856112%2C43.834199794539998+15.230161632390001%2C43.834930860020002+15.229838984220001%2C43.836006518239998+15.22933623816%2C43.836588024249998+15.228744292509999%2C43.837148203870001+15.227944251829999%2C43.837665789429998+15.22714355349%2C43.838011367939998+15.226401290409999%2C43.838098822550002+15.2253315688%2C43.837993406759999+15.224409810939999%2C43.837737192040002+15.223963469199999%2C43.837523052420003+15.22336932767%2C43.837502699189997+15.222687023720001%2C43.837740516449998+15.221441684%2C43.838344912860002+15.220107441470001%2C43.83901396556+15.21921717939%2C43.839252156880001+15.218118518%2C43.839361731689998+15.21752397495%2C43.839233847160003+15.21689903929%2C43.838912513399997+15.216630477600001%2C43.838569010310003+15.21648042633%2C43.838139283910003+15.21656754298%2C43.837580112319998+15.21683249146%2C43.836913106319997+15.21757228888%2C43.836137707420001+15.218638712400001%2C43.835340187500002+15.219764121720001%2C43.834435043909998+15.220889809919999%2C43.83361588999+15.22225315225%2C43.832817769579997%3C%2Fcoordinates%3E%0A%3C%2FLinearRing%3E%0A%3C%2FouterBoundaryIs%3E%0A%3C%2FPolygon%3E%0A%3C%2FPlacemark%3E and 200 m off their coastlines
Entrance
Zadar is the nearest port of entry. In summer only, Bozava and Sali on Dugi Otok are also ports of entry.
Fees / permits
Visiting the park is paid on a per boat basis. Tickets can be bought either at a tourist agency outside the park or alternatively the park's rangers issue tickets in situ, but bear in mind that this way you'll pay twice the "outside" price.
For more details check the links Ticket prices and fees and Spots of commission ticket sales at the bottom of Useful information page at the park's official site.
-- actually the marina is at the island of Vela Panitula, next to the island of Piškera
Anchorages
Most of the anchorages are on the largest of the islands, Kornat, but there are further anchorages on the islands of Levrnaka, Lavsa, Zakan and Vela Smokvica.
The landscape offers poignant reminders of former days
The islands of the archipelago are arguably best appreciated from the sea or, if you are interested in marine life, underneath it. In addition to having national park status, much of the archipelago is also a marina conservation area and sea life is abundant in many of the bays and anchorages. Snorkelling is free, but scuba diving requires a separate permit, issued only to local Croatian diving establishments. Fishing is also prohibited without a licence.
Ashore, there are no permanent settlements, 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 are required to stick to designated paths on the islands 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 on Kornat island or Litnji Vrh on Smokvica island, 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 islands in former times, although there are outlines of dwellings and burial tumuli dating from pre-Roman times on several of the islands. Half way down the SW coast of Kornat island 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.
Visitor's information
There are two information centres on the islands of the park:
Park Information Centre (Ravni Žakan)/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#Park_Information_Centre_.28Ravni_.C5.BDakan.29otherPark Information Centre (Ravni Žakan) [[Kornati archipelago#Park Information Centre (Ravni Žakan)|Park Information Centre (Ravni Žakan)]] 43°43.557'N, 015°25.817'EPark Information Centre (Ravni Žakan)43.72595;15.43029
Park Information Centre (u. Vrulje)/wiki/Kornati_archipelago#Park_Information_Centre_.28u._Vrulje.29otherPark Information Centre (u. Vrulje) [[Kornati archipelago#Park Information Centre (u. Vrulje)|Park Information Centre (u. Vrulje)]] 43°48.511'N, 015°18.484'EPark Information Centre (u. Vrulje)43.80851;15.30807
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Kornati archipelago and this page's details validated:
September 2010 -- Vadp 12:29, 20 November 2014 (GMT)
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.