Kornati archipelago
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to the Kornati Islands in Croatia.
| Kornati archipelago
| |
 The Kornati Islands offer a unique cruising ground | |
 | Interactive map of marina and anchorages |
The Kornati Islands (or 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.
The majority of the islands are the part of the National park Kornati (a notable exclusion is the island of Zut). Although tourism is allowed and even encouraged, the majority of land there is still privately owned.
For many visitors to Croatia, the Kornati Islands are the highlight of their trip and a visiting yacht has perhaps the best experience of all - at a price. Since the designation of the majority of the islands and the surrounding waters as a national park in 1980 the authorities have increasingly taken steps to mitigate the impact of tourism, and a typical 13 metre yacht visiting today (2015) will need to part with 250 kuna (about Euros 33) per day for a permit if purchased before arrival and 500 kuna (Euros 66) if not. Permits are purchasable (look here for current rates) at most of the marinas on the adjoining mainland coast and in Sali on Dugi Otok or (at the double price) from the visitor centres or patrol boats in the national park itself.
In the National park Kornati mooring is only allowed in the designated bays, some of which are equipped with mooring buoys and several with restaurants. The only other mooring options among the islands is the ACI-operated Marina Piskera on the SW side of Otok Piskera which is open from April to October only.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 515
- 2711
- Croatian chart
- MK13
- Imray
- M25 (Otok Rab to Sibenik)
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.
Passages
See Croatia.
Islands
- Part of the Kornati park
- Kornat |
– anchorage | - Lavsa | – anchorage |
- Levrnaka | – anchorage |
- Vela Smokvica | – anchorage |
- Zakan | – anchorage |
- Outside the Kornati park
– port of entry || 
– harbour || 
– marina || – anchorage ||Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Entrance
Zadar is the nearest port of entry. In summer only, Bozava and Sali on Dugi Otok are also ports of entry.
Berthing
- Marinas and yacht clubs
- Marina Piškera -- actually the marina is at the island of Vela Panitula, next to the island of Piškera
Anchorages
The 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.
Facilities
Water
See Marina Piskera
Electricity
See Marina Piskera
Toilets
In Marina Piskera.
Showers
N/A (Not Available).
Laundry
None.
Garbage
Bins in Marina Piskera.
Supplies
Fuel
Not available in the islands; nearest fuel station is Zaglav on Dugi Otok
Cooking gas
None.
Chandlers
None.
Services
Repairs
None.
Internet
N/A.
Mobile connectivity
Is there mobile telephone signal such as G4, G3, GPRS in the island? How strong is the signal? Are there any blind spots?
Vehicle Rentals
None.
Provisioning
- Marina Piskera Minimarket
- Vrulje in Kornat Basic shop
- Marina Zut minimarket
Transportation
No public transport available, albeit there are numerous excursion boats coming from a number of popular spots on the mainland.
For nearest option see Sali Transportation.
Eating out
- Marina Piskera Restaurant
- Kornat Several restaurants in the coves
- Marina Zut Restaurant
- Zut Several restaurants in the coves
Tourism
History
Give a short history of the island.
Places to Visit
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.
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)
Links
- Kornati archipelago at the Wikipedia
- National park Kornati
- Anchorages map in Kornati and Telašćica
- Kornati islands at Tourist board of Murter
- Kornati Restaurants at Tourist board of Murter
References & Publications
See Croatia.
Comments
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:
- July 2005 --Athene of Lymington 15:04, 21 April 2012 (BST)
- 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. |
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Names: Haiqu, Athene of Lymington |
