The flawless beauty of the Kornati archipelago will stun you. The 147 islands within the Kornati cluster offer natural ports and quite bays to make port while sight-sailing. Numerous gorgeous nooks and crannies of the archipelago will make peace and quiet easily available. There are not a lot of touristic accommodations, so coming by boat is necessary, because the most beautiful places are accessible by sea only. Kornati are known far and wide as a nautical and diving paradise, because of the diverse flora and fauna occupying the archipelago.
Kornati region
Let loose your senses whilst sailing in the Kornati region. Every desire satisfied, every need met, every whim looked after. There are plenty of reasons why Kornati are considered a nautical heaven and here are some of them...
The city of Zadar satisfies every taste – traditional cooking and excellent wines, history and culture, sports and fun or a good night out. Built on remains of a Roman forum, the symbol of Zadar, the church of St. Donat, from the 9th century and a place of sanctuary for sailors throughout the ages. Zadar is also famous for its long tradition in glass making – long has it been known in Croatia the quality of glass from Zadar. Other things to experience in the city are the main street, Kalelarge, buzzing with local activity and daily performances and the haunting, yet beautiful sound of the Sea-organ that accompanies anyone walking on the Zadrian promenade. Let Zadar raise your culinary standards with maraschino, a world-know cherry liquor, dalmatian pastichada, kroshtula or “mendulas u curku”. In the vicinity of Zadar, popular island destinations of Dugi Otok, Ugljan, Pašman and the Kornati island cluster await. Some of the more popular beaches in Zadar are the family orientated Borik and Kolovare beaches and the sandy Zaton beach.
A little town situated in the broad bay of Zlatna luka, Sukošan is a comfortable place to enjoy in the summer. The long coastline hides numerous coves and pretty pebble beaches, where you can eat figs and grapes directly from the branches. Proudly, marina „Dalmatia“ servers all seafarers and makes an ideal stopping place for all sailors and charterers. Found in close quarters of Sukošan is the church of St. Kasijan, built in the 11th century and a stunning example of the dedication Croatian people have in preserving their cultural heritage.
„The White City” is the literal translation of Biograd na Moru, a small but beautiful city located in northern part of Dalmatia. Biograd na Moru is known as former capital of the medieval Croatian Kingdom. It was founded on a small peninsula overlooking the island of Pašman. A popular tourist destination with good connection with the mainland, it is surrounded by two bays – Bošana on the north and Soline to the south. Average temperature is 23.9 degrees Celsius in July, which means warm summer sun on beaches with lots of activities to enjoy, from rent-a-boat services and water sports to massages and refreshments. Restaurants and beach bars overlook Pašman and with parties lasting long into the night, it is not uncommon to see people on the other island having a good time as well.
Pirovac is a lovely town set between the coasts of the Adriatic Sea and Vransko lake. The Pirovac bay is a curiosity of nature: cut deep into stone, it boasts above-average sea temperatures that can be found in that area, even as high as 4 degrees Celsius. The climate of the area can be described as mild, meaning hot and sunny summers– perfect for jumping from a deck of a chartered yacht. Numerous cultural manifestations will bring you closer with the locals and the best local restaurants. Having a wonderful evening won’t be hard to do in Pirovac, be it a night out or staying in and stargazing.
Neighbor with Kornati National Park, Murter town is a settlement on the north-western part of Murter island. Murter marina is located in the bay of Hramina and is well shielded from the elements– there also lie some of the most beautiful beaches on the Sibenik riviera. Murter encompasses more than 170 islands in its vicinity, with lots of sandy coastline and natural beauties. To name a few are national parks of Kornati, Paklenica and Krka and Telešćica park of nature. Make sure Murter is on your sailing itinerary because of the numerous fish feasts, concerts and sailing events, like Latinsko Idro regata. The sea around Murter is moody – small in scale, but not to be underestimated. The reason for its unreliability is sudden changes in strong winds that dominate the area. Also, no to be trifled with are powerful sea currents that force a watchful eye on any sailors cruising the area.
A quite lovely town, Betina is built on the eastern slopes of Cape Artić and is joined in a singularity with Murter with no visible border. Famous for shipbuilding, Betina homes numerous caulkers – who make wooden ships using secret knowledge well kept within old family businesses. The marina and the shipyard are located in the bay of Zdrače and from the sea, one can clearly see the peninsula on which old Betina was built.
Enter the magical world of Primošten, where hot summer nights seem to just wisk away. The cobblestone streets and solid rock buildings of the city core make for a fantastical Mediterranean ambiance. In Primošten you can enjoy popular Croatian summer food or go to exclusive restaurants serving many tasty dishes. Primošten boasts as a birthplace of the extraordinary black wine, Babić, known throughout the world, so every wine-lover will be satisfied. The locals make it very easy to take part in plenty of cultural happenings, from traditional music and classical concertos to the best night life on the Adriatic, happening in the biggest discotheque in Dalmatia, Aurora.
Rogoznica lies on Cape Planka which separates the North Adriatic from the South. The protrudes of the Cape makes for a dynamic mix of winds, bringing with them more unstable climates than in the rest of the Adriatic. The settlers of Rogoznica took the weather into consideration while building the Rogoznica harbor and made sure it was guarded by natural protection. Because of this, Rogoznica harbor is known to be the safest harbor in the Adriatic. With a 54 km long coastline, plenty of beautiful sites await the experienced sailor.
One of the oldest Croatian towns, Sibenik is located in middle Dalmatia, on the Krka estuary. The beautiful coastline is home to 242 islands, tiny and big, filled with rich vegetation and pristine blue sea. 4 national parks and 2 parks of nature are just some of the many treasures Sibenik has enstored. Locals, especially families with children, love to enjoy the see at Jadrija and Banj beaches, with thick shade provided by pine. The most famous symbol of Sibenik is the cathedral of St. Jacob, protected by UNESCO. The holy site is built with stone only, without any adhesive material, using the ancient „hole and feather“ technique. There is also the Fort of St. Michael, which is used for numerous manifestations because of the marvelous view from the towers. Sibenik homes Terraneo and Childern`s festival, as well a medieval fair.
When to visit in Kornati region while sailing?
The best time for sailing in the Kornati region is between the days of late May and early September, temperatures not varying very much between parts of the region. Make sure you don’t miss the Kornati, Krka and Paklenica National parks, a must-see. Other attractions of nature, like parks of nature Telašćica and Velebit or attractions of culture, like the cathedral of St. Jacob in Šibenik, are sure to titillate your imagination.