What Is Kornati?
The Kornati archipelago is 89 islands, islets, and reefs spread across a 35-kilometre stretch of the central Dalmatian coast. The national park covers the outer group — 89 islands with a combined land area of 69 km² inside a sea area of 220 km². No one lives there permanently. The islands are owned by families from Murter island, who use them seasonally for fishing and keeping sheep. Many of the restaurants you will eat at in Kornati are built on privately owned islands with a national park concession.
The geology is dramatic. The outer (western) edges of the Kornati islands are defined by sheer white limestone cliffs dropping straight into the sea — the Krune (Crowns), as they are called — some reaching 100 metres above the waterline. The inner sides of the same islands are low, gently sloping, and almost vegetation-free. The contrast within a single island is striking.
George Bernard Shaw on Kornati: Shaw reportedly wrote that on the last day of creation, God wished to crown his work and "created Kornati out of tears, stars, and breath." This is quoted on approximately every piece of Kornati-related material in existence, so we mention it once and move on.
National Park Permits
Entering the national park requires a permit. Charter boats purchase the permit through the park authority; many charter companies include it in the package price when booking a Kornati itinerary. If booking independently, permits can be purchased online from the Kornati National Park website or from the warden boats that patrol the park. The daily rate for a yacht under 10 m is around €40; over 10 m rises to €60–80 per day depending on size. The permit covers anchoring within the park but not the restaurant mooring buoys, which are paid separately.
It is not possible to anchor in the national park without a permit. Wardens check. The fines are significantly more than the permit cost.
Best Anchorages in Kornati
| Anchorage | Island | Depth (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavsa Bay | Lavsa | 5–14 | Most popular Kornati anchorage; buoys + anchor; restaurant |
| Mana | Mana | 8–16 | Open-sea island; dramatic position; buoys |
| Statival | Kornat (main island) | 6–12 | Long inlet; good shelter; very quiet |
| Vrulje | Kornat | 5–12 | Best shelter in Bora; restaurant; buoys |
| Lojena | Levrnaka | 4–8 | Sandy beach; beautiful; popular with smaller boats |
| Uvala Brbiscica | Zut | 4–10 | Outside the national park; useful waypoint |
The Kornati Cliffs (Krune)
The western edges of the Kornati outer islands drop as sheer white cliffs into the open sea. The best way to see them is to sail along the outer edge from north to south — or south to north — in the morning before the Maestral builds. The cliffs are at their most photogenic in the first two hours after sunrise when the light comes from the east. Motoring slowly along this edge in calm conditions is one of the defining Kornati experiences. Do not anchor here — it is deep water and exposed to open-sea swell.
Restaurants on Uninhabited Islands
Several of the privately owned Kornati islands have seasonal restaurants — konobas accessible only by boat. They operate from May through September and are generally run by the island-owning families who have been fishing these waters for generations. The food is simple: grilled fish, prstaci (date mussels — technically illegal to harvest but still appearing on menus), olive oil, and bread. Reservations via VHF channel 17 or by arriving and waiting. There is no menu; there is whatever was caught that morning.
Sailing Conditions in Kornati
The Kornati channels run broadly northwest to southeast, parallel to the coast. The Maestral fills them from the northwest in the afternoon — reliable 12–18 knots for reaching and broad reaching between islands. The Bora accelerates through the channels and can reach 30–40 knots in strong winter episodes (rare in summer but documented). In summer the Bora warning comes from the northeast and gives a few hours of notice — get into Vrulje or Statival (both deep inlets with excellent Bora shelter) and stay put.
The outer, western edges of the park are exposed to open Adriatic swell. In any southwesterly or westerly forecast above force 4, the outer anchorages should be treated with caution. The inner channels are sheltered from all but the strongest Bora.
Charter Bases for Kornati
Sibenik is the closest base — around 15–20 nm to the southern entrance of the national park. The ACI Marina Sibenik and Marina Mandalina are both popular departure points. Zadar to the north is about 25–30 nm from the Kornati northern entrance and makes a slightly longer first day. Biograd na Moru, between Zadar and Sibenik, is another option with several charter operators based there. Many week-long charters combine a few Kornati nights with stops in Telascica Nature Park on Dugi Otok to the north.
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