Kornati Islands: best sailing spots

For sailing enthusiasts, the Croatian Kornati Islands are an idyllic destination, renowned for their breathtaking beauty in the whole Mediterranean Sea. The 149 islands, islets, and reefs in the vicinity of Sibenik and Zadar can be accessed with ease departing from these cities; however, since the entire expanse is part of a safeguarded National Park, you will require an entry fee for every day you spend there.

The Kornati National Park is rich in pristine nature and history dating back to the prehistoric era, and it’s perfect to discover by boat hopping from one island to another. The archipelago offers a variety of activities, from swimming, snorkeling, and diving in the beautiful and clear waters, to hiking and exploring the lands. It’s up to you and your crew to shape the holiday according to your preference! 

So, if you’re planning to spend your next sailing holiday in Croatia, keep reading this article to discover the best places to visit in the Kornati Archipelago: we’re sure you’ll make up your mind in a blink of an eye!

To book your holiday in the Kornati Islands, check out our boat availability here.

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Lojena Lagoon - Levrnaka Island

Also called the pearl of Kornati, it’s the only sandy beach in the whole archipelago as well as one of the most beautiful in the whole Adriatic Sea. It boasts pristine waters and a white-sanded beach that stretches along the bay. Surely a unique location for a day of snorkeling in these turquoise waters! 

Levrnaka is the fourth largest island of the archipelago and one of the few that faces the open sea. 

On the island, you can also find a konoba (tavern), which is in business since 1994 and offers great local cuisine dishes.

Another great konoba we strongly recommend visiting is the Konoba Žakan, located in the southwestern bay on the homonym island of Ravni Žakan. The turquoise waters of the bay are the perfect background for a relaxing lunch surrounded by nature, whilst the little harbor facing the restaurants offers a good place to moor for the day.

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The Crown - Mana island 

Here’s where you can find the longest cliff above sea level, also known as crowns, and called strmac by locals. The one on Mana Island is the longest (around 1350 meters) and it’s a true spectacle to view from the boat - with favorable weather conditions, of course.  

These huge vertical cliffs are typical of the Kornati islands, and can rise up to 80m from sea level - the highest is on Klobučar island. They’ve been sculptured by the wind and the sea for centuries, and they present different features according to the island they belong to. Around the cliffs, it is also possible to spot some unique birds using the wall to build a safe nest, such as peregrine falcons.

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Lake Mir - Dugi Otok

Located on the southern side of the Nature Park Telašćica, right between Telascica bay and the sea lays the beautiful Lake Mir (literally, Lake Peace). This lake is saltier than the sea, due to evaporation phenomena and its isolated position, and therefore very poor in biodiversity; but the turquoise color and the pristine vegetation around it, create a surreal landscape. 

The whole Nature Park is definitely worth a visit: one of the most popular trails we recommend doing is a 2km circle around the lake, with stunning views of the archipelago. Expect to encounter friendly and lovely wild donkeys along the way, this is their natural habitat! 

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Old lighthouse - Sestrica Vela

Sestrica island is a very peculiar islet of the archipelago because it houses a huge lighthouse overseeing the Adriatic Sea. This beautiful tower is around 28 meters tall and dates back to 1876, but the best part is that it is still perfectly preserved and hosts two bedrooms that can be rented for an exclusive and unique stay!

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History and ancient buildings - various islands 

Even though it might look quite desolated, the Kornati Archipelago features ancient buildings that remark the presence of communities throughout the centuries. 

The Fortress Tureta on the island of Kornati is a defensive castle dating back to byzantine times, used by militants to control both the lands and the sea.  

The Church of our lady Tarac is a modest building dating back to the 17th century, erected from the ruins of an older basilica that stood in the same place. 

Ancient Romans walked these lands too. We can find a few buildings dating back to that era, such as the Villae Rusticae in Proversa. Many of these buildings are now under the sea, due to the gradual rise of the water. 

Finally, ruins of small square dwellings can be found on many islands and islets demonstrating the presence of humans during the prehistoric era, who were mostly herders and fishermen.  

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Not to miss! 

Dolphins are often spotted in the Kornati archipelago, as they populate this area to search for food and to reproduce. They are very playful and quite used to the presence of humans, so be ready with your camera! Head to the island of Pasman if you want to be sure to spot them. 

We remind you to enjoy the presence of wild animals keeping a safe distance.