The Complete Guide to the Kornati Islands- Croatia’s Nautical Paradise

An excursion to the Kornati Islands in Croatia is a definite must! The only way to see this amazing nautical paradise is by boat and your day will consist of sightseeing dazzling blue, crystal clear waters against the raw beauty of the many large and small islets. The Kornati Islands is an archipelago that consists of 140 islands and 89 of these islands and islets belong to the Kornati National Park.  Be prepared to be charmed with the remote “desert island” feel with this complete guide to the Kornati Islands in Croatia!

Planning a Trip to Kornati- The Logistics

What to Pack

Travelling around Croatia in the summer time is probably the best when it comes to good weather. In the winter, it can get pretty cold and is also known to snow on occasion too. I’ve made an essential Travel Packing list that you can use so you have everything you need for your trip and be prepared for any season.

If you are interested in upping your photography game then you may also want to see what’s in our camera bag for all the best travel photography gear we use when we travel. There is plenty of beautiful spots around Croatia so be sure to pack a good camera!

Accommodation

This link is the best place to find the cheapest rates on Hotels, I always find the cheapest rates on here-

How To Get to Kornati Islands in Croatia

My recommendation would be to arrange a few nights stay in Zadar. From this beautiful little town you are central to a lot of main attractions that you can tick off your Croatia bucket-list, such as; Plitvice lakes and Krka Waterfalls. You can also arrange day tours like we did to get to the Kornati Islands from Zadar or even other towns like Šibenik, Trogir & Split. 

You have plenty of options when it comes to visiting the Kornati National Park, including hiring your own boat, hiring a private charter (sailboats or speedboats) with a captain who does the navigating for you so you can enjoy the sites, or even full-day kayaking adventures.

There are a lot of small tour companies around Zadar that arrange daily trips to the Kornati National Park. You will find several of them around the wharf and also in “Stari Grad” which is in the old part of town. Just make sure you compare a few different tour companies and their prices to make sure you get the best deal on offer.

---

Discover Unique Amazing Ways to experience your city! Try popular experiences like Mystery Picnics, Food & Wine tasting experiences, and even At-Home experiences on AmazingCo!! (You won’t regret it!)

---

What to see & do in Kornati Islands National Park

The way you experience the Kornati Islands will largely depend on the kind of tour you take, but what you can expect is a mix of land and sea activities, taking advantage of the unique limestone-karst terrain and underwater eco-system.
 
There’s plenty of wildlife to see in the Kornati archipelago, but a lot of it is hard to spot. This includes reptiles (snakes and lizards) and birds (eagle owls, buzzards, peregrine falcons, kestrels). But the true attraction here is what goes on under the water, where brightly colored fish, moray eels, and crustaceans dart in and out of caves and grottos, among coral and sponges.

Be sure to strap on goggles and a snorkel and view this wonderland from above as you float on the surface.

---

Find top-rated tours and activities in your destination with the help of GetYourGuide. Find the best activities for your trip with the help of over 2 million trusted reviews. Best price guarantee. Easy cancellation. Easy online booking. Thousands of destinations.

Search GetYourGuide

Search

One of the most beautiful beaches you will find is on Otok Levrnaka, the Lojena Beach. Make sure your day trip to the Kornati Islands in Croatia includes a visit here. The water is turquoise blue and so incredibly clear. I had one of the most refreshing swims in the ocean whilst visiting this small island.

Speaking of beaches, the Kornati islands are an ideal swimming destination, with a mix of sandy beaches on tranquil bays, and dramatic cliffs that are just low enough to be safe to jump off of, just high enough that you’ll still look like a daredevil when you do it. Better yet, thanks to the seclusion of the archipelago, you’ll never have to share your swimming spot with more than a handful of people.

Get the Luminar 4.Trial download

For some other local recommended swimming spots, check out Telascica and Saharun, pristine bays on the island of Dugi Otok, Lojena beach on the island of Levrnaka, or Opat, a large bay on Kornati with a restaurant and a boat dock.
 
If you’re looking to throw a bit of cultural heritage in with your outdoor time, the islands are speckled with ruins, including the remains of the ancient city of Colentum, at the foot of Mount Gradine at the Northern tip of Murter. On Kornati, the Byzantine Fortress of Tureta leaves a bit more scope for the imagination, with its stone archway looking out to sea. There are also a number of centuries-old churches scattered across the islands too.

---

More on Croatia…

6 Amazing Things to Do in Zadar, Croatia

Why You Need to Visit Plitvice Lakes in Croatia

Visiting Krka Waterfalls in Croatia

Edit Photos Like Me-

I use Luminar Ai to edit all my photos for social media and my travel blog. Click on the link to receive 40% off the normal price!
Use this link for a FREE TRIAL on the Luminar Ai 

* This post includes affiliate links and any purchases made through these links will earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep this site going!*

Like this Post? Save it on Pinterest!

Follow me on Instagram