Sailing the Kornati Islands - Natural Beauty and Quiet Bays

Heading north from Split is the area generally regarded as the Kornati Islands, although the southern reaches of this area are best described as the Sibenik archipelago. This area is generally quieter and less cosmopolitan than the Central Dalmatian Islands, making it a perfect spot for lovers of nature and quieter anchorages.

The Kornati archipelago consists of 140 islands, with 89 of them declared a Croatian National Park in 1980 because of its beautiful natural beauty, including numerous coves and crystal clear waters. It spreads over a surface of 114 square miles.

The islands of the Kornati National Park in fact covers less than 1/4 of this total area, but its landscapes, cliffs (especially on the islands facing the open sea), and excellent slalom-like sailing opportunities, make the Kornati National Park unique.

George Bernard Shaw fell in love with the group of islands and during what must have been a particularly romantic moment, said; "On the last day of Creation God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath."

While on your journey around the Islands you can experience traditional culture, from the potters of Veliz Iz, whose tradition is still being carried on by local artists, to Zlarin where you can see a good luck ceremony to wish sailors well in their night search of the red coral that Zlarin is famous for.

The outstanding natural beauty of the Islands can not fail to take your breath away.  There is such a contrast, from peaceful and serene beaches to wild and rugged cliffs, it certainly is a 'sight to behold'.

Weather and Winds

The climate is typically Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast, meaning warm dry summers and mild winters. With 2,600 hours of sunlight on average yearly, it is one of the sunniest coastlines in all of Europe. Expect temperatures around 30 degrees during July/August, down to 23 degrees on average in May/October.

The winds in Croatia prevail from the north west, with an average wind speed of 7/8 knots during the season. Look out for the ‘Bora’, a north easterly that can surprise people if they don’t check their forecasts regularly.

Mooring Fees

Please do be aware that unlike Greece, you will be required to pay marina and port fees. These fluctuate depending on the size of the yacht and location, but can be anywhere from £20 to £60 per night. The facilities in Croatia are however in general very good, with showers and shore power widely available.

How to get there from the UK

There are a wide range of flights to Split from the UK, including easyjet, Jet2, Thomas Cook, BA and Croatia Airlines. You can also begin your journey from Zadar, which is a lovely city and is served by Ryanair from Dublin and London Stansted.

Kornati Island Bases

There are three marinas from which to begin your journey into the Kornati Islands, Zadar, Biograd and Murter. Biograd is just 20km transfer from Zadar airport or 100km from Split. The base in Murter is 40km from Zadar or 80km from Split Airport.

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