I finally made it!
Kornati National Park has been on my bucket list since I started traveling around Croatia in 2006. Despite receiving several invitations over the years, I never managed to find a day for a trip.
My trip with Maslina Tours not only included a visit to Kornati Island but also a visit to Telašćica Nature Park, a double strike!
Our trip departed from Biograd na Moru, but trips to Kornati are available from all coastal cities between Šibenik and Zadar.
Below the video, I have listed some details about our trip as well as some practical tour tips.
Kornati National Park
Before I share details about our trip, here are a few facts about Kornati National Park and the Kornati Islands in general:
- Kornati National Park was established in 1980.
- The National Park covers an area of 220 km² and includes 89 islands in the Zadar and Šibenik Archipelago. The Kornati Islands as a whole comprise 150 islands.
- The headquarters and administration are located in Murter.
- The largest island is Kornat, with a size of 32 km²; the smallest islands/islets are less than 50 m².
- Kornati Island and the National Park are considered a sailors’ paradise. Large parts of the National Park can be visited with private boats, but only with a valid boat ticket.
- Visit the National Park’s homepage to learn about the rules of conduct and restrictions that apply.
Telašćica Nature Park
Telašćica Nature Park is located in the southern part of Dugi Otok and also covers smaller nearby islets.
Here are some facts about Telašćica:
- The park was designated in 1988.
- The Nature Park covers an area of approximately 70 km².
- To visit the Nature Park, you need a ticket. Tickets are available for individuals, vehicles, and vessels. You can view the price list and purchase locations online.
- Telašćica Bay is the most well-protected bay on the Adriatic coast.
- Lake Mir, a popular salt lake, is where people swim during the summer season. (Some call it the Black Lake.)
- Throughout the Nature Park, there are bicycle and hiking paths.
- The cliffs in the park reach heights of up to 160 meters.
Several ferry connections operate between Dugi Otok and Zadar, allowing you to visit the Nature Park on a self-catered day trip.
Here’s how our trip went:
As mentioned, our trip started from Biograd na Moru, where we arrived shortly before the 9 AM departure time.
We booked with Maslina Tours, a family company operating two boats: one sailing from Zadar, and the one we took from Biograd and Sveti Filip i Jakov.
Based on the company’s instructions, food and soft drinks were included in the price. We were advised to bring sunscreen, a towel, and swimsuits. (For safety, we also packed a few snacks.)
At 9 AM, all 70 passengers had boarded Sveti Šime I, and it was time to cast off. (The boat can accommodate up to 200 guests, but it was early in the season.)
Our trip went from Biograd south of Island Pašman. During the first part of the trip, our host Pepe served us a rakija and a biscuit. (This likely helped wake us up, and it worked!)
After the refreshment, Pepe took the microphone and explained the trip in several languages. Listening to this, of course, made us all hungry. Around 10:15 AM, the crew served us a sandwich.
At 10:30 AM, we passed the narrow channel between Island Kornat (to our left) and Island Katina. The ship slowed down as the depth was only about 2 meters. On the shore, there were two white stone pyramids used for navigation through the channel.
At 10:45 AM, we reached our lunch stop. We didn’t eat yet; we dropped off the crew responsible for preparing our lunch, then continued straight on.
At 11:05 AM, we arrived at our destination, Telašćica Nature Park.
Visiting Telašćica Nature Park
Pepe told us to be back at the boat by 1 PM and guided us toward the viewpoint.
As you can see in the photo below, the cliffs on this side of the Nature Park are very steep.
From the viewpoint, we followed a path through the woods to reach Lake Mir. A few times, I thought we were lost, but the lake finally appeared. (We later discovered there was a much easier route!)
At the lake, my cameraman decided to go for the year’s first swim. After feeling the water temperature, I decided to wait a few weeks!
We had enough energy to walk around the lake. After the swim, we explored a bit and then walked back to where the boat was moored. There were a few restaurants and coffee bars, so we decided to enjoy a protein-rich drink while taking in the view.
At 1 PM, everyone was back on the boat, and we continued the trip.
Continuing our trip
From Telašćica, we headed toward the Sestrice Lighthouse, which we circled before sailing to our lunch stop at Island Katina.
Shortly before 2 PM, we reached the bay on Katina. The crew we had dropped off earlier had prepared a barbecue lunch with a menu of mackerel, pork chops, and salad. For those who were extra hungry, a second serving was provided.
After everyone finished eating and relaxed a bit, it was time to head back to Biograd. At 3:30 PM, we left our lunch stop.
On the return trip, we were served cake.
At 5:30 PM, we arrived back in Biograd after an amazing day at sea. Finally, I was able to check Kornati off my bucket list!
A big shout-out to the team from Maslina Tours. The staff went above and beyond to make this a fantastic day. I believe everyone truly enjoyed the trip!
If you want to book the same tour we did, here are the contact details for Maslina Tours:
- Website: https://www.boat-trips-maslina.com/hr/
- Booking: +385 95 901 2663, +385 91 763 8201
- E-mail: maslinatours@gmail.com, jelkatours@gmail.com
Practical Tips
- It can be windy when sailing, so bring a light jacket to protect against the wind, just in case.
- Spending 8–9 hours at sea can make you naturally tired, especially after lunch. If you’re bringing kids, they might want to nap on the way back.
- Bring some fruit or a snack, or eat a solid breakfast in the morning.
- Don’t forget sunscreen with a high SPF. The sun is intense at sea, though the boat offers plenty of shade.
- On the boat, you can purchase coffee and alcoholic drinks.
- For the walk in Telašćica, wear good footwear.
- There are changing facilities at Telašćica and the lunch stop, so you can change into dry clothes after swimming before returning to the boat.
Final Thoughts
I hope my video and the information above have inspired you to take a boat trip to Kornati and Telašćica. Personally, this was one of the nicest day trips I have ever done, and I would not hesitate to repeat it in the future.
The nature is truly unique. I doubt there’s anywhere else in the world quite like this place. It’s pure eye candy.
FAQ
How much does a boat trip to Kornati cost?
The trip we went on cost 65€, so expect to pay around that
I cant swim will i still enjoy the trip?
Yes its all about enjoying the nature, swimming is not mandatory
From where is it best to take the tour?
All trips are similar length and offer similar experience, so i would take the tour from where you are staying
