Kornati Full Day, Lunch Included

Cruise from Zadar to Kornati and Telašćica on a full-day boat trip that lasts 9 hours. Lunch is included on board during the day.

Overview

This full-day boat trip runs from Zadar's Liburnska obala quay out to Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park, a nine-hour round trip with two long stretches on the water and two stops ashore. A breakfast sandwich is handed out soon after departure, and later in the day a packed lunch of fish and chicken comes with wine and an aperitif. Vegetarians can request grilled vegetables or pasta in tomato sauce instead.

The route passes through the 109 islands of the Kornati archipelago, where grassy hills, rocky cliffs and karst-limestone formations line the channel. There is a swim stop in the Adriatic inside the park, then time at Telašćica Bay, one of the largest natural ports in the Adriatic, with 25 small beaches. From there you can walk to the Mir salt lake, which sits warmer than the sea, and look at the cliffs of Dugi Otok rising up to 161 meters above the water.

It suits travellers who want a long, relaxed day on a boat rather than an active excursion. Note that the national park entry fee is separate and paid on the day.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Liburnska obalaBoard the boat at Liburnska obala in Zadar in the morning. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
2. Sightseeing cruise outA 2.75-hour cruise through the Kornati archipelago, with a breakfast sandwich served on the way.
3. Kornati National ParkPhoto stop, free time, a walk and swimming in the Adriatic. The park entry fee is extra and mandatory.
4. Telašćica Nature ParkPhoto stop, visit, free time and swimming. Includes time at the Mir salt lake and views of the Dugi Otok cliffs.
5. Sightseeing cruise backA second 2.75-hour cruise back toward Zadar, with lunch, wine and an aperitif included in the day.
6. Return to Liburnska obalaThe tour ends where it started, back at the quay in Zadar.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from traveller reviews will help you plan the day.

• Bring cash. The Kornati National Park entry fee is mandatory and not in the ticket price: €16 for adults and €8 for children aged 4 to 12. The listing lists cash under what to bring, and one reviewer noted there are no shops on the route.
• Pack for the sea. One reviewer recommends a jacket even in warm weather, since the wind on the crossing is cold. The same reviewer suggested plastic shoes, as the lake bottom and shoreline are rocky, and the listing advises swimwear and a towel.
• Food and drink. Breakfast is a sandwich, with a local drink shot according to reviewers, and lunch is fish and chicken with wine. One reviewer suggests bringing extra snacks if the included food might not be enough.
• Pace and walking. Each stop gives roughly 90 minutes of free time, based on reviewer descriptions. The listing recommends hiking shoes, and one reviewer said climbing to see the cliffs beats swimming in the salt lake, so expect some walking if you want the views.
• Weather dependence. In April and May the tour can be rescheduled if conditions are not safe, and the route may change in the off-season. Book with flexibility in mind early or late in the season.
• Long crossings. The sail out and back each take close to three hours, and one reviewer flagged the distance as the main drawback. Plan for long stretches of sitting on board between the two stops.

Common issues. The two crossings are long, about two hours or more each way by reviewer accounts, so anyone prone to seasickness or expecting constant stops may find the day slow. One reviewer preferred climbing to the cliff viewpoints over swimming in the salt lake. Some travellers mention commentary on board could be clearer and more audible. The national park entry fee is extra and the listing advises bringing cash. Strollers and baby carriages are not allowed on board, and the tour can be rescheduled in spring if weather is unsafe.

Common Questions