9 Things You Have to Do on the Kornati Islands
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Table of Contents
- What Makes the Kornati Islands So Special?
- 1. Nautical Forecast: Sunny
- 2. Rich Marine World
- 3. Sheep Farming and Olive Growing
- 4. Bay, Peak, Sandy Beach
- 5. The Power of Nature: Cliffs and Sea
- 6. 330 Kilometers of Dry Stone Walls
- 7. One but Worth Admiring
- 8. Feast of Kornati Fishermen and Farmers
- 9. For Demanding Palates
- Kornati in Numbers
What Makes the Kornati Islands So Special?
It is often said that the Kornati are a nautical paradise on earth that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. We can only add that one should always return to the Kornati for a dose of beauty and peace.
When you set sail from Šibenik towards the open sea, the beauty is endless. Locals would say "Who can pay for that?!". Surely no one can pay for such beauty. And when you reach the Kornati National Park, you realize that man will never defeat nature in creation. The Kornati are 7 nautical miles from the island of Murter and about 15 nautical miles from Šibenik and Zadar.
Other good starting locations are in Sukošan and Biograd na Moru, which are also Croatia Yachting Charter bases
" On the last day of creation, God desired to crown His work and created the Kornati from tears, stars, and spirit "
Below we present 9 reasons why you should rent a boat this summer and visit the Kornati to see for yourself the poetic words of the Irish Nobel laureate.
1. Nautical Forecast: Sunny
Bad weather can certainly ruin a holiday on a boat. So play it safe – the sun shines on the Kornati for 2700 hours a year! The best time to board a boat and head to the Kornati is from May to October. In good weather, while sailing around the Kornati islets, you enjoy the play of blue shades, and during windy weather, when the sea shows its strength, the Kornati are a safe haven for sea and boat lovers. It's no wonder that the Kornati are also called a paradise for sailors, who are the most frequent visitors. They have access to about 300 berths.
2. Rich Marine World
The underwater world is exceptionally clean, and light penetrates deeply, resulting in a rich underwater world, particularly notable for the habitat of the good dolphin population. Additionally, Kornati is home to a group of insects, vertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and other animals. To date, around 850 animal species have been recorded in the Kornati National Park, including 61 species of corals, 185 species of fish...
3. Sheep Farming and Olive Growing
You will see flocks of sheep running around Kornati, as sheep farming was originally the primary economic activity on these islands, as well as olive growing. The landowners on Kornati, known as Kurnatari, live outside the archipelago, on Murter, and they own about 300 houses in the area, many of which are rented out during the season.
4. Bay, Peak, Sandy Beach
What to visit in Kornati? That's a tough question because wherever you go, there's something to admire. Here are some of our favorite destinations you can reach by boat – and enjoy a whole day of swimming, walking, the scents of Mediterranean herbs, and the blue of the sky and sea.
Strunac is a beautiful bay located in the heart of the Kornati archipelago, on the uninhabited island of Žut. Levrnaka Bay is located on the island of the same name. It is an island with one of the highest peaks in the archipelago (Veli vrh), at 118 meters, offering an excellent view of the entire area.
The island also has the only sandy beach in the entire Kornati, called Lojena.
5. The Power of Nature: Cliffs and Sea
The Kornati National Park is known for its vertical cliffs and crystal-clear sea. The landscapes are most impressive on the open sea side of the islands, where steep cliffs rise above the sea. The highest is on Klobučar (80 m), Mana (65 m), Rašip veliki (64 m), Obručan (50 m), and Piškera (45 m). Of course, you can only experience this spectacle from the deck of a boat.
6. 330 Kilometers of Dry Stone Walls
Who would have thought that Kornati, with its 89 islands, islets, and reefs, was once synonymous with the struggle for bare survival, and today the whole world admires them? They were declared a national park in 1980. However, of all the human-made structures on Kornati, the most impressive are the dry stone walls. They are a monument to human strength and diligence, and across the entire area of this national park, there are an impressive 330 kilometers of dry stone walls. They are strong enough to withstand the wind but also high enough for sheep to jump over.
7. One but Worth Admiring
As for lighthouses, there is only one in Kornati – Tajerske sestrice on the island of Sestrica vela. It was built in 1876 on the only forested island in the archipelago, and you can even book accommodation there.
8. Feast of Kornati Fishermen and Farmers
A great experience for all sea lovers is to be in Kornati on the first Sunday in July, when hundreds of boats gather and head towards Tarac, a bay in Kornati, to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Tarac, as this feast of Kornati fishermen and farmers is popularly known. The magnificent procession of boats leaves everyone breathless every year as it represents one of the most beautiful religious events in Croatia.
Sailing, nature, diving, and nautical enthusiasts know very well that Kornati is a paradise on earth that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. Are you among them?
9. For Demanding Palates
And lovers of fine food will also find their place. Initially, restaurants in Kornati had a modest and very simple menu, but gastronomy has advanced significantly in the last decade.
Daily fresh catch, from sea to table, is a valuable currency adored by all nations, so today's offer in Kornati satisfies even the most demanding palates. They offer authentic natural slow food: fish, lobsters, and crayfish, squid, cuttlefish, and octopus, shellfish, and – unique Kornati lamb.
Kornati in Numbers
- 2700 hours of sunshine annually
- 330 kilometers of dry stone walls
- 850 animal species
- 61 species of corals
- 185 species of fish
- Cliffs up to 80 meters high
- Kornati declared a national park
- 89 islands, islets, and reefs
- About 300 sailing berths
Have you already decided to visit Kornati?
If so, the best way to explore this beautiful national park is by sailing.
