Zadar–Kornati–Dugi Otok: a 7-day island-chain loop
A week from the Zadar area that spends two nights in Kornati National Park, two on Dugi Otok around Telašćica and Sali, and the last night on Pašman close to the base, about 75 nm in total. Legs are short, but both protected areas have their own tickets and rules, so the route is planned around moorings, daylight and an early return.
- Base
- Marina Dalmacija, Sukošan
- Total distance
- 75 nm
- Best season
- May to October; June and September leave more room at park buoys and marinas than July–August, when moorings should be booked or claimed early.
- Boat
- A monohull or catamaran of 38–45 ft; check the draught before the shallow last-night harbour. With a skipper or bareboat, your choice.
- Who it suits
- For a crew comfortable with pilotage among many islets and with park rules, or beginners with a skipper; the open stretch between Kornati and Dugi Otok needs a weather check.
Route map
Day by day
Day 1 · Sukošan
no passage · marina · Open in Google Maps
See and do: Handover, stores, fuel and safety briefing, then sleep at the base. Zadar's old town is a short drive away: the Roman forum, the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun on the waterfront at sunset.
Eat: Zadar's market for fruit, Pag cheese and smoked ham; a glass of maraschino, the local cherry liqueur.
Good to know: Ask the base for the exact check-out berth, the fuel dock and the return deadline before you plan the loop. There are few supplies inside Kornati, so provision here.
Day 2 · Vrulje, Kornat
22 nm · mooring buoys · Open in Google Maps
See and do: Sail south down the Pašman channel and out into Kornati National Park, a maze of bare limestone islands crossed by old dry-stone walls. Pick up a buoy in Vrulje, the main bay on Kornat, and walk up the slope for the view across the archipelago.
Eat: Grilled fish and island lamb at the waterside; dinner here usually comes with the buoy, so ask when you tie up.
Good to know: A Kornati National Park ticket is required for the boat — buy it online before arrival or on entry. Use buoys or permitted moorings only; anchoring is restricted in parts of the park. Follow the marked fairway in the Pašman channel.
Day 3 · Piškera, Kornati
5 nm · marina · Open in Google Maps
See and do: A short hop among the islets to the small marina between Piškera and Panitula, with swim stops on the way. In calm weather, look at the high cliffs on the seaward side of the outer islands.
Eat: A simple dinner of fish and Dalmatian chard with potatoes (blitva); keep some provisions aboard, as choice is limited.
Good to know: The marina is seasonal: confirm it is open and book a berth. If it is full, take a park buoy in a protected bay rather than arriving late.
Day 4 · Telašćica, Dugi Otok
14 nm · mooring buoys · Open in Google Maps
See and do: Head north-west along the archipelago to Telašćica, a long, deeply indented bay at the south end of Dugi Otok. Walk to Lake Mir, a salt-water lake behind the bay, and to the tall cliffs that face the open sea.
Eat: Lunch on board; simple grilled fish ashore near the buoy fields in season.
Good to know: Telašćica Nature Park is a separate protected area with its own ticket — do not assume the Kornati ticket covers it. Reassess the wind and waves before the open stretch from Kornati; in doubt, wait for a calmer window.
Day 5 · Sali, Dugi Otok
8 nm · town quay · Open in Google Maps
See and do: A low-mileage day: a morning swim in Telašćica, then round to Sali, the largest village on Dugi Otok and a working fishing harbour. Walk up through the village to the old church and the olive groves behind it.
Eat: Fresh fish straight from the harbour, salted sardines and the island's olive oil.
Good to know: Sali is the backup if the Kornati moorings are full. If a strong northerly or bora is forecast for tomorrow, stay in the lee of Dugi Otok and shorten the return.
Day 6 · Tkon, Pašman
16 nm · town quay · Open in Google Maps
See and do: Return south-east through the island chain and round the end of Pašman to Tkon, on the base side of the archipelago. Walk up to the Benedictine monastery on Ćokovac hill for the view over the Pašman channel.
Eat: Island olive oil, figs and home-made cheese; grilled fish on the waterfront.
Good to know: The harbour is shallow along the breakwater — check your draught and keep clear of the ferry berth. Fallback: the marinas in Biograd across the channel. If the base has a strict fuel or check-out slot, go straight back today.
Day 7 · Sukošan
10 nm · marina · Open in Google Maps
See and do: A short run north-west up the Pašman channel back to the base, with a last swim stop if the timing allows.
Eat: Finish the provisions on board, or have lunch in Zadar's old town once the boat is handed back.
Good to know: Be alongside early with time for fuel, the inventory and paperwork; never trade the return buffer for one more bay.
A plan, not a promise: wind and sea decide each day. Your skipper or the charter base will adjust the route to the forecast.
What a week here costs
Median weekly price of the boat in Croatia over the next 12 months, from our live catalogue. Skipper, fuel and extras are not included; crewed yachts include the crew.
- Sailing yacht
- €3,398€2,705–€4,226
- Catamaran
- €5,940€4,410–€8,150
- Motor yacht
- €10,920€7,780–€15,890
- Crewed yacht
- €24,820€14,220–€42,800
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