 KORNATI - In the central part of the Croatian Adriatic, on the meeting point of Šibenik and Zadar islands, a separate and by many a specific group of islands, called Kornati, is situated.
Because of its exceptional landscape beauty, interesting geomorphology, diversity of the coastline and especially because of the rich biocoenoses of the marine ecosystem, greater part of the Kornati maritime zone has been declared a national park in 1980.
Today NP “Kornati” occupies an area of about 220 km2 and it includes 89 islands, islets and cliffs, alltogether with a coastline about 238 km long. Despite this relatively large number of islands the continental part of the park forms only 1 of the total area, while everything else belongs to the marine ecosystem.
The National Park “Kornati” is often listed in tourist publications as “the nautical paradise”. Namely, you will really test all of your nautical skills and capabilities while practising a “slalom” cruise through 89 unforgettable islands, islets and cliffs, especially if the time helps you additionally.
To visit the NP “Kornati” and not to dive into the undersea world would practically be a sin. Qualified autonomous divers are in that sense in a privileged position: they can enjoy the values because of which (among others) this area was proclaimed a national park. For all those who haven’t got diving qualification we recommend the usage of a mask and a snorkel when peeking into the blue depths of clear and translucent Kornati sea because you can see many memorable things even from the surface.
For snorkeling (diving without the autonomous diving equipment) you don’t need a special license, while diving with the use of autonomous diving equipment must be performed only in organized and authorized groups.
Take a swimm in the crystal and warm Kornati sea. This is an experience about which we don’t need to talk very much.
For swimming in Kornati you don’t need a special license.
The undersea world of the NP “Kornati” gives you an opportunity to observe a rich herbal and animal world. The continental part of the park is full of life, although it seems as a desert. It is confirmed that 537 herbal taxons exist in the continental part of the park, and it is assumed that there are 700-800 vascular plant species altogether. The animal world has been investigated poorly unfortunately. Next to rodents, snakes, lizards, insects and other mainly "uninteresting" residents, there is also a beast registered in the area of the national park - the stone marten. But it is very hard to see this animal “live”. Birds are especially interesting in the national park “Kornati”: eagle owls, peregrine falcons, kestrels, buzzards, cormorants, gulls, etc.
We request avoidance of any contact with animals as well as disturbing the animals, because this area is their home, too.
Numerous Kornati belvederes offer memorable moments and impressions. Interesting geological and geomorphological phenomena, which you will most certainly see, will stay in your memory forever.
It is not so difficult to reach the belvederes. Still, you have to remember that the summer sun can be very strong and thus make the hiking horrid. Always bring your hats and other means for sun protection, because shade is very rare on the Kornati.
The continental part of Kornati is completely private property of local Murter residents. So, please, act like kind and thoughtfull guests while wlking on the islands.
There is approximately 20 restaurants and taverns in the area of Kornati which, more or less successfully, offer quality local food. These are mostly seafood specialities (fish and crabs) and local Kornati specialities – like lamb. Still you can order “common” food for those who don’t find the Kornati cuisine appealing.
We definitely recommend visiting some of the restaurants and/or taverns on the Kornati islands – you will not be disappointed.
Surprisingly rich starry sky above Kornati, undisturbed by artificial lights, silence and peace of natural sea ambience, smell of sea, clean air, light breeze, etc. make spending a night in the Kornati quite special – different. Anyone who tries to do it will know what we are talking about.
In the Kornati National Park anchoring and spending the night are allowed in 16 provided bays.
We definitely recommend “tasting” life in a Kornati family. That includes tasting of a different, special, both simple and complicated lifestyle that a very few people knows about, and it exists here for centuries – so close to us. Try to feel and participate in olive picking on Kornati, chasing domestic sheep “gone wild”, sheepshearing, fishing your own meal, etc.,in a way the old residents od the Kornati islands – simple and kind hosts and people - used to do it, regardless of the tourist season.
To “try” life in the Kornati way, contact some of the tourist agencies in Murter and they will gladly help you.
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