Šibenik and the Kornati by yacht
Bare limestone islands, the Kornati national park, the Krka river, and Šibenik and Zadar: Croatia's quiet water. June to September is the season; late May and late September are quieter. It suits couples most.
North of Split Croatia's islands thin out and turn to bare limestone. The Kornati are a national park at sea: dozens of low, white islands with almost nothing on them but dry-stone walls and a few summer konobas. Behind them is the Krka river, which a yacht can follow up to Skradin, and the old towns of Šibenik and Zadar. This is the part of Croatia for people who want water and quiet more than harbour towns.
Why go, and whom it suits
Couples and honeymoons
Nights at anchor in the Kornati are among the quietest anywhere in the Adriatic. Skradin and Šibenik give you the evenings ashore.
Families
The water is calm and sheltered between the islands, and there is plenty to do: Telašćica's salt lake, the cliffs, the Krka river. There are fewer towns for children to run around in than further south.
Friends and celebrations
This suits a group that likes swimming, snorkelling and long lunches more than nightlife.
Less suited to anyone who wants shade and green islands. The Kornati are bare, so a yacht with good deck shade matters here.
What's there
Šibenik
A stone town with the Cathedral of St James and the fortress of St Nicholas at the mouth of its channel, both on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Krka river and Skradin
A yacht can go up the river to Skradin, whose marina takes yachts of up to 70 metres, and from there boats run to the national park's waterfalls. Swimming in the park is allowed only at the places it marks for it.
The Kornati
With its rocks and reefs, the park has 89 islands. Entry is a ticket per boat, priced by her length, and it costs less bought before you enter the park.
Telašćica and Dugi Otok
A nature park bay with a salt lake and sea cliffs on the outer side. Sakarun is one of Croatia's rare sandy beaches.
Zadar
A Roman and Venetian old town, with the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun on its waterfront.
Primošten, Zlarin and Prvić
Small islands and villages close to Šibenik, good for a first or last night.
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When to go
June to September, with late May and late September quieter still. The maestral here can be fresher in the afternoons than in the south. On the days the bura blows, the captain will keep to the sheltered channels.
What it costs
The charter fee is each yacht's weekly rate, shown "from" on her page. VAT of 13% is added for a crewed charter in Croatia, and so is a tourist tax per guest per night, collected by the yacht's operator and shown in your quote. APA is on top; budget up to 40% of the charter fee for it, and whatever is not spent is returned to you. The entries to the Kornati, Telašćica and Krka are paid from the APA. For what a crewed charter costs, line by line, see our guide.
The weekly rate on each yacht’s page. "From" is her lowest season.
An advance for fuel, food, drinks and berths, spent on your instructions and settled at the end.
Set by the country the charter starts in, added to the fee.
Round trip from Šibenik
- Day 1: Šibenik to Skradin. Board in the afternoon and go up the Krka river to Skradin for the night.
- Day 2: The Krka falls, then Zlarin. The waterfalls early, back down the river, and an afternoon swim off Zlarin.
- Day 3: The Kornati. Into the park. Swim, snorkel, and have dinner at a konoba on one of the islands.
- Day 4: Telašćica and Dugi Otok. The salt lake, the cliffs, and the night in the bay.
- Day 5: Zadar. The old town and the Sea Organ at sunset.
- Day 6: Murter or Prvić. A slow day back south.
- Day 7: Primošten, then Šibenik. A morning swim and disembarkation.
The yacht and the weather decide the real route. The same area also works as the first days of a week that continues south to Split and Central Dalmatia.
The yachts
Most of the yachts we show in Croatia are motor yachts, many of them over 40 metres; a few are sailing yachts and catamarans.
Many larger yachts start from Split and come north. The yachts on this site are a selection, not the limit of what we arrange: ask about any yacht, of any size.
Practical questions
Rene GaspersicYour broker
Do we need permits for the Kornati?
Yes: a park ticket per boat, priced by her length, which costs less bought outside the park. Your captain arranges it.
Can we swim at the Krka waterfalls?
Only where the park marks a place for it; its rules allow swimming nowhere else. The walk round the falls is still worth it.
Is there shade in the Kornati?
Very little ashore. Choose a yacht with a good shaded deck. We will tell you which of them have one.
Which airport is closest?
Split and Zadar are both within driving distance of Šibenik.
Is the sea rough out here?
The channels are sheltered. On a bura day the outer islands are avoided, and there are always calm bays inside.
Can the week continue to Split or Dubrovnik?
Yes. A one-way week south, through Central Dalmatia to Dubrovnik and the south, is a good way to see both sides of Dalmatia. The yacht's return can add a delivery fee.
Is this good for snorkelling?
Yes. The water is very clear, and the cliffs at Telašćica and the Kornati's outer islands are the best of it.
Where do we eat ashore?
At the summer konobas in the park and in Skradin, Šibenik and Zadar. Fish and lamb are the specialities. The crew knows which are open.
Talk to a broker
Tell us roughly when, how many of you there are, and what the week is for: a family summer, a honeymoon, a birthday with friends. Dates and budget can stay loose. We come back with a short list of yachts that fit, say plainly what each one is like, and stay your contact from the first email to the last day on board.
Rene Gaspersic
charter broker
Email info@soretoyachting.com · Phone +44 7342 933198 · WhatsApp +44 7342 933198
Plan
Šibenik and the Kornati.
Two short steps. Dates and budget can stay loose. We reply personally, by email, phone or WhatsApp.