Kornati are one of the most popular destinations in Croatia and our favourite group of islands in Sibenik archipelago. This is a short guide full of useful information for all those who want to know more about this fascinating archipelago.
The Kornati are the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Strategically located between the historic cities of Šibenik and Zadar, this “stone labyrinth” encompasses approximately 320 km² and accounts for an impressive 12% of all islands in the Croatian Adriatic.
The biggest island is Kornat and the whole archipelago was named after it. The whole archipelago is 70 nm long, and 18,8 nm wide and there are four island chains divided in two groups. Upper Kornati (Sit and Žut island chains) with 51 land unit, and the other one is Lower Kornati with 98 land units.
Established in 1980, Kornati National Park protects the most significant and ecologically sensitive part of the archipelago. It was founded with three primary goals: to protect the landscape, to safeguard the rich underwater marine flora and fauna and to honorthe centuries-old traditional heritage and history of the local islanders.
Choosing the right time to visit Kornati National Park is key to an unforgettable experience. While the park is stunning year-round, late spring and early autumn stand out as the ideal seasons for exploring this unique archipelago.
Temperatures are pleasantly lower than the intense heat of peak season (July and August).
The sea is crystal clear and remains warm well into the autumn months so you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling as well as hiking.
You can enjoy popular spots without the intense crowds and boat traffic that define high summer.
In summer, especially during high season, we try to avoid overcrowded places or to visit them in less busy hours for a more relaxing experience.
The most iconic features of the Kornati National Park are the dramatic, vertical cliffs that guard the outer islands against the open sea. Known locally as “krune” (crowns), these massive rock faces gave the entire archipelago its name (Corona – Kornat).
These breathtaking precipices are the result of millions of years of shifting tectonic plates and the relentless power of the Adriatic. Beyond what you see on the surface, the erosion process continues deep into the depths.
On islands like Piškera and Rašip, the cliffs plunge vertically into the sea for nearly 100 meters.
The highest point of these “crowns” is found on the island of Klobučar (82m above sea level), while the island of Mana boasts the longest continuous cliff face, stretching an impressive 1,350 meters.
While every cliff possesses a unique character, the most spectacular formations—perfect for photography and sightseeing—are found on the islands of Mana, Rašip Veli, and Velika Prisika.
Read our featured article, Carved by the Elements, to learn more about these iconic stone giants.
Kornati are accessible only by watercraft. Distance from the mainland is roughly 7 nautical miles from island of Murter, and 15 nautical miles from Šibenik and Zadar. Furthermore, Kornati National Park has two official entrances: from the north at the Velika Proversa strait, and from the south at Vrata od Opata.
There are two marinas in the Kornati archipelago – one in Kornati National Park (ACI Marina Piškera), and the other on the island of Žut (ACI Marina Žut).
There are no fuel stations in the Kornati Park area!
The nearest outpatient clinics for medical assistance are located in Sali (on the island of Dugi otok), Murter and in Tisno, and the nearest hospitals are in Biograd, Šibenik and Zadar. The nearest medical institution providing assistance to divers is located in Split.
There is also no running water or electrical energy supply in the National Park. Solar panels and generators secure the electrical energy, cisterns gather water (rainfall). For those with greater needs – water carriers transport larger amount of water.
The area of Kornati National Park and the other parts of the archipelago have poor mobile network signal coverage.
In the Kornati archipelago area there are sanitary facilities only within restaurants.
The entire land area of Kornati National Park is in private ownership, except for the coastal zone that represents the maritime domain. Hence, visitors can to walk only along the paths and trails specially marked for this purpose.
Perched atop the dramatic cliffs of the island of Mana lies one of the most intriguing attractions in the Kornati National Park. While they appear to be ancient ruins, these stone structures are actually a fascinating piece of 20th-century history.
The settlement was constructed in 1959 as a set for the international film As the Sea Rages. Built entirely using traditional dry-stone techniques to match the local architecture, the set consists of a dozen structures, including houses, storehouses, and a particularly striking “church.”
Over the decades, these ruins have blended into the landscape so naturally that they are now considered a vital part of Kornati’s modern cultural heritage.
From the top of Mana island you will experience one of the most spectacular panoramic views.
Want to learn more about the movie stars who walked these cliffs and the secrets of the island? Read our featured blog post: Island Mana: Jump into the Film… and into the Sea.
If you would like to know more about Kornati’s long and interesting history, take a look at our posts: Toreta and Tarac, Gajeta, Another stone in the wall, Kornati in black and white, Kornati cliffs, Island Mana, Tajer…
Join us on one of our tours and you will see many interesting spots such as a military sea tunnel, the parachute island, the fingerprint island… In the meantime, you can read about them on our Blog&Tips.
For all relevant and up-to-date official information regarding the park rules, fees, and conservation efforts, please visit the official web site.