Sudden paradise: this is the feeling that prevails in the traveler when he finds himself in front of the Croatian Kornati Islands. A precious archipelago that makes its way between the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and where these wonderful handkerchiefs of land stand out and can be defined as the queens of the sea.
Where the Kornati Islands are located
The charming Kornati Islands rise in all their authenticity facing Dalmatia, 15 nautical miles west of Šibenik and 15 nautical miles south of Zadar. Composed of 147 islands, islets and large rocks, the archipelago is located just south-east of Long Island – in Croatian Dugi Otok -, of which they are the natural continuation.
Given their indisputable beauty, they are even known as “the Polynesia of the Adriatic” and are the most suitable destination for travelers who want quiet places, where peace and the truest nature reign undisputedly .
How to get there and how to visit the islands
Before finding out about the activities that can be done on the Kornati Islands and the various attractions that there are to see, it is necessary to know some information regarding how to get there, how to visit them and where to stay if necessary in these corners of paradise.
Source: iStockView of the Kornati Islands
The Kornati Islands are surrounded by a protected area, which means that none of them have an airport. In fact, to get there it is necessary to take part in guided tours which can only be carried out using boats registered for passenger transport, and which have therefore obtained a specific authorization from the Park. Alternatively, you can opt for a stay of a few days, but in this case you need to keep some information in mind.
First of all, the islands do not have hotels. For travellers, however, there are private houses that are rented at rather high prices in 16 different locations: Stiniva, Statival, Lupeska, Tomasovac – Suha punta, Sipnate, Lucica, Kravljacica, Striznja, Vruje, Gujak, Opat, Smokica, Ravni Zakan , Lavsa, Piskera – Vela Panitula, Anica on Levrnaka, Podbižanj, and Koromasna. It is also forbidden to camp outside the designated areas, i.e. Ravno, Zakan and Levrnaka.
Regarding visits, be aware that scuba diving outside of organized and approved groups is prohibited. In the light of all this, the question arises: what can you do in the Kornati Islands?
What to visit
We assume that if you decide to organize a visit to the Kornati Islands, which in the local language are called Kornati, from there you will soon find yourself in paradise. In fact, the archipelago is characterized by the presence of impressive rocks that reach heights of 60-80 meters out of the water, and more than 100 meters in the abyss.
Mastodontic cliffs, promontories and caves overlook an Adriatic that is more beautiful than ever, while in front of you a landscape opens up that seems not to belong to this planet.
Source: iStockThe landscape of the Kornati Islands
In addition to unforgettable bathing and relaxation on beaches that appear to be painted by fabulous painters, in these parts it is possible to observe numerous animals, more than 800 species of plants, many birds such as peregrine falcons, eagle owls and sparrowhawks and, above all, stroll among the vegetation.
These small atolls are in fact full of panoramic points and natural viewpoints that can be found by taking numerous paths. In addition, you can taste different local delicacies thanks to around 20 restaurants.
But that’s not all because, step by step, you can also get in front of the barren island of Piskera where a small church built by fishermen makes room. Then again to Kornat, the island with the largest extension of the whole archipelago, where the church of Our Lady of Tarac, built in the Middle Ages on the remains of an early Christian basilica, tries to touch the sky.
Basically, a trip or a stay at the Kornati Islands is meant to discover totally intact earthly paradises, to indulge in peace, to sprinkle yourself with wild nature and to dive into a magnificent sea: they are the ideal places to get back to world, to create a complete detachment from everyday life.
The beaches not to be missed
We are not joking: the sea offered by the Kornati archipelago is the most beautiful in all of Croatia (and beyond). One of the most fascinating beaches is the Telascica Bay which rises in the southern part of the Dugi Otok Island.It is a sort of natural harbor protected from the winds and currents of the Adriatic which features three areas separated by bottlenecks and backdrops where numerous marine species reproduce. Among other things, a salt lake even develops right here.
Source: iStockThe colors of Telascica Bay
Equally fascinating is Saharun Bay, a sandy beach also located on Dugi Otok Island. A crystalline blue sea invites you to dive and thanks to its incredible charm it has often been listed among the “most beautiful bays in the world”.
Then again Ravni Zakan, a small islet to be reached exclusively by sea which is a real paradise of unspoiled nature lapped by crystal clear waters.
No less fascinating is Opat bay, located on the island Kornat. Endowed with a lot of space, it is a small paradise corner of the Adriatic Sea that offers everything you need to spend a day of amazement.
The island of Rava is also very beautiful, making itself loved for its very indented coast full of bays: there are even thirteen. The ideal habitat for sea turtles, dolphins and starfish. Furthermore, according to a legend, the center of the world is right here, a huge hole in the earth where a mulberry tree once stood.
The Bay of Lernaka located on the island of the same name is also wonderful. With 117 meters above sea level, it offers the best view of the whole area. On the opposite side, it is also worth taking a trip to the Lojena beach, caressed by a crystal clear sea and framed by an exciting panorama.
Useful information
To visit the Kornati Islands in the best possible way, it is necessary to keep in mind some information, in addition to what we have already given you. If it is true that they are a paradise of wild, unspoilt, primitive nature, it is equally real that they are private islands and that for this reason one must behave like polite guests.
Furthermore, there are no shops and independent divers with regular qualification or license can dive independently in 9 areas: Kornat (Opat – Tanka Prisliga), Samograd, Okljuc, Mala Panitula, Vela Panitula, Rasip, Kasela, Mana, Borovnik .
Finally, it is not possible to bring sand or anything else and it is forbidden to disturb marine organisms in any way.
