Kornati and Telascica Full-Day Small-Group Sailing Trip Zadar

Zadar and Marina Borik: the start of your day at sea

Your sailing trip begins at Marina Borik, in the leafy resort area of Borik a short drive north-west of Zadar's Old Town, where most of the city's beach hotels stand. Starting here rather than in the busy town harbour means a calm boarding, a quick exit to open water and a smaller boat that feels like your own for the day.

As the boat heads south-west, the long green islands of the Zadar archipelago line up on both sides, among them Ugljan, Pašman and Dugi Otok. This stretch of the Adriatic is one of the most indented coastlines in Europe, and the first hour of the trip is a lovely introduction: lighthouses, small fishing hamlets and olive terraces slide past while the skipper explains the route and the plan for the day.

Telašćica Nature Park and the saltwater Lake Mir

Telašćica Nature Park covers the south-eastern tip of Dugi Otok and was protected in 1988. Its long, deeply cut bay is one of the safest natural anchorages on the Adriatic, scattered with quiet coves and small islets. On the seaward side the island ends in dramatic white cliffs that drop vertically into the open sea, reaching about 160 metres at their highest point, a sight that is best appreciated from a small boat.

A short walk from the shore lies Lake Mir, a saltwater lake fed by the sea through cracks in the limestone. Shallow and sheltered, it warms up faster than the sea, and many visitors find it the most memorable swim of the day. If you are planning a Telašćica day trip from Zadar, a small boat is the most rewarding way to see both the cliffs and the lake in one outing.

Kornati National Park: sailing among bare stone islands

Just south of Telašćica begins Kornati National Park, declared in 1980 and widely considered the most striking island landscape in Croatia. The islands are low, rounded and almost treeless, their pale limestone slopes crossed by old dry-stone walls built by farmers who once grazed sheep here. On the side facing the open sea, many islands end in sheer cliffs that sailors call the crowns.

Few people live in Kornati, and there are no roads or towns, so the best way to experience it is exactly this: cruising slowly between the islands with time to look, swim and take photos. A Kornati day trip from Zadar on a small sailing boat lets you reach quieter corners than the large excursion boats and enjoy the silence of the park, broken only by the wind and the water.

Swimming and snorkelling in the clear Adriatic

The water in Kornati and Telašćica is famously clear, often letting you see the seabed many metres below the boat. During the day the skipper chooses sheltered spots for swimming and snorkelling, and the equipment is ready on board. Below the surface you can expect seagrass meadows, rocky reefs, darting fish and sea urchins, so water shoes are a good idea.

Between swims there is space on deck to sunbathe and relax as the boat moves on. The best time to visit Kornati for swimming is from June to September, when the sea is warmest; late spring and early autumn bring fewer boats and softer light, ideal if you prefer a calmer, more photographic day.

A relaxed small-group day with a local skipper

With a maximum of seven guests, this trip feels very different from the big tour boats. There is room to move around, ask questions and enjoy the scenery without crowds. Your skipper knows the islands well and adapts the route to the wind and sea conditions, always with the group's safety first.

Meals are not included, which keeps the day flexible: bring a picnic and plenty of water, or carry some cash for an optional lunch or snacks along the way. Many travellers ask whether Kornati is worth visiting on a full day: if you love the sea, swimming and wild scenery, this is one of the most rewarding days you can spend from Zadar.