01What Are the Lesser-Known Spots in Kornati?
Kornati has 89 islands, islets and reefs, and most of them are bare limestone with no road, no shop and no crowd. The national park is open year-round, and there are no gates because entry is by boat only. The sites below are on or near Kornat, the largest island, and are reached mainly by private boat, skipper-led charter or small-group tour.
02Tureta Fortress and the Tarac Ruins on Kornat
On Kornat's northern side, the Tureta fortress is a Late Antique Byzantine lookout built on a hill above the sea. Its walls are partly preserved. The sea views let you spot passing boats from far away. Close by, Tarac bay holds the remains of a Roman-era settlement, including foundations of houses and a small stone harbor. Few visitors stop here because there is no beach and no restaurant. The visit takes 45–60 minutes.
Wear closed shoes, since the paths are rough karst stone with no shade. Bring water, because nothing is sold on site.
03Vrulje and Opat: Quiet Bays With Local Konobas
Vrulje and Opat are small sheltered bays on Kornat. Both have a few stone houses and a family-run konoba. The konobas serve mainly grilled fish, local lamb and cheese, and olive oil from the Kornati groves. Kornat's residents are mostly seasonal and come from Murter and nearby islands.
Book ahead in July and August. A simple fish lunch for two usually costs €50–80 depending on the catch. The konobas often accept only boat guests, so mooring there is the practical way to get a table. Mooring is usually free if you eat. Many konobas have buoys, and if there is no buoy, use your own anchor.
Early evening is the best time. Day boats leave around 16:00, and the bays go quiet after that.
04Levrnaka Beyond Lojena Beach
Most visitors to Levrnaka stop only at the sandy Lojena beach. The island's smaller pebble coves on the outer side are almost empty, even at midday. The water is clear, with visibility often above 15 m. These coves have no facilities, so bring your own food, water and shade. The wind can change quickly, so check the forecast before you anchor.
With a day-trip boat you cannot choose the stops. Hiring a skipper-led boat from Murter gives you that control.
05Practical Costs and Rules
Park tickets are charged per boat per day, not per person. For a boat under 7 m, the price in advance is €25 off-season and €45 in June–September. Buying from a ranger inside the park costs more, which is an avoidable waste. A 3-day ticket for a 7–11 m boat costs €65. Tickets can be bought online before you leave port.
Organised day trips from Zadar usually cost about €60–95 per person, including park entry and lunch. Private speedboat tours cost much more, often €200 per person or more.
The standard Zadar day trip is usually not worth the money if hidden spots are your aim. It spends about 9 hours on a crowded boat and stops mostly at the most popular places. A smaller boat from Murter or Biograd gives far better access.
06Local Tips
- Go in May, June or late September. The sea is warm enough for swimming from late May.
- Buy your ticket online before leaving port.
- There are no shops or ATMs in the park, so bring cash for konobas, because card terminals are not reliable.
- Anchor only where permitted. Anchoring in the wrong place on the seabed can lead to a fine.
- Fires, drones without permission, and fishing without a licence are not allowed in the park.
