Šibenik
A gentle one-week loop from Mandalina through the Šibenik archipelago into Kornati National Park and back via Žut, Veli Iž and Murter. About 100 nautical miles, no leg over 22, with the park at the centre.
PASSAGE PROFILE
About 95 to 105 nautical miles for the week; legs of 4 to 22 nm, the longest being Veli Iž to Murter.
YACHT TYPE
Sailing yacht 36 to 46 ft or catamaran 38 to 42 ft; a good bareboat week for a licensed skipper with moderate experience.
The Kornati week from Šibenik
Šibenik is the closest base to Kornati National Park: the park boundary is 15 nm from the marina, so the route spends three nights in or beside the islands and still has time for Zlarin and Žirje on the way out and Iž and Murter on the way back. D-Marin Mandalina is five minutes from the old town and 50 from Split airport. The channel of Sveti Ante, a 2 km canyon between the marina and the sea, is the way out and the way home.
Saturday: Mandalina to Zlarin | about 4 nm
Through the Sveti Ante channel, under the fortress of Sveti Nikola, and across to Zlarin, the coral island, car-free, with a harbour quay and moorings. A first night close enough to base to sort out anything forgotten. Swim at Prvija, the shallow sandy beach, and eat on the waterfront.
Sunday: Zlarin to Žirje, Stupica Vela | about 12 nm
South-west past Kaprije to Žirje, the outermost inhabited island of the archipelago. Stupica Vela, on the south side, is a deep bay with restaurant moorings and room to anchor in sand; sheltered from the bura, open to the south. The bakery boat comes round the anchorage at 08:00 in season. Walk up to the Byzantine fort for the view of Kornati.
Monday: Žirje to Opat or Piškera, Kornati | about 13 nm
Into the park. Tickets are cheaper bought online the day before than from the ranger boat. Opat, at the southern tip of Kornat, has a quay and moorings and one restaurant, open to the south; ACI Marina Piškera, 5 nm further north on the outer side, has power, water and a booking system. The park bans anchoring outside marked zones, fishing and diving without a permit; the moorings are the way to spend the night.
Tuesday: Kornati to Žut, ACI Marina Žut | about 14 nm
Up the Kornat channel between Kornat and the outer chain, past Vrulje and Levrnaka (the sandy beach of Lojena is the lunch stop), then east to Žut. The island is outside the park, with restaurant moorings in Strunac, Pinizel and Sarušćica and the ACI marina in Luka Žut. Konobas serve lamb and octopus under the peka; order at midday.
Wednesday: Žut to Veli Iž | about 12 nm
North across to Iž, a farming and pottery island between Dugi Otok and Ugljan. Marina Veli Iž has 50 berths; the village has two shops, a fuel pump and five konobas, so it is the natural provisioning stop. The bay of Knež, on the other side of the island, is the quiet anchorage alternative.
Thursday: Veli Iž to Murter, Betina or Tisno | about 22 nm
The longest leg, south-east along the Pašman channel to Murter. Betina and Murter town have marinas; Tisno, on the bridge to the mainland, has a small marina and a town quay. Kosirina bay is the anchorage on the outer side. Murter's Slanica beach and the boatbuilders of Betina fill the afternoon.
Friday: Murter to Mandalina | about 18 nm
South past Tribunj and Vodice, into the Sveti Ante channel and up to the marina for the afternoon check-in. Fuel at the marina station. Evening in Šibenik: the cathedral of St James (UNESCO) and the two fortresses above the town.
Variations
Add Skradin and the Krka falls by replacing Murter with a night in ACI Skradin (from Veli Iž about 30 nm, or from Murter 20 nm). In a bura forecast, keep to the inner channels (Zlarin, Kaprije, Murter, Tisno) and visit Kornati by day only. Bases and availability on our Šibenik charter page.
Questions about the Šibenik and Kornati itinerary
Is this a good first bareboat week?
Yes: short legs, sheltered water, many harbours within an hour of each other, and the base is a modern marina. The Kornati rules and the shallow entrances at Žirje and Iž are the only things to prepare for.
How do the Kornati tickets work?
Per yacht per day, bought online before entering or from the rangers at a higher price. Overnight moorings in the park are paid separately to the restaurant or the ACI marina.
Can we anchor in the park?
Only in the designated bays, and the list changes. Restaurant moorings and ACI Piškera are simpler and cost about the same as a berth elsewhere.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, licence held, skipper or not, and whether Krka matters to you. We shortlist three yachts at Mandalina with a recommendation.
Tell us your dates, group and route priorities. A Seeksail adviser will review your request and help identify suitable yachts, normally within one business day.
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