Mikado Kornati Excursion

Kornati National Park is best seen from the water, where hundreds of bare, sun-baked islands unfold in every direction. This 9.5-hour boat trip from Zadar gives you three useful breaks, including sandy Lojena Beach, Tarac Bay, and Suha Punta on Kornat.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the fact that breakfast, drinks, park admission, snorkeling gear, and lunch are included. The main caution is the meal: the fish may be overcooked, and the simple salad, feta, and olives may feel light for a full-day outing.

Key points

• Three well-spaced stops: Swim at Lojena Beach, visit Tarac Bay and Tureta Fort, then eat and swim at Suha Punta.
• A proper day on the water: You leave Zadar at 8 a.m. and return around 5:40 p.m., with breakfast and drinks served aboard.
• Kornati from a close range: The boat offers broad views of the island chain rather than a quick coastal glance.
• Sandy Lojena Beach: You get a full hour for swimming and snorkeling around one of the park’s most appealing beaches.
• Lunch is included: Choose grilled fish or meat with seasonal vegetables, but keep expectations modest.
• Good group size: With space for up to 20 people, the trip should feel more personal than a large ferry excursion.

Why Kornati Works Best as a Full-Day Boat Trip

Kornati National Park is a world of dry islands, rocky shores, narrow channels, and quiet bays. From land, you can only experience small pieces of it. From a boat, the shape of the archipelago makes sense as you pass one island after another, each separated by clear water and low, stark hills.

That is the real value of this excursion. You are not simply being transported to one beach. Much of the day is spent seeing the islands from different angles, with time to get off the boat at three separate places.

The schedule runs from 8 a.m. until about 5:40 p.m., so this is not a casual half-day outing. You should treat it as your main activity for the day. The long format allows time for sightseeing, swimming, a little history, lunch, and the return voyage without rushing each stop.

The tour is limited to 20 people. That number matters on a full-day boat trip. You still share the experience with a group, but it is more manageable than an excursion built around a much larger crowd.

Leaving Fosa Port in Zadar

The meeting point is Fosa port, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. The early departure gives you a useful start on a long day, so arrive ready to board and keep your swimwear, towel, and sun protection easy to reach.

Breakfast is served on board, with coffee, sandwiches, and fruit. This is a practical touch rather than a grand meal, but it means you do not have to arrange breakfast before reaching the port.

The boat also carries Coca-Cola, Fanta, other juices, wine, and water throughout the trip. An aperitif is included as well. Beer is not included, so do not count on it as one of the available drinks.

As the boat leaves Zadar, the first part of the day is about seeing the park from the water. The broad views are a major part of the experience, especially if you enjoy taking in the shape and spacing of the islands rather than rushing straight to a beach.

Wi-Fi is available on board. That can be handy during a long day at sea, though I would still plan to spend most of your time looking outward. The view is the main reason to book.

Lojena Beach on Levrnaka

The first swimming break is at Lojena Beach on the island of Levrnaka. You have about 60 minutes here, enough for a swim, some snorkeling, and a little time on the sand.

This is one of the strongest parts of the schedule because the stop has a clear purpose. You are not simply stepping ashore for a quick photograph. You have time to get into the water, use the provided snorkeling mask, and look for fish close to shore.

Swimming aids are also available. That is useful if you enjoy the water but are not a confident swimmer, though you should still bring the comfort level and equipment you personally need.

Bring a towel and swimwear in your day bag. Hiking shoes are also recommended, which tells you something about the shore and walking areas around the islands. Flip-flops may be fine for the beach, but sturdier footwear is the safer choice when you are moving over uneven ground.

The 60-minute limit keeps the day moving, but it also means you should not spend too long deciding what to do. Get changed before the stop if possible, step ashore, and make the most of the water.

Tarac Bay, the Church, and Tureta Fort

The second break takes place at Tarac Bay, also for about 60 minutes. Here the focus shifts from beach time to a mix of scenery, local history, and swimming.

You can visit a church, see Tureta Fort, and enjoy the view across the Kornati archipelago from the bay. The fort gives the stop a bit more substance than a standard beach excursion. You are seeing evidence of the islands’ past while also getting one of the best broad views of the park.

The timing requires a little planning. A church visit, the walk toward the fort, sightseeing, and swimming all compete for one hour. You may need to choose your priority instead of trying to do everything at length.

If you want the best view, use the walking time well and wear hiking shoes. The tour specifically recommends them, and they will be more useful here than soft beach footwear.

Tarac Bay is also a good reminder that Kornati is not only about swimming. The islands have a spare, dramatic character, and the fort and church add a human scale to the otherwise open setting.

Lunch and a Final Swim at Suha Punta

After Tarac Bay, the boat returns toward the island of Kornat for the third break at Suha Punta. This is the longest stop, lasting about 95 minutes, and it combines lunch with another chance to swim.

Lunch includes a choice of grilled fish or meat with a mixed seasonal vegetable salad. Drinks remain available, and wine is included among the choices. The meal is convenient because you do not need to arrange food on the island, but it is best viewed as straightforward excursion fare.

The food is the one area where I would lower expectations. A meal of overcooked fish, packaged salad, a few pieces of feta, and olives can feel sparse after a full day in the sun. There is no dessert or coffee included. If food quality is central to your choice of boat trip, this is a genuine consideration.

The 95-minute stop helps soften that weakness. You have enough time to eat without rushing straight back onto the boat, and you can still swim afterward. If you choose the fish, it may be worth asking what the meat option is like before deciding.

Suha Punta works well as the final stop because it gives you a relaxed last stretch before the return to Zadar. After two earlier stops, you may appreciate having more time for lunch and the water rather than another tightly packed sightseeing visit.

What the Boat Day Feels Like

This is a sightseeing-and-swimming trip, not a fast transport service. You will spend a large part of the day seated or moving around on the boat, watching the islands pass by and waiting for the next stop.

The included breakfast and drinks make the day easier. You can start with coffee and sandwiches, then stay hydrated without buying every drink separately. Water is especially important during a full day outdoors, so take advantage of what is provided.

A live guide speaks English and Croatian. The guide is part of the value here because the day includes more than scenic cruising. You get context at Tarac Bay, information about Tureta Fort, and help understanding the park as you move through it.

The group size of 20 is another practical advantage. A smaller group usually makes boarding, getting off, and finding space for a swim less awkward than on a very large boat. It also gives the day a more personal feel, though the available information does not identify the guide by name.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can swim with fish during the stops. Bring your own mask only if you strongly prefer a particular fit. Otherwise, the supplied equipment keeps you from packing extra gear.

Is the $91 Price Good Value?

At $91 per person, the price covers a lot for a full day. You get transport from Zadar and back, admission to Kornati National Park, breakfast, lunch, drinks, a guide, snorkeling equipment, swimming aids, and Wi-Fi.

Buying those pieces separately would take time and could cost more, especially once you add park admission, meals, and boat transport. The value is strongest if you want a simple package with a fixed route and no need to plan your own island connections.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want a quiet beach day or if you expect a polished restaurant meal. The boat spends time sightseeing and visiting the fort, so you are paying for the whole Kornati experience rather than just access to Lojena Beach.

The included wine and soft drinks add some convenience, while the lack of beer is a minor limitation for anyone who specifically wants one with lunch. Reserve now and pay later is available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, which gives you some flexibility when weather or plans are uncertain.

Who Will Enjoy This Excursion Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see a large part of Kornati National Park in one day without arranging boats, food, park tickets, and snorkeling gear yourself.

It is especially suitable for:

• People staying in Zadar who want a full-day island outing
• Swimmers who want more than one chance to get into the water
• Visitors who enjoy scenery but also want a church and fort along the way
• Couples and families who prefer a small group to a large boat crowd
• First-time visitors to Kornati who want a planned introduction to the archipelago

You should think twice if your main priority is gourmet food, long independent walks, or complete control over the schedule. The stops are fixed, and each one has a set time. The meal is functional, not a highlight.

You also need to be comfortable with a long day that begins early and includes several hours on a boat. That is part of the appeal for some people, but it may feel too slow if you prefer land-based sightseeing.

What to Pack for the Day

Keep the essentials in a small day bag rather than buried in larger luggage. You will want quick access to:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Hiking shoes
• Sun protection
• Any personal swimming equipment you prefer

The tour supplies snorkeling masks and swimming aids, so you do not need to bring those unless you want your own. Breakfast, lunch, and drinks are included, but the meal does not include dessert or coffee.

Hiking shoes deserve special attention. You may spend time walking near the church and Tureta Fort, and the tour specifically lists them among the things to bring. Comfortable footwear will make the sightseeing stop more enjoyable.

The Main Strengths and Weaknesses

The strongest part of this experience is its balance. You get panoramic views, a sandy beach, a historic stop, a final swim, and a meal, all in one day. The park itself is the star, and the route gives you several ways to appreciate it.

The swimming stops are well chosen for variety. Lojena Beach gives you the most beach-focused break, Tarac Bay adds history and a wide view, and Suha Punta gives you time to combine food and swimming.

The small group is another clear advantage. A maximum of 20 people makes the day feel more manageable and helps protect it from the impersonal feel of a very large excursion.

The weak point is lunch. The grilled fish or meat sounds simple and filling, but the meal may be disappointing if you expect fresh, carefully prepared food. The lack of dessert and coffee also makes the meal feel basic.

The schedule is full but reasonable. You will not have unlimited time at any one place, yet the three stops prevent the day from becoming one long ride with a single short swim.

Should You Book Mikado Kornati Excursions?

Book this trip if you want the most convenient one-day introduction to Kornati from Zadar, with swimming, snorkeling, island views, a fort, and nearly all costs folded into one price.

The high overall rating of 4.9 from 15 reviews fits the tour’s biggest strengths: the park scenery, the range of stops, and the smaller boat group. I would simply keep lunch in perspective. Think of it as included fuel for a long day, not a reason to book.

For a first visit to Kornati, the combination is hard to beat for convenience. You see several sides of the park, spend real time in the water, and return to Zadar the same day. If that sounds like your kind of day, the $91 price is fair.

FAQ

Where does the Mikado Kornati excursion start?

The tour starts at Fosa port in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

How long does the Kornati boat trip last?

The excursion lasts about 9.5 hours. Departure is scheduled for 8 a.m., with arrival back in Zadar around 5:40 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the island of Kornat and includes grilled fish or meat with a mixed seasonal vegetable salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coca-Cola, Fanta, various juices, wine, and water are available throughout the trip. Beer is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and swimming aids are included, and you can swim and snorkel with fish during the stops.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live guide provides the tour in English and Croatian.