Mikado Kornati Excursion

The best part of this day is the chance to see Kornati National Park from the water, where bare islands, narrow channels, and rocky shores stretch out in every direction. The small boat, limited to about 20 people, keeps the trip more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.

I like the well-planned rhythm: coffee and sandwiches while you cruise, a full hour at Lojena Beach, a visit to Tarac Bay, then a longer lunch and swimming stop. I also like that the park admission, meals, drinks, guide, and snorkeling equipment are included in the $91 price.

The main drawback is lunch. The grilled fish or meat gives you a proper meal, but the salad and side dishes may feel plain, and there is no dessert or coffee. You should also expect a long day in the sun, with an early start and several hours on the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Three water-based stops: You get time to swim or snorkel at Lojena Beach, Tarac Bay, and Suha Punta.
• Tarac Bay combines scenery and history: You can see a church and the remains of Tureta Fort during the one-hour stop.
• A small group of about 20 people: The boat feels more manageable than a large excursion vessel.
• Breakfast and drinks are included: Coffee, sandwiches, fruit, soft drinks, wine, and water are available during the day.
• Lunch is simple rather than lavish: Choose grilled fish or meat with mixed seasonal vegetables, but do not expect dessert or coffee.
• Bring more than swimwear: A towel and hiking shoes are specifically recommended for time ashore.

Why Kornati is best seen from the sea

Kornati National Park is made up of a spread of islands and smaller islets in the Adriatic. From land, you can only see one piece at a time. From a boat, the scale becomes clearer as the islands appear and disappear along the route.

The views are not about green forests or busy waterfront towns. Kornati is known for a harder, more open look: rocky shores, pale stone, low vegetation, and clear water between the islands. I find this kind of scenery most appealing when you want a break from city sightseeing and do not need a packed schedule of monuments.

The boat ride also gives you changing viewpoints throughout the day. One moment you are looking across the archipelago, and the next you are close to a beach or a small bay. The panoramic sightseeing is a major part of the value, not just transportation between stops.

This trip leaves from Foša Port in Zadar at 8 a.m. and returns at about 5:40 p.m. That makes it a full day, not a short morning cruise. You should keep your evening fairly open, since the return time leaves little room for another major activity.

Setting out from Foša Port at 8 a.m.

The meeting point is Foša Port, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. The same location is used for the return. You will want to arrive ready for a full day outdoors, with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and hiking shoes.

The day begins with breakfast on board. Coffee, sandwiches, and fruit are provided, which is useful because the departure is early. This is not a restaurant breakfast, but it takes care of the first hunger while the boat gets underway.

Drinks are available during the trip. The included choices are Coca-Cola, Fanta, other juices, wine, and water. Beer is not included, so do not count on it as part of the drinks service.

Wi-Fi is also available on board. I would treat it as a practical extra rather than the reason to book. The best use of the day is to watch the islands and save your phone battery for photos, but having Wi-Fi can be useful if you need to stay connected.

Lojena Beach gives you the first swim

The first scheduled stop is Lojena Beach on the island of Levrnaka. You get about 60 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling.

Lojena is a sandy beach, which matters in a region where many swimming spots are rocky. The sand makes getting into the water more comfortable, especially if you are not wearing water shoes. The stop is long enough for a proper swim rather than a rushed photo break.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with swimming aids. You can look for fish in the water, and the trip specifically includes swimming and snorkeling with fish. Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a natural swimming stop, not a guided marine-life tour with specialist equipment or a formal underwater presentation.

Sixty minutes is a useful amount of time, but it passes quickly once you have walked from the boat, changed, swum, and dried off. If you want photos, take them early. Then put the phone away and enjoy the water.

Tarac Bay adds a little history to the day

The second stop is Tarac Bay, where you have about an hour to swim, look around, and see local sights. This stop gives the day more variety because it is not only about the beach.

You will visit a church and see Tureta Fort. The fort adds a historical layer to the island scenery, though the supplied details do not indicate a formal museum visit or a long guided history talk. Think of it as a scenic stop with a few cultural points of interest, not a full archaeological tour.

The view over the Kornati archipelago from Tarac Bay is one of the strongest scenic moments of the trip. From this position, you can take in the islands and open water in a way that is difficult to appreciate from a single shoreline.

You also have time to swim here. That makes the stop easy to enjoy at your own pace. You can focus on the church and fort, swim for a while, or divide the hour between both. Hiking shoes are useful because you may want firmer footwear while walking around the historic site and rocky ground.

Suha Punta brings lunch and the longest break

The third stop is at Suha Punta on the island of Kornat. At about 95 minutes, it is the longest break of the day. This is where lunch is served, and you have time for another swim.

Lunch includes a choice of grilled fish or grilled meat with mixed seasonal vegetable salad. The meal is practical and fitting for a day near the sea. It gives you something more substantial than the morning sandwiches, especially after swimming.

I would not book this trip expecting a memorable food experience. The meal can feel frugal, with a simple salad, a small amount of feta and olives, and no dessert or coffee. The fish may also be overcooked, depending on the serving. If you care greatly about food, bring a small extra snack, though the provided information does not specify restrictions on bringing your own food.

The 95-minute stop is long enough to eat without rushing and still get in the water. That is an important advantage. On shorter boat tours, lunch often takes up the entire stop. Here, you have a little room to enjoy the shore after eating.

What the small group changes

The boat carries about 20 people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a mass outing, though it is not a private charter. You will still share the boat, meal service, and swimming stops with other people.

I like this group size for a full-day cruise. It should make moving around the boat easier and keep the guide’s instructions easier to hear. It also gives the outing a more relaxed feel than a large vessel packed with passengers.

At the same time, a small group does not guarantee silence or personal attention at every moment. The guide speaks English and Croatian, and the experience includes a live guide, but no individual guide name is provided. If you need a tour in another language, this is not the right choice based on the available information.

The boat is your base for most of the day, so comfort matters. You should be prepared for sun, wind, and the normal movement of a boat. A towel, water-friendly clothing, and sturdy shoes will make the day easier.

What the $91 price really covers

At $91 per person, the price is fairly easy to judge because many major costs are already bundled together. You receive:

• Admission to Kornati National Park
• Breakfast with coffee, sandwiches, and fruit
• Lunch on Kornat
• Soft drinks, juice, wine, and water
• A guide
• Snorkeling mask
• Swimming aids
• Wi-Fi on board

The park entry alone is useful to have included, since you do not need to arrange it separately. The meals and drinks also reduce the small expenses that can add up during a long day on the water.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and appreciate a ready-made day with transport, food, equipment, and guiding included. The value is weaker if you mainly want a short scenic cruise or if you prefer to choose your own restaurants and beaches.

You should also account for the fact that beer is not included. That is a minor issue for most people, but it is worth knowing before you board.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see several parts of Kornati National Park without arranging boats, park entry, meals, and swimming equipment separately. It suits people who like a mix of open-water scenery, simple history, and time in the sea.

It is especially good for:

• Swimmers who want three chances to get into the water
• Visitors staying in Zadar who want a full-day island outing
• People who prefer a small group to a large boat
• Anyone who enjoys scenic cruising more than a tightly scripted sightseeing tour
• Couples, friends, and families comfortable with a long day outdoors

You may want a different experience if you dislike boats, need a short activity, or expect a polished restaurant lunch. The beaches and bays are natural stops, so you should be comfortable with a simple outdoor setting.

The tour also asks for some physical flexibility. Hiking shoes are recommended, and at least one stop includes a church and fort area rather than only a flat beach. The available details do not give specific accessibility information, so contact the provider if that is important for you.

Simple preparation makes the day better

Wear your swimwear under comfortable clothing so you can change quickly at the first stop. Bring a towel, hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a cover-up for the boat ride after swimming.

A waterproof bag can protect your phone and valuables, though it is not listed as an included item. You will probably want both beach footwear and shoes suitable for walking near the historic sights.

Eat the breakfast provided, but consider bringing a small personal snack if you tend to get hungry after swimming. Lunch is included, but the meal is simple and there is no dessert.

Finally, do not plan a demanding evening after returning to Zadar. The scheduled return is around 5:40 p.m., and a full day of sun, water, and boat time can leave you ready for a quiet dinner.

Should you book Mikado Kornati Excursion?

Book it if your ideal day from Zadar includes wide island views, three swimming opportunities, a small group, and a practical all-inclusive setup. The strongest parts are the water access, the Tarac Bay scenery, the chance to see Tureta Fort, and the fact that park entry, meals, drinks, and snorkeling gear are already covered.

Skip it if the quality of lunch matters as much as the scenery, or if you want a private boat and a completely flexible schedule. For most people who want an efficient introduction to Kornati National Park, the $91 price offers solid value, provided you treat the meal as fuel and the boat ride as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the Mikado Kornati excursion start?

The excursion starts at Foša Port in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

Where does the excursion end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs at 8 a.m.

What time does the boat return to Zadar?

The scheduled return is at approximately 5:40 p.m.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts about 9.5 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is designed for a small group of about 20 people.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The schedule includes swimming at Lojena Beach, Tarac Bay, and Suha Punta.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and swimming aids are included.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes coffee, sandwiches, and fruit. Lunch includes grilled fish or meat with 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.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Croatian.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and hiking shoes.