Kornati feels like a rocky maze of islands. This full-day boat outing from Zadar gives you panoramic island views plus easy breaks for swimming and snorkeling, all in one compact schedule. I especially love the swim time at Lojena Beach and the fact that you’re kitted out with a snorkeling mask and swimming aids, but the lunch can feel a little plain for the money.

If you want big scenery without a stress-heavy day, this works well. The group stays small (about 20 people), so you spend less time waiting around and more time actually enjoying each stop. You also get breakfast on board, drinks throughout the day, and even Wi-Fi on the boat, which is handy when you’re comparing photos later.

One thing to plan for: you’ll be outside and in swim mode most of the day, so pack for water time and bring shoes that handle uneven footing on the islands. Also, if you’re picky about meal quality, consider that the lunch is simple and not a sit-down gourmet experience.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Lojena Beach swim (Levrnaka Island) with a real sandy shoreline moment
• Tarac Bay viewpoint + breaks ashore including a church and Tureta Fort
• Snorkeling included with mask and swimming aids, plus time in the water
• Lunch on Kornat Island by the sea followed by one more swim stop
• Small group size (~20 people) for a calmer pace through the day

The Kornati views you’ll actually remember from Tarac Bay

Kornati National Park has a way of looking different from every angle. From the water, the islands stack up in sharp layers—rocky shapes, small bays, and limestone tones that make you feel like you’re floating through a natural model.

The schedule smartly includes a break in Tarac Bay, where you get a magnificent overall view of the archipelago. That’s the kind of sight that’s hard to replicate from land, because boats naturally give you the wide-angle perspective. It also helps that you’re not just riding past—your day includes moments where you’re stopping to look, walk a bit, and then jump back in the water.

This is a great fit if you like photos, but also if you like the physical experience: sun on your shoulders, salt air, and that steady rhythm of boat-to-swim-to-boat.

Boat day basics: 8 a.m., Fosa port, and drinks all the way

The day starts at 8:00 a.m. departing from Fosa port in Zadar. The meeting point details include Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 as the listed start location, so if you’re using a map, plug in that address and head toward the port area.

The total duration is about 9.5 hours, bringing you back to Zadar around 5:40 p.m. The ride itself is part of the experience here. You’ll get breakfast on board (coffee and sandwiches, plus fruit) early, so you’re not hungry while the scenery is hitting its best angles.

One practical win: drinks are available throughout the entire trip, including Coca-Cola, juices (Fanta and other options), wine, and water. Beer is not included, so if beer is your thing, plan on grabbing it elsewhere before or after.

Stop 1: Lojena Beach on Levrnaka Island (60 minutes of real swim time)

Your first on-water break is a swimming session at Lojena Beach on Levrnaka Island. You’ll get about 60 minutes, which is enough time to settle in, rinse off after a swim (using your own towel), and still enjoy the view without feeling rushed.

This stop is designed for an easy, classic beach moment inside the national park. You’re not trekking across islands all day; instead you get a clean window of water time early, when everyone’s still fresh.

If you’re snorkeling, this is a good place to start. You’ll have a snorkeling mask and swimming aids provided, plus time that’s intended for snorkeling with fish. My advice: if you’re new to snorkeling, use this first swim break to get your breathing and comfort level down before you try to float longer in open spots.

What to watch for practically:

• Bring your towel so you can dry off and avoid the cold feeling that can hit after you change.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes so you’re not fighting zippers and wet fabric.
• Hiking shoes help if you step around on rocky edges during boarding and breaks.

Stop 2: Tarac Bay break with a church, Tureta Fort, and a swim (60 minutes)

After the first swim, you’ll shift to the scenic payoff of the day at Tarac Bay. This is where the experience leans more “exploring” while still keeping water time in the plan.

At this stop, you’ll:

• visit a church
• sightsee Tureta Fort
• have another 60-minute swim break

That mix matters. Pure beach stops can feel repetitive, and pure sightseeing can feel dry. Here you get a little of both, and the fort/church visit makes sense because it gives your eyes a reason to look inward, not only outward at the archipelago.

The fort part is also useful for your photos. High points and old stone structures naturally frame the islands behind them. Even if you’re not a big history person, you’ll still enjoy the “how did people build here” feeling that comes with coastal forts.

Then, you return to water mode. This is a good moment for snorkeling too if conditions are favorable, but don’t assume you’ll see the same thing everywhere. Instead, think of the masks and time as your chance to try—what you notice will depend on visibility and where the group swims.

Stop 3: Suha punta, lunch on Kornat, then one last swim (95 minutes)

Your final major island block brings you back to the island of Kornat, with a longer stretch built in.

This stop includes:

• lunch near the sea (about 95 minutes total)
• swimming at Suha punta
• time to cool down, recover, and enjoy the final views

Lunch is a highlight for many people simply because it’s on the island, not back on a dock somewhere. You’re eating in a setting that makes the day feel complete—boat day content turns into “boat day memory.”

Meal details you can plan around:

• Lunch includes grilled fish or meat
• plus mixed seasonal vegetable salad

A useful note from experience with similar boat lunches: this is filling, but not trying to be fancy. One of the main critiques is that the meal can feel frugal, with salad described as less than fresh and the rest of the plate feeling modest. So if you want the best food of your trip, set your expectations accordingly.

After lunch, you get the swim at Suha punta. This is a great “last chance” water moment. If you’re choosing between snorkeling and just swimming, pick what matches your energy level. By this point in the day, you’ll probably enjoy a relaxed swim more than a marathon snorkeling effort.

Snorkeling gear is included, and the timing is built for it

You’re not left to figure out gear on your own. The tour provides a snorkeling mask and swimming aids, plus it includes snorkeling with fish as part of the experience.

What that means for you in practice:

• You can show up without packing a snorkel mask from home.
• You’re more likely to actually get into the water with confidence, because the aids reduce the “how do I float” stress.
• The day has enough swim windows (three breaks) that snorkeling doesn’t need to be your only hobby for the entire trip.

A quick tip: take a moment before you get in to adjust the mask properly. If it shifts or leaks, you’ll spend your swim time thinking about it instead of seeing what’s under the surface.

Also, because this is inside a national park, you’re sharing space with nature. Keep it calm. Move slowly, avoid touching rocks, and give yourself time to drift into the clearer spots.

Food, drinks, and the real expectations game

There’s a lot to like about the onboard setup: you start with breakfast on board (coffee and sandwiches plus fruits), you have drinks available all day, and lunch is included on Kornat.

Drinks included during the trip:

• Coca-Cola and Fanta
• water
• wine
• juices

No beer is included, so if you want beer, you’ll need to add it yourself.

The only real downside that stands out is lunch quality. Some feedback points out that the meal can be basic—salad that feels industrial, fish that can be overcooked, and not much in terms of dessert or coffee. In other words: it’s meant to keep you going and keep the schedule moving, not to be the culinary highlight.

My practical advice: treat lunch as “fuel in a gorgeous place.” If you want extra snacks, bring a small stash for later in the day (something non-messy, like a granola bar). You’ll feel better during the last swim.

Small-group size: why it changes the whole feel

A lot of boat trips in popular areas can feel like a shuffle through crowds—board, wait, disembark, queue again. Here the small group size (around 20 people) helps the day feel more human.

That matters because you’re doing three swim breaks plus a stop with walking/sightseeing at Tarac Bay. When groups are smaller, the time between activities tends to feel tighter and less chaotic. You also get a better chance to ask your guide questions and get a sense of what you’re seeing without feeling rushed.

It’s also a calmer setting for snorkeling. You’re less likely to have your swim path interrupted by too many people all doing the same thing at once.

Value check: is $91 a smart deal from Zadar?

At about $91 per person, this trip looks reasonable when you total what you get.

Included items that add real value:

• Kornati National Park admission ticket
• breakfast on board (coffee, sandwiches, fruits)
• lunch on Kornat (grilled fish or meat + vegetable salad)
• drinks throughout the day (soft drinks, water, wine)
• snorkeling mask + swimming aids
• Wi-Fi on board
• a live guide (English and Croatian)

When a tour includes both national park entry and snorkeling gear, you’re not paying extra for the “extras.” Plus, you’re getting a full day on the water with multiple swim windows, not a short cruise.

The main factor that could affect whether it feels like great value for you is lunch quality. If your top priority is food, this may not hit your ideal. If your priority is Kornati scenery, water time, and snorkeling without extra spending on gear and entry, the price looks solid.

Who this Mikado Kornati excursion is perfect for

This is a good match if you want:

• easy swims without planning your own boat logistics
• snorkeling gear provided
• multiple islands seen in one day
• a small group day trip from Zadar

It also works well if you’re traveling with limited time. You get a full national park taste—swimming, a fort/church stop, and a sea-side lunch—within a single outing.

On the other hand, if you want a foodie-focused lunch or long, slow hikes, this schedule is probably not your thing. It’s water-first, sightseeing-light, and built for a comfortable day at sea.

Should you book this Kornati boat trip?

I’d book it if your dream day in Kornati includes a bit of everything: big views from Tarac Bay, a sandy beach swim at Lojena, snorkeling with provided gear, and one last water moment at Suha punta, plus you want it handled with a small group and included national park entry.

Skip it—or go in with lower food expectations—if you’re the type who judges tours by lunch quality. The meal is part of the day, but it’s not the main reason people love the experience.

FAQ

What time does the Kornati boat trip depart from Zadar?

It departs at 8:00 a.m. from Fosa port in Zadar.

Where are the meeting and pickup details?

The meeting point is Fosa port, and the listed start location address is Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

How long is the excursion?

The duration is 9.5 hours, and it returns to Zadar at about 5:40 p.m.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is a small group of about 20 people.

Is breakfast, lunch, and drinks included?

Yes. You get breakfast on board, lunch on the island of Kornat, and drinks throughout the trip (including Coca-Cola, Fanta, wine, and water).

Is beer included?

No, beer is not included.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

You get a snorkeling mask and swimming aids, and there is snorkeling with fish time built into the day.

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