Skipper and Co-Owner of Salty Miles Goran Ivankovic recounts which national and nature parks are worth visiting from a yacht, where to moor, and how to enjoy yourself. Contact us for a price quote and itinerary suggestions featuring a visit to the park of your choice.
Kornati
Arguably, this is Croatia's most unusual national park. The archipelago comprises 89 islands with olive trees, sparse grass, and scorched rocks.
Yacht fees and mooring:
- Mooring on the territory of the Kornati National Park is paid. The fees depend on the season, the number of days, and yacht/catamaran dimensions. For instance, one day of anchorage for a 58 ft boat would cost 100-200 kunas outside the bay and 150-350 kunas for those wishing to moor in the bay.
- Anchorage at ACI Marina Piškera may include entrance fees to the national park. However, this should be confirmed with ACI reception. The marina's anchorage depends on the season, the number of days, and the yacht's dimensions.
- Mooring at restaurants is free of charge. Go for Konoba Opat in the south of Kornat Island or Konoba Levernaka on the same island.
Pastimes:
- Climb to the peak of Kornat Island and take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the endless string of islands.
- Visit the Tureta Fortress, the oldest building of Bythe zantine era on the archipelago d,ating back to the 6th century.
- See the geological phenomenon dubbed "the Crown." Explore the ruins of Illyrian settlements located on several of the archipelago's islands.
Telašćica
The unique character of this park is that six out of 13 archipelago islands are located inside the Telašćica Bay, one of the biggest in the Adriatic. The terrain in the west part is drastically different from that in the east: a gently sloping coast with a host of neat beaches on one side and scenic sheer cliffs on the other.
The Euphrasian Basilica in the town of Poreč / Biskupska zgrada Eufrazijeve bazilike u Poreču
The Diocese of Poreč is one of the most ancient on the Adriatic. It was founded between the 3d and 4th century. Apart from the basilica, the architectural complex consists of a sacristy, a baptistry, an Episcopal residence, and a bell tower. It is one of the most valuable examples of Byzantine art in this region. The floor mosaics inside the church represents the early Christian symbol of fish. It remained intact until the present.
Yacht admission fees and mooring:
- Paid mooring depends on the number of days and the boat's length. For instance, one day of anchorage for a 58 ft boat costs 50-200 euros depending on season and yacht size.
Pastimes:
- Rent a drag bike and ride to the other side of the bay, take a swim and head back.
- Go hunting and keep the trophy.
- Take out a diving lesson.
- Book a tour around the island or check out the adventure park with your children.
Krka
The Krka National Park wrapped itself around the eponymous river. Its quirky landscape is made of small lakes connected with incredible waterfall cascades. Half a day or more spent in the park will fly by. One can endlessly weave in and out of narrow lanes tucked away from direct sun rays under a canopy of sprawling trees. Take in the beauty of waterfalls and even bathe in them. Get a guided tour around sites of history and culture. The park is open year-round, with winter admissions offered at almost no cost.
Yacht entry fees and mooring
- ACI Marina Skradin is cozily tucked in a landlocked bay on the Krka river. These fees depend on the season, the number of days and the vessel.
- Anchorage at the city wall is paid, but around 30% less expensive than in ACI.
Pastimes:
- Follow winding paths in the shade of trees surrounding seven picturesque waterfalls and find yourself in the fairytale atmosphere.
- Visit the Franciscan monastery of Visovac, founded in the 18th century; the Serbian Orthodox Krka Monastery built in the 14th century and not renovated until the new millennium; and the heritage museum near the Skradinski Buk Waterfall, not to mention the mills powered by the falls.
- On your way to the park, climb to the top of Skradin Town for a panoramic view of the bay.
Visit 3 amazingly beautiful national parks in 7 days —
Kornati, Krka and Telaščica.
Mljet
Croatia's greenest island, 72% of the territory is covered with trees. The park is situated in the western part of the island and is known thanks to two salt lakes connected with the sea through a narrow canal and to the mongooses that populate it. This island has an exciting story, so I recommend including it in your route.
Yacht entry fees and mooring:
- Polače — anchorage is included in the ticket price
- Pomena — anchorage is included in the ticket price
- Prožura — moorage at the buoy or a restaurant subject to availability
- Saplunara — anchorage in the northern part of the bay
Pastimes:
- Enjoy an exciting bicycle ride around the Malo i Veliko Jezero Lake and draw in a lungful of healing pine-infused air.
- Swim in the lakes or go scuba diving to diversify your marine impressions.
- Book a tour of the island and learn about its unusual destiny.
- Go kayaking or SUP-boarding on the lake.
Brijuni
Fourteen islands of a large archipelago in the north of Croatia have the status of a national park. Still, the most famous is Veli Brijuni, renowned for an abundance of cultural and historic monuments dating back to the first or second century A.D. and for being home to Marshal Tito's residence.
Yacht entry fees and mooring:
- Veli Brijuni Port. Mooring in high season costs about 150 euros a day, depending on the yacht size.
- St. Nicholas's Bay, Mali Brijuni Island. Similar rates to those at the Veli Brijuni Port.
Pastimes:
- Take a bike ride. You will see all the key historic attractions and gaze at wild animals in the safari park, including hordes of roe deer and a golf club at the far end of the park.
- Set out on a guided tour around the park, which features a Roman palace of the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D., a Roman prison, a Venus temple, a Byzantine castrum, St Mary's Basilica of the 5th-6th centuries, and St Germanus' Church of the 15th century.
- Visit Marshal Tito's Museum to learn which national leaders visited the residence and which animals they brought as gifts.
- Bathe in the sea and lie down to rest next to an actual dinosaur footprint.
Visit Brijuni National Park during a yacht gourmet tour in Istria.
Lastovo
This park is Croatia's westernmost point, situated 10 miles from Korčula. Tourists are few and far between here, and regrettably so. Apart from the pristine nature of the archipelago consisting of 46 islands inhabited by only one, this destination will undoubtedly be to the liking of history lovers. The first mention of Lastovo dates back to the New Stone Age, while the subsequent centuries saw it frequently changing hands - from the Roman to the French and Austrian Empires. Fast forward to World War I, when Italy reclaimed the place, and to the period after World War II, when it finally became part of Yugoslavia, only to be concealed from prying eyes until 1989.
Yacht entry fees and mooring:
- Zaklopatica Bay — mooring at the quay
- Skrivena Luka Bay — paid anchorage in the Porto Rosso marina or free-of-charge near the restaurant
- Velji Lago Gulf:
At the Solitudo hotel — paid anchorage
Pasadur — paid anchorage
Ublе — paid anchorage
Jurjeva Luka — paid anchorage
- Mali Lago — paid anchorage
Pastimes:
- Book a guided tour.
- Visit one of the oldest carnivals in Croatia.
- The island boasts countless bike routes of varying trekking difficulty.
- Indulge in sunbathing at the Lastovnjaci sand beach.
