National Park Kornati

National Park Kornati is an archipelago national park in the central Adriatic off Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, administered from Zadar County. It protects a compact cluster of rocky islands, islets and reefs noted for sparse vegetation, limestone cliffs and clear surrounding sea.

Boat cruises and private boats are the primary means to explore the park; popular activities include day boat tours, sailing between islands, snorkeling and diving in clear waters. The park contains numerous sheltered bays and channels and is valued for its marine environment and sailing routes.

The area was designated a national park to protect the island group and surrounding marine area, and management focuses on conserving natural features and regulating visitor use. Traditional uses such as small-scale fishing and shepherding historically shaped the landscape, and regulations now balance conservation with tourism and local livelihoods.

Kornati lies in the central Adriatic Sea between the Dalmatian mainland and offshore islands, roughly off the coast of Zadar and Šibenik. Access is by boat from mainland piers and nearby islands; the archipelago is exposed and largely uninhabited, with most visitors arriving on day trips or liveaboard sailboats.

• Island count and access: The park comprises a dense cluster of islands, islets and reefs - commonly cited as about 89 separate landforms - so boat access is essential for visiting.
• When to go: Best visiting months are late spring to early autumn when most boat services operate and sea conditions are suitable for island-hopping and snorkeling.