Mikado Kornati Excursion with snorkeling and hiking stops

Sea, stone, and three good stops. The Mikado Kornati Excursion gives you a full day among the bare, beautiful islands of Kornati National Park, with time for swimming, snorkeling, a short hike, and lunch beside the water. I like the small group of 20 people and the steady supply of breakfast, fruit, coffee, soft drinks, wine, and water. I also like the mix of sea time and cultural sights, especially Tureta Fort and the little church at Tarac Bay.

The main drawback is time. This is a long day, but the first two stops last about an hour each, and one recent participant wished for more swimming time there. If you want a slow beach day, this schedule may feel brisk. If you want to see a broad slice of the archipelago without arranging boats, it is a strong choice.

Key points at a glance

• Start with breakfast at 8 a.m. from Foša Port: Coffee, sandwiches, and fruit make the early departure easier.
• Lojena Beach gives you the first swim: You get about 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling near Levrnaka.
• Tarac Bay adds the walking: Visit the church, hike toward Tureta Fort, and take in a wide view over Kornati.
• Lunch comes on Kornat Island: Expect grilled fish or meat with mixed seasonal vegetable salad beside the sea.
• The boat keeps the day easy: Drinks, snorkeling masks, swimming aids, Wi-Fi, and a guide are included.
• The price covers a lot: At $101 per person, the park admission, meals, drinks, guide, and full-day transport make the outing good value for an active day.

Setting out from Foša Port in Zadar

The tour begins at Foša Port, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, at 8 a.m. Plan to arrive ready for a full day outside. You need swimwear, a towel, and hiking shoes. The last item matters because Tarac Bay includes a walk to a church and Tureta Fort, not just a quick stroll from the boat.

The total outing lasts 570 minutes, returning to Zadar at about 5:40 p.m. That gives you roughly nine and a half hours away from the port. The timing works well for a day trip, but it also means you should not schedule a close evening commitment afterward.

Breakfast is served on board, with coffee, sandwiches, and fruit. The sandwich includes options such as cheese and salami, according to the food details provided during the excursion. Drinks remain available throughout the day, including water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, various juices, and wine. Beer is the one notable drink not included.

The group is limited to 20 people. That is small enough to make boarding, finding a place to sit, and getting help from the guide less hectic than on a large excursion boat. It also gives the trip a more personal feel without turning it into a private charter.

Two hours of Kornati views from the water

The first major part of the trip is the boat ride through Kornati National Park. You spend about two hours sailing and taking in the islands before the first swimming stop. This is not filler. The boat journey is the best way to understand the character of Kornati, where pale, rocky islands spread across clear Adriatic water.

The views are broad and open rather than lush. Kornati is famous for its dry stone terrain, low vegetation, and strong contrast between bare islands and bright sea. I would keep your camera handy, but also give yourself time to watch the islands change as the boat moves between them.

This portion is also a chance to settle into the day. Breakfast, coffee, fruit, and the open views make the early start feel less demanding. The boat has Wi-Fi, though the scenery is the better reason to look up from your phone.

A guide speaks English and Croatian. Aninka received especially warm praise for clear explanations, careful attention, and smooth handling of the schedule. Guides can vary, but this is an important part of the experience because the trip includes both natural sights and historic remains.

Lojena Beach on Levrnaka Island

The first stop is Lojena Beach on Levrnaka Island, with about 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This is the most direct beach stop of the day, so bring your towel and put your swimming gear somewhere easy to reach.

Lojena is valued for its sandy shore, a pleasant change from the rocky edges found around much of the Adriatic. The included snorkeling masks and swimming aids make it simple to get into the water without bringing your own equipment. Snorkeling with fish is part of the experience, though the exact amount of marine life can vary with conditions.

An hour is enough for a swim and a little snorkeling, but not for a long, lazy beach session. You may need to choose between walking along the beach, sitting on the sand, and spending time in the water. If swimming is your main goal, get changed before arrival and move promptly once the boat stops.

This is one place where the schedule may feel short. A participant specifically wished for more time at the first two stops. That is fair, especially on a warm day when the water is inviting. Still, the limited stop lets the boat reach several different parts of the park rather than keeping you at one beach all afternoon.

Tarac Bay, the church, and Tureta Fort

The second stop shifts the focus from swimming to culture and views. You get about 60 minutes at Tarac Bay, including a visit to a church, a walk toward Tureta Fort, sightseeing, and another chance to swim.

The walk is short enough to fit into the stop, but hiking shoes are still the right choice. The ground around historic sites can be uneven, and sandals are not ideal if you want to walk comfortably. The reward is a high viewpoint over the Kornati archipelago, one of the strongest photo opportunities of the day.

Tureta Fort adds a sense of time and place to the outing. Instead of seeing the islands only from a boat, you get a brief look at the remains of human activity among the stone and sea. The church visit can also bring an unexpected moment. One excursion included a surprise inside the chapel, though the exact nature of any special visit should not be expected every time.

You need to manage this stop carefully. If you spend the entire hour walking, you may have little time to swim. If you go straight to the water, you miss the viewpoint and the historic sights. I would walk first, take in the view, and use any remaining minutes for a quick swim.

Lunch and a final swim on Kornat

The longest stop comes at Suha Punta on the island of Kornat. The schedule gives you about 95 minutes here for lunch, walking, swimming, and snorkeling. The itinerary also lists this part as roughly 105 minutes, so allow for a little variation in the precise timing.

Lunch is grilled fish or meat with a mixed seasonal vegetable salad. It is served near the sea, which makes this more than a simple refueling break. You can eat, stretch your legs, and return to the water without losing the whole afternoon to a restaurant stop.

Food is one of the better parts of the value. The day begins with breakfast, fruit remains available on board, drinks are included, and lunch is covered. Several fruit choices have been available, including bananas, apricots, grapes, peaches, apples, and blueberries. The exact selection can change, but the general approach is generous.

If you need a vegetarian meal, ask before booking or at the start of the day. The main activity details list fish or meat, while one recent meal included a vegetarian option. It is wise to confirm rather than assume.

Suha Punta is the best stop for combining lunch and water time, simply because it is longer. Still, 95 minutes passes quickly once you have eaten. You may want to swim before lunch if the weather is hot, then eat afterward, or split the stop into two short swims around the meal.

The return cruise to Zadar

After Kornat, the boat begins the roughly two-hour return to Zadar. This is a useful time to dry off, have another drink, eat fruit, and let the day’s sights settle in.

Some people may wish for music on board, and that is not a feature to count on. The tour puts more weight on conversation, scenery, food, and the stops than on entertainment. If you prefer a quiet ride with views, that will suit you. If you want a party boat, this is probably not the right match.

The boat is described as comfortable and clean, with drinks available throughout the trip. Wine is included, but beer is not. Since the outing is long, the ongoing access to water and nonalcoholic drinks is more important than it may first sound.

The return time is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. at the same Zadar location. That makes the tour easy to fit into a stay based in Zadar, though you should leave space for small changes caused by sea conditions or the pace of the group.

What the $101 price really covers

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Kornati islands, but the price includes much more than a boat ride. You receive:

• Breakfast with coffee, sandwiches, and fruit
• Lunch on Kornat Island
• Soft drinks, juices, water, and wine
• Kornati National Park admission
• An English or Croatian-speaking guide
• Snorkeling mask and swimming aids
• Wi-Fi on board
• A full day of transport and sightseeing

Buying these pieces separately would take planning and could easily narrow the price difference. The park ticket alone is already built into the fare, and you avoid arranging boat transport, food, and snorkeling gear on your own.

The strongest value comes if you plan to use the whole day. Someone who wants only a short cruise and one swim may find the price harder to justify. Someone who wants scenery, three stops, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and a guided walk gets a well-filled day.

The small group also helps. Twenty people is not private, but it is more manageable than a large boat carrying far more passengers. You should still expect a shared schedule and shared meal arrangements, not the freedom to stay at each island as long as you wish.

Who will enjoy this Kornati excursion most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple way to see several sides of Kornati National Park in one day. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable with a long boat outing and short walks.

It is also a good pick if you like variety. You get open-water views, a sandy beach, snorkeling, a church, a fort, a viewpoint, lunch, and another swim. No single stop has to carry the whole day.

You may want a different plan if your priority is extended beach time. The swimming stops are real, but they are fitted around the wider route. You should also think twice if you dislike early starts, boat travel, or a fixed group schedule.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, hiking shoes, sun protection, and a light layer for the boat. Keep your camera and swim gear easy to reach. Since drinks and snacks are supplied, you do not need to pack a full day of food.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but the practical details still matter: check the available start time, confirm your meeting point at Foša Port, and allow the entire day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one well-organized day in Kornati National Park with food, drinks, park entry, gear, and a guide already handled. The highest praise goes to the friendly hosting, clear guiding, comfortable boat, tasty lunch, and carefully chosen stops. Aninka is a guide name worth noting if she is assigned to your departure.

Skip it if you want a quiet, unhurried beach day with hours in one place. The schedule is active, and the first two stops can feel short for serious swimmers. For most people who want a broad introduction to the Kornati islands without managing the details themselves, $101 is a fair price.

FAQ

Where does the Mikado Kornati Excursion depart from?

It departs from Foša Port in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

What time does the excursion start?

Departure is scheduled for 8 a.m.

What time does the boat return to Zadar?

The planned return time is 5:40 p.m.

How long does the excursion last?

The stated duration is 570 minutes, or about nine and a half hours.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Croatian.

Is food included?

Yes. Breakfast includes coffee, sandwiches, and fruit. Lunch includes grilled fish or meat with mixed seasonal vegetable salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, various juices, wine, and coffee are available. Beer is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and swimming aids are included, along with swimming and snorkeling opportunities with fish.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and hiking shoes. These are especially useful for the beach stops and the walk near Tarac Bay.