Zadar

The northwesterly wind known as the Mistral (a daytime breeze) predominates in the Adriatic from the start of June to mid-September. It usually starts blowing around 10:00 in the morning and can reach a strength of 3–5 on the Beaufort scale (BFT) in the afternoon, before abating at sunset. The Mistral is considered a fair weather wind, because it usually accompanies a cloudless, blue sky and pleasant temperatures at sea, bringing refreshment and helping to keep the air pleasantly humid.

The months of July to August are especially suitable for a family boating holiday. Winds are gentle and the sea is wonderfully warm. In summer, a SSE wind predominates in the coastal area around Zadar, its average speed being around 6–7 KN (knots). Winds are relatively stable in summer (a gentle wind blows for several hours during the day and stops almost completely towards evening). From July to August, temperatures in this area reach 26°C to 29°C, with sea temperatures around 24°C. Use caution, as a Bora wind may also blow here in summer with gusts up to 7–9 BFT. When it starts blowing, it may last up to three days, although there is no danger of the Bora creating dangerous waves in this area. Winds are more variable in the months of March and April and from mid-September to the end of October. The average wind speed during these months is 7–8 KN. Strong, gusty winds may blow.

If the most frequent wind in the Kornati Islands is the Bora (NE), the strongest is the Sirocco (SE). The Sirocco blows strongest from October to May. During this period, it sometimes reaches 9 BFT. In the summer, it can blow for two or three days but rarely reaches more than 7 BFT. It blows in from the sea and can create large waves. The dominant wind in summer is the Mistral (NW). Air currents from sea to land prevail. The winds here mostly blow with a force of 1–3 BFT. Strong winds of more than 6 BFT rarely blow in this area. Storms mainly occur in November.

Zadar is a 3,000-year-old harbour town, surrounded by fortified medieval walls and towers. It was the capital of Dalmatia for centuries, which is little wonder. This ancient town has its own unique charm. Zadar is a city of history, monuments, colours and gastronomy. 

The city is also legendary for its beautiful sunsets, offering a different combination of colours every day. Drinking a glass of Maraschino at the Zadar waterfront, Alfred Hitchcock once said: "This must be the most beautiful sunset in the world!".

Zadar boasts a range of cultural monuments from ancient, medieval and Renaissance times. You will find many lovely chapels here with interesting interiors, monasteries, galleries and museums. The town offers more than 600 monuments. Some of the largest are the Church of St Donatus (Zadar musical evenings are held here every summer), the Roman Forum, Kalelarga (the longest and widest street), the Cathedral of St Anastasia, the Church of St Chrysogonus, an archaeological museum, the city gate of Porta Terraferma and the Franciscan monastery with the Church of St Francis.

It is also worth visiting Narodni trg (the main square), which was the centre of public life for centuries. On the main square you will find the Renaissance city loggia, the city guardhouse, bell tower, and the ancient Croatian Church of St Lawrence, which is used as a popular café. Not far from the square is the largest market, selling the best selection of fish in the area, fruit and vegetables (P. Zoraniće square). The town was designed according to Roman urban planning principles, comprising several larger lengthwise streets and a greater number of sideways streets dividing the town into rectangular blocks. The old town is located on a peninsula and connected to a newer development by a long bridge, one of the typical symbols of the city.

A nice promenade runs along the waterfront, where you can see a unique work—"The Sea Organ", a perfect, natural orchestra. The Croatian architect Nikola Bašić won several international awards for the complicated system of pipes which convert the incoming waves into a myriad of different sounds. The pipes play seven chords each with five notes and this wonderful sea symphony can sometimes be heard from a distance of up to 3 km. The Sea Organ is complemented by a lighting installation—"The Sun Salutation"—comprised of glass and solar panels. The show of colour and light always begins once the sun has set. The Sea Organ and Sun Salutation are in the westernmost part of the old town (Morske Orgulje) and are an ideal place for a little romance and relaxation. Along the waterfront, you can take a pleasant walk to the old fishing harbour of Foša, which is picturesque and extremely photogenic.

Legend has it that the Kornati are a pile of white rocks that God threw into the sea. When He turned around, He was extremely satisfied with the result and so smiled, joyously. The Kornati National Park includes 89 uninhabited islands and cliffs, accessible only by boat. This is the home to pristine nature, beautiful coves, rock formations and steep cliffs. A true yachtsman’s paradise awaits! 

Navigating the Kornati is not easy and you must pay careful attention to your sailing. Do not sail here at night! It is especially necessary to pay careful attention to the large number of unmarked reefs just below the surface.

The beautiful old lighthouses will guide you through the labyrinth of islands. The most beautiful lighthouses are on Sestrica, and are definitely worth a visit. Some of the islands were once used by pirates and offer excellent harbours and anchorages thanks to their rugged and sheltered bays. One such beautiful and well-protected bay is Vrulje, another, Lavsa, or the island of Levnak with the sandy beach of Lojena. There you can find a harbour as well as several restaurants. There is, however, a scarcity of potable water in the Kornati National Park and water and electricity are only available for a few hours each day. In high season, a boat sails among the islands several times a day with groceries, fruit and vegetables. Groceries can be purchased on the island of Kornat (Vrulje and Opat bay), at ACI Marina Piškera (Vela Panitula Island) and on the island of Žut. The largest marinas and yacht bases in the Kornati islands are ACI Marina Piškera on the island of Vela Panitula (at the national park there is a shop, water and electricity as well as showers and toilets) and ACI Marina Žut (outside the national park boundaries). On the island of Mana you will find the ruins of houses and towers which are the remnants of sets built for the shooting the 1961 film, The Stormy Sea.

The entrance fee for the Kornati islands is not based on the number of people, but on the length of the boat. Tickets can either be purchased on site or in advance at the Kornati National Park centre, or at the ABA reception desk at Murter (we recommend purchasing tickets in advance as they are significantly cheaper). Other pre-sale sites include: ACI Marina Žut, ACI Marina Vodice, Marina Kremik Primošten, Marina Betina Murter, ACI Marina Jezera). Ticket prices for the Kornati National Park: Vessels up to 11 m long, HRK 250 (HRK 150); 11–18 m, HRK 400 (HRK 250); over 18 m, HRK 750 (HRK 450); diving, HRK 300 (HRK 150); fishing permits, HRK 300 (HRK150). The prices in parentheses are advance purchase prices.

Kornat is the largest island in the Kornati National Park. It features countless bays, anchorages and restaurants: Vrulje Bay (with a shop, several restaurants, anchorage, pier, buoys, dangerous winds SW and W), Strižnja, Kravljačica, Lopatica, Potarac, Opat (restaurant, water, electricity, shop, pier, buoy, anchorage, winds S and SE), Ropotnica and Stivina.

Ugljan is a picturesque island overgrown with fig trees, grapevines, and olive trees used to make the very highest quality olive oil. The island of Ugljan has a long tradition of fishing and is regarded as the most important fishing centre in the Adriatic Sea. Kali is regarded as the most beautiful fishing town and is certainly worth visiting. 

The eastern part of Ugljan is lower and more rugged, most of the inhabited towns and villages (Ugljan, Sutomiščica, Poljana, Preko, Kali, and Kuklica) are located here. The most famous bays on the eastern side of the island are Južna luka (beach), Pavlešina (breakwater), Kobiljak (nice snorkelling but be careful – there are a lot of rocks here), Prtljung (anchorage), Želijna Vela (beach), Svitla, Vela Lamjana (fishing harbour and boat building), Mala Lamjana (anchorage, buoys, fish breeding) and Sabušica (with a beach suitable for children).

The western part of the island is more difficult to get to, rather desolate and uninhabited. Even so, you will find some delightful deserted bays and places to swim there. 

Ugljan Harbour—a small harbour in a fishing village, mostly occupied by fishing boats. Berths are set aside for sailing yachts by the breakwater with a depth of 3 m, but only occasionaly will you find a place here. There are three restaurants in the harbour (Kaleta, Apolo, Trapula) and numerous cafés. You can buy local foods at the fish market. There is also a post office, an ATM and two supermarkets. North of the harbour is the chapel of St Jerome and a nice beach. You should sail in from a southeasterly direction due to the shallows (we recommend studying this in the Pilot or the sailor's guide, 888), and watch out for the current! The northerly wind is dangerous for entering the harbour (N). Near Batalaža Bay, north of the harbour, we recommend snorkelling (there is a breakwater here, anchorage and a beach.

Olive Island Marina, Sutomiščica—a clean, modern marina offering 200 berths which is easily accessible even at night thanks to the lighthouse at the entrance of the bay and the marina. The marina is well sheltered and rarely overcrowded. Here you will find showers and toilets, technical services, a shop with yachting goods, car and scooter rental. You will appreciate the WiFi for weather updates and the excellent Olive Garden restaurant where you can eat your fill.

Poljana Harbour—a small, frequently fully occupied harbour. 

Marina Preko—a lovely marina in the attractive town of Preko. The marina offers 85 berths that are often full during the summer. In addition to the showers, technical services and WiFi, there is a diving centre, a doctor and a dentist. There are countless bars and restaurants at the waterfront. There is a nice beach behind the harbour.

Kali is an absolutely beautiful fishing town. There are three small harbours in the town full of fishing boats and fishermen mending their nets. The atmosphere is rounded off by old stone houses, narrow lanes, dry stone walls and olive groves. Above the town on the hill is the Church of St Lawrence which offers wonderful views of the surrounding area. Various festivals and fishing festivals take place here every year, at the end of July and the beginning of August. In the old fishing harbour of Kali, the depth is 3 m and it is usually only possible to moor here by mooring to a fishing boat. If you ask permission and land, you should be able to get to the shore across the decks of the fishing boats. This is an opportunity to visit the local salting plant—a fish processing factory. You can try many different types of salted fish here for very low prices and in the factory, you can buy some superb pickled herrings. This is an experience you should not miss and one which people will smell on you—for a long time!

It is also possible to anchor at the breakwater in the neighbouring Batalaža bay. From there you can take a nice walk to the old fishing harbour of Kali and the centre. But watch out for the submerged rocks in the bay! Study the Pilot well.

Kuklica Harbour is located in the relatively lively village of the same name, Kuklica. Finding a post office, ATM or a doctor here is no problem. There is a smaller harbour here with a breakwater and moorings for you to secure your yacht. Use breakwater B, which is for guests. In the harbour, you will find connections to water and electricity, showers and toilets. The idyllic atmosphere can, however, be jeopardised by a blustery Sirocco. In addition to restaurants and several cafés, you will also find the chapel of St Paul at the waterfront as well as the small local discotheque.

There are a lot of nice places where to swim in the surrounding area. The coastline of the Zaglav peninsula is worth exploring. There are pine forests and several pebble beaches. The shore is reinforced with concrete to ensure a gradual slope to the sea with a fine, bottom layer of sand. There is also a nice beach suitable for very young children in Sabušica bay on the southwestern shore of the island.

A small island encircled by dozens of smaller islands. The eastern shore of the island is rugged, with countless small coves. The western side of the island is harsher, steep, not very rugged, and faces the open sea. The larger and favourite harbours among yachtsmen are Molat (Lučina), Brgulje in the well protected bay of Brgulje (beware of dangerous winds and waves from S, SE) and Zapuntel. Grocery stores are relatively expensive here. The island is a paradise for recreational fishermen, but a word of caution—a fishing permit is necessary!

Port Molat—a picturesque harbour offering berths with moorings, several water and electricity connections, showers and WC. Occasionally, water can only be drawn (100 L for HRK 30). There are several restaurants along with a café and a shop. In the morning, fresh bread can be bought from the baker. There is also a pleasant walk to the nearby hill. North of the harbour is Podgarbe, with a nice bay and anchorage, .

Brgulje Harbour—has mooring berths, water (occasionally) and electricity; a shop and two restaurants. There are buoys between the island of Brgulje and the harbour. North of the harbour is an anchorage (the bottom is sand and pebbles, and the anchor holds reasonably well). The Sirocco is a dangerous wind, threatening big waves!

Zapuntel – a small harbour with a pier, buoys and several mooring spaces (depth up to 4 m), a shop and a bakery.

Eight of the most beautiful bays on the island of Molat are: 

Vodina Trata (beware of submerged rocks – you can see details in the Navionics navigation app.); Zadarljan; Vodomarka (beach, anchorage, protected from the S and SW winds); Karstulj (anchorage, protected from the S and SW winds); Lipič, (beach, anchorage, protected from the S and SW winds); Konopljika (anchorage), and; Uvala Sabusa (with anchorage at the southwest of the island). Jazi has an especially nice anchorage, small pier and bakery, and is protected from the S and SW winds with a nice nature area nearby and a hiking trail to Molat, but the Bora (winds N and NW) can be dangerous.

The beautiful harbour of Ist is definitely worth a visit. It is located in a very scenic bay. There are breakwaters here with moorings (depth 1–5 m), connections to water and electricity, showers and toilets, about four restaurants, a supermarket and a diving centre. There is a lovely walk to the chapel. Strong Bora gusts sometimes blow here at night. The harbour is unsafe if a Sirocco is blowing. 

A nice beach can be found at the northern part of the bay. Caution! Beware of the isolated dangers when sailing into the bay (we recommend you study the sailor's guide, 888). Other bays on the island of Ist are Turtula (anchorage), Mjake (buoys), and Kosirača (breakwater).

If you long to spend a few days in a place the world forgot, surrounded by nature, crystal clear waters and the permeating fragrance of oleanders, anchor at the island of Premuda. A charming island where you can find low forest cover, olive groves, figs and vineyards. There are some beautiful places to dive and snorkel on the southwestern coastline such as to the underwater cave known as the "Cathedral" near Cape Lopata—the southernmost point of the island. You will discover a colourful, undersea wall with a wealth of fauna just before you reach Široka Bay with the sunken shipwreck of the Istvan and its many colourful reefs. Fishing enthusiasts are also catered for! Krijal harbour is lovely but usually fully occupied. There are breakwaters here for boats up to 10 m, and buoys, about six restaurants and a shop. When strong western winds and the Sirocco blow, large waves form in front of the harbour. There is a nice beach, north of the harbour.

The seven most beautiful bays on the island of Premuda are:

Dobra (beach, anchorage, occasionally steep and rocky, you will need to moor your ropes to the shore); Letnja (anchorage, but not with much room to anchor, occasionally steep and rocky); Široka (anchorage, beach, nice diving and snorkelling and a colourful underwater wall); Zaporat (anchorage and beach); Premuda Bay (two anchorages and a beach); Nozdre (anchorage), and; Loza (breakwater). The wreck of the Istvan is only accessible for experienced divers. It is located 8 NM west of the island of Premuda (GPS co-ordinates: 44°08'55.7"N 14°15'45.4"E) at a depth of 30–40 m.

The largest island in the Zadar archipelago, renowned as an island full of colours and contrasts. Towards the open sea, the coastline is harsh, while to the south of the island are deserted bays and a fascinating, steep-cliffed coastline. You can find a shipwreck (1 m deep) in Lučica Bay, a saltwater lake, a very pleasant walk and a beautiful sunset in Mir Bay in the Telašćica Nature Park, a picturesque harbour and Brbinj’s underwater caves.

The most beautiful beaches (also suitable for small children) are in Sakarun bay in the northern part of Pantera Bay and near Božava. Several lovely bays with beaches can also be found on the eastern coastline though be careful if a Sirocco is blowing as there will be large waves there. There are also a number of attractive hiking and cycle paths on the island.

Marina Veli Rat (Čuna Bay)—is located to the northeast of Dugi Otok island in Čuna bay and offers about 100 berths. The range of clean and well-maintained services include: connections to water and electricity (available for only a few hours in the morning and in the evening with tokens for the facilities from the harbour master), showers and WC, restaurants (TIM, Lanterna, Verunic), a supermarket and a farmers’ market. Opposite the harbour are two restaurants (Verona and DiM) with a breakwater (for boats with a depth of up to 2 m).  There are buoys in Čuna Bay (a fee of HRK 17/m is charged). Sailing into Čuna Bay is relatively demanding on navigation skills. Sailors who don’t know these waters yet should sail in while it is still light.  About 5 km northwest of the harbour is the tallest lighthouse on the Adriatic coastline, dating back to 1849. 100 000 egg whites were added to the concrete mix to make sure the lighthouse was more resistant to the wind and sea. This is a magical place and certainly worth exploring on foot! In front of Pantera bay is the sunken wreck of an Italian merchant ship which sank back in 1984, and some shallows (we recommend you study the sailor's guide, 888). Right next to this is Lučica Bay, where where you will find a diving centre and in the bay itself, a shipwreck about 1 m below the waves. At the northern end of Pantera Bay with its buoys is a nice, sandy beach.

The IŽ Veli Marina is well worth visiting—a really lovely, small marina offering 130 berths, connections to water and electricity, showers and toilets, as well as technical services. There are three supermarkets, two bakeries and several excellent restaurants and konobas (traditional Croatian restaurants or taverns, usually serving local specialities).

Early in the morning, you can set out for the local farmer’s market to buy some fresh fish. The locals also sell homemade wine, olive oil and ceramics, made in the traditional Iž manner. A workshop and shop selling ceramics is run by the Petrovič family. One interesting place on the island of Iž is the field of buoys in Knež Bay set in beautiful natural surroundings. There is a breakwater in the bay, buoys, water, electricity, a shop and several restaurants. In the neighbouring bay of Mali Iž is the harbour for ferries, a shop, cafés and a children’s playground.