Many people would agree that sailing holiday in Croatia is definitely one unique experience. Those who spend years coming to Croatia for a sailing vacation have already had an opportunity to meet at least part of this Mediterranean pearl. Even those who are planning their first Croatian sailing vacation at this moment have already probably heard about Croatia being one of the world’s famous sailing destinations. And trust us, whether you are a fan of sports or cruising sailing, this is the right spot for experiencing your dream vacation.

When speaking about Croatia, what definitely stands out are natural beauties, especially these protected ones. There are 8 national parks in Croatia in total and 3 of them are located in the Adriatic Sea and accessible by boat. Make your sailing holiday complete by visiting one (or more) beautiful national parks! Set sail to amazing protected areas of the Adriatic Sea and discover Croatian beauty!

We’re bringing you a short review with basic information about location, content and national parks’ prices which you can visit during your Croatian sailing holiday!

Brijuni National Park

Brijuni National Park is located on the northern part of the Adriatic coast and it consists of 2 larger and 12 smaller islands and the surrounding sea along the western coast of Istria. The Brijuni Islands are known for its preserved Mediterranean vegetation, landscaped parks, an indigenous bird world, and a safari park with exotic animals such as lame, zebra or elephant. On Brijuni you can see one of the oldest olive trees in the Mediterranean, which annually produces 30 kg of fruits from which local people make oil. Likewise, the Brijuni are rich in cultural and historical heritage deriving from all the periods of history. Because of its outstanding beauty, the islands have been the favorite summer resort of world statesmen and aristocrats since the beginning of the last century.

Today, NP Brijuni is being each day more appealing to the sailors. Sail in the marina Veli Brijun or anchor in the bay Saint Nicholas on the island of Mali Brijun. If you are in the marina Veli Brijun you should check in at the reception, and your adventure can start right away! In Brijuni NP you can also find any kind of trip that includes electric cars and bikes, playing golf, tennis and dinner on some special locations. You can also try traditional meat and fish delicacies in numerous restaurants all over the NP. In case you anchor in the Saint Nicholas bay pick one of the beautiful pebble beaches and enjoy it surrounded with silence.

The ticket price depends on the length of your boat and on the season you visit the national park. According to the price list from 2018, ships up to 15m in the July and August should pay the entry price of 1450,00kn, in May, June and September the price is 950,00kn, and in the other months 750,00kn.

The NP Brijuni is, due to its distance from our base, an ideal destination for those who will spend two weeks in the charter. Decide for sailing north and do not miss visiting this wonderful national park. We will help you create a unique sailing route.

Kornati National Park

There are very few visitors in Croatia who have not heard about Kornati. It is the most indented island group of the whole Mediterranean, and is located in northern Dalmatia, not so far from Zadar and Šibenik. The Kornati make 89 uninhabited islands and islets, and from the air they make a real sea and stones maze. The islands are favorite place for many sailing enthusiasts. Because of their position, layout and number of isles, everyone can catch wind in the sails and train their sailing skills, but also rest in one of the many beautiful bays. One day won't be enough to get to know Kornati. You will certainly want to swim in every bay, have a dinner in every restaurant and get to know the whole island.

There are strictly protected areas in NP Kornati, such as: the Purara islet, the cliffs of Klint and Volić, the Mrtenjak islets, the Kolobučar islets, the Mali and Veliki Obručan islands. In these areas, visitors are not allowed. But you can sail and swim in all other parts of the park. Anchoring and bedding are only allowed in several coves, and their list can be found here. Almost in each of these bays you will find a restaurant that offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine and each one is special in its own way. Several of the most famous restaurants are Sandra and Feštana on the island of Žut, as well as the restaurant within the ACI marine where you can  refill  your  water tanks. You will also have an opportunity to enjoy top-quality fresh fish and seafood dishes in the restaurant Mare on Katina Island, Vela Proversa, Konoba Beba on Žakna, Jadra and Opat. To pay for these restaurants, be sure to prepare cash in the Croatian Kuna.

Close to the Kornati NP, there is another pearl of protected nature in Croatia - Telašćica Nature Park. It includes a spacious and deep bay of the same name on the neighboring island of Dugi otok, which also has several beautiful small islets and directly by the sea, a slightly salty lake Mir.

You can buy entrance ticket online, on the spot in Kornati, or in Euronautic office. The ticket price depends on the length of the boat and the season. Tickets purchased outside the park's premises and at the web shop are cheaper than tickets purchased from receptionists within the park's premises.

Thus, users of the boat between 34-59 ft (11 and 18m) in June, July, August and September will be allocated 600,00kn / 80,00 € for the daily ticket and in all the other months 300,00kn / 40,00 € (according to the price list from 2018).

There is a possibility to buy three-day tickets, which are valid for entrance in Kornati National Park and Telaščica Nature Park. Also, seven-day tickets are valid for Kornati National Park, Telašćica Nature Park, Mljet National Park, Lastovo Islands Nature Park.

Krka National Park

Even though it’s not located directly at sea, Krka NP is easy accessible to the sailors. Set sail to Skradin, leave your boat at ACI marine Skradin and go for a walk (on footpath or by the national park’s boat) towards the Skradinski buk. The Krka National Park features seven magnificent waterfalls of Bilušić Buk, Brljan, Manojlovac, Rošnjak, Miljacka waterfall, Roški slap and Skradinski buk. The beauty of this landscape is due to the very nature of the sedge (limestone) that has been building the present look of this national park for years. The whole park is rich in plant and animal species. There is also one of the most beautiful pedestrian paths in Croatia in the park Stinice - Roški slap - Oziđana cave that is eight and a half kilometres long. Within NP Krka there is Lake Visovac, and in the middle of the lake there is the islet of the same name which has a small church and monastery on it. There are many organized boat trips to the island, visits to the church and monastery with a small supplement for tickets. Visovac Island is one of the most important natural and cultural values of the Republic of Croatia, so make sure you do not miss it! When you are hungry, you can find a few restaurants near the park, and the money you pay for a meal that helps keep the national park maintained. You can pay cash in Kunas or cards. If you visit Roški slap during the summer season, we recommend you go to a nearby ethno village where you can dine in the beautiful natural surroundings.

The price of the ticket according to the price list for the period from June to September 2019 is 200,00 kn per person, and after 16 pm the price is 150,00kn per person for the land area, and it is possible to pay a boat trip to Visovac. In the April, May and October the ticket price is 100,00 kn per person.

Mljet National Park

Mljet is  island on the southernmost tip of Croatia, on the west side from the most famous Croatian destination - Dubrovnik. The Mljet National Park is located only on the western part of this island. For this beautiful green island it is said to be Homer's Ogigija. The legend says that the lover of the Greek hero Odysseus, the nymph Kalipsa, chose this island as her home and that Odysseus, for its exceptional beauty, decided to stay  for many years. But what makes  Mljet so special?

There are two deep bays characteristic for NP Mljet, which, due to their close connection with the open sea, are called lakes. They are a global geological and oceanographic phenomenon. Still not fully explored, their depth conceals many mysteries and are therefore appealing to naturalists and seekers of original nature. Apart from the fact that Mljet is rich in Mediterranean vegetation, it is also a cultural heritage. In the center of Velika jezera, the tourist is an indispensable point, the islet of Sv. Mary with church and Benedictine monastery from the 12th century. In addition to the two mentioned 'lakes', it is worth mentioning also the rich Mljet's underwater. Dive into the richness of plant and animal life and enjoy a wonderful view, but do not forget, fishing is prohibited. The untouched nature of Mljet and its underwater is a habitat and several strictly protected bivalve molluscs! Bathing and enjoying the sea is allowed, enjoyment is guaranteed because the sea around Mljet is warmer and slower than in other parts of the Adriatic! Indispensable is the enjoyment of traditional island food, and (fortunately) restaurants and taverns with sea views are many. Our recommendation is Konoba Herc, Dalmatina and Konoba Barba Ive. Prepare cash ( Croatian Kuna) for payment on those spots.

For a ticket to NP Mljet, you will be charged between 250.00 and 550.00kn for a vessel of length 11-18m, and for a boat length 18 - 24m from 400.00 - 900.00 kn (according to the price list for 2018)

Speaking of the beauties of the very south of Dalmatia, it is worth mentioning the Nature Park of Lastovo, which is located near island Mljet. The Lastovo Island is a group of 46 islands of mystical beauty that you should not miss!

Sailing is freedom, enjoyment and love for yourself - and we know it! But if you complete a unique sailing experience by exploring the destination, you will get a vacation you will always remember! Do not miss these protected Croatian beauties!

Visit at least one national park this year! You will not be sorry!