Mikado Kornati Excursion

Kornati rewards a full day on the water. Mikado Kornati Excursions combines wide island views, three useful swimming stops, and a small group of about 20 people, so I like the personal scale and the chance to see several sides of Kornati National Park in one outing. I also like that park admission, meals, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a guide are included. The main drawback is lunch: the fish or meat meal sounds filling enough, but the food may feel plain, with no dessert or coffee.

This is a long day, leaving Fosa port in Zadar at 8 a.m. and returning around 5:40 p.m. I love that the schedule gives you real time ashore and in the water rather than turning the trip into a quick photo stop. Still, the 95-minute lunch stop and the 60-minute beach stops mean you should be comfortable spending most of the day outdoors, on a boat, and in swimwear.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three different stops: Swim at sandy Lojena Beach, explore Tarac Bay, then enjoy lunch and another swim at Suha Punta.
• Small-group setting: The boat carries about 20 people, a more manageable size than a large excursion vessel.
• Excellent inclusions: Breakfast, lunch, drinks, park admission, snorkeling masks, swimming aids, Wi-Fi, and a guide are covered.
• A full Kornati sampler: You see Levrnaka, Tarac Bay, Tureta Fort, and Kornat Island in one day.
• Bring proper footwear: Swimwear and a towel are essential, while hiking shoes help at the church and fort.
• Good booking flexibility: You can reserve now and pay later, with full cancellation available up to 24 hours before departure.

Leaving Fosa Port at 8 a.m.

The trip begins at Fosa port, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. You return to the same meeting point at the end of the day, which keeps the logistics simple if you are staying in or near the old town.

The early start is sensible. Kornati National Park is spread across a broad area, and the excursion needs nearly ten hours to reach several islands without making every stop feel rushed. I would arrive before 8 a.m. with swimwear already easy to reach, since the day moves from breakfast to sightseeing and then into the water.

Breakfast is served on board, with coffee, sandwiches, and fruit. An aperitif is also included, and drinks are available during the trip. The choices listed are Coca-Cola, Fanta, other juices, wine, and water. Beer is not included, so do not count on it as part of the open drink service.

The small-group size matters here. With around 20 people, you should have a more relaxed experience getting a drink, collecting a snorkeling mask, or listening to the guide than you would on a very large boat. The boat is still a shared space, of course, so anyone wanting total privacy should consider a private charter instead.

Kornati National Park From the Water

The first part of the trip is panoramic sightseeing through Kornati National Park. This is the time to appreciate how unusual the archipelago feels: pale, dry islands scattered across clear coastal water, with few signs of ordinary city life.

I find the boat perspective especially useful because the islands are not just a single scenic viewpoint. Their shapes, coves, and bare slopes change as you move between them. You get a sense of the park as a chain of islands rather than a postcard beach with a few rocks behind it.

The park admission is included in the $91 price. That makes the fare easier to judge because you are not paying separately for entry, transport, food, and basic water equipment. The guide speaks English and Croatian, and Wi-Fi is available on board, though I would treat the connection as a convenience rather than the reason to book a national park excursion.

This portion is also the least active. If you want a day built around swimming, the sightseeing stretches may feel long. If you enjoy changing views and taking photographs from the boat, the slower pace gives you time to watch the islands pass.

Lojena Beach on Levrnaka

The first major stop is Lojena Beach on the island of Levrnaka, with about 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is specifically described as sandy, which gives this stop a different feel from the rocky coves common along the Croatian coast.

You can use the provided snorkeling mask and swimming aids, then look for fish in the water. The equipment inclusion is useful if you do not want to pack your own mask, although you should still bring a towel and swimwear.

One hour is enough for a refreshing swim and a little time on the sand. It is not long enough for a leisurely beach afternoon, so set your expectations accordingly. I would get in the water soon after arriving rather than spending half the stop deciding what to do.

Lojena is likely the most straightforward stop for anyone who wants a classic beach break. Families and casual swimmers may prefer it because the sandy shore is more inviting than a bare rock shelf. Snorkelers should remember that this is an organized group stop, so the water time is shared with the rest of the boat.

Tarac Bay, Church, and Tureta Fort

The second 60-minute stop is Tarac Bay on Dugi Otok, where the excursion combines scenery, a little walking, and another chance to swim. The main sight is the view over the Kornati archipelago from Tarac Bay, which gives you a higher and broader perspective than the boat ride alone.

You will also visit a church and see Tureta Fort. Hiking shoes are listed as essential items to bring, and that advice makes sense for this stop. Even if the walk is not described in detail, a church and fort visit usually involve uneven outdoor ground, so flip-flops are a poor choice for the sightseeing portion.

I like this stop because it keeps the day from becoming a string of swims. The church and fort add a cultural and historical layer to the natural scenery. You are not only looking at islands from the deck; you are also stepping ashore to see traces of earlier life and defense in the archipelago.

The time limit requires a little discipline. You have about an hour for the bay, the church, Tureta Fort, photographs, and swimming. I would follow the guide’s timing and avoid wandering too far from the meeting point. The goal here is a compact introduction, not an extended archaeological visit.

Lunch and Swimming at Suha Punta

After the Tarac Bay stop, the boat returns toward Kornat Island for the longest break of the day. At Suha Punta, you have about 95 minutes for lunch and another swim.

Lunch consists of grilled fish or meat with mixed seasonal vegetable salad. That choice is practical for a boat excursion because it offers a clear option for different appetites, but you should not expect a long restaurant meal. The food is reported as fairly frugal, with one meal described as including a simply prepared main dish, packaged salad, a few pieces of feta, and some olives, with no dessert or coffee.

That criticism is worth taking seriously when judging the price. The lunch is included and saves you from finding a restaurant in the middle of a national park, but food quality may not be the strongest part of the experience. I would book this for the islands and the day on the water, not for a gourmet meal.

The 95-minute stop gives you more breathing room than the earlier breaks. You can eat without rushing, then swim at Suha Punta if you wish. Since wine, water, soft drinks, and juices are available throughout the trip, you have drink options with lunch, but beer is specifically excluded.

This is also a good point to think about your own energy. Three water stops sound easy, but a day in the sun can become tiring. Drink water, use the shade when available, and keep your towel and dry clothes within reach.

What the $91 Price Really Covers

At $91 per person, this is not simply a boat ride. The price includes transport around the national park, the park admission ticket, breakfast, lunch, an aperitif, drinks, a guide, Wi-Fi, and use of snorkeling and swimming equipment.

That bundle gives the excursion solid value for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a park visit, meals, and a boat transfer. It is particularly useful if you prefer a planned day with fewer decisions. You know the main stops, the return time, and what food and drinks are available.

The value is less obvious if you care mostly about a long, quiet beach stay or a high-quality meal. You are paying for access to several places in one day, not for extended time at one perfect cove. The lunch also sounds functional rather than memorable.

The 4.9 rating from 15 reviews suggests a very strong overall response, and the most consistent praise centers on the beauty of Kornati National Park and the pleasant scale of the boat. I would give those points more weight than the lunch complaint because the islands and the structure of the day are the main reasons to take this excursion.

Who Will Enjoy This Excursion Most?

I would recommend Mikado Kornati Excursions to you if you are staying in Zadar and want one organized day covering several well-known parts of the park. It suits people who like a mix of boat sightseeing, short walks, swimming, snorkeling, and a simple included meal.

It is also a good fit if you value a small group. Around 20 people is large enough to create a social outing but small enough to avoid the scale of a major party boat. The live guide in English or Croatian adds useful structure, especially at Tarac Bay and Tureta Fort.

Families may appreciate the swimming aids, included food, and clear schedule. Still, children should be comfortable with a long day on a boat and several transitions between the vessel, beach, and outdoor sights. The supplied information does not specify age limits or special child facilities, so check the current availability details if that matters to your group.

Snorkelers should also find the trip appealing, but this is not a dedicated snorkeling expedition. You get swimming and snorkeling opportunities at the stops, along with a mask, rather than a technical or wildlife-focused program.

I would think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, outdoor heat, or shared boats. The three stops are generous for a group day, but each has a set duration. You cannot simply stay longer at Lojena Beach if it becomes your favorite place.

Practical Packing Advice for a Nine-and-a-Half-Hour Day

Bring swimwear, a towel, and hiking shoes. The shoes are especially important for the church and Tureta Fort stop, where you may walk on uneven ground.

I would also pack a light change of clothes, though this is practical advice rather than a listed requirement. You will have several chances to swim, and staying damp for the entire return journey is not ideal. Keep any valuables protected from water and bring sun protection for the long periods outdoors.

You do not need to carry a snorkeling mask or swimming aids unless you prefer your own. Those are included. Breakfast and lunch are also covered, with drinks available all day, so you only need extra food if you have special dietary needs or want something beyond the provided meals.

The departure and return point are both at Fosa port. The listed return time is approximately 5:40 p.m., but you should still allow flexibility afterward rather than booking a tight evening commitment.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now-pay-later option can help if your Zadar plans are still shifting. Check the available starting time when booking, since the stated departure is 8 a.m. but availability can vary.

The Main Strengths and Weak Spots

The strongest part of this excursion is the range of experiences packed into one day. You get a panoramic boat ride, a sandy beach, snorkeling, a church, a fort, a broad viewpoint, lunch, and another swim. Few single outings offer quite this many different stops without requiring you to arrange separate transport.

The second major strength is the small-group format. Around 20 people makes the experience feel more manageable, especially during boarding, meals, and equipment distribution.

The weak spot is the food. Lunch is included, and that has real value in a remote park setting, but the meal may be basic. If you are expecting grilled seafood prepared like a restaurant specialty, adjust your expectations.

The other consideration is the length. Nine and a half hours gives the boat time to reach the islands, but it also means this is a full commitment. You should choose it because you want a complete day around Kornati, not because you have only a spare morning.

Should You Book Mikado Kornati Excursions?

I would book this excursion if you want the easiest way to see several Kornati highlights from Zadar while keeping costs predictable. The $91 price covers the boat day, national park entry, food, drinks, guide, and water equipment, which is a strong package for an organized outing.

Choose it especially if island scenery and swimming matter more to you than lunch quality. The 4.9 rating reflects the appeal of the park, the stops, and the boat’s smaller scale, while the meal deserves a modest expectation.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a slow beach day, or a polished dining experience. For most people seeking a varied first look at Kornati National Park, though, Mikado offers a practical and enjoyable day with enough time in the water to make the long schedule worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Mikado Kornati Excursion depart from?

The excursion departs from Fosa port in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

What time does the excursion leave and return?

The stated departure time is 8 a.m., and the boat returns to Zadar at approximately 5:40 p.m. The total duration is about 9.5 hours.

Which places are visited during the trip?

The excursion includes panoramic sightseeing in Kornati National Park, Lojena Beach on Levrnaka, Tarac Bay, a church, Tureta Fort, and Suha Punta on Kornat Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Kornat Island includes grilled fish or meat with mixed seasonal vegetable salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coca-Cola, Fanta, various juices, wine, and water are available throughout the trip. Beer is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide provides the excursion in English and Croatian.