Skipper Marijo’s Chart: My Perfect One-Week Sailing Route from Zadar

Ah, Zadar.

When clients ask me about sailing in Croatia, their minds often jump straight to the south—the glamour of Hvar, the epic walls of Dubrovnik. And don’t get me wrong, that’s a fantastic trip. I’ve sailed it more times than I can count. But if you ask me where the soul of Croatian sailing is? Where the wild, untamed beauty of the Adriatic truly shows itself? I’ll tell you to start in Zadar.

My name is Skipper Marijo Vatrov, and these waters are my life’s work. The southern route is a beautiful story, but the Zadar archipelago… that’s a poem. It’s a route for sailors who want to feel the sea, see a thousand stars, and explore a lunar landscape of islands unique in all the world. It’s less about the see-and-be-seen and more about the seeing and being.

So, if you’re ready for an adventure that’s a bit more raw, a bit more elemental, let me share my personal logbook. This is my go-to one week sailing route zadar, the one I recommend to friends who want to experience the real, untamed heart of Dalmatia.

Zadar Itself: More Than Just a Starting Point

Before we even think about casting off, let’s talk about Zadar. You absolutely must spend an afternoon here. It’s a city that breathes history but lives in the now. The old town is a magnificent maze of Roman ruins and marble streets, but the real magic happens right on the waterfront promenade.

You’ll find two incredible art installations there. One is the Sea Organ, a set of stone steps with pipes underneath that play music powered by the waves. It’s hauntingly beautiful. You can literally hear the voice of the sea. Sit there for ten minutes, and you’ll feel the rhythm of the trip you’re about to take. The other is the Greeting to the Sun, a huge circle of solar panels embedded in the ground that lights up in a dazzling display after sunset. It’s the perfect spot to be as dusk settles over the channel, a truly modern wonder in an ancient city.

Gearing Up for the Kornati and Beyond

A trip into this part of the archipelago requires a little thought. It’s wilder out there. Services are fewer and farther between. But that’s the appeal! Here’s my advice for getting ready.

The Right Vessel for a Lunar Landscape

Out here, a catamaran is more than a luxury; it’s your private observation deck. When you’re anchored in a silent, starkly beautiful bay in the Kornati, you want space and stability. You want to be able to lie on the trampolines and watch the Perseid meteor shower in August. You want a big, open saloon where you can watch a thunderstorm roll in over the islands. This is why I love boats like the Lagoon 46, because they are stable, spacious, and feel like a solid, safe home in the wilderness. The comfort and space are simply unmatched, and if you’re curious about the specifics, there are many good reasons to charter a catamaran for your next holiday in Croatia.

Skipper or No Skipper? An Honest Take for the Zadar Archipelago

I’m a skipper, so maybe I’m biased. But the Kornati islands can be tricky. There are hundreds of them, and they can look alike. The winds, especially the Bura, can funnel between them in unpredictable ways. If you’re an experienced sailor with sharp navigation skills, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime.

However, if you want to truly switch off, a skipper is your key. I handle the navigation, the weather forecasts (and the all-important weather conditions for sailing in Zadar area are unique), and I know which rock to avoid and which tiny cove has the best shelter. It means you can focus on the stunning scenery, not the depth sounder. For a stress-free journey, a skippered charter makes for unforgettable sailing holidays.

A Skipper’s Note on Provisioning

This is critical. Once we get deep into the Kornati, there are no supermarkets. There are a few excellent konobas (taverns), but they are often the only sign of life for miles. You can’t just pop to the store for milk. Before we leave Zadar, we need to provision well for the week, especially with water, snacks, and breakfast items. My team has actually put together a great guide on how to provision for a bareboat charter that’s full of useful tips, even if you have a skipper.

My One-Week Sailing Route Zadar: The Full Itinerary

Alright, we’re prepped and ready. The boat is stocked, and the sea is calling. Here’s how I’d spend a perfect week.

Day 1: Zadar to Muline (Ugljan) – The Gentle Start

Check-in day can be hectic, so the first leg should be short and sweet. We’ll make the easy one-hour hop across the channel to the bay of Muline on the island of Ugljan. It’s a lovely, large, and well-protected anchorage. It’s the perfect place to get settled, take that first glorious swim, and get accustomed to life on the boat. We’ll watch the sun set behind the neighbouring islands and have a simple dinner on board. It’s all about decompression.

Day 2: Ugljan to Veli Iž (Iž) – A Touch of Island Life

Today we sail south along the channel to the island of Iž. It’s a lovely sail, about two to three hours. Our destination is Veli Iž, a charming and lively village that is famous for its long tradition of pottery. It’s a proper, living island town, not just a tourist port. We can stroll through the narrow streets, visit a potter’s workshop, and feel the authentic rhythm of the islands. It’s a great cultural stop before we head into the wild.

Day 3: Iž to Telašćica Nature Park – Welcome to the Wild

Prepare to be amazed. Today we sail to the southern end of the long island, Dugi Otok, to Telašćica Bay. This place is a triple threat. First, it’s one of the safest, largest, and most beautiful natural harbors in the Adriatic. We’ll anchor in a mirror-calm cove. Second, a short walk inland takes you to Lake Mir, a saltwater lake with water warmer than the sea. And third, on the outer side of the bay, the land drops away into the sea in a series of breathtaking vertical cliffs, some rising 160 meters straight up. The view from the top is something you will never, ever forget.

Day 4: Telašćica to Levrnaka (Kornati) – Journey to the Moon

Now, we enter the main event: Kornati National Park. The landscape changes dramatically. Trees become sparse, and the islands turn into strange, beautiful sculptures of white limestone under the sun. It feels like sailing on the moon. There are over 89 islands, islets, and reefs in the park, and we’ll spend the day navigating through them. Our destination is the island of Levrnaka, home to Lojena beach, a rare sandy cove in this world of stone. A trip through the Kornati islands on a catamaran is an experience every true sailor should have. It’s a place that makes you feel small in the best possible way.

Day 5: Exploring the Heart of the Kornati (Piškera/Mana)

This is a day for pure exploration. We can cruise through the chain of islands, finding our own private cove for a swim. We might head towards Piškera, an island with a seasonal ACI marina and an excellent nautical restaurant, a welcome oasis in the park. Or we could visit the island of Mana, famous for the dramatic cliffs built as a film set in the 1950s that still stand today. The day is ours to choose, a testament to the freedom of a charter. We’ll find one of the best anchoring locations places in Croatia for the night, surrounded by nothing but stars and silence.

Day 6: Kornati to Sali (Dugi Otok) – Back to Civilization

After the profound silence of the Kornati, it’s nice to dip our toes back into civilization. We’ll have a beautiful sail north to Sali, the main town on Dugi Otok. It’s a bustling, thousand-year-old fishing port with a fantastic vibe. The waterfront is lined with cafes and restaurants. It’s the perfect place for our final celebratory dinner, enjoying some fresh-caught fish and reflecting on the incredible journey. It’s an essential part of any culinary journey through Croatia aboard your catamaran charter.

Day 7: Sali to Zadar – The Last Leg Home

All good things must come to an end. We’ll have a lazy morning in Sali, maybe grab a final coffee ashore. The sail back to Zadar is a beautiful, easy leg, with plenty of time to take in the last views of the islands. It’s a quiet sail, a perfect time to absorb the wild beauty you’ve just experienced before returning to our base in the afternoon.

Your Adventure, Your Way

This itinerary is my personal favorite, but the beauty of a private charter is that it’s yours.

For the Family

If you’re bringing the family, we can plan for more beach time and shorter sails. These islands are a natural playground, and there’s nothing better than seeing them through a child’s eyes on a family adventure on a catamaran charter.

For the Romantics

For couples, the silence and seclusion of the Kornati are unbeatable. Imagine anchoring alone in a bay, watching the sunset with a glass of wine. It’s the perfect setting for an unwinding on a couples catamaran getaway sail away to romance in Croatia.

For the Food Lovers

While the Kornati are sparse, the nautical restaurants that do exist are legendary for their fresh seafood. We can plan a route that takes us to the best nautical restaurants in Croatia, where the fish is brought straight from the sea to the grill.

The Journey’s End

This one week sailing route zadar is more than a vacation. It’s an immersion. It’s for those who hear the call of the wild and want to see a side of Croatia that few get to experience. It’s a journey that stays with you, long after you’ve returned to shore.

The wild heart of the Adriatic is waiting. My team and I are ready to help you explore it.