Sailing
Zadar Region

The first day’s route is not very long because one can never plan the exact time of leaving the base. However, it will definitely be in the afternoon. You will have enough time to get the supplies in Zadar and make preparations for the week-long sailing. A short first leg is ideal for getting used to the boat and the onboard living. Muline Bay, situated on the NW cape of the island of Ugljan, is a calm and sheltered anchorage where one can use the buoys as well.

Sakarun Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area. This white sand beach is situated in the Sakarun Bay on the NW side of Dugi otok Island. Getting there from Muline includes rounding the islets of Rivanj, Sestrunj, Tun and Zverinac before passing the strait between the islets of Golac and Bršćak, which are located N from the NW cape of Dugi otok Island. It is possible to round the islets from both north and south side, depending on current winds and personal choice.

If southerlies are forecasted, Sakarun should be replaced by Solišćica, Pantera or Cuna bays. Those places are well sheltered from southerlies, and they abound with safe anchorages and buoys for an overnight stay. Safe docking is possible on the pontoons of Marina Veli Rat. If there is no danger from the south, buoys or anchoring in the Sakarun Bay will do.

It is not specified which island to sail to on the third day, but the heading is the same – NNW, passing islands Molat and Ist. Ist island seems to be the perfect place to take a swim/lunch break, either in the bay on its SE side or the one on the NW side. The three islands of Premuda, Silba and Olib are the hidden gems of North Dalmatia and it is up to you to decide which island to visit and spend the night on. Whichever island you choose, it is important to check the weather forecast for the night. Basic supplies are available on these islands, but do not expect a too wide of an offer.

The longest leg is scheduled for the fourth day, but the good news is that the prevailing daily wind during the summer is NW. Therefore, a relaxed downwind can be expected. The route leads SE, along the E side of Molat Island, and either along the east or west side of the Sestrunj island to the village Veli Iž. The overnight stay is suggested in Iž Marina. Fresh water and electric current along with a decent bathroom and toilets - is what this marina offers on a regular basis. Furthermore, Konoba (tavern) “Kod Barbe” is a good place for dinner. Konoba “Mandrač” will be the right choice for meat lovers because of their famous huge T-bone steaks. You can get supplies in a very well equipped store in the city center.

Continue sailing SE to the island of Žut where you can take a swim/lunch break. Nice anchorages with crystal clear turquoise water can be found in the bays on the NW side or in the area close to Hiljača Bay in the central part of the NE side of Žut Island. A calm and well sheltered bay for an overnight stay is situated on the SE end of Pašman Island, in Lanđin Bay. This is a place where the anchor holds well, and there are some buoys available, owned by local taverns.

The final day of your sailing trip includes rounding the SE cape of Pašman Island and sailing NW through the channel between the mainland and the islands of Pašman and Ugljan. A sandy beach on the Vrgada Islet is suggested as the spot for swim/lunch break. Other locations where you can drop the anchor are bays on islets within the channel, or the area near the Ždrelac Strait, between the islands of Pašman and Ugljan. In case your charter company allows you to return to the base on Saturday morning, an overnight stay is suggested in Preko on Ugljan Island, right across from Zadar. Otherwise, a night in Zadar, with its picturesque streets and squares, would be a memorable finish of your sailing trip.

We suggest contacting your charter company about the possible time of embarkation when coming to Sukošan. This information will give you the chance to do the paperwork for your boat and plan your supplies. It is advisable to supply the boat for several days without visiting shops or grocery stores. Most probably, your boat will be ready to set off sometime in the afternoon, so we suggest using the southwest sea breeze to your advantage.

Sailing downwind through the channel between the mainland and the island of Pašman gives you the opportunity to get used to the boat and onboard living. Stay the night in the Lanđin Bay on the SW side of Pašman Island. This bay is usually calm and the anchor is holding well. One can also rely on few buoys owned by local taverns where local food is served at a fair price.

The distance between Lanđin and Kornati National Park is shorter than 20 miles. Therefore, the amount of sailing is measured to the central point of the Kornati archipelago. The suggested route to get there leads S, to the southernmost part of Kornat Island, the largest one in the archipelago. A good spot to enter the Park is through the strait between the island of Kornat and Smokvica Vela Islet. The archipelago then spreads to the NW.

Once in the park, it is important to respect the regulations regarding the nature protection and navigate carefully due to numerous shallows and underwater rocks. Kornati National Park abounds with anchorages and swim break opportunities while overnight stay is suggested at one of the local taverns. A safe marina-like berth is organized at Ravni Žakan Island, and it is reserved for the restaurant visitors. Docking here is not recommended in case of strong southerlies.

Those who prefer marina accommodation can stay in ACI Marina Piškera on the W border of the Park. Besides safe berth, one can expect electric current and fresh water from 8 PM to midnight and from 8 to 10 AM. Visitors of the ACI marina Piškera are granted a free 24-hour ticket to Kornati National Park.

The third day’s route gives you the opportunity to see the NW part of the archipelago. We suggest taking the route W from the border of the Park, and continuing to the shores of Dugi otok Island. This path offers stunning views of famous cliffs of Kornati islands and Dugi otok Island. The south part of Dugi otok Island belongs to Nature Park Telašćica. It is a deep bay with numerous bays suitable for anchoring while some places are equipped with buoys. This is a good spot for a swim break or even a short hiking tour to the viewpoints over the cliffs and to a salt lake called Mir (Peace). Beware of the numerous tour boats cruising these waters.

The only tavern in Telašćica is located in Magrovica Bay on the NW end of the Park. Visiting, and especially the overnight stay in Nature Park Telašćica requires a ticket. One may spend the night within the Park, but the route suggests overnight stay in the city port of Sali. In order to get there one has to sail through Proversa Mala strait and head NW following the shores of Dugi otok Island. The Port of Sali offers electric current and fresh water while the supplies can be bought in a well-equipped store in the port. Here you can find numerous taverns and pizza bars, but “Maritimo bar” is the most popular among yachtsmen.

Today, it is time for you to see why Dugi otok Island – literally translated as ‘the long island’- carries that name. So, one does not have to travel all the way to New York to see Long Island! Heading NW following the shores of Dugi otok Island, there are many opportunities to drop the anchor at one of the numerous bays such as Brbinj on Dugi otok Island or somewhere on the islets of Rava and Zverinac. Overnight stay is planned on the NW end of Dugi otok Island. Solišćica Bay and Pantera Bay are safe for anchoring while safe berth can be found on the pontoons of Veli Rat Marina.

The first part of day 5 includes heading NNE, passing the islets of Golac and Bršćak, turning E and passing the strait between the islands of Tun and Molat and the NW cape of Sestrunj Island. The other way to reach Muline Bay on the NW cape of Ugljan Island leads south from the islands of Tun, Molat and Sestrunj, after leaving Dugi otok’s NW cape. Muline Bay is a safe and calm anchorage while a cluster of buoys is offered at a fair price. Besides a calm overnight stay, you can have a simple meal in a tavern ashore.

Some 6 miles SE from the NW cape of Ugljan Island lies Sutomišćica, where the Olive Island Marina is located. It is one of the best ‘boutique’ marinas in the Adriatic. Apart from safe berth, this marina offers all sorts of additional facilities such as a hair salon, beauty center, laundry service, outdoor swimming pool, fine restaurant and a cocktail bar.

The final day of the trip is meant to be a relaxed downwind sail through the channel between mainland and Ugljan Island. A swim break is sheduled for the sandy beaches of Vrgada Island or the area below the Ždrelac Bridge, in the strait between the islands of Ugljan and Pašman. In case the charter agency allows the return on Saturday morning, we advise you to spend the night in Kali on Ugljan Island, which is not more than 2.6 NM away from Marina D-Marin Dalmacija in Sukošan.

Setting sail as soon as possible is highly recommended for many reasons. First of all, you want to start your sailing adventure right away and leave the busy and hectic atmosphere in the marina. What you want is to catch the afternoon breeze to test your yacht’s performance doing close hauling up the channel. Muline Bay is located at the NW cape of the island of Ugljan so there is no time to waste. The bay is well secluded and protected from the mainland winds, and the daily breeze usually stops at dusk. So, it means you will have a quiet and pleasant night on the buoy or at anchor. You can go for a meal and cold drinks to the shore with your tender.

The schedule for the second day incudes some 20 NM sailing W and NW, passing by the islets of Rivanj, Sestrunj, Zverinac and Tun, rounding NW cape of Dugi otok Island (eng. Long Island) and reaching Sakarun Bay on its W shores. This bay is very popular because of its white sand beach. It is not recommended to visit this place if southerlies are forecasted. In that case explore Pantera and Solišćica bays along with the lighthouse at Veli rat, on the NW cape of Dugi otok Island. Again, one can count on buoys or just rely on their anchor. Bright night sky filled with countless stars is a good enough reason to stay the night in nature.

Continue sailing south, along the coast of Dugi otok Island, aiming its SE cape and the Nature Park Telašćica. On your way to the Park you will have the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the open sea on one side and rough rocky landscape on the other. Use the opportunity to take some great photos of these breathtaking cliffs.

Once you steer into the Bay of Telašćica you will find yourself in the Nature Park and a completely different environment. In a dense pine-tree forest, there are hidden footpaths wich lead to a salt water lake and bay called Mir (Peace). On the other side of the bay, you can walk to the top of the cliffs you just passed by on your boat. You can again count on numerous buoys or just walk deeper into the Park and find a nice tavern called GO-RO. The entrance fee is charged by the rangers who will visit you in the afternoon or later in the evening. The price is determined according to the length of the yacht and is valid for 24 hours.

Not many miles southward from Telašćica lies a cluster of many small islands and islets around a big one – the island of Kornat. This place is also known as Kornati National Park . The name comes from the Italian language – the word coronati (eng. crowned) means that small islands make a kind of a crown around the big island. Either way, the legend says that these islands are made from God’s tears he shed, struck by emotions, when he saw what he did during the Creation. Discover these usnpoilt islands with their stunning coves, bays and beaches. They offer numerous anchorages but still, one has to be careful about shallows and underwater rocks.

There is one high class restaurant with a belonging marina on Ravni Žakan Island while the regular ACI Marina Piškera is located on the W side of the Park. Apart from safe berths and beautiful sunsets, ACI Piškera offers fresh water supplies and electric current. You can enjoy a good meal at almost any tavern (konoba) within the Park, which offer fresh seafood and well-known Kornati’s lamb. The entrance is also charged at Kornati National Park, but the tickets are also available at the office in Biograd or online. Tickets bought at the park are the most expensive.

If you run out of water, go to Sali at the east Side of Dugi otok and load your tanks. A well-equipped supermarket can be found there too, while the crew members who are not in charge for supplies can enjoy a refreshing drink at Maritimo bar.

About 20 miles from SE end of Kornat toward the mainland lies the island of Murter. Its safe and calm marina at Jezera sounds like a good idea after almost a week spent in the nature. The place is not too crowded so you won’t experience too much of a shock. Among many taverns in the village, “Boris” stands out a bit if you are a meat lover. Since big game fishing is quite famous at Jezera, we recommend ordering a tuna steak.

It is your final day on this trip so it’s time to head back to the home port. In order to avoid a crowded gas station in Biograd, load your tanks at the gas station in Jezera. Catch the breeze and sail NW following the coastline. The Vrgada Island is a nice place for swimming and snorkeling in the sandy bay, where you can find buoys or just drop the anchor. If you want a more private place for the final afternoon of your trip, stay in one of the bays on the S part of Pašman Island. The last night before going home is reserved for visiting the town of Biograd where you can find numerous taverns, cafes and bars. Delicious seafood for a decent price can be found at “Barba” tavern (Konoba Barba).