Many people would agree that a sailing vacation in Croatia is definitely a unique experience. Those who come to Croatia for a sailing vacation year after year have already had an opportunity to discover at least a part of this Mediterranean gem. 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 sport or cruising sailing, this is the right spot for experiencing your dream vacation.

When talking about Croatia, what definitely stands out are natural sights, especially the protected ones. There are eight national parks in Croatia in total, and three of them are located in the Adriatic Sea and accessible by boat. Make your sailing vacation complete by visiting one (or more) beautiful national parks! Set sail to amazing protected areas of the Adriatic Sea and discover the beauty of Croatia!
Below is a short review with basic information about locations, contents and prices for national parks, which you can visit during your Croatian sailing vacation!

Brijuni National Park

The Brijuni National Park is located on the northern part of the Adriatic coast and it consists of two larger and 12 smaller islands and the surrounding sea along the western coast of Istria. Brijuni Islands are known for their preserved Mediterranean vegetation, landscaped parks, an indigenous bird population, and a safari park with exotic animals, such as llamas, zebras or elephants. On Brijuni, you can see one of the oldest olive trees in the Mediterranean, which annually produces 30 kg of olives that locals use to make oil. Brijuni Islands are also rich in cultural and historical heritage origination in all periods of history. Because of their outstanding beauty, the islands have been the favorite summer resort of statesmen and aristocrats from across the globe since the beginning of the last century.
Today, the Brijuni National Park is becoming more appealing to sailors with each day. Sail to the Veli Brijun Marina or anchor in the Saint Nicholas Bay on the island of Mali Brijun. If you are in the Veli Brijun Marina, you should check-in at the reception, and your adventure can start right away! In the Brijuni National Park you can also find different types of tours, including by electric car or bike, and can also play golf or tennis, and enjoy dinner in some special locations. You can also try traditional meat and fish delicacies in numerous restaurants all over the national park. If you anchor in the Saint Nicholas Bay, you can visit one of the beautiful pebble beaches and enjoy yourself in the peaceful setting.
The ticket price depends on the length of your boat and on the season of your visit to the national park. According to the pricelist from 2018, ships up to 15 metres in July and August pay the entry fee of HRK1450.00. In May, June and September, the fee is HRK950.00. In other months, it's HRK750.00.

Kornati National Park

There are very few visitors in Croatia who have not heard of Kornati. It is the most indented island group of the whole Mediterranean, and is located in northern Dalmatia, not far from Zadar and Šibenik. Kornati Islands include 89 uninhabited islands and islets, and are a real maze of sea and stone from the bird's-eye view. The islands are a favourite 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, or rest in one of the many beautiful bays. One day won't be enough to truly discover Kornati. You will certainly want to swim in every bay, have a dinner in every restaurant and get to know the whole island group.
There are strictly protected areas in the Kornati National Park, such as: Purara islet, cliffs of Klint and Volić, Mrtenjak islets, Kolobučar islets, Mali and Veliki Obručan islands. Visitors are not allowed in these areas, but you can sail and swim in all other parts of the park. Anchoring and overnight stays are only allowed in several coves – you can view the list here. You can find a restaurant that offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine in almost every bays, and each one is special in its own way. Some of the most famous restaurants are Sandra and Feštana on the island of Žut, as well as the restaurant within the ACI Marina, 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 Žakan, Jadra and Opat. To pay in these restaurants, make sure to prepare cash in the Croatian kuna.
Close to the Kornati National Park, there is another gem of protected nature in Croatia – Telašćica Nature Park. It includes a spacious and deep bay of the same name on the neighbouring island of Dugi otok, which also has several beautiful small islets and a slightly salty lake Mir directly by the sea.
You can buy entrance tickets online or on location in Kornati. The ticket price depends on the length of the boat and the season. Tickets purchased outside the park or on online are cheaper than tickets purchased from receptionists within the park.
Thus, users of boats with a length of 34–59 feet (11 to 18 metres) in June, July, August and September are charged HRK600.00, or €80.00, for the daily ticket, and HRK300.00, or €40.00, in all other months (according to the pricelist from 2018).
You can also buy three-day tickets, which are valid for the Kornati National Park and Telaščica Nature Park. Seven-day tickets are valid for the Kornati National Park, Telašćica Nature Park, Mljet National Park, and Lastovo Islands Nature Park.

Krka National Park

Even though it's not located directly by the sea, the Krka National Park is easily accessible to sailors. Set sail to Skradin, leave your boat at the ACI Marina Skradin, and go for a walk (along a footpath) or take a boat tour (provided by the national park) towards Skradinski buk. The Krka National Park features seven magnificent waterfalls: Bilušić buk, Brljan, Manojlovac, Rošnjak, Miljacka waterfall, Roški slap and Skradinski buk. The beauty of this landscape is the result of the very nature of sedge (limestone) that has been building the present appearance of this national park for years. The whole park is rich in plant and animal species. It also includes one of the most beautiful footpaths in Croatia in park Stinice – Roški slap – Oziđana Cave, with a distance of eight and a half kilometres. The Krka National Park also includes Lake Visovac, with an islet of the same name in the middle of the lake, which has a small church and monastery on it. There are many organised boat tours to the island, visits to the church and monastery, at an additional charge. The Visovac Island is one of the most important natural and cultural goods of the Republic of Croatia, so make sure you do not miss it! When you are hungry, you can find several restaurants near the park, and the money you pay for a meal helps keep the national park maintained. You can pay cash in Croatian kunas or using payment 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.
According to the pricelist for the period from June to September 2019, the price of the ticket is HRK200.00 per person, with the price dropping to HRK150.00 per person for the land area after 4pm. It is possible to pay a boat trip to Visovac. In April, May and October, the ticket price is HRK100.00 per person.

Mljet National Park

Mljet is an 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. According to legend, this beautiful green island is Homer's Ogygia. The legend states that the lover of the Greek hero Odysseus, the nymph Calypso, chose this island as her home, and that Odysseus decided to stay here for many years because of its exceptional beauty. But what makes Mljet so special?
The Mljet National Park is known for its two deep bays, which, due to their close connection to the open sea, are called lakes. They are a global geological and oceanographic phenomenon. Still not fully explored, their depths conceal many mysteries and are therefore appealing to naturalists and seekers of pristine nature. Apart from the fact that Mljet is rich in Mediterranean vegetation, it is also a cultural heritage. In the centre of Veliko jezero, there is the islet of St. Mary with a church and a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century, a must-see for all tourists. In addition to the two mentioned 'lakes', it is also worth mentioning the rich Mljet's underwater. Dive into the waters rich with plant and animal life, and enjoy a wonderful view. But don't forget, fishing is prohibited. The untouched nature of Mljet and its underwater world is a habitat for several strictly protected bivalve molluscs! Bathing and swimming in the sea is allowed, and enjoyment is guaranteed as the sea around Mljet is warmer and calmer than in other parts of the Adriatic! You also have to try the traditional island food in one of the many restaurants and taverns with a view of the sea. We recommend Konoba Herc, Dalmatina and Konoba Barba Ive. Prepare cash (Croatian kuna) for payment in these locations.
For a visit to the Mljet National Park, you will be charged between HRK250.00 and HRK550.00 for a vessel with a length of 11–18 metres, and between HRK400.00 and HRK900.00 for a boat with a length of 18–24 metres (according to the pricelist for 2018).

Speaking of the beauty of the very south of Dalmatia, it is worth mentioning the Lastovo Islands Nature Park, which is located near the island of Mljet. Lastovo Islands are 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 wonders!
Visit at least one national park this year! You will not be sorry!