Nature North

From Rogač, the oldest coastal town on the island of Šolta, you will sail towards the westernmost part of the island, the Šešula Bay. The bay is surrounded by green vegetation and provides a good shelter during a strong mistral (a dry cold northerly wind) or tramontana (a cold wind from the northeast or north). Be careful and drop your anchor chain deep enough because the depth of the bay is considerable. You can get some refreshments and enjoy delicious meals in the restaurant “Šišmiš” which has a nice terrace overlooking the sea. “Šišmiš” offers Mediterranean, European and Croatian cuisine as well as fresh seafood and top-quality wines. In the close vicinity of the bay is the village of Maslinica. You can even walk there.

From the Šešula Bay you sail towards the island of Kaprije. Naturally sheltered from all winds, the Kaprije harbor on the northwest part of the island provides a safe place for berthing to many yachts. It is an ideal spot for sailors who wish to relax and try out some homemade specialties. Thanks to good connections with the town of Šibenik, Kaprije attracts more and more tourists with its beauty, the sea rich with fish and small private bays. To the left is the Kakan islet, which protects Kaprije from the waves that come from the south. This islet is attractive to sailors who like peace, quiet and untouched nature.

On your third day, you will enter the Kornati National Park. Sailing through Kornati, the densest collection of islands in the Mediterranean, presents a great adventure to every sailor. The cliffs of Kornati, the so-called crowns, and their underwater extensions, which go all the way to 1000 m deep into the sea, will leave you breathless. Today, these islands are mostly uninhabited and traditional houses are turned into taverns and restaurants. The beauty of the Kornati islands was even recognized by the Romans, with archeological findings such as buildings and a vivarium bearing witness of that time.

Mala and Vela Proversa straits are situated between Kornati, Katina and Dugi otok. The island of Mana, with its steep shore and cliffs, Roman remains, beaches and untouched sea is every visitor’s paradise. Diving is particularly popular at this part of the Adriatic. The island of Sestrica Vela is interesting because of its lighthouse from the Austro-Hungarian times, and the bays of Vrulje and Lavsa are already legendary among sailors due to excellent food. Mornings on the Kornati islands are, if possible, even more beautiful than sunsets. To wake up in Piškera, a marina on the island of Panitula, is a truly unforgettable experience. At any time of the year, the friendly personnel will take care of all your needs. There is a restaurant, and you can refill your water and connect to the electrical power aggregate.

In the close vicinity of the Kornati National Park, there is the Nature Park Telašćica. There are three phenomena that characterize this park. The first one is the unique Telašćica Bay which is the safest and largest natural harbor in the Adriatic Sea with 25 coves, 5 islets, and 69 km of an indented coast. The second phenomenon are the steep rocks of the island of Dugi otok which rise up to 200 meters above the sea level and descend into the depth of 90 meters. The third phenomenon is the salty lake Mir, with its therapeutic properties and a mixture of sea and fresh water, which is about 6 °C warmer than the sea water. You can also reach Sali, a small fishing town with rich history, by simply walking to it. Your night in Telašćica will be filled with the scent of pines, the murmuring of the sea and the song of crickets.

From Telašćica, you sail towards the Opat Bay on the Kornat island along its east coast if the southern wind jugo starts to blow, or along the west coast in case of the northerly wind bura. On the northeast part of the bay, you can find a restaurant and a place to moor your boat. At the bottom of the bay, there is sand and sludge, so the anchor will hold well. As the Opat Bay is open to the south wind, you can seek shelter in the nearby Koromašna Bay. The southernmost part of Kornat turns purple from sage, which grows on the barren parts of the island in springtime.

The wind takes you further on towards Primošten, an island whose inhabitants connected it to the mainland five centuries ago, so they could reach their fields in order to cultivate them. The town represents a true harmony of the past and present. The place is dominated by the St. George church from 1485. There are also the churches of St. Rocco from 1680 and Our Lady of Mercy from 1553. Everywhere you turn, there is a certain Mediterranean charm which is hard to resist. Traditional food is spectacular here and it goes well with the well-known Babić red wine, which is made from an indigenous sort that grows in famous Primošten stone vineyards, paintings of which can be found in the UN headquarters.

You will have a view of the vineyards if you berth in Marina Kremik, which is situated a bit more to the south of the town in the Peleš Bay. You can berth in the town as well, but only when the weather is nice and if you arrive during early afternoon, so you can find a free place to berth. You can find a shelter during the night in Marina Kremik or even more to the south in Marina Frapa, next to Rogoznica. If you are looking for a good time, there are parties regularly organized during summer months in Primošten’s streets and squares. You can also dance in one of the biggest disco clubs in the Adriatic, “Aurora”, until the early morning hours.

On your last day, sail around Mali and Veli Drvenik. The north side of Mali Drvenik is barren and inaccessible, but the south side is forested with macchia and pine wood. Although small (3.3 km2), this islet has five hamlets, so you are always able to see some houses from the sea. Veli Drvenik has several bays in which you can berth. We recommend you to berth in the Krknjaši Bay between the east coast of Veli Drvenik and the islet of Krknjaš. There, you can go for a swim, and then sail out towards Rogač where you will spend the night.