A boat trip from Zadar to the Kornati and Telašćica with kids: turquoise bays, cliffs and a salt lake

Kornati is an archipelago of several dozen rocky islands south of Zadar, and Telašćica is a nature park at the southern tip of the island of Dugi Otok, with steep cliffs and a salt lake. On 8 May 2026, during our May holiday in Croatia (the early-May long weekend that Poles call majówka), we sailed there on an organised boat trip from Zadar. It was the best day of the whole trip.

On a wooden boat from Zadar

The boat left Zadar harbour before nine in the morning. It was a wooden excursion boat with benches and tables on deck, where we were served rolls with cheese and ham for breakfast. Our two golden retrievers came with us, and they lay under a bench or rested at the stern.

First we sailed down the channel along the island of Ugljan, past the little towns on its shore, and then through the narrow Ždrelac strait, under the bridge that links Ugljan with the island of Pašman. Our youngest daughter stood with dad at the bow by the ship's bell, and later she stroked our Fiona at the stern. During the trip one of the crew came over with a map and showed us where we were heading.

Kornati: a view of turquoise bays

In the Kornati the boat moored in a bay with Lojena beach and a small restaurant. You could go for a swim at the beach, and right next to it a path led up the rocky hill, which we climbed. From the top we could see two bays of turquoise water and dozens of islands in the archipelago stretching all the way to the horizon. The day was cloudy and chilly, but even without the sun the colour of the water was breathtaking.

Telašćica: the cliffs and Lake Mir

For lunch the crew served fried fish with chips and bread on deck. Then we sailed on to Telašćica Nature Park, the second stop of the trip. From the jetty a short path leads to a viewpoint above the cliffs on the western side of Dugi Otok. They drop straight into the open sea from a height of more than 160 m, and there is a railing along the edge, so you can safely peer over.

Not far from the cliffs lies Lake Mir, a salt lake also known in Croatian as Slano jezero. It is about 900 m long and up to 6 m deep. Our youngest daughter, in her PAW Patrol cap, stood right at the water's edge, while the dogs rested in the shade of the pine trees. Before heading back to the boat we relaxed for a while on a beach known as The Simpsons couch.

Back to Zadar

We got back to Zadar in the late afternoon. From the stern we watched the wake and a lighthouse on a tiny islet. Seagulls followed the boat the whole way, because the crew threw leftover food overboard, even close to a national park and a nature park. We found that a bit disappointing. The engine was quite loud all day, so by the time we got back we were all tired, and the dogs fell asleep in the doorway of our mobile home.

Practical info

Checked in November 2026.

The boat trip

• Full-day trips to Kornati and Telašćica leave Zadar in the morning and come back in the late afternoon.
• In 2026 a trip like this usually costs 55-65 € per adult. With one of the operators, children under 3 go free, and children aged 5-12 pay half price.
• Breakfast, lunch and park entrance fees are usually included in the price, but it is worth checking before you buy.
• Dogs are not welcome on every boat, so ask the operator when booking. On our trip dogs were allowed.

Telašćica Nature Park

• In 2026 entry to the park costs about 8 € per person, and children under 5 get in free.
• The Grpašćak cliffs are about 161 m high, and Lake Mir is about 900 m long, 300 m wide and up to 6 m deep.

With kids

It can be chilly out at sea even in May, so bring jackets and fleeces. A stony path leads up the hill on Kornati, so comfortable shoes come in handy.