Private Speedboat tour to National Park Kornati Islands

Kornati National Park is best seen from the water, where its bare islands, rocky shores, and clear coves unfold one after another. This private speedboat trip gives you the freedom to swim at Lojena Bay, visit Mana Island, and adjust the pace instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I like the private format and the chance to spend time away from crowded beaches. I also like that masks, bottled water, and a skipper are included, with the option to add Telašćica Nature Park.

The main catch is cost. The advertised price is $205.16 per person, but you also pay a €160 fuel surcharge and a €60 Kornati entrance fee per booking. Lunch is extra, and the boat ride depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• A private day on the water: Only your group takes part, so you can discuss the pace and stops with the skipper.
• Lojena Bay swimming: You get free time to swim and snorkel at Levrnaka’s clear-water bay, with masks provided.
• Mana Island history: The route includes time to visit Mana Island and its old fortress.
• A quieter start helps: One guest found that an early arrival at the popular beach made a big difference before it filled up.
• Telašćica is optional: You can extend the day to include Telašćica Nature Park for an additional €60 per booking.
• Bring lunch and drinks: Food is not included, though the skipper can take you to a restaurant.

Why Kornati works so well by speedboat

Kornati National Park is made up of 89 islands, islets, and reefs. That number gives you an idea of the scale, but the real appeal is the variety seen from the boat: low rocky islands, open sea, small coves, and long stretches with little development.

A speedboat lets you cover more water than a slow excursion boat. That matters here because the park is scattered across the sea. You spend less of the day simply getting from one place to another and more time choosing where to stop.

I also like the sense of space. The park is known for its nautical setting rather than a single famous monument. You come for the combination of sea, rock, swimming, and open views. If you expect a town-by-town sightseeing trip, this will feel spare. If you want a day on the Adriatic with a flexible route, it makes good sense.

The private setup changes the mood. You are not working around a large group’s lunch break or waiting for everyone to return to the boat. Your group can spend longer in the water, make a shorter stop, or follow the skipper’s suggestions when conditions change.

Starting from Zadar at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Speed Boat Zadar at Ul. Ivana Meštrovića 3. The advertised start time is 9 a.m., and the full experience lasts about eight hours, ending back at the same point.

That start time is useful for two reasons. First, it gives you a full day in the park. Second, beginning early can help you reach popular swimming spots before the busiest part of the day. One especially useful account describes starting early and finding a well-known beach quiet at first, then moving on to calmer places for swimming and walking.

The tour is in English, and the skipper handles the boat and route. If Ivan is assigned to your group, you may benefit from his experience finding quiet places away from the main crowd, though a particular skipper should not be assumed unless the operator confirms it.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with a full day around a speedboat, swimming, and time outside. The supplied information does not specify boat size, onboard toilet facilities, or seating arrangements, so ask the operator if any of those details matter to you.

Lojena Bay on Levrnaka Island

The first major pleasure of the route is Lojena Bay on Levrnaka. This is the place to use the included snorkeling masks and get into the water.

The bay is known for clear water, making it one of the strongest parts of the day for swimming and snorkeling. You should think of this as free time rather than a guided marine-life lesson. The appeal is simple: get in, look around, cool off, and enjoy the setting at your own pace.

The private boat is especially useful here. If your group wants a long swim, you can make that the center of the stop. If some people prefer to stay on the boat or walk nearby, the schedule can be adjusted more easily than on a fixed group excursion.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The tour does not promise a naturalist guide, special snorkeling sites, or underwater wildlife encounters. The included masks are a helpful convenience, but the main value is access to a clear cove and the freedom to choose how long you stay.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and any personal snorkeling gear you prefer. Bottled water is included, but lunch and other drinks are not.

Mana Island and its old fortress

Mana Island adds a change of pace. Instead of only swimming, you get a chance to step ashore and see the island’s fortress.

The fortification gives the stop a visual focal point and a little human history amid the stark island scenery. You can pair a short visit with time to look across the surrounding sea. The supplied details do not promise a formal guided history talk, so treat this as a self-directed sightseeing stop supported by the skipper’s route.

This is also where the private nature of the excursion helps. Your group can decide how much time to spend exploring the island compared with swimming. People who want a day made entirely of water stops may prefer a shorter visit. Those who like mixing scenery with a place to walk will appreciate the change.

The islands of Kornati are not lush in the usual Croatian postcard sense. Their appeal comes from rock, water, and the force of the sea and weather. Mana makes that character easy to appreciate. You are not moving through a polished resort area. You are seeing a rugged national park from a boat and on foot.

Quiet coves, open water, and flexible timing

The operator presents the day as a custom route rather than a rigid list of timed stops. You can bring ideas, discuss your interests, and decide how to use the available hours with the skipper’s help.

That flexibility is the strongest reason to choose this experience over a standard shared cruise. If you care most about swimming, you can give the day a water-based rhythm. If you want more island sightseeing, you can ask for more time ashore where the route allows.

The phrase private does not mean every possible stop is guaranteed. Weather, sea conditions, opening rules, and the practical distance between islands still shape the day. But it does mean you are not locked into the preferences of a large group.

The experience is also praised for reaching quieter places. That matters in summer, when a famous cove can lose much of its charm if you arrive alongside many boats. A good skipper can suggest alternatives and adjust the order of stops. Starting early gives you a better chance at peaceful time in the most popular places.

I would book this for a small family, a couple, or a group of friends who want control over the day. It is less compelling if you enjoy the social side of a large boat trip or want a fully guided historical program.

The Telašćica option adds another protected area

You can extend the route to Telašćica Nature Park for an additional €60 per booking. This is an optional upgrade, not part of the basic Kornati outing.

The extension is useful for people who want to see more than one protected coastal area in a single day. It may also suit repeat visitors to Zadar who have already seen Kornati or want a fuller boat itinerary.

The tradeoff is time. An eight-hour day already includes the speedboat ride, swimming, snorkeling, Mana Island, and free time. Adding another park may mean shorter stops or a longer overall day, depending on the arrangement. The supplied details call it a tour extension but do not provide a revised duration, so confirm the exact schedule before paying for it.

If your main goal is relaxed swimming and unhurried time in Kornati, skip the add-on. If your priority is seeing as much of the region as possible by boat, ask how the skipper will fit Telašćica into your day.

What the price really means

The listed price is $205.16 per person. That covers the private boat and skipper, but the extra charges deserve close attention.

You pay a €60 Kornati National Park entrance fee per booking. There is also a €160 fuel surcharge per booking. The Telašćica extension adds another €60 per booking if you choose it. Lunch is not included, although the skipper can take you to a restaurant.

The fixed charges make the value better for a larger group than for one or two people, because the €220 basic extras are shared across your party. For example, the Kornati fee and fuel surcharge together total €220 before food. Split among four people, that is €55 each. Split among two, it is €110 each. The advertised per-person price still applies, so check the full total at checkout.

This is not a bargain beach transfer. You are paying for a private boat, a full day, a skipper, route flexibility, and access to a national park. Compared with a standard shared excursion, the extra cost can be justified if avoiding crowds and controlling the schedule matter to you.

It is less good value if you mainly want a short swim and a scenic ride. In that case, a shared trip may meet your needs for less money.

Food, equipment, and what to bring

The tour includes diving masks and bottled water. In practical terms, that means you can snorkel without renting basic equipment separately, though you may want to bring your own mask if fit is important.

Lunch is your responsibility. You can bring your own food and drinks, or ask the skipper to take you to a restaurant. Since the day is long, decide before departure which option suits your group. Bringing food gives you more control over timing. Eating at a restaurant gives you a break from the boat, but may affect the schedule and add to the cost.

Pack the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Food and extra drinks
• Comfortable footwear for time on shore
• Personal snorkeling equipment, if you prefer your own
• A waterproof way to protect phones and valuables

These items are practical rather than luxurious. The focus is an active day at sea, not a catered cruise.

Weather, cancellation, and comfort

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

That policy is fairly clear, but weather is worth taking seriously. A private speedboat day depends on safe and comfortable sea conditions. Keep some flexibility in your Zadar plans, especially if your visit is short.

The tour is suitable for most people, but the supplied information does not give detailed guidance on mobility access, seasickness, or boat facilities. If anyone in your group has special needs, contact Speed Boat Zadar before booking rather than guessing.

Who should book this Kornati speedboat trip?

I would choose this experience if you value privacy, swimming, and freedom more than a fixed sightseeing script. It suits people who want to set the pace, families who need flexibility, and friends who would rather share one boat than join a large departure.

It is also a good choice for anyone hoping to avoid the busiest beach periods. The combination of a 9 a.m. start and a skipper willing to suggest quieter places can make the day feel calmer.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, if you dislike speedboat travel, or if you want every meal and entrance fee included. The headline price does not include the €160 fuel charge, the €60 Kornati entry fee, lunch, or the optional €60 Telašćica fee.

Should you book it?

Book this private Kornati trip if you want a full day of sea, swimming, snorkeling, and island scenery with your own group. The best parts are the flexible schedule, Lojena Bay, the Mana Island fortress, and the chance to avoid crowded stops.

Before booking, calculate the complete group price with the fuel and park fees. Ask about the assigned skipper if you particularly want Ivan, confirm the Telašćica schedule if you want the extension, and bring lunch unless you prefer a restaurant stop.

For a private day on the Adriatic, this is a strong choice. For the lowest-cost way to see Kornati, it is not.

FAQ

Where does the Kornati speedboat tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Speed Boat Zadar, Ul. Ivana Meštrovića 3, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the activity.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the skipper, boat rental, diving masks, and bottled water.

Is the Kornati National Park entrance fee included?

No. The Kornati National Park entrance fee is €60 per booking.

Is fuel included?

No. A €160 fuel surcharge per booking applies.

Is Telašćica Nature Park included?

No. Telašćica is an optional extension with an additional €60 entrance fee and tour charge per booking.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks, or the skipper can take you to a restaurant.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.