This is a real route our skipper sailed in late June and called it one of the best holidays he has ever had in this part of Croatia. It is built around short hops, long swims, and a few very memorable nights in places where the stars do most of the entertainment.
The rhythm is simple: leave early, arrive early, secure a good spot, then slow down.
Suggested sailing itinerary from Pirovac
You will sail roughly 90 to 115 nautical miles, depending on detours and Plan B choices.
Day 1 (Sunday): Pirovac to Vrgada (Podbrizi) to Smokvica Vela (Kornati)
Day 2 (Monday): Tarac and Tureta (Kornat) to Mana to ACI Marina Piškera
Day 3 (Tuesday): Piškera to Žut (bays) to ACI Marina Žut
Day 4 (Wednesday): Žut to Nature Park Telašćica (Mir) to Sali (Dugi Otok)
Day 5 (Thursday): Sali to Pašman (Soline) to Marina Dalmacija, Sukošan
Day 6 (Friday): Sukošan to islet Sustipanac (Sv. Stjepan) to Pirovac
You can find the full itinerary on the map here.
Before you start: Kornati is a national park and Telašćica is a nature park, both with fees and rules. If you plan to sleep inside Kornati, sort your park ticket early, and keep some cash on board because not every place is card-friendly.
Day 1: Vrgada and Smokvica Vela
Morning swim stop: Vrgada, Podbrizi Beach
Start your week with an easy swim stop at Podbrizi on Vrgada. It is the kind of sandy bay that makes everyone relax immediately: shallow turquoise water, soft sand, and pines for shade.
If the sea is calm and you arrive early, you can often find a buoy or an anchor in sand for a lunch break. Keep an eye on depth and swing room if more boats show up.
Afternoon and night: Smokvica Vela, Kornati National Park
From Vrgada, point the bow toward Kornati and aim for Smokvica Vela. The classic move here is to take a berth or buoy by Konoba Smokvica and make it your dinner and overnight stop. The tavern operates guest berths and it is designed for the exact rhythm of a charter week: arrive, tie up, eat well, sleep quietly.
You are now in the national park zone. Expect a proper dark sky at night, almost no light pollution, and the usual Kornati soundtrack of wind and cicadas.
Day 2: Kornat, Tarac and Mana, then ACI Piškera
Morning: Tarac bay and the Tureta fortress
Leave Smokvica after breakfast and head to Tarac Bay. This is one of the best short walks in the area for a history break. Hike up to the remains of the Tureta fortress and stop by the Church of Our Lady of Tarac on the way. The payoff is the wide view over the archipelago, which makes Kornati feel less like random rocks and more like a deliberate maze.
Afternoon: Island Mana
Next stop: Mana. It is famous for high cliffs, open sea views, and the strange stone “ruins” that are actually old film set scenery from a 1959 production. It looks like a tiny ancient village that never really existed.
Climb carefully, wear decent shoes, and do not attempt it in the hottest part of the day if your crew is already cooked by the sun.
It's always good to have Plan B, which for today is Modri Bok area in Kornati if Mana feels too exposed for the day’s conditions.
Evening: ACI Marina Piškera
Finish the day in ACI Marina Piškera. It is a practical stop: sheltered, predictable, and useful when you want a marina night after park moorings. Arrive earlier rather than later in peak season.
Day 3: Island Žut, quiet bays and a comfortable night
Late morning to afternoon: swimming bays on Žut
From Piškera, it is a short run to Žut. This is a good day to slow down and let the crew actually enjoy the boat.
Pick one of the quieter bays on the northeast side such as Pinizelić or Jagodna and do the simple things well: snorkel, float, read, eat something cold, repeat.
Evening: ACI Marina Žut or dinner at Fešta
For the night, dock in ACI Marina Žut in Luka Žut for shelter and basics. If your priority is dinner, many crews book a table at Restaurant Fešta nearby because it is one of the better regarded spots in the area.
If you still have energy, do the short walk up toward the hill above the marina for sunset views.
Day 4: Telašćica Nature Park and Sali
Morning and midday: Nature Park Telašćica, Mir bay and Lake Mir
Sail north to Dugi Otok and enter Telašćica. The bay is long, calm, and feels like a natural harbour.
A good base is Uvala Mir. From there, walk to the salt lake Mir. In summer the lake can reach about 33°C, which can feel surreal compared to the sea.
Then continue to the cliff viewpoints. At Grpašćak the cliffs rise to around 161 meters above sea level, with deep water right below, so the contrast is dramatic even if your crew is not into hiking.
For the night, staying on a buoy in Mir is a calm option if the conditions are stable and you want one more nature night.
Plan B: Vodenjak buoy field if you need different shelter.
Evening: Sali on Dugi Otok
If the crew wants a town night, continue to Sali. It is the biggest settlement on Dugi Otok, and it is a convenient place to reset: showers, a walk, dinner, and supplies. The harbour is known for moorings and standard services like water and electricity.
Food tip: look for classic Dalmatian stews and slow-cooked dishes, and keep it simple. Sali is not about flashy dining, it is about a solid harbour evening that makes the next day easier.
Plan C: Sakarun beach, Soline on Dugi Otok, or Marina Veli Rat if you want a pure swim day and a quieter night.
Day 5 Thursday 26 June: Pašman stop or straight to Sukošan
Midday: Pašman, Soline bay
Start turning back toward the mainland. If you want one more quiet bay, stop at Soline on the south of Pašman. It is a good swim and lunch break with decent protection in common summer patterns.
Plan B: Zaklopica bay if you prefer a busier bay with more restaurant options.
Evening: Marina Dalmacija, Sukošan
End the day in Marina Dalmacija in Sukošan, the big full service stop that makes the final day stress free. Stock up, refuel if needed, and enjoy having everything in one place.
If you have time, the walk into Sukošan is short and easy.
Plan B: Marina Kornati in Biograd na Moru if Sukošan does not fit your return angle.
Day 6 Friday 27 June: back to Pirovac with one last swim
Morning: last stop, Sustipanac islet (Sv. Stjepan)
On the way back, stop at the small islet at the entrance to Pirovac bay, often referred to as Sustipanac or Sv. Stjepan. It has the remains of a Franciscan monastery, which gives the place a slightly eerie, quiet vibe for a final swim stop.
Return: Marina Pirovac
After that, it is a short final leg into Pirovac. Aim to arrive with time buffer for check out routines and fuel station traffic.
Notes that save the week
- If bora is forecast, avoid exposed overnight spots and default to marinas or deeper protected bays.
- In Kornati and Telašćica, do not assume you can always just “drop and forget” the anchor. Check the bottom type, set it properly, and use a shoreline where appropriate.
- Arrive early to the popular places in peak season, especially Piškera, Žut Marina, and Sali.