The KORNATI ISLANDS are comprised of some 130 islands, islets and reefs sprinkled in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, covering an area of approximately 64 sq kilometres, and providing a beautiful cruising ground close by within this Croatian National Park.
The largest island is Kornat from which the archipelago takes its name. Other larger islands are: Piskara, Kurba, Vela, Zut, Sit and Levrnaka. Apart from a tiny area of cultivated land with fig trees, olives and vineyards, the Kornati islands are rocky, covered with thin grass, rare trees and Mediterranean scrubs. Over time the sea has caused erosion and changed the landscape, along with over grazing by sheep. This erosion has deprived the islands of their primeval luxurious vegetation and the people have moved to more hospitable islands.
The Kornati have no permanent inhabitants, although the present owners from nearby larger Dalmatian islands periodically visit Kornati to tend their vineyards and olive groves, bringing their sheep to graze.
The sea around the islands is rich with fish and a variety of marine life. The islands have no spring water, only rainwater collected in waterholes. A unique feature of the islands is their rugged shores with many caves and coves. The landscape of chalk limestone is covered with bushes of rosemary, juniper, lavender, thyme, myrtle and sage. Pathways lead to steep drops and cliffs facing the open sea; others gently decline towards the ocean, ending in a small bay with a jetty and one or two fishermen's cottages, surrounded by pine, olives and fig trees.
LATITUDE:
44° 04.9N
LONGITUDE: 15° 11.6E
CHARTS:
BA 2711,
515 MK 13
VHF: CHANNEL 17
