Located in Northern Dalmatia near Zadar and Sibenik, the Kornati Islands include 147 uninhabited islets and islands. Altogether, this archipelago covers a land area of just 70 square kilometers; the islands themselves are spread across 220 square kilometers of the Adriatic. With steep "crowns" or cliffs on their southwestern sides, many of these islands boast incredible underwater walls; you'll also find idyllic coves and incredible channels to explore - the opportunities are endless.
Incredible Geology and Abundant Marine Life
Like many of the best places to dive in Croatia, the Kornati Islands boast amazing geology. Limestone is predominant, and with it comes caves, crevices, and gullies - both above and below the surface. Karst cavities topside serve as the only sources of fresh water on the islands, sustaining very little vegetation in most places, though there are a few karst valleys where people have encouraged olive trees, grapevines, and other crops to grow. Shags, swifts, and peregrine falcons thrive in the rocky cliffs; other than birds, there are few creatures endemic to the islands to be found topside.
Underwater, though, it's a different story. Among striated boulders and along ledges, and inside grottoes and caves, you'll find lobsters, crabs, and other crustaceans in abundance. Massive swathes of red gorgonians thrive at depths from 25 meters to beyond recreational diving depth limits; in some places, you can peer into the deep blue abyss which bottoms out at a depth of approximately 1,300 meters.
While schools of pelagic fishes are occasionally seen visiting the most popular dive areas in the islands, most of the life you'll encounter is small to medium. Wrasse, blennies, and other colorful fish thrive against a backdrop of sponges, tunicates, and corals; starfish, sea urchins, and other echinoderms are abundant as well. As you explore, keep an eye out for nudibranchs in various brilliant hues, and watch for the octopuses, which are plentiful but adept at hiding themselves in crevices.
Kornati Islands Travel Tips for Divers
As you may know, you must secure a diving permit to dive in Croatia; when planning to dive Kornati Islands National Park, you must obtain a second permit which allows you to explore the park's underwater features. Only certain dive operators are permitted to take divers into the park's boundaries, so when planning your trip, ensure that the dive operator you select is permitted to enter the park.
Finally, there are plenty of things to see topside - on Kornat, you'll find Roman ruins at Toreta Hill, along with the remains of early Illyrian settlements and the remnants of medieval fortifications and an early Christian church. On the island of Piskera, there is a fascinating 16th century church which you may visit, and throughout the islands, traces of fortifications and settlements dating back to the Neolithic period have been found.
Private accommodations are available in the islands surrounding the park; however, there are no hotels. It is vital that you make reservations well in advance of your trip if you hope to enjoy a stay in the islands themselves.