Zadar Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Zadar

Zadar is northern Dalmatia’s best‑kept secret – a 3,000‑year‑old walled city on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic, with a waterfront that Alfred Hitchcock reportedly called home to ‘the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West in Florida’. The old town is a compelling tangle of Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and modern layers: the 9th‑century Church of St Donatus (one of the finest examples of pre‑Romanesque architecture in Europe), the Roman Forum columns still standing after 2,000 years, and – on the waterfront where those sunsets happen – two contemporary installations that have become symbols of the city: the Sea Organ, whose 35 polyethylene tubes beneath marble steps produce a haunting, wave‑driven melody, and the Sun Salutation, a 22‑metre circle of photovoltaic glass plates that charges by day and creates a mesmerising light show after dark.

But the real reason charter yachts gather here is what lies offshore. The Kornati National Park – 89 islands and reefs arranged in a labyrinth of barren, sculptural beauty – is one of the most extraordinary archipelagos in the Mediterranean, accessible only by boat. Just south, Telašćica Nature Park on Dugi Otok offers dramatic 161‑metre sea cliffs, a salt lake with curative mud, and the white‑sand beach of Sakarun. The islands of Ugljan and Pašman sit just 3 nautical miles from the old town, providing easy first‑day stops, and the broader cruising ground extends north toward the Kvarner Gulf and south toward Split. Marina infrastructure is strong: D‑Marin Dalmacija at Sukošan is Croatia’s largest marina with 1,200 berths (including superyacht berths up to 70 metres), and D‑Marin Borik and Marina Zadar put you within walking distance of the old town.

Whether you’re planning a Kornati exploration, a family cruise through the outer islands, or a longer passage linking Zadar to Split’s central Dalmatian waters, Zadar offers a quieter, more rugged alternative to the southern hotspots. Start planning your Zadar charter with Boatcrowd.

Why Charter a Yacht in Zadar

The Kornati: 89 Islands of Raw, Sculptural Beauty

The Kornati National Park is unlike anything else on the Adriatic. Eighty‑nine islands and reefs, most of them barren and uninhabited, rise from deep‑blue water in shapes that look carved by a sculptor’s chisel. The highest sea cliffs reach 82 metres on Klobučar island. There are no villages, no roads and no crowds – just stone, sea and silence. Roughly 20 seasonal konoba restaurants open during the summer, serving grilled fish and lamb that arrives by boat. Your captain navigates narrow channels between the islands, finding anchorages where your yacht is the only vessel in sight. The park became a national park in 1980 and is best explored over two or three days to appreciate its otherworldly scale.

Telašćica and Dugi Otok: Cliffs, Salt Lakes and White Sand

Just south of the Kornati, the Telašćica Nature Park on Dugi Otok offers a dramatic contrast. The park’s bay is the largest natural port on the Adriatic, sheltered by high cliffs that rise 161 metres above the sea and drop 90 metres below it. The salt lake Mir (900 metres long, 300 metres wide) has water warmer and saltier than the surrounding sea, with fine curative grey mud on the lake bed. On Dugi Otok’s north‑western coast, Sakarun beach – 300 metres of white sand in a pine‑fringed bay with crystal‑turquoise shallows – is one of the most beautiful in Croatia. The combination of Kornati and Telašćica in a single charter is unbeatable.

A 3,000‑Year‑Old City with a Modern Soul

Zadar’s old town is compact and walkable, layered with 3,000 years of history. The Roman Forum, the Church of St Donatus (9th century), the Cathedral of St Anastasia (12th–13th century) and the Venetian‑era city gates are all within a few hundred metres of each other. Yet the city feels contemporary and vibrant: the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation draw visitors to the waterfront at sunset, the restaurants along Kalelarga (the main street) serve modern Dalmatian cuisine, and the local food scene – Pag cheese, pršut (cured ham), maraschino liqueur (invented in Zadar) and fresh Adriatic fish – is outstanding.

Key Destinations Near Zadar

• Kornati National Park – Roughly 15 nautical miles south. Eighty‑nine islands and reefs of barren, sculptural beauty. Vertical sea cliffs, hidden anchorages, seasonal konoba restaurants serving grilled fish and lamb. Best explored over 2–3 days.

• Telašćica Nature Park (Dugi Otok) – Adjacent to the Kornati, on Dugi Otok’s south‑eastern tip. Dramatic cliffs, the salt lake Mir, and 25 small beaches within the bay. A natural stopping point between Zadar and the Kornati.

• Sakarun Beach (Dugi Otok) – North‑western Dugi Otok. Three hundred metres of white sand in a shallow, pine‑fringed bay. One of Croatia’s most beautiful beaches, easily reached from Zadar or as part of a Kornati itinerary.

• Ugljan and Pašman – The closest islands to Zadar (3 nautical miles to Ugljan). A gentle first‑day stop with olive‑covered hills, quiet fishing villages and sheltered bays. Pašman’s southern coast faces the Kornati and offers excellent anchorages.

• Pašman Channel and Iž – The channel between Pašman and the outer islands is a protected cruising corridor. The island of Iž (15 nautical miles from Zadar) has a quiet harbour and is a stepping stone to the Kornati.

Best Time to Charter in Zadar

Peak Season: July and August

The warmest months (28–34°C / 82–93°F) with the best conditions for the Kornati and Telašćica. Sea temperatures reach 24–26°C. The konoba restaurants in the Kornati are fully operational. Anchorages are less crowded than the central Dalmatian islands, but the most popular Kornati bays do fill on summer weekends.

Shoulder Season: May–June and September–October

Warm, sunny and noticeably quieter (22–28°C). The Kornati feel even more remote and wild. Konoba restaurants open from May through October. Rates are 15–25% softer. June and September are the best months for combining Kornati exploration with Zadar’s cultural highlights in comfortable, uncrowded conditions.

Early and Late Season: April and November

Mild days (16–21°C) and empty anchorages. The Kornati and Telašćica are at their most atmospheric – wild, windswept and hauntingly beautiful. Some konoba restaurants may be closed. Ideal for guests who prioritise nature, solitude and photography over swimming.

Signature Experiences

• Kornati Anchorage at Sunset – Your captain finds an anchorage between two barren Kornati islands as the light turns the stone to gold and the sea to ink. No other vessels, no sounds except the water against the hull. Your chef serves dinner on the aft deck beneath a canopy of stars.
• Sea Organ and Sunset in Zadar – Sit on the marble steps of the Sea Organ as the sun drops into the Adriatic and the 35 tubes beneath your feet produce a haunting, ever‑changing melody driven by the waves. As darkness falls, the Sun Salutation’s 300 glass plates come alive with coloured light.
• Sakarun Beach Morning – Arrive at Dugi Otok’s white‑sand bay before anyone else. Swim in turquoise shallows so clear you can see every grain from the swim platform. Your crew has coffee and pastries waiting on the aft deck.
• Telašćica Cliffs and Salt Lake – Anchor in the sheltered bay and hike to the clifftop viewpoint (161 metres above the sea), then walk down to the salt lake Mir for a warm, salty swim and a therapeutic mud treatment on the lake bed.
• Konoba Lunch in the Kornati – Tender ashore to a stone‑built konoba restaurant on one of the Kornati islands, where the lamb was raised on the island and the fish was caught that morning. No menu – the chef serves whatever is fresh.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – Agile enough to navigate the Kornati’s narrow channels, fast enough to cover the distances between Zadar, the outer islands and Telašćica in comfort. All‑inclusive crewed charters with water toys and chef.

• Superyachts (100’+) – D‑Marin Dalmacija at Sukošan accommodates yachts up to 70 metres. A superyacht charter from Zadar offers the ultimate Kornati experience: complete privacy, expansive deck space and crew service in one of the most remote cruising grounds in the Med.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – The shallow‑draft champion of the Kornati. A catamaran’s ability to nose into the tightest bays and anchor in shallows is a genuine advantage in this island labyrinth. Spacious, stable and ideal for families.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the Kornati National Park?

The Kornati National Park is accessible only by boat. Your crew arranges the mandatory entry permit (purchased in advance or at the park office on the island of Kornat) and plans the route through the archipelago. There are roughly 20 seasonal konoba restaurants within the park, but no shops or fuel stations, so your yacht is fully provisioned before entering. Most charter itineraries spend 2–3 days in the Kornati for a thorough exploration.

How much does a yacht charter from Zadar cost?

Crewed motor yachts (78’–99’) start from around $30,000–$55,000 per week during peak season. Superyachts (100’+) typically range from $90,000–$175,000+ per week on MYBA terms (plus APA and 13% VAT). Luxury catamarans (55’–80’) start from roughly $35,000–$50,000 per week. Shoulder‑season rates are 15–25% softer. Enquire with Boatcrowd for a personalised quote.

Is Zadar a good base for a family yacht charter?

Zadar is excellent for families. The Kornati’s sheltered bays offer calm, warm swimming conditions, Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok is one of the safest swimming spots in Croatia (shallow water extending for metres), and the old town’s Roman Forum and Sea Organ are engaging for all ages. The distances between islands are short, keeping travel time to a minimum. Catamarans are especially popular with families in this region.

What food specialities should I try in Zadar?

Zadar’s food scene is outstanding. Don’t miss Pag cheese (a hard sheep’s‑milk cheese from the nearby island of Pag, aged in bura‑wind‑dried conditions), pršut (Dalmatian cured ham), crni rižot (squid‑ink risotto), and the local maraschino liqueur – a cherry‑based spirit invented by Dominican monks in Zadar in the 16th century. Restaurants to try include Foša (seafood outside the city walls), Pet Bunara (contemporary Dalmatian on the old town’s main square) and Konoba Tovar (a family‑run institution for fried seafood and local cheeses).

Can I combine Zadar with a cruise to Split?

Absolutely. Split is roughly 80 nautical miles south‑east of Zadar – a comfortable half‑day passage on a motor yacht. A popular route departs Zadar, spends 2–3 days in the Kornati and Telašćica, then continues south through the islands to Split. This gives you both the rugged, remote beauty of the Kornati and the glamour and history of central Dalmatia’s islands in a single charter.