Bright blue water, ship food, and island time.

This day trip links the Telašćica Nature Park area with the Kornati National Park islands, so you get sea views without spending your whole day commuting. Two things I really liked: you spend the day on the water with a clear plan, and the main swim stop is built around the easy-to-reach Lojena beach area. One thing to consider up front: park entrance fees aren’t included in the price, so you’ll need to budget extra before you go.

I also liked the way the trip handles food. Breakfast, lunch, and fruit are all served on board (with the restaurant onboard, not on land), which keeps the schedule smooth and low-stress. And the wine setup is simple: wine is free with lunch for those over 18, while beer is paid.

The only real drawback is the added cost and the way the team communicates with different languages. The park entrance fee is payable on the boat, and one review mentioned a slightly abrupt welcome with repeated phrases in Croatian before things settled in. If you know you’ll be sensitive to that, plan to keep expectations realistic and let the day win you over once you’re on the ship.

Key things to know before you go

• On-board dining keeps you moving: breakfast, lunch, and fruit are served on the ship, so you’re not losing time to restaurant hunting.
• Lojena beach is the main swim moment: about 1.5 hours of swimming time with an option to hike nearby.
• Light hike option at Veli vrh (118 m): a short summit-style climb for island views.
• Uvala Tomasovac has choices: swim, visit the Suha Punta tavern, or go hiking during the stop.
• Cromaris Košara fish farm on the route: you pass the largest Cromaris fish farm, Košara, en route toward Kornati.
• Wi‑Fi works onboard: network name SVETIANTE with password NPKORNATI.

Price and what you actually get for $59.07

At about $59.07 per person for a roughly 10-hour outing, this is one of those trips that’s good value because so much is included. You’re paying for a full day of sailing time, plus meals and drinks that would otherwise add up if you had to figure them out on land.

Here’s what’s covered in the day’s rhythm:

• Breakfast sandwich with ham and cheese
• Lunch of grilled fish and chicken with salad and bread
• Wine is free with lunch (paid beer is available)
• Fresh fruit as a brunch
• Welcome aperitiv with dried figs
• Water, soda/pop, and juice free during the tour
• Restaurant on the ship (less time off the boat)

On the pricing side, one catch matters: park entrance fees aren’t included. The fee is 15 euros for adults and 10 euros for children, payable on the boat. So the real “all-in” number depends on your age. If you’re traveling as an adult, think of the price as covering the boat day and included meals, with the park entry cost added on top.

Where you start: Biograd na Moru, a morning departure, and the ship vibe

The trip is tied to the Biograd area. You’ll meet at the Vrgada fishing cooperative on the coast near Biograd na Moru (Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV 18, 23210). Start time is listed as 8:20 a.m., which is your cue to be there early, not just on time.

The sailing portion you’ll care about starts soon after. The ship Sveti Ante departs with tourists around 8:40 a.m. From then on, the day is paced like a proper sea outing: cruise time between islands, then defined swim/hike stops.

This matters because you avoid the “tour bus to a dock, then wait, then hope” feeling. The schedule is built around water time, not land wandering.

Group size is capped at 50 travelers, which usually makes it easier to find a quiet corner for the view and to move without feeling herded.

The cruise route: Košara fish farm and the Kornati approach

On the way to Kornati, the boat passes fish farm Košara. It’s described as Cromaris’s largest farm, located on a small island of Košara southwest of the island of Pašman. Even if you’re not into fish farms, this is a useful reality check for what the area looks like before you reach the national park.

The route also builds in the sense that you’re heading deeper into a protected island zone. You’ll see a spread of islands and coastline features during the long sailing stretches, including passing Velika Proversa (mentioned as part of the way through). The key point: this isn’t a stop-and-start trip. It’s a steady day at sea, with scenic cruising doing a lot of the work.

If you’re the type who likes having at least some time to just sit and watch the horizon, you’ll probably appreciate how much of the day is spent between ports.

Stop 1: Uvala Tomasovac (swim, Suha Punta tavern, or a hike)

Your first main stop is Uvala Tomasovac, with about 1 hour 30 minutes there. This is a flexible stop, and I like that. You can:

• Visit the Suha Punta tavern
• Swim at the beach
• Go hiking

That choice is the right kind of freedom in a national-park day. If you want a more relaxed morning, swimming is the obvious move. If you want to burn a little energy before the later swim stop, the hiking option lets you do it without needing to plan anything separately.

The only thing to keep in mind is time pressure. You’ll have enough time to do one or two activities well, but not enough to turn this into a full hike day. So pick what fits your energy level early.

Stop 2: Levrnaka and Lojena Bay—swim first, hike if you want

Next comes the big draw: arrival on the island of Levrnaka, and then time at Lojena beach. You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes for swimming in the clear waters there.

This is one of those “the boat gets you here, and then you get to enjoy” moments. You don’t have to solve transport once you arrive, and you’re not splitting your time between multiple beaches. One solid beach session beats three rushed ones.

The Veli vrh (118 m) option

There’s also a hiking option tied to this stop: you can hike to Veli vrh (118 m). It’s not high by mountain standards, but for island viewing, it’s exactly the kind of effort-to-view ratio most people can manage.

If you’re traveling with mixed groups (some who want swimming, some who want walking), this is a nice compromise: stay at the beach, or take the climb and come back for the water.

My practical advice: bring the right footwear. The hike is short, but the surface can be uneven depending on where you step. If your shoes are pure sandals, you’ll probably regret it halfway up.

The “on the ship” part: meals, Wi‑Fi, and why it changes the mood

A lot of island boat days in the Adriatic feel like you’re always either waiting or leaving the boat for something. This one avoids that by making the ship the base for the day’s food.

You get:

• breakfast on board
• lunch on board (with free wine for 18+)
• fruit as brunch
• drinks like water and soda/pop throughout

So the day stays coordinated. Even better: the restaurant is on the ship, which means fewer transitions and less time lost to lines, detours, or cash-only meal stops.

Wi‑Fi is also included, with a listed network name and password (SVETIANTE / NPKORNATI). I don’t treat Wi‑Fi as a reason to choose a trip, but it’s helpful for basics like maps, messaging, or settling payments or reservations once you’re back on the mainland later.

What you’ll notice from the reviews: friendly crew and genuinely good food

The overall tone from feedback is upbeat about the crew. One highlight you’ll want to picture is the friendliness of the captain and team, paired with the feeling that the ship staff are easy to deal with once the day starts moving. Another point that shows up is that people felt the food matched the promise and that the beaches were beautiful.

There’s also one softer note: one review described an initially brusque welcome with language issues, then said the experience itself ran smoothly afterward with an enjoyable staff presence. That matches a common reality for tours in Croatia—expect different communication styles, especially if you’re not using Croatian, and assume it will improve once you’re underway and routines kick in.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This boat trip is a strong fit if you want a day that checks off a lot of boxes without turning into a complex logistics puzzle:

• You want a boat-forward day rather than a bus-and-walk itinerary
• You like swimming on sandy bays
• You’re interested in a short hike with payoff at Veli vrh
• You want lunch and drinks handled so you can focus on the water and views

It may be less ideal if you:

• hate boat time and prefer a land-only itinerary
• want a long, intense hike (this is short and time-boxed by design)
• are traveling with strict budgeting and don’t want the extra park entrance fee added at the end

Practical tips to make the day feel smooth

You’ll enjoy this more if you show up prepared for sea time and sun:

• Swimwear: you’ll have at least two meaningful swim windows (Uvala Tomasovac and Lojena Bay).
• Sun protection: the itinerary doesn’t promise long indoor breaks, and the day is outdoors and on open water.
• Comfortable footwear: especially if you plan the Veli vrh (118 m) hike or the hiking option at Uvala Tomasovac.
• Plan for the park fee: adults pay 15 euros and children 10 euros, payable on the boat.
• Food and drink timing: lunch is a main moment and includes free wine for 18+. If you’re not drinking, you still get plenty of included food and soft drinks.

Also, if you’re traveling with kids, small babies can sit on top of adults, and there’s the option to bring a small stroller on board, which can matter for comfort.

Should you book the Biograd to Kornati boat trip?

I’d book this if you want an island day that’s organized around what matters: swimming at Lojena, a short hike option for views, and meals served on the ship so you lose less time. The free soft drinks and the lunch-and-wine setup for adults add real value, and the group size limit helps the day stay pleasant.

I’d pause before booking if the added park entrance fee is a dealbreaker for your budget, or if you know you’ll be uncomfortable with an initial, possibly abrupt welcome in Croatian before the day settles into a friendlier rhythm.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The duration is listed as about 10 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is in Vrgada (ribarska proizvođačka zadruga) at the address on the Biograd na Moru coast.

What time does the tour start?

Start time is 8:20 a.m.

What are the main stops during the day?

The route includes a pass by fish farm Košara, a stop at Uvala Tomasovac, and time in Kornati National Park near Levrnaka for Lojena beach and a hike option to Veli vrh.

Is swimming included?

Yes. You get time to swim at Uvala Tomasovac and at Lojena beach.

What food and drinks are included?

Breakfast sandwich, lunch (grilled fish and chicken with salad and bread), fresh fruit, a welcome drink with dried figs, and free soda/pop and water during the tour. Wine is free with lunch for people over 18, while beer is paid.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are possible if you give prior notice.

Are park entrance fees included?

No. Park entrance fees are payable on the boat (15 euros for adults, 10 euros for children).

Is Wi‑Fi available onboard?

Yes. Wi‑Fi is listed as available onboard with network name SVETIANTE and password NPKORNATI.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

If you tell me your dates and whether you’re traveling with kids or planning the Veli vrh hike, I can help you decide how to best time your day (swim vs. hike) around the stops.