The Pašman Channel · sheltered water off the marina

starts off the marina
Tkon ≈ 2 NM
families, first-timers
Best: Jun – Sep

The channel between Pašman and the mainland starts right in front of Marina Kornati. The water is more sheltered than outside, the villages are an hour or two away, and to the north the channel leads on towards Ugljan and Zadar.

The Ždrelac strait between Pašman and Ugljan, a sailing yacht passing through — I10 492 Meerenge zwischen Pašman und Ugljan · Falk2 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

map: coastline © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · routes are a draft, NM estimated

The Pašman and Ugljan in 7 days route on the map; coastline © OpenStreetMap (ODbL).

From Biograd: Tkon ≈ 2 NM, Pašman ≈ 3 NM, Ždrelac bridge ≈ 10 NM
Ždrelac bridge: 16 m above mean sea level; current up to 4 kn
Ferry: Biograd–Tkon (Jadrolinija, line 432), several times a day
Supplies: shops: Biograd, Tkon, Pašman; fuel: D-Marin Dalmacija, Sukošan
Nearest route: Pašman and Ugljan in 7 days

The channel from the yacht

The Pašman Channel runs north-west from Biograd, between the island of Pašman and the mainland, and becomes the Zadar Channel off Sukošan. Small villages with harbours line the Pašman shore: Tkon, Pašman, and Kukljica on neighbouring Ugljan. The shortest first day is Tkon or Pašman; for a longer one continue north up the channel towards Ugljan and Zadar.

A Jadrolinija ferry (line 432) runs between Biograd and Tkon several times a day, in summer also late in the evening. The crossing takes about a quarter of an hour and cuts across your course right off the marina, so keep a lookout when you leave and return. The bora blows in gusts from the mainland; the Pašman shore is then exposed and the water along the mainland is calmer. The jugo blows along the channel and raises short, steep waves.

The Ždrelac bridge. The Mali Ždrelac passage between Pašman and Ugljan is spanned by a road bridge with 16 m clearance above mean sea level, and the current in the passage reaches 4 knots. The mast of most charter sailing yachts and catamarans is taller than that. If you do not know the exact height of your masthead above the waterline, do not go under the bridge; to reach the outer side of the islands, sail round the southern tip of Pašman.

Tip from the base. Above Tkon stands the Benedictine monastery of Sts Cosmas and Damian on Ćokovac hill, half an hour’s walk from the harbour, with a view over the channel and the Kornati. For the first night of the charter Tkon is only 2 NM away, which leaves time to get to know the yacht.

Will our sailing yacht pass under the Ždrelac bridge?

Only if the masthead height above the waterline, including antennas and lights, is clearly below 16 m. Ask the base for that figure at check-in; otherwise sail round Pašman.

Is the channel good for a first charter?

Yes: the days are short, the harbours close, and in a bora or jugo there is always shelter within an hour’s sail. Watch for the ferry off Biograd and do not plan to pass under the Ždrelac bridge.

Places to visit

distance from Marina Kornati, over water

Tkon and Ćokovac monasteryA Benedictine monastery on the hill above the village
≈ 2 NM
PašmanA village with a small harbour and swimming
≈ 3 NM
ŽdrelacThe northern end of Pašman and the bridge to Ugljan
≈ 10 NM
Kukljica, UgljanA fishing village with a harbour on southern Ugljan
≈ 10 NM

Marinas, harbours and anchorages

NM from Biograd over water · shelter: bora (NE) and jugo (SE)

Place	Type	From Biograd	Bora (NE)	Jugo (SE)
Tkon	town harbour	2 NM	fair	fair
Pašman	town harbour	3 NM	fair	fair
Ždrelac	anchorage	10 NM	fair	good
Kukljica, Ugljan	town harbour	10 NM	fair	fair
Sukošan, Marina Dalmacija	marina · fuel	9 NM	good	good