Most nights in the Kornati are spent at anchor or on a buoy. Good anchoring means a quiet night and a safe yacht, and for that you need three things: the seabed, the depth and the wind for the next 12 hours.
1. Before the bay: the forecast
1Check the forecast in the morning and at 18:00. On summer afternoons the maestral blows from the north-west; nights are usually calm.
2If a bora (NE) is forecast, choose a bay open to the south-west; with a jugo (SE), the other way round.
2. How much chain
3Let out chain of 4 to 5 times the depth: in 6 m of water, that is 25–30 m.
4In stronger wind, add another 10 m and motor astern to check that the anchor holds.
5Choose sand; on seagrass (posidonia) the anchor drags, and the seagrass is protected.
3. Buoy or anchor
6A buoy is safer and protects the seabed. On Žut a night on an ACI buoy costs €60, in July and August €70; the Kornati National Park buoys are free with a valid park ticket.
7Pass the line through the buoy's eye and back to the boat, doubled; never tie it off with just one end.
| When | Buoy | Anchor |
|---|---|---|
| Bay in the park | yes, if there is one | only in a bay on the park’s list |
| Bora forecast for the night | yes | only with 5 × the depth in chain |
| Cost | 60–€70/night (ACI Žut, up to 12 m) | no fee for anchoring; park ticket inside the park |
Source: ACI marinas price list 2026, ACI marina Žut · checked Nov 2, 2026
4. The night check
8Switch on the plotter’s anchor alarm with a 40 m radius.
9If it blows more than 15 kn, one person checks the position at 23:00 and 03:00.
Before turning in at anchor
Frequently asked questions
Can I anchor anywhere in the Kornati?
No. Only in the bays on the park’s list; the list is on np-kornati.hr. You pay for the park ticket even if you spend the night at anchor.
How much is a buoy?
An ACI buoy on Žut costs €60 a night, in July and August €70 (yachts up to 12 m, ACI price list 2026). The Kornati National Park buoys are free with the park ticket, which is paid separately.
What if the anchor does not hold?
Raise it and anchor again on sand, with more chain. At night, call the base on +385 99 433 5505; a technician is available 24/7.
