Sailing routes
Šibenik, Krka and the Šibenik islands: an unhurried week
The easiest one-week route in the guide: up the Krka to Skradin, then the car-free islands of Zlarin, Kaprije, Žirje and Prvić, and Primošten.
- days
- 7
- nautical miles
- 61
- Longest leg (NM)
- 13
The Šibenik archipelago is small and compact: there are rarely more than ten or so miles between islands, and the shortest leg takes half an hour. There are no cars on the islands, and the villages have kept their human scale. An ideal route for families and for crews renting a boat for the first time.
What sets the route apart is the river passage. From Šibenik you go up the Krka canyon and across Lake Prokljan to Skradin, close to the Skradinski buk waterfall.
Šibenik, Krka and the islands
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1
Šibenik - Skradin
From the Mandalina marina through Šibenik Bay, then upstream through the Krka canyon and across Lake Prokljan to Skradin. The river narrows to about a hundred metres, the fairway is marked with lights and boats keep to starboard. You berth in the marina.
Overnight: Skradin, ACI marina Skradin, Krka
- 2
Day 2
Skradin - Zlarin
The morning is for Skradinski buk: the national park boat runs to the waterfall. Then back down the river and through the Sveti Ante channel, past the fortress of Sveti Nikola, to Zlarin. The coral island greets you with a long pier and a quay under palm trees.
Overnight: Zlarin
- 3
Day 3
Zlarin - Kaprije
A short leg among the islets to Kaprije. The harbour has buoys and a quay, and the village is quiet and car-free. For a swim, stop on the way in Tijašćica bay on Tijat or in Potkućina on Kakan.
Overnight: Kaprije
- 4
Day 4
Kaprije - Žirje
It is only three miles to the most remote island of the archipelago. The quay is in Muna on the north side, and the buoys are in Stupica Vela bay on the south side. Stupica is open to the south, so follow the forecast.
Overnight: Žirje, uvala Muna · or uvala Stupica Vela
- 5
Day 5
Žirje - Primošten
The only leg across open sea, towards the mainland. Primošten is a town on a small peninsula, surrounded by vineyards of babić. Berth on the town quay or pick up a buoy in the bay; in bura it is calmer in the Kremik marina, south of the town.
Overnight: Primošten
- 6
Day 6
Primošten - Prvić
Along the coast to the north-west as far as Prvić. Šepurine has a quay on the west coast of the island, and Prvić Luka, half an hour's walk further on, has the memorial centre of the inventor Faust Vrančić.
Overnight: Prvić Šepurine, Prvić
- 7
Day 7
Prvić - Šibenik
The last few miles through the Sveti Ante channel to Šibenik. If there is time left, walk to the Cathedral of St James, which is protected by UNESCO.
Overnight: Šibenik, Marina Mandalina
Tips for this route
- Tickets for Krka National Park are bought per person, in Skradin, before boarding the park boat. Swimming at Skradinski buk is not allowed.
- Bura is strong in the wider Šibenik area. When it is forecast, choose harbours and bays closed to the north-east.
- For the bridges on the Krka, check your mast height against the nautical chart.
- Fuel: Šibenik, Vodice and the Kremik marina near Primošten.
Distances are approximate and calculated for the shortest safe passage. Time under way is calculated at a speed of about 6 knots.
Safety
Emergency at sea
Croatia's national maritime search and rescue coordination centre (MRCC Rijeka) is on watch 24 hours a day. Save the number before you set off.
- 195Maritime search and rescue
- VHF 16Distress and safety calls
- 112Single emergency number
Before you call, have ready the boat's position (coordinates or the nearest headland, island or bay), the number of people on board and a description of the problem. A call to 112 is put through to the maritime rescue centre.
Get out on the water yourself
Find a boat directly from its owner and arrange the rental with no commission.
The information is for guidance only and does not replace official nautical charts, pilot books or forecasts. Check the current conditions and regulations before you set off.