| Option | Price per person | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Big boat, all-inclusive (full day) | €60 – €78 | The honest option: park fee, lunch (usually grilled fish or meat, salad, wine), guide and swim stops included |
| OTA entry-level ticket | €22 – €41 | Boat ride only — park fee, lunch and sometimes drinks all extra; the 'cheap' ticket that isn't |
| Kornati park fee (paid at boarding) | €16 adult / €8 child | Charged in cash by most operators in 2026, up roughly 30% on last year — budget for it whoever you book with |
| Private boat | €380 – €1,050 per boat | Your own skipper and route for 6-12 people — see my private Kornati page |
Note: Do the maths before you buy: a €22 ticket plus €16 park fee plus €20 for lunch and drinks costs more than the €65 all-inclusive boat next to it. I confirm the true total on WhatsApp.
The €22 ticket trap, explained
Search online travel agencies and you'll find Kornati tours 'from €22'. Read the small print and the park fee is excluded (€16 cash at boarding), lunch is excluded (another €15 – €25 on board or on an island), and the 'from' price often applies to children or shoulder season. By the time you sit down with a plate, you've spent €60+ for a worse day than the all-inclusive boat at €60 – €78, where lunch, wine and the park fee are already covered.
I'm not saying cheap tours are bad — I'm saying compare totals, not headlines. When you message me, I quote you the full number, fee included, so there are no surprises at the gangway.
What the day actually involves
Boarding in Zadar is around 8:30-9:00, and you're back by 17:30-18:00. The boat crosses to the archipelago with a guide pointing out the islands, stops at one or two of the famous spots — the Mana cliffs, a sandy bay for swimming — and serves lunch on board or at an island restaurant. Big boats carry 60-120 people; smaller group boats carry 12-30 and feel noticeably calmer.
Bring swimwear, a towel, suncream and cash for the park fee and any extras. The crossing can be choppy when the bura blows — if you're prone to seasickness, take something before boarding and pick a calm forecast. I check conditions and will honestly move you to a better day.
Which Kornati tour should you book?
My rule of thumb: families and first-timers do best on the all-inclusive big boats — one price, lunch sorted, no maths. Couples and small groups who want a quieter day should look at the smaller group boats at the top of the range, or split a private boat if there are four or more of you. Avoid any listing that doesn't state clearly whether the park fee and lunch are included — that silence is the tell.
Tell me your dates and group size and I'll match you to the boat I'd book myself, with the true total confirmed before you commit.
FAQ
All-inclusive group tours cost €60 – €78 per person including lunch and the park fee. Entry-level tickets advertised at €22 – €41 exclude the €16 park fee and usually lunch, so the real total ends up similar or higher. I always quote the true total on WhatsApp.
It's the national park entry fee: €16 per adult and €8 per child in 2026, up about 30% this year. Most operators collect it in cash at boarding. Bring euros in cash even if your ticket says 'all-inclusive' — better to have it and not need it.
On the €60 – €78 all-inclusive boats, yes — typically grilled fish or meat, salad, bread and local wine. On the cheaper OTA tickets, no. If a listing doesn't mention lunch explicitly, assume you're paying for it separately.
A full day: departure from Zadar around 8:30-9:00, return around 17:30-18:00, with several swim and sightseeing stops in the archipelago. Half-day options exist on private boats but not on group tours.
June to September for warm swimming water; May and October are quieter and cheaper but cooler. Book a few days ahead in July and August — the good boats fill up, especially at weekends.