Sailing Šibenik, Krka and Primošten: a 7-day route
Sailing from Šibenik gives you two worlds in one week: a river trip up the Krka to Skradin, the gateway to the Krka National Park waterfalls, and a string of small, quiet islands just outside the St Anthony channel. Legs are short, harbours close together, and the mainland bays of Rogoznica and Primošten give good shelter before you return to base on Friday.
Where to charter a yacht for the Šibenik archipelago?
Compare boats on our Šibenik, Skradin and Rogoznica pages, or browse the whole coast on the Croatia page. Yachts based in Primošten and Vodice appear on the Šibenik page. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. To sail bareboat you need a licence the charter company accepts (see boat licence in Croatia and the ICC); otherwise, hire a skipper or book a crewed yacht.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Šibenik
The route below starts from Šibenik (Marina Mandalina). From Primošten (Marina Kremik) or Rogoznica (Marina Frapa) you sail the same loop, starting with the last leg. Distances are estimates from the chart; plan every leg with up-to-date charts and a pilot book.
Day 1–2: Šibenik to Skradin up the Krka (approx. 9 NM)
Most crews take over on Saturday and sleep in the marina. On Sunday, head up the Krka river, past the Prokljan lake to Skradin. ACI marina Skradin (open all year, about 180 berths) lies right below the old town. Overnight: ACI marina Skradin, or the town quay if there is space.
Tip: the river is marked by red and green lights; keep to starboard, as small boats must give way to larger yachts and ships on the Krka. The speed limit is 8 knots, and you may not anchor in the Sv. Josip channel or between Cape Oštrica (Prokljan) and Skradin. Anchoring and swimming are allowed only in the coves. The current can reach 3 knots when the Krka runs high.
Day 3: Skradin waterfalls, then down to Zlarin (approx. 12 NM)
Skradin is as far as your yacht goes. Upstream, the river belongs to Krka National Park, and navigation there needs the park's approval. From April to October, park boats take visitors from Skradin to the Skradinski buk waterfalls; buy your ticket at the park office in Skradin or online. There is also a 3.4 km hiking and cycling trail from the Skradin bridge. Then motor back down the river and through the St Anthony channel, where sailing is banned, past St Nicholas fortress and across to Zlarin. Overnight: Zlarin harbour, where yachts berth on the south side of the pier.
Tip: swimming is not allowed at Skradinski buk. In the park you may only swim at designated spots elsewhere, in summer.
Day 4: Zlarin to Prvić (approx. 4 NM)
A short hop leaves time for Zlarin's Croatian Coral Centre. Prvić is the only island in the archipelago with two villages: Prvić Luka and Šepurine. In Prvić Luka, the Faust Vrančić Memorial Centre tells the story of the inventor of one of the first working parachutes. Overnight: Prvić Luka harbour (yachts berth alongside the breakwater or on the inner half of the pier) or Šepurine.
Tip: when you pass between Prvić and the islet of Lupac, keep closer to Prvić. The water off Lupac is shallow.
Day 5: Prvić to Kaprije and Žirje (approx. 12 NM)
Head south-west to Kaprije for lunch. The harbour is on the south-west of the island, and yachts berth on the south side of the pier. The Šibenik tourist board calls Kaprije and Žirje favourites with sailors for their many coves. Continue to Žirje, the outermost inhabited island and the only one with car traffic. Overnight: Muna, the main harbour on the north-east side of Žirje. The village is about 500 m uphill.
Tip: water is limited on the outer islands, so fill up in Prvić. Kornati National Park lies to the north-west, but it needs its own park ticket; save it for a longer trip.
Day 6: Žirje to Rogoznica (approx. 16 NM)
The longest leg takes you back to the mainland. Rogoznica sits in a deep bay that the port authority describes as sheltered from all winds, with depths suitable for anchoring larger boats. Overnight: Marina Frapa (about 460 berths, and buoys behind the tenth pier at the entrance), the town quay, or at anchor in the bay. The Dragon's Eye lake is a short walk from the marina.
Tip: if strong wind is forecast, Rogoznica is a good place to wait it out.
Day 7: Rogoznica via Primošten to Šibenik (approx. 20 NM)
Sail the first 7 NM to Primošten, whose old town sits on a peninsula crowned by the Church of St George, and stop for lunch. The breakwater of the old harbour has berths for yachts, and boats inside the breakwater are sheltered. Then follow the coast north, take the sails down and motor through the St Anthony channel back to base.
Tip: sailing through the St Anthony channel is banned. Motor through, keep right and do not anchor; anchoring and swimming are only allowed in its coves.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Šibenik – Skradin | approx. 9 NM | ACI marina Skradin | Krka river, Prokljan lake |
| Skradin – Zlarin | approx. 12 NM | Zlarin harbour | Skradinski buk, St Nicholas fortress |
| Zlarin – Prvić | approx. 4 NM | Prvić Luka or Šepurine | Coral Centre, Faust Vrančić Centre |
| Prvić – Kaprije – Žirje | approx. 12 NM | Muna (Žirje) | Coves of Kaprije, outer islands |
| Žirje – Rogoznica | approx. 16 NM | Marina Frapa, quay or anchorage | Sheltered bay, Dragon's Eye lake |
| Rogoznica – Primošten – Šibenik | approx. 20 NM | Base | Primošten old town |
Rules and safety in the Šibenik archipelago
- Krka National Park: under the park regulation, navigation in the national park is not permitted without the park's approval, and moorings on the Krka above the Skradin bridge are reserved for the park and the two monasteries (Krka NP regulation, Narodne novine). Visit the waterfalls on park boats or on foot, with a park ticket (npkrka.hr: Skradin entrance). Swimming is allowed only at marked places, and jumping off the falls or bridges is prohibited (npkrka.hr FAQ).
- St Anthony channel: vessels under 20 m may use the channel at any time without permission, keeping to the right-hand side. Vessels of 20 m and over must ask "Jadrija Station" on VHF channel 9. Sailing through the channel is banned, so motor through. Overtaking is banned and so is any wash that can cause damage. Anchoring is prohibited in the channel and off its outer entrance (Maritime Navigation Safety Regulation, art. 66, amended by NN 40/2026).
- Krka estuary (Šibenik to Skradin): from the Martinska light to Skradin harbour, the limit is 8 knots. Small boats must keep to the right bank and give way to ships and yachts. Anchoring is banned in the Sv. Josip channel and in the Skradin channel from Cape Oštrica to Skradin; anchoring and swimming are only allowed in the coves (NN 40/2026, art. 66.a).
- Distance from the shore and speed: the 2025 navigation safety regulation says vessels under 15 m must stay at least 50 m from the shore (150 m for 15–30 m) unless entering or leaving a harbour, anchoring or berthing. Within 300 m of the shore, in narrow channels and on approaches to harbours and anchorages, the limit is 8 knots.
- Ferries: Jadrolinija passenger boats link Šibenik with Zlarin, Prvić and Vodice, and a ferry and a passenger boat serve Kaprije and Žirje (Šibenik tourist board). Keep the ferry berths on the island piers clear.
- Kornati National Park: if you add Kornati, every boat needs a park ticket (np-kornati.hr).
- Paperwork: the charter company registers your crew list with the Ministry before departure. The Ministry of the Sea says everyone operating a boat or yacht in Croatian waters needs a certificate, and it publishes the recognised ones (mmpi.gov.hr). In Croatia you need a recognised licence to drive any rented motorboat or to skipper a bareboat yacht, however small the engine; for bareboat you also need a VHF radio certificate. An ICC valid for coastal waters is accepted, and with a hired skipper you need neither (boat licence in Croatia).
- Winds: the Croatian weather service DHMZ describes the bura as a gusty north-easterly and the jugo as a steady, strong south-easterly that is strongest in the channels between the islands and the mainland. Both are more frequent and stronger in the cold part of the year, but a summer bura can still cause problems at sea (DHMZ climate). Check the DHMZ Adriatic forecast every morning. The port authority notes that Zlarin and Kaprije are exposed to north-westerly winds, while Prvić Luka is sheltered from all but the jugo (luskz.hr).
Best time to sail the Šibenik archipelago
The charter season runs from about April or May to October. In summer, DHMZ describes settled weather on the Adriatic, with a moderate north-westerly on the open sea and a daily sea breeze, which suits short island hops. In spring and autumn, the bura and jugo come through more often, so keep a spare day and a sheltered harbour such as Rogoznica or Skradin in reserve. Check the Krka park boat dates and opening hours on npkrka.hr before you go.
FAQ
Can I sail my charter yacht to the Krka waterfalls?
No. Skradin is the last stop. Navigation inside Krka National Park needs the park's approval, so you leave the yacht in Skradin and take the park boat or walk the trail to Skradinski buk.
Can I swim at Skradinski buk?
No. Swimming in the park is only allowed at designated places, and Skradinski buk is not one of them.
Is the Šibenik area good for a first bareboat week?
It is one of the easier areas, with short legs and many harbours, but you still need an accepted licence and VHF certificate.
Can I start from Primošten or Rogoznica instead?
Yes. Sail the same loop the other way round. Kremik is about 30 NM from Kornati, according to the marina, so from there a Kornati detour is also possible on a longer week.
More sailing guides
Read our guide to sailing the Kornati National Park, just north-west of Žirje, or sail south with our Trogir, Šolta and Vis guide. Before you go, see what to bring on a yacht charter. Charter yachts from Šibenik, Skradin, Rogoznica and the nearby bases can be booked on Ship O'Hoi, bareboat or with a skipper.
