Cruise tip
ONE WEEK FROM ŠIBENIK WITH YOUR OWN YACHT
Just behind the highway bridge on the port side is the ACI Marina Skradin, which extends to the left and right of a small bay. The marina, which is about ten nautical miles from Šibenik (approx. two hours for a non-stop trip), offers the usual service; 153 berths are available, although these are not always sufficient in the high season.
This could become a problem, as anchoring outside the marina is not (officially) permitted. We look for a (quieter) mooring place on a jetty facing away from the town, all moorings are equipped with water and electricity, there is WLAN and several restaurants.
Although Skradin is a typical tourist town, it is an excellent base from which to spend a whole day (or longer) exploring the Krka National Park, which was established in 1985. This covers an area of 109.5 square kilometers, spread over the approximately 45-kilometer-long section of the Krka River between Knin and Skradin and the lower reaches of the Čikola tributary. The national park is an important biotope and is home to around 860 plant and 220 animal species.
If you want to visit the impressive Krka waterfalls at Skradinski buk, you can do so in different ways: either use one of the transfer boats from the outer bay of Skradin for the outward and return journey (the fare is included in the park entrance fee), or rent a bike in the village and pedal the approximately four-kilometre route.
The best way to explore Krka National Park is on foot
However, the best way to explore the nature park is on foot. Here you can enjoy the varied river landscape in peace and quiet, mostly undisturbed by the hustle and bustle. An approximately two-kilometre-long nature trail has been set up, which leads over fixed planks and a few bridges to particularly beautiful viewpoints or to restored mills, which illustrate how people used to work and live here.
If you want, you can explore the castle ruins from the 14th century further upstream, other waterfalls (although not as spectacular as at Skradinski buk) or an island monastery (by boat) - or you can turn back from here and take one of the transfer boats back to the marina. From there, you should then plan a day for the leisurely return trip to Šibenik, but then with the current, which can be between 0.5 and 1.5 knots here.
Article excerpt courtesy of Sea-Help GmbH, Traunkirchen / Austria