From Zadar: Island-Hopping Speedboat Tour with Drinks

Zadar’s waterfront is your launch point for a fast, salty ride across the Adriatic. In four hours, you’ll reach Blue Bay Otrić, a quiet swimming stop, another island location chosen for the day’s sea conditions, and Preko, where you can swim, eat ice cream, or walk to the little island of Galevac.

I like the small group of up to 12 people, which keeps the boat friendly without turning it into a floating crowd. I also like the simple value: snorkeling gear, life vests, unlimited water and iced tea, and three beers per person are included. The catch is that this is an open speedboat. You’ll face sun, wind, noise, and sea spray, with no toilet onboard.

Key details at a glance

• A 20 to 25-knot ride: The journey between stops is part of the fun, but expect wind and possible splashes.
• Three distinct stops: Blue Bay Otrić is for swimming, the middle stop changes with conditions, and Preko offers the most choice.
• Drinks are included: You get water, iced tea, and three beers per person, though drinks may be chilled rather than ice-cold.
• Preko is the flexible finale: Swim at the sandy beach, walk around town, eat at a café, or make the short swim to Galevac.
• English-only guiding: Skippers including Mateo, Simon, Tom, Antonio, and others lead the trip in English.
• Extra cash required: Docking fees cost €10 for people aged 12 and older, or €5 for children aged 11 and younger.

Leaving Zadar for the islands

Meet at Nautica Zadar on the waterfront opposite Zadar’s city walls. This is a central spot, but the directions depend on you finding the correct photo and location, so arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. If you are unsure, take a picture of where you are and send it to the provider on WhatsApp.

The boat holds no more than 12 passengers. That matters because the experience feels more like a shared outing than a large excursion, and it gives the skipper room to keep an eye on swimmers and families. It also means the boat can feel full, especially at the front, where there is no cover.

The speedboat cruises at roughly 20 to 25 knots. You will not simply be transported between beaches. The ride itself gives you open views of the Dalmatian coast, fresh wind, and the occasional burst of sea spray. On a calm day, it is exhilarating. On a rough or windy day, it can be wet and tiring.

There is an awning over the back section, offering some shade. The front is uncovered, so choose your seat with the weather in mind. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes. A phone or camera should be protected from spray.

Blue Bay Otrić: your first swim

After about 15 minutes on the boat, you reach Blue Bay Otrić for around 45 minutes. The boat anchors in water roughly two to three meters deep, and masks and snorkels are provided.

This first stop is straightforward and refreshing. You can swim from the boat, look below the surface with the supplied gear, or remain onboard with a drink. The water may feel cold outside the main summer season. One family found it tolerable in late May, especially once the sun was out, but you should not expect bathwater temperatures in spring.

The stop is long enough for a proper swim, though not long enough to settle into a full beach afternoon. Some people will wish for more time here, particularly if swimming is their main reason for booking. The boat’s schedule gives you a taste of several places rather than a long stay at one beach.

Water, iced tea, and beer are available onboard. The crew may not constantly pass drinks around while handling the boat, so simply ask when you want one. You receive three beers per person, while water and iced tea are unlimited.

The changing middle stop

A short 10-minute ride brings you to a second location, selected according to the weather forecast, wind direction, sea conditions, and how busy the usual spots are. It might be a small fishing village, a quiet cove, or another place suitable for walking and swimming.

The flexible plan is useful. It lets the skipper avoid an exposed bay on a rough day or an overcrowded stop during a busy period. The tradeoff is that you cannot plan your day around a specific town or beach. If you have your heart set on one exact island, this tour may feel too loose.

You get about an hour here. Use it for a walk, a short hike, another swim, or snorkeling if conditions allow. This stop can also be the least predictable part of the outing. On one version of the route, it may feel like a pleasant break with somewhere to eat. On another, you may prefer to spend that time at Preko, which offers more facilities and a more appealing beach setup.

That flexibility is worth understanding before you book. This is an active coastal sampler, not a carefully fixed sightseeing route with a guaranteed list of landmarks.

Preko gives you the most choices

After another 10-minute boat ride, you reach Preko for about an hour. Of the three stops, this is the easiest place to shape around your own mood.

You can swim from the sandy beach, sit by the water, walk through town, or stop at a restaurant, café, ice cream shop, or souvenir store. If you want one small extra challenge, Galevac Island is about a 20-meter swim from shore. You can also simply look across at it and keep your feet dry.

Preko works well for families because the beach is described as child-friendly, and there are more simple comforts here than at the boat-only swimming stop. Showers near the beach are also useful if you plan to return to Zadar’s old town afterward and do not want to spend the afternoon covered in salt.

The main limitation is time. An hour passes quickly if you want to swim, walk around, buy a snack, and visit Galevac. Some people would prefer to skip or shorten the middle stop and spend longer in Preko. If you care most about relaxing on a beach, you may share that preference.

Still, the short visit gives you a useful first look at Preko. You can decide later if you want to return independently for a longer stay.

The people make a difference

The skippers are English-speaking and handle both the driving and the social side of the trip. Names praised in the supplied material include Mateo, Simon, Tom, Antonio, Don, and Luka. The exact skipper depends on the departure, but the pattern is clear: the crew is expected to keep the mood relaxed, explain the stops, help with photos, and pay attention to safety.

Mateo is associated with an upbeat trip where passengers could choose the music, sing along, and enjoy a more party-like atmosphere. Simon is noted for being attentive with families and for keeping refreshments available. Tom is remembered for friendly service and drink recommendations, while Antonio is described as accommodating and easy to travel with.

The music can be part of the appeal. Several accounts describe a lively boat with good tunes, and some groups were able to play their own music. That makes the tour a good fit for friends, couples, solo people who enjoy meeting others, and celebratory groups such as a bachelorette party.

Do not book this expecting a formal lecture in maritime history. The guides speak English only, and the experience leans toward scenery, swimming, conversation, and a good time on the water. You may get local explanations and answers to questions, but the tour’s strength is its atmosphere rather than detailed cultural commentary.

What the $38 price really covers

At $38 per person, this is strong value for a four-hour boat outing, especially because fuel, crew, equipment, and drinks are built into the price. A private speedboat would cost far more, while a larger boat would usually sacrifice the lively, personal feel.

You also receive a skipper, a guide, snorkeling mask and snorkel, and a life vest. Water and iced tea are unlimited, and three beers per person are included. Food is not included, so use the cafés and restaurants at Preko for anything more substantial.

The advertised price is not the final cash amount. Docking fees are paid separately before departure: €10 for anyone aged 12 or older, and €5 for children aged 11 or younger. That extra charge is modest, but you should bring the correct cash and count it as part of your real budget.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Cruise ship pickup and drop-off are also not included. If you are driving, parking near the waterfront may be very difficult, so public transport, a taxi, or walking is the safer plan when available.

Comfort, safety, and practical limits

This tour requires you to board an open speedboat and move around without assistance. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with serious mobility problems. The stated maximum weight is 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds, and babies under one year are not accepted.

There is no toilet on the boat. There is also no toilet at the pickup point, and the only access during the activity is at the last stop, Preko. Use a bathroom before meeting the group, and avoid treating the four-hour outing like a land-based excursion with easy facilities.

The boat can be comfortable, but comfort depends heavily on the sea. The rear awning helps with sun, while the open front gives you the best exposure to the ride and the worst exposure to spray. On a windy day, you may get wet during the crossings. A change of clothes is not a luxury here.

Families can enjoy the trip. Children aged four, five, six, ten, and thirteen are specifically represented among the happy experiences described, and the swimming and short island stops offer variety. You should still be comfortable with boarding a small boat, open water, and the possibility of cold water.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip if you want a compact introduction to Zadar’s islands without spending a full day at sea. Four hours is enough to add a coastal outing to a short stay in Zadar, and the return to the same waterfront makes the rest of your day easy to plan.

It suits you if you like swimming, quick walks, casual island towns, music, and meeting people from different places. Solo people can join without needing to arrange a private group, while families get a mix of boat excitement, safe supervision, beach time, and snack options.

It is less suitable if you want long, quiet hours on one beach. The itinerary keeps moving, and Preko’s one-hour visit may leave you wishing for more. It is also a poor choice if you dislike sun, wind, sea spray, loud engines, or boats without toilets.

Pack lightly. A towel, water-resistant phone case, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, and dry clothes matter more than anything fancy. Keep cash ready for the docking fee, and do not arrive at the last minute.

Is this Zadar boat trip worth booking?

Yes, if you see the outing as a lively half-day sampler rather than a slow beach day. The combination of a fast ride, two swim opportunities, a flexible island stop, and Preko’s sandy beach gives you a lot for the base price. The small group and friendly skippers add real value, especially when Mateo, Simon, Tom, Antonio, or another attentive captain is leading the boat.

I would book it for a sunny, reasonably calm day and keep the rest of the afternoon flexible. If your priority is beach time, treat Preko as a place worth returning to, because one hour may not be enough. If you prefer a fixed schedule, extensive guiding, or indoor shelter, choose a larger covered boat instead.

The best reason to book is simple: you get a lively view of the Adriatic that would be hard to arrange on your own in only four hours. The best reason to hesitate is equally simple: the sea decides how comfortable the ride will be.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour begin?

Meet at Nautica Zadar on the waterfront opposite Zadar’s city walls. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before boarding and use the Nautica Zadar photo in the activity information to help identify the spot.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts four hours, with departure times available when you check the booking calendar.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Blue Bay Otrić, a second location selected according to weather and sea conditions, and Preko. The tour returns to Nautica Zadar.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. You can swim and snorkel at the stops, and a snorkeling mask and snorkel are provided. Swimming fins are not included.

What drinks are included?

Water and iced tea are unlimited. Each person also receives three beers. Food is not included.

Is there a toilet onboard?

No. There is no toilet on the boat or at the pickup point. Toilet access is available at the final stop in Preko, so take care of this before departure.

Are docking fees included in the price?

No. The fee is paid in cash before departure. It costs €10 for people aged 12 and older, and €5 for children aged 11 and younger.