half day group speedboat tour of the islands around Zadar

The best part of this Zadar speedboat tour is the quick change of scene. One minute you are near the city, and soon you are cutting across the Adriatic toward Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko, with three chances to swim and snorkel in clear water. The boat gives you access to coves and beaches that are awkward to reach on foot.

I like the generous swimming time and the easygoing hospitality. You get masks and snorkels, water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur, while guides such as Sara, Lovro, Tomislav, and Dubravko have been praised for taking photos and offering useful restaurant tips. The afternoon departure is especially appealing because the ride back can finish in the sunset.

The main consideration is that this is a four-hour group outing, not a private yacht charter. You will spend much of the time on the boat, and the $31 price does not include the docking fee, which is €10 for adults and €5 for children up to 11.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming areas near Ošljak and Ugljan: You get several chances to leave the boat, cool off, and look for fish among the rocks.
• Preko adds a little island time: The final stop allows up to 70 minutes for walking, photos, swimming, snorkeling, and free time.
• Afternoon trips end in sunset light: The return ride can be the prettiest part of the outing.
• Snorkel equipment and drinks are included: Bring your own towel and water shoes, but masks and snorkels are supplied.
• A friendly host-led atmosphere: Guides may share homemade liqueur, take water photos, and offer suggestions for Zadar.
• Good value at $31: The price covers the boat, skipper, life jacket, drinks, and gear, though docking costs extra.

Why this is a good way to leave Zadar

Zadar has plenty to keep you occupied, but its waterfront also makes a fine launch point for exploring the islands offshore. A speedboat trip lets you see the city from the water and reach nearby beaches without committing to a full-day cruise.

This outing focuses on swimming, snorkeling, and island scenery, rather than museums or long guided walks. That makes it a useful break from sightseeing in town. You can spend the morning on the sea and still be back around midday, or choose the afternoon departure and return as the sun drops.

The boat ride is part of the attraction. The route includes short crossings of roughly 15 to 30 minutes, enough time to feel the wind and watch the mainland recede without turning the whole trip into a long transit. The speedboat also means less time is spent simply getting from place to place.

You should expect a relaxed social setting rather than a formal excursion with constant commentary. The guides speak English and appear to put energy into the small touches: cold soft drinks, homemade liqueur, music, photos, and local suggestions. Those details matter on a short trip because they make the time between swims feel like part of the experience.

Leaving from Obala kneza Branimira 16

The meeting point is at Obala kneza Branimira 16, near a gas station. The trip ends at the same place, which keeps the practical side simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return from an island.

Arrive ready for the water. A hat, towel, water shoes, and cash are sensible things to bring. Water shoes are particularly useful around rocky Adriatic entry points, since a beach or cove may not have a soft sandy bottom.

A life jacket is included, but this is still an active boat outing. It is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 95 years old. Bikes are not allowed on the activity.

The start time changes according to availability. Morning departures return around midday. Afternoon departures finish with the sunset return, so check the available time slots before booking if that is important to you.

Ošljak: the first hour in clear water

The first major stop is Ošljak, reached after about 20 minutes by speedboat. The program allows around an hour here for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.

Ošljak works well as an opening stop because you can get into the sea fairly soon after leaving Zadar. There is no need to wait until the end of the trip for the main activity. You can use the provided mask and snorkel to look around the rocks and watch fish in the clear water.

The underwater setting is a key reason to bring water shoes and a towel rather than treating this as a simple scenic cruise. The focus is on looking beneath the surface, not merely taking photos from the boat. The supplied equipment saves you from packing your own snorkel, though a personal mask can still be useful if you prefer a familiar fit.

An hour is enough for a swim, a look around underwater, and some time sitting in the sun. It is not an all-day beach stop, so keep your expectations in check. You are sampling several places rather than settling into one cove for hours.

The boat crew may provide drinks during the outing, and the homemade liqueur has become one of the more distinctive touches. Alcohol is optional, of course, and non-alcoholic drinks are available too. You can enjoy the social side without drinking.

Ugljan: a short cruise and another swim

After Ošljak, the boat cruises for about 15 minutes toward Ugljan. This part of the route is short but scenic, giving you another stretch of open-water views before the next stop.

The Ugljan section includes a photo stop, sightseeing, an aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling, with about an hour set aside. The appeal here is variety. You are not simply repeating the first stop, since the crew can choose another attractive bay or swimming area and give you a fresh view of the island.

The trip description refers to three snorkeling spots in the morning, with rocks, fish, and other sea life visible below the surface. On some outings, you might spot especially interesting creatures. One account even noted a seahorse, but that should be treated as luck rather than something guaranteed.

This is also a good point to decide how active you want to be. You can swim and snorkel, sunbathe on the boat, or simply enjoy a cold drink while others use the water. The schedule does not force everyone into the sea at once.

A useful detail is that the skipper may take photos while you are in the water and send them afterward. That saves you from risking your phone near the boat and gives you a record of the outing. Ask the guide about this at the start if it matters to you, since photo arrangements can depend on the particular skipper and conditions.

Preko: the longest stop and most freedom

The next boat cruise takes about 15 minutes and brings you to Preko. This is the longest stop, with up to 70 minutes for a mix of free time, photos, sightseeing, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

Preko gives the trip a little more room to breathe. At Ošljak and Ugljan, the emphasis is mainly on the sea. Here, you have time to step off the boat, walk around, and see a little more of the island before returning to Zadar.

Do not expect a full island tour. Seventy minutes passes quickly, especially if you want to swim, take photos, and stroll. Still, this stop helps balance the outing. You are not confined to the boat for four straight hours, and you get a brief taste of island life alongside the water activities.

The final stop can also be a good place to follow the skipper’s local advice. One guide was praised for suggesting a worthwhile place at the last stop, and the crew has also offered restaurant recommendations for Zadar. Treat these as useful pointers, not a replacement for your own plans.

If you book the afternoon departure, Preko may come in warm late-day light, and the return crossing can lead into sunset. That timing is worth choosing if you want photographs and a cooler swim. A morning trip is better if you prefer to finish early and keep the rest of your day open.

What the speedboat feels like between stops

The boat is not just a shuttle between beaches. The short crossings give you an open-air view of the islands and mainland, and the quick pace helps the itinerary fit into half a day.

Different seating areas may suit different moods. You might want a spot in the sun for the ride, then shade while waiting for the next swim. Since this is a group trip, personal space depends on the boat and the number of people booked for your departure. The setup is social, which can be part of the fun, but it is not the right choice if you want complete privacy.

Music and drinks add to the informal mood. The included water and iced tea are useful, especially after swimming. Homemade liqueur gives the trip a Croatian touch, though you should pace yourself if you plan to swim afterward.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Sara and Lovro are named as the lead skippers, while Tomislav and Dubravko have also guided departures. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not a particular speech or historical lecture. It is the hosts’ warmth, flexibility, practical suggestions, and attention to small details.

Some outings have felt almost like a private trip among friends, even though the booking is for a group. That does not mean you should expect a private boat, but it does suggest that the crew works to keep the mood personal rather than mechanical.

Is $31 a fair price?

At $31 per person, this is strong value for a four-hour island outing. The fee includes the speedboat, skipper, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur. You also get several swimming opportunities and a stop in Preko, rather than one quick photo stop.

The separate docking fee changes the final calculation. Adults pay €10, and children up to 11 pay €5. Add that to the advertised price when comparing this with other cruises.

Even with the extra charge, the cost is attractive if you want an active half-day rather than a basic transfer. A private boat would normally cost much more, while a larger sightseeing cruise may offer less flexibility around swimming coves. This tour occupies the practical middle ground: faster and more personal than a big ferry-style excursion, but less private than hiring your own boat.

The value is best for people who will use the water time. If you do not swim or snorkel, you may find that the itinerary has too much time built around the sea. You can stay on board and enjoy the views, but the main point of the trip is getting into the Adriatic.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option make it easier to fit the trip around changing plans. Check the actual starting times before you commit, especially if you want the sunset return.

Who should book this island trip?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy a social outing, and families with older children who are comfortable around the water. It suits anyone who wants a taste of the islands without giving up a whole day.

The tour also works well for a special afternoon in Zadar. A bachelorette group, for example, can combine swimming, music, drinks, photos, and sunset views without arranging a complicated private charter.

You should think twice if you dislike fast boats, group activities, or rocky swimming areas. The trip is built around several water stops, and the boat ride may feel lively rather than slow and quiet.

It is also not designed for a long, detailed visit to Ugljan or Preko. You will see several places, but only briefly. Pick this trip for the sea and the scenery first, and the island walking second.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

• Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can enter the water without delay.
• Pack a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash for the docking fee.
• Bring sunscreen, though it is not listed among the required items, because much of the trip takes place outdoors.
• If you want the sunset return, choose an afternoon start and confirm the available time.
• Ask about photos if you would like the skipper to capture swimming shots.
• Keep homemade liqueur to a modest amount if you plan to snorkel or swim.
• Do not bring a bike, since bikes are not allowed on the activity.
• Expect English guiding throughout the trip.

Should you book the Zadar speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, active escape from Zadar with several chances to swim, included snorkel gear, and a friendly host-led feel. The clear water, short crossings, Preko stop, and possible sunset return give the four hours a good rhythm.

Skip it if you are looking for a private yacht, a long island walk, or a quiet cruise with no group atmosphere. For most visitors who want to see the islands, cool off, and get back to Zadar in half a day, the combination of price and time is hard to fault. Just budget for the docking fee and choose your departure carefully.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The meeting point is at Obala kneza Branimira 16, near a gas station.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Zadar, at Obala kneza Branimira 16.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko, followed by the return to Zadar.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included in the tour price.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur. The guides may provide both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options.

Is the docking fee included?

No. Adults pay a €10 docking fee, while children up to 11 years old pay €5.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash.

Who cannot take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 95 years old. Bikes are not allowed.