Private Boat tour with refreshing drinks Zadar

The best part of this Zadar boat tour is its small-scale feel. You leave the city behind on a 9-meter wooden traditional boat, visit tiny Ošljak, and stop wherever the water looks inviting. It is less about ticking off sights and more about enjoying a slow afternoon among the islands.

I like the private-group format, which lets you spend more time swimming or walking instead of following a rigid schedule. I also like the simple comforts: fuel is covered, a cooler with ice is on board, and masks and snorkels are provided. The trade-off is that the tour gives only a short amount of time at each place, and some visitors may want more detailed explanations of the islands.

Key points

• Ošljak is the star stop: Visit the smallest permanently inhabited island in the Adriatic, home to only 29 people.
• A traditional boat adds character: The wooden 9-meter vessel suits the quiet island route better than a large excursion boat.
• Swimming time is built in: Stop near Ugljan, Ošljak, or another bay for swimming and snorkeling.
• Private means flexible: Skipper Fran can adjust the pace and stops to suit your group.
• Drinks and gear are included: A cooler with ice and snorkeling masks are provided on board.
• The tour balances sightseeing and rest: Expect boat time, island walks, photo stops, and unhurried water breaks.

Leaving Zadar on a Small Wooden Boat

The tour begins at the INA gas station on Obala kneza Branimira, where you meet the skipper and board the boat. From here, the route heads out from Zadar toward the nearby islands of the Zadar County coast.

The boat is 9 meters long and traditionally built from wood. That matters more than it may sound. You get a lower, more personal setting than on a large sightseeing vessel, with the sea close by and fewer people competing for the best view.

Skipper Fran, also referred to as Franny, leads the trip in English. He handles the boat and explains the stops, while keeping the schedule fairly relaxed. If your group wants extra time in the water, a longer walk, or a quieter ride, this private setup gives you a better chance of shaping the afternoon around your own interests.

The first cruise lasts about 35 minutes. Use it to settle in, enjoy the changing view of Zadar from the water, and get ready for the island stops ahead. The ride itself is part of the experience, though anyone hoping for a nonstop sightseeing commentary should keep expectations in check.

Ugljan Brings the First Swim

The first main stop is in the Ugljan area, where you have about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The itinerary also lists scuba activity, but the supplied details specifically confirm masks and snorkels on board, so snorkeling is the activity you can count on.

This is a useful early break. You can cool off before the longer island visits and get a feel for the water without waiting until the end of the tour. The private format also helps here. You do not have to match the timetable of a large mixed group, although the overall four-hour duration still puts a limit on how long you can stay in one spot.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. The boat provides a cooler with ice for food and drinks, but the information does not promise a full meal or a set menu. Pack anything you know you will want during the afternoon.

After the Ugljan stop, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes toward Preko. This short ride gives you a break from the water and a chance to take in the route between the islands.

Preko Offers an Hour to Walk and Swim

Preko is the most developed stop on the route and gives you about an hour to explore at your own pace. You can walk, swim, snorkel, or take a self-guided look around.

That range of choices makes Preko useful for mixed groups. One person can go into the water while another prefers a stroll. Families can split their time between the shore and the boat, and anyone who wants a little land under their feet gets a proper pause from cruising.

Do not expect a formal guided town tour. The stop is designed as free time rather than a detailed presentation. Skipper Fran can explain the places you visit, but the format leaves room for your own wandering.

Preko also helps break up the day. A four-hour boat outing can feel long if every minute is spent sitting on board. Here, you get a chance to stretch your legs before continuing to Ošljak.

Ošljak Is the Most Unusual Island Stop

Ošljak is the tour’s most distinctive destination. With an area of only 0.39 square kilometers and 29 permanent inhabitants, it is described as the smallest permanently inhabited island in the Adriatic.

Those numbers give you a sense of the place before you arrive. This is not a large island with a long list of sights. Its appeal comes from its size, quiet character, and the chance to see a small island community close to Zadar.

The stop lasts about an hour and includes a photo stop, a visit, a boat cruise, swimming, and snorkeling. In practice, you should think of this as a compact island visit with time split between land and water. You may walk around, take photographs, then return to the coast for a swim.

Ošljak is also the sort of place where a little flexibility helps. You cannot cover much ground because the island is small, but you do not need to. The point is to slow down and notice the contrast between busy Zadar and a place with only a few dozen permanent residents.

If your priority is a long beach session, Ošljak may feel too short. If you want a memorable stop with a clear sense of place, it is likely to be the highlight.

Galevac Adds a Monastery View

The boat also docks near Galevac, an uninhabited island with a monastery dating from the 15th century. The supplied schedule places the visit in the broader Preko and Ošljak section, so the exact timing may depend on the skipper’s route and your group’s wishes.

Galevac gives the trip a cultural layer. Without leaving the water for a major museum or formal tour, you see how religious buildings and small islands are tied to the history of the Zadar area. The monastery is the main point of interest here, rather than a long list of attractions.

The visit is best approached as a short look and a scenic pause. You will have time to appreciate the setting, take photographs, and hear about the island from the guide, but this is not a full historical walking tour.

One useful point comes from the tour’s style: explanations are part of the experience, but the amount of detail can vary. Fran speaks English and provides information about the stops, while the relaxed format gives you more freedom than a tightly scripted excursion. If you want a long, formal account of every monument, this may feel light. If you prefer stories in small portions between swims, it fits well.

The Final Bay Is Chosen With Your Group

After the main island stops, you can agree with the skipper on a beautiful bay for one last swim. This is where the private arrangement pays off most clearly.

You are not simply dropped at a predetermined beach and told when to leave. The final stop can respond to the mood of your group and the time available. You might want one more snorkel, a quiet float, or a final photo session from the boat.

The details of the bay are not fixed in advance, so you should not book this expecting a specific named beach. Instead, see it as a flexible closing stop. The choice remains subject to the route and conditions on the day, but the option adds a personal touch that large group cruises usually cannot offer.

The return cruise to Zadar takes about 35 minutes. It gives you a calm finish before arriving back at the INA gas station.

What the Four Hours Feel Like

The route combines roughly equal portions of cruising, island time, and swimming. You begin with a 35-minute ride, stop around Ugljan, cruise onward to Preko, spend time around Preko and Ošljak, then return to Zadar.

The schedule is active but not rushed in spirit. You will move between several places, yet the skipper has room to adjust the pace. The flexibility is a major strength, especially for a private group that already knows what it wants from the afternoon.

The main limitation is simple: four hours passes quickly. You cannot expect a long exploration of every island, extended swimming at several bays, and detailed commentary at each stop. The route works best when you choose your priorities before boarding.

For example:

• If swimming matters most, tell Fran early so you can protect water time.
• If you want photographs and island walks, use Preko and Ošljak for land breaks.
• If your group includes children, keep the afternoon flexible and allow for extra water time.
• If cultural details matter most, ask about Galevac and Ošljak during the cruise.

That small amount of planning helps you get better value from the limited duration.

Drinks, Snorkeling Gear, and What to Bring

Fuel is included in the $64 per-person price, so you do not need to worry about an extra fuel charge. A cooler with ice is also provided for food and drinks. The information does not specify which refreshments are supplied, so bring any particular drink or snack you want, while using the cooler to keep it cold.

Masks and snorkels are available on board. That is convenient if you do not want to pack your own gear, though personal equipment can still be useful if you have a preferred fit.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Water and snacks you personally prefer
• A waterproof way to carry your phone
• Comfortable footwear for the island walks

The tour includes swimming, snorkeling, walking, and time on a wooden boat. You will be more comfortable if you prepare for all four rather than treating it as only a cruise.

Is $64 a Fair Price?

At $64 per person, this tour offers reasonable value if you are booking for a private group and want more than a basic transfer between islands. You are paying for four hours on the water, fuel, a skipper, a traditional boat, several island stops, a cooler with ice, and snorkeling equipment.

The price is strongest for groups that value control over the day. You are not paying only for transport. You are buying the chance to spend more time swimming, shorten a walk, or request a final bay stop without being tied to the preferences of a large crowd.

The calculation is less favorable if you only want a quick boat ride and one swim. In that case, the multiple stops may feel like more movement than you need. It also may not suit someone looking for a full meal, luxury service, or a long, formal history talk, since none of those are part of the stated offering.

The four-hour private format makes the tour particularly practical for families, couples, and small groups of friends. You share the experience with people you already know, and the skipper can keep the mood easy rather than trying to please a large mixed crowd.

Who Will Enjoy This Zadar Island Tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed afternoon with several ways to spend your time. Swimmers and snorkelers get repeated chances to enter the water, while walkers and photographers have Preko, Ošljak, and Galevac to look forward to.

It is also a good fit for families. The itinerary includes several swimming areas, and the relaxed skipper style means the day does not depend on everyone moving at the same speed. The reviews include a family group that especially enjoyed the swimming spots and the friendly atmosphere.

Couples and friend groups should appreciate the private setting. You can treat the boat as a quiet escape from Zadar, rather than a packaged sightseeing ride.

I would hesitate if you need a fully scripted historical tour. One German-language comment praised the cool drinks and relaxing route but wanted more explanation at the stops. That is a fair warning. You receive information in English, but the main appeal is the combination of cruising, swimming, and flexible island time.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is important for anyone checking access before booking. Still, the supplied details do not explain the exact boarding setup or how access works on each island, so ask for practical specifics if those details are essential for your group.

Booking and Cancellation Basics

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans open if you are still arranging your Zadar schedule.

The meeting point is the INA gas station, also described as the Brodska benzinska pumpa INA, on Obala kneza Branimira. Check the exact starting time when booking, since several departure times may be available.

The tour is conducted in English and is for a private group. The provider is Kokolomarine.

Should You Book This Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, flexible island outing rather than a formal sightseeing program. The wooden boat, small islands, swimming stops, cooler, and included snorkeling gear give you a lot to work with for $64 per person.

Make the most of it by telling Fran what matters before leaving Zadar. Ask for swimming time if the water is your priority, or request more background on Ošljak and Galevac if you want the cultural side.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip requires luxury facilities, a full meal, or lengthy historical commentary. For most people seeking a pleasant half-day on the water near Zadar, though, this is a well-balanced choice with enough structure to feel worthwhile and enough freedom to feel personal.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

The tour begins at the INA gas station, also called Brodska benzinska pumpa INA, on Obala kneza Branimira in Zadar.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $64 per person.

Is the boat tour private?

Yes. The experience is offered for a private group.

Which islands and places does the tour visit?

The route includes the Ugljan area, Preko, Ošljak, and a stop near Galevac. It may also include another bay for swimming by agreement with the group.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swimming is scheduled near Ugljan and Ošljak, with the option of a final swim in another bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are available on board.

Are drinks and fuel included?

Fuel is included, and a cooler with ice is provided for food and drinks. The supplied details do not specify a fixed drink menu.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide operates in English.