Visit 2 Islands of Zadar on a traditional wooden boat during half-day trip

A short wooden-boat ride from Zadar brings you to two very different islands: easygoing Preko, with a sandy beach, cafés, and places to eat, and tiny Ošljak, where the setting feels far more natural and quiet. The trip is built around swimming, snorkeling, and free time rather than a packed sightseeing script.

I like the small-group setup, with the boat limited to around 10 people in the tour description, though the booking information also lists a maximum of 12. I also like the simple mix of stops: Preko gives you island life, while Ošljak gives you clear water and a peaceful bay. The main thing to consider is that skipper commentary can vary, and one skipper may offer plenty of local information while another may focus mainly on operating the boat.

Key points to know before you go

• Two islands in four hours: You spend about 90 minutes at Preko and 90 minutes at Ošljak, with the rest of the time used for the boat ride.
• Preko is the social stop: Expect a sandy beach, cafés, restaurants, and room to wander around on your own.
• Ošljak is the swimming stop: This small, uninhabited island has a quiet bay and clear Adriatic water for swimming and snorkeling.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: Masks are provided, but bring secure footwear for rocky entries and shorelines.
• The atmosphere depends on the skipper: Gogo, Bart, Ivan, Joseph, Rocco, Ilja, and others have led trips, with differing levels of English commentary.
• The price is low for an island outing: At $26.55 per person, this is a good-value way to get on the water, provided you want a relaxed half-day rather than a full guided tour.

Why this Zadar boat trip works well

Zadar has a fine waterfront, but its best views often come from the water. This trip lets you leave the city behind without committing a whole day or paying for a larger excursion. You get a boat ride, two island stops, swimming time, and snorkeling equipment for $26.55 per person.

That price matters. A short private boat trip can cost far more, while a larger group excursion can feel less personal. Here, the stated limit is 10 people, although the additional booking information gives a maximum of 12. Either way, this is a much smaller outing than a big tour boat, and that usually makes boarding, conversation, and moving around easier.

The trip is also refreshingly simple. You are not being rushed through a long list of sights. Instead, the skipper takes you to Preko and Ošljak, gives you time to enjoy each place, and brings you back to the same meeting point in Zadar.

You should see this as a visual and swimming experience first, not a formal history tour. Some skippers, including Ivan, Bart, and Joseph, have been praised for friendly conversation and local information. At other times, English explanation has been limited. If learning about Croatian history and sea life is your main goal, ask about the guide on your departure date before booking.

Leaving Zadar on a traditional wooden boat

The meeting point is Zadar Boat Tours at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. The activity starts and ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. The meeting point is near public transportation, and one cruise-ship passenger found that it was about a 10-minute Uber ride from the cruise port.

The wooden boat is part of the appeal. You get an open-air view of the water and the Zadar shoreline rather than the enclosed feel of a ferry. The crossing can be calm, but conditions change. A few reports describe a choppy return, and one outing became wet and bumpy when the wind picked up.

I would bring a light layer even on a warm day, plus sun protection. You may also want a dry bag for phones and wallets. The boat ride is not long enough to define the whole experience, but it gives you a pleasant change of pace and a chance to see the coast from a different angle.

Skippers have included Gogo, Bart, Ivan, Joseph, Rocco, Ilja, and Emilio. Their style is not identical. Gogo has been described as attentive, friendly, and fun, while Ivan has offered detailed conversation about the two stops. Joseph received praise for keeping the mood pleasant in poor weather. These names show the range of people operating the tours, but they do not guarantee who will be at the helm on your date.

Preko gives you 90 minutes of easy island time

Preko is the first planned stop and the more developed of the two islands. It has a sandy beach, cafés, restaurants, and places where you can stop for a drink or ice cream. You get about 1.5 hours here, with the skipper waiting while you swim or explore.

This is a useful first stop because you can choose your own pace. If you want to swim, head for the beach. If you would rather stay dry, walk around and enjoy the views across the water. Families may appreciate the cafés and the relaxed setting, while couples can simply stroll and find a place to sit.

The time is enough for a taste, not a full island visit. One important practical point is that you should not expect a long guided walk. The appeal is having free time and a pleasant place to pause, not checking off a large number of sights.

Preko also gives the excursion some balance. Ošljak is quiet and wild in feel, but Preko has the small comforts that make a half-day outing easy. You can have a drink, find food, or let children enjoy the water while you take in the view.

The schedule is generally designed around 90 minutes at each island. Still, timing can shift because of weather, boarding, or delays leaving Zadar. One outing arrived late at the second island and had less than an hour there, so you should keep your expectations flexible.

Ošljak is the quieter swimming stop

Ošljak is a small, uninhabited island with a natural setting and a sheltered bay. It is the more distinctive stop if you want a break from cafés and built-up shorelines. The tour allows about 1.5 hours here for swimming and snorkeling.

Masks are provided, which saves you from packing your own snorkeling gear. The water is clear enough for a pleasant look below the surface, though you should keep expectations realistic. This is casual holiday snorkeling, not a dedicated marine-life expedition. One person found the snorkeling itself less impressive but still enjoyed the swimming.

The real pleasure is the water. You can swim in the bay, float, or simply sit near the shore and enjoy the quiet. Some departures have also included swimming from the boat, and the water has been described as clear and deep enough for children to jump in, depending on the location and conditions.

Bring water shoes or another pair of secure shoes you can wear in the water. At least one stop has a rocky entry, and bare feet can be uncomfortable. This is one of the most useful details to know before you board.

Ošljak may be the stop you wish lasted longer. One person specifically preferred spending more time on the smaller island rather than at Preko. The schedule splits the time evenly, which is fair, but it does mean you only get a brief taste of this quiet spot.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the small details that matter

This excursion is best for people who want to be active without signing up for a demanding day. You can swim, snorkel, walk, or sit with a drink. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, but food is not included, so plan ahead.

The information supplied for the trip does not promise lunch. Some departures have included complimentary drinks, and one skipper served food and drinks, but you should not treat these extras as guaranteed. Preko has cafés and restaurants, making it the natural place to buy something if you need it during your free time.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Water shoes for rocky shorelines
• Sun protection
• A dry bag or waterproof phone case
• Water and a snack, unless you plan to buy food at Preko
• A light layer for the return ride

The boat may rock at times. That is part of being on the Adriatic, but it can matter if you are prone to seasickness or if the forecast is unsettled. The company requires good weather and may cancel if conditions are poor, offering another date or a full refund. The skipper makes the final safety call during the outing.

How much value do you get for $26.55?

At $26.55, this is one of the more affordable ways to add an island experience to a Zadar stay. The cost includes the boat ride, the two island stops, and snorkeling equipment. It does not include lunch or food, and the supplied details also state that all fees and taxes are not included.

The strongest value comes from the combination of time on the water and free time ashore. You are not paying only for transport to Preko. You also get a second island, a swimming bay, and the chance to use a mask in the Adriatic.

The price is especially sensible if you have only half a day available. A full-day island tour may offer more stops and longer breaks, but it also takes more of your holiday. This four-hour outing fits neatly into a morning or afternoon plan.

The trade-off is limited depth. You will not have hours to explore either island, and the trip may not provide a steady stream of facts about Croatia. If you want a polished, lecture-style tour, the low price will not change that. If you want a boat ride with two attractive stops, the price is hard to argue with.

What the skipper can add, and where the tour varies

The skipper has a big effect on this experience. Gogo has been praised for creating a friendly atmosphere and offering drinks. Bart has been described as accommodating and willing to share interesting facts about Zadar. Ivan has provided conversation about both islands, and Joseph has helped make the day enjoyable even when the weather was poor.

There have also been less satisfying departures. One person found that the skipper did not speak English and offered little information. Another felt the skipper focused on drinking beer instead of guiding. The operator itself describes the trip as more of a visual outing than a guided tour, with the skipper’s main duty being safe boat operation.

That is the honest way to approach it. You may get an outgoing host who points out sights and answers questions. You may also get a quieter skipper who concentrates on driving and timing. I would book this for the places and the water, then treat commentary as a welcome extra rather than the main product.

Safety and weather deserve equal attention. One return became very rough and wet in windy conditions, and the person involved felt the tour should have been canceled. The operator stated that the captain judged the trip to be within safety limits and that passengers could choose not to go. If the forecast looks poor, make that choice carefully.

Who should book this half-day outing?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families who want a straightforward way to see the Zadar Archipelago. It suits you especially well if you like swimming, simple island stops, open-air boat rides, and the freedom to spend your time without a guide beside you.

It is also a good fit for cruise-ship passengers with a limited window in Zadar, as long as you allow enough time to reach the meeting point and return to the ship. The trip ends where it starts, but you are responsible for managing your own schedule.

Families can enjoy the flexible format, though children should be comfortable around a boat and open water. The supplied information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, which makes the start easier for people staying in central Zadar.

I would choose another type of tour if you want a long island walk, a substantial meal, detailed cultural interpretation, or a full day away from the city. I would also think twice if you dislike bumpy boat rides or need every minute to run exactly on schedule.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour is offered in English, but the amount of spoken English and local explanation can depend on the skipper assigned to your boat.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cut-off times use local time.

The experience needs good weather and a minimum number of people. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Because this trip is often booked about 19 days ahead, I would not leave it until the final morning during busy summer periods. Still, last-minute spaces have sometimes been available, so it is worth checking if your schedule changes.

Should you book the Preko and Ošljak boat trip?

Book it if you want good-value island time without giving up a full day. The two stops work well together: Preko offers cafés, a sandy beach, and a little island life, while Ošljak gives you a quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling.

Go in knowing what you are buying. This is a relaxed boat outing, not a guaranteed history lesson, food tour, or luxury cruise. Bring water shoes, expect some movement on the sea, and treat skipper commentary as variable. For $26.55, that is a fair exchange for clear water, open views, and two islands that are easy to reach from Zadar.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Preko and Ošljak in the Zadar Archipelago.

How long do I have at each island?

You have approximately 1.5 hours at Preko and 1.5 hours at Ošljak.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and equipment are provided during the trip.

Is food included?

No. Lunch and food are not provided. Preko has cafés and restaurants where you may be able to buy refreshments during your free time.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Zadar Boat Tours, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000 Zadar, Croatia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour description lists a limit of 10 people, while the additional booking information states a maximum of 12 travelers. Check the current booking details if group size is important to you.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.