Zadar: 3 Islands SpeedBoat Tour with Snorkeling and Drinks

The best part of this Zadar boat trip is the change of pace: within minutes, the city slips behind you and you are skimming across the Adriatic toward clear water, small island villages, and a quiet bay. The 50-minute swim and snorkel stop is the star, while the visit to tiny Ošljak adds a peaceful, old-Dalmatian pause.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, and I like the way the four-hour route mixes swimming with time ashore in Ošljak and Preko. Guides including Jure, Josip, Željko, and Gelico are praised for being friendly, careful, and flexible. The main drawback is practical: there is no toilet on the speedboat, and rough weather can mean spray and a wet ride.

At a glance

• A quiet first swim: Spend about 50 minutes snorkeling or swimming in a secluded bay in the Zadar archipelago.
• Tiny Ošljak: Walk around Croatia’s smallest inhabited island, with old Dalmatian houses and peaceful coastal views.
• Island time in Preko: Enjoy 75 minutes for a promenade walk, coffee, food, shopping, or another swim.
• Small and social: The boat carries up to 10 participants, making it easier to talk with the skipper and fellow passengers.
• Drinks are included: You get bottled water, iced tea, and one beer per person, served cold during the trip.
• A real speedboat ride: You travel in an open boat, so sun, wind, movement, and occasional sea spray are part of the deal.

Leaving Zadar from the Foša waterfront

The meeting point is on the waterfront opposite Zadar’s city walls, behind the Foša restaurant, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. This is close to the old town, but finding the precise boarding spot can still take a moment. If you are unsure, take a photo of where you are standing and send it to the operator on WhatsApp.

The company has three boats, so the exact boat may vary. Look for the Aveta team rather than expecting one fixed vessel. The small-group limit is 10 people, which matters on a boat tour. You are not being packed onto a large sightseeing vessel, and the skipper can keep an eye on everyone during swimming stops.

A €10 docking fee per person is not included. You pay it in cash before the tour, so bring euros and do not assume the advertised tour price covers every charge. Parking near the waterfront can be difficult, particularly if you arrive by car. I would use the old town as your base and allow extra time to reach the meeting point on foot.

The first boat ride lasts about 15 minutes. That short run gives you a quick look back at Zadar’s waterfront before the route opens into the island-dotted sea.

The first stop is made for swimming

After the opening cruise, the boat reaches a secluded bay for about 50 minutes. The exact spot is described as a quiet bay in the Zadar archipelago, with turquoise, crystal-clear water and natural surroundings.

This is where you will get the most useful swimming time. You can jump from the boat into the sea, swim, or use the supplied snorkel mask to look beneath the surface. Some departures stop close to shore, while others use a deeper area where you enter directly from the boat. The supplied experiences describe water around three meters deep at one swimming point, so you should be comfortable entering open water.

The boat carries snorkel masks and life vests, but bring your own equipment if you prefer a particular fit. Snorkeling conditions depend on wind, light, and the day’s water clarity. The sea is often clear enough to make this a rewarding stop, but you should think of it as relaxed coastal snorkeling rather than a guided marine-life excursion.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. An old swimsuit or quick-drying clothing is sensible because an open speedboat can throw sea spray over you even when the sea is not especially rough. On windy days, the ride itself may leave you wetter than expected.

Ošljak offers a quiet hour on land

A 10-minute boat ride takes you to Ošljak, a very small inhabited island known for old Dalmatian homes, peaceful paths, and coastal views. You have about an hour here for walking, sightseeing, sunbathing, and swimming.

Ošljak is not a place for a long list of major sights. Its appeal is its scale. The island gives you a chance to slow down after the speedboat ride and see a quieter side of the Zadar area. The old houses and simple village setting feel quite different from Zadar’s historic center and busy waterfront.

Some itineraries include a walk uphill to old mills, with views from higher ground. The walk is part of the attraction, but you should wear shoes that can handle an uneven path rather than relying only on flip-flops. The island also has beaches and places to sit by the water, so you can choose a short walk or keep the hour focused on swimming.

I like this stop because it keeps the tour from becoming just a boat-and-swim outing. The tradeoff is that Ošljak is small. If you want museums, extensive shopping, or a full day of sightseeing, it will feel limited. If you enjoy quiet villages and a short, scenic walk, the stop fits the tour well.

Preko brings coffee, food, and island life

From Ošljak, the boat continues for roughly 15 minutes to Preko, where you have about 75 minutes. This is the longest stop and the most developed one on the route.

You can walk along the waterfront, explore narrow streets, stop for coffee, browse for souvenirs, or buy Croatian food. Ice cream and cafés by the promenade make Preko an easy place to relax after swimming. You can also use the time for another swim if the water and weather are appealing.

Preko gives you a taste of everyday island life rather than a formal sightseeing program. There is enough time to wander and sit down, but not enough for a full exploration of the island. Keep an eye on the meeting time. The boat cannot wait indefinitely, and one excursion group once needed help after an independent side trip to nearby Galevac ran into a problem with the return boat.

Galevac, also called Školjić, is a small island near Preko with a monastery. You may be able to reach it by a small local boat, but that side trip is not part of the stated core schedule. If you choose to go, confirm the return arrangements before leaving Preko and keep your tour departure time firmly in mind.

The speedboat is part of the attraction

This is not a slow, quiet cruise. The boat is designed to cover the distances between Zadar, Ošljak, Preko, and the swimming bay quickly, leaving most of your four hours for the stops.

That speed is useful. You get three distinct settings in half a day instead of spending most of your time in transit. You also see the Zadar coast from offshore, with broad views of the shoreline and islands that you cannot get from the old town promenade.

The open design has limits. Wind and waves affect comfort, and spray may reach you during the ride. On rougher days, even a careful skipper cannot keep every passenger completely dry. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the crew recommends, avoid a heavy meal immediately before departure, and bring a change of clothes.

The boat has life vests, and the skippers are responsible for the route and safety. The strongest feedback about guides such as Jure, Josip, Željko, and Gelico focuses on their attention to comfort, their clear English, and their willingness to adjust the timing within reason. That personal care is especially useful on a small boat, where weather and group needs can change the feel of the trip.

Drinks, gear, and what you actually get

The tour includes fuel, the boat, skipper, English-speaking guide, snorkel masks, life vests, bottled water, iced tea, and one beer per person. The cold drinks are a welcome touch after swimming and help make the price feel more reasonable, particularly because you are not paying separately every time you want water on board.

Food is not included. Preko is the proper place to buy coffee, ice cream, or a Croatian meal, so bring cash or payment options for that stop. The separate €10 docking fee is the main extra cost stated for the tour.

Value depends on what you want from a half-day on the coast. If you want a simple beach transfer, you could spend less by using public transport or visiting one nearby beach. Here, you are paying for the speedboat, skipper, fuel, equipment, three stops, and a small group. For someone with only a few days in Zadar, that combination gives you a useful look at the archipelago without committing a full day.

The tour is also good value for families and friends who want a shared activity. One family reported that a 10-year-old enjoyed the trip, and groups of six have fit comfortably. Still, the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 120 kilograms. The operator also says pets and bicycles are not allowed.

How the four hours fit together

The timing is fairly brisk, but the structure makes sense:

• About 15 minutes from the waterfront to the first area
• About 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling
• About 10 minutes to Ošljak
• About one hour on Ošljak
• About 15 minutes to Preko
• About 75 minutes in Preko
• About 15 minutes back to Zadar

That adds up to four hours, including the boat rides. You will not have unlimited time at any single island, but the variety is the point. The first stop gives you water time, Ošljak gives you a quiet walk, and Preko gives you cafés and a little local atmosphere.

The route can have small variations because the company operates three boats and the sea conditions may affect the day. Do not expect a private charter where you control every stop. You do get a more personal trip than a large group cruise, with guides who may ask how long you want to stay in a place when the schedule allows.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this excursion if you want to combine a fast ride, swimming, and short island visits in one compact outing. It works especially well for:

• First-time visitors to Zadar who want to see beyond the old town
• Couples and friends looking for an active afternoon
• Families with children who can manage a boat, swimming, and short walks
• People who enjoy snorkeling but do not need a formal wildlife or scuba program
• Cruise or short-stay visitors with only half a day available

You may want another option if you need a bathroom on board, dislike open-water boat movement, or want a slow cultural tour with long visits at one island. There is no toilet on the boat. You can use one at the final stop in Preko, but take care of bathroom needs before departure.

This is also not the best pick for anyone with limited mobility. Boarding, moving around an open speedboat, swimming from the boat, and walking on Ošljak all require reasonable mobility.

Practical preparation for a better day

Wear beachwear under light clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, sun hat, and a change of clothes. Sunglasses and secure footwear are sensible, although only the first group of items is specifically required.

Bring cash for the €10 docking charge and for purchases in Preko. Parking is difficult near the meeting point, so plan to arrive on foot if possible. You should also eat and use the bathroom before boarding, since the boat has no toilet and the route gets moving quickly.

Check the forecast before you go. Calm conditions should make the open boat pleasant, while a windy day can bring spray and a rougher ride. The operator warns that you may get wet, so do not carry loose valuables or anything that cannot handle water.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want rather than assuming there is one fixed departure.

Should you book the Zadar three-island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the water with real swimming time, a quiet island walk, and a relaxed hour in Preko. The standout strengths are the small group, cold drinks, capable local skippers, and the chance to see three different island settings without losing a full day.

I would be less enthusiastic if you want a guaranteed calm sea, a dry ride, or extensive time on each island. The €10 cash docking fee, lack of an onboard toilet, and open-boat setup deserve attention before you reserve.

For most visitors who are comfortable on a speedboat and can swim, this is one of the better ways to break up time in Zadar. Pack for sun and spray, arrive at Foša early, keep your Preko return time in mind, and you should get a varied, good-value taste of the Dalmatian coast.

FAQ

How long does the Zadar speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including boat travel, swimming and snorkeling, time on Ošljak, and time in Preko. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the boat leave from?

Meet on the waterfront opposite Zadar’s city walls, behind the Foša restaurant, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel masks and life vests are included, along with the boat, skipper, guide, fuel, bottled water, iced tea, and one beer per person.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There is no toilet on the speedboat. You can use a toilet at the last stop, but you should take care of your needs before departure.

What extra fee do I need to pay?

A €10 docking fee per person is not included in the tour price. It must be paid in cash before the tour starts.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for people over 120 kilograms. Pets and bicycles are not allowed.