Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić Islands Private Boat Tour

The smallest inhabited island in Croatia is only a short speedboat ride from Zadar, yet Ošljak feels far removed from the city. This private outing links it with Školjić and Ugljan, giving you quiet coves, clear shallows and a taste of island life in four hours.

I like the mix of water time and small cultural sights: a church said to date from the 5th or 6th century, old windmills and an olive oil press. I also like the private format, since you can spend more time swimming instead of waiting for a large group.

The main drawback is the clock. Four hours pass quickly, especially if you want several snorkel stops, a village walk and a restaurant snack. One guest even wished for more stops, while another wished they had booked the full-day option.

Key points to know before booking

• Ošljak is car-free and sparsely populated, with pine shade, old windmills and a small historic church.
• You swim and snorkel at three islands, with masks provided and time for secluded beaches.
• Školjić offers a Franciscan monastery, a museum and a sandy beach with shallow water.
• Ugljan adds local flavor, including a possible stop at a fisherman’s restaurant and local wine.
• The private speedboat suits couples and small groups, with a maximum price of $294 for up to two people.
• Afternoon departures can include sunset from the boat, but bring warm layers if you choose that time.

Leaving Zadar by private speedboat

The tour begins at Marina Tankerkomerc, in front of the reception building and café. That is a useful meeting point, but give yourself a little time to find the marina entrance and get settled before departure.

Your boat ride to the island area takes about 25 minutes. The speedboat makes the crossing practical rather than tedious, and you get an immediate change of scene as Zadar gives way to open Adriatic water.

This is a private group experience with an English-speaking skipper and guide. The boat rental, fuel, insurance and lifejackets are included, as are diving masks for snorkeling. The word diving here refers to the masks and swimming equipment, not a scuba excursion, so you should book this for light snorkeling and beach time rather than a formal underwater tour.

The boat received a perfect transport score from 86 percent of the published ratings, which fits the basic appeal: a clean, fast boat and a skipper who can move you between several stops in a short time. Skipper Toni was singled out for being friendly and showing beautiful places on one outing, though your skipper may be someone else.

Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island

Ošljak is the first major stop and the tour’s most unusual setting. It is car-free and sparsely populated, so you get a quieter island visit than the usual port stop. The scale matters. You are not arriving to browse a long line of shops or fill an afternoon with organized attractions. You are coming for a short walk, a swim and a look at a small settlement shaped by island life.

The guide explains the history of the community as you wander. You can look for a little church said to date from the 5th or 6th century, then continue toward the 19th-century windmills. An old olive oil press sits among the olive groves, offering a direct link to the work that once supported these islands.

The sights are modest, but that is part of the charm. You will not find a major museum complex or a long list of polished attractions. Instead, the interest comes from seeing how a small island used its wind, olive trees and sheltered shore.

Ošljak is also your first good chance to slow down. Find shade beneath the pine trees, settle near a secluded beach and swim when the water looks inviting. The boat carries masks, so you can check the shallows for marine life without packing your own gear.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and hat. The island offers shade in places, but you should not count on shade beside every swimming area. Waterproof shoes are useful around rocky entries, and the tour information specifically recommends them.

Swimming and snorkeling across three islands

Water time is the heart of this trip. You can swim and snorkel around Ošljak, Školjić and Ugljan, with the exact rhythm depending on conditions, timing and the skipper’s choices.

The strongest feature is variety. Instead of spending four hours at one beach, you get several chances to enter the water and see different shorelines. One afternoon outing included a lovely cove and two additional stops, while another managed four snorkeling stops. That suggests the boat can give you plenty of water time, but the number and length of stops are not fixed.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, say so early. A private tour gives you a better chance of shaping the day around swimming, although the description also includes walks, historic sights and food. If your group wants all of those, avoid lingering too long at the first beach.

The sea may not feel warm at every departure. One spring participant found the water very cold, so May visitors should pack realistically and keep a dry layer nearby. Summer swimmers will likely find the conditions easier, but the tour does not promise a heated sea or sheltered water at every stop.

This is a good outing for confident swimmers and families with older children who enjoy the water. Children aged three and above may join, but the boat is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments. A speedboat can move sharply over the water, and island beaches may have uneven access.

Školjić and its Franciscan monastery

The smaller island of Školjić gives the tour a different mood. After the open-water stops, you can walk toward the Franciscan monastery and visit its museum.

The most unusual detail is a copy of the Holy Bible from the 15th century. That single object gives the stop more weight than a simple beach visit, especially if you like small religious sites and local history. The visit is not presented as a long guided museum tour, so keep your expectations sensible. It is a short island stop within a four-hour boat trip.

After the monastery and museum, you can relax near the pier or head to a sandy beach. The shallow, clear water is useful for families and anyone who prefers an easy swim rather than a rocky entry.

Školjić may be the best balance of culture and comfort on the route. You get a place to walk, something specific to see, and a beach where you can cool off. Still, every stop competes with the clock. If you spend too long at the monastery, you may have less time for Ugljan or snorkeling.

Ugljan villages and a fisherman’s table

Ugljan is the largest island on this route and gives you a chance to see a more lived-in side of the area. The plan is to visit one of the villages for a snack at a local fisherman’s restaurant.

Lunch is optional and not included in the price. That gives you control over the budget, but it also means you should bring your own drinks and snacks if you do not want to buy food ashore. You can try local wine at the restaurant, then take a walk through the village and enjoy the atmosphere before returning to the boat.

I like this part because it adds a human touch to an otherwise water-focused trip. A fisherman’s restaurant is a better fit for this route than a generic meal near the marina. It connects the islands to the sea in a simple, practical way.

You should confirm the food plan with your group before leaving Zadar. If you want the restaurant stop, allow enough time for eating and walking. If swimming is more important, bring a packed snack and keep the village visit brief.

Morning, midday or afternoon?

The tour lasts about four hours and can run in the morning, at midday or in the afternoon. Your choice affects the feel of the trip more than the route itself.

A morning departure is a sensible choice if you want to start with cooler air and have the rest of the day in Zadar. It also gives you a clear fallback if the sea feels too cold for long swimming sessions.

Midday usually puts the focus on sun, beaches and swimming. Pack strong sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. The tour includes the boat and fuel, but drinks are not listed as included, so take your own.

The afternoon departure adds a special extra: sunset views from the boat. That is the best option for a relaxed couple or anyone who values evening light more than a full day in the water. Bring a light jacket, since four hours on a moving boat can feel cool after sunset.

Because the tour is private, ask the skipper about your priorities at the start. You may prefer four short swim stops, a longer beach break or more time around the villages. The published schedule allows about three hours around Ugljan and the smaller islands, with the return crossing taking about 35 minutes, but the precise flow can vary.

What the $294 price means for two people

The listed price is $294 per group of up to two, not per person. For a couple, that works out to $147 each before any optional restaurant meal.

That is not a bargain boat transfer, but it is a reasonable price if you value privacy, a fast boat and several island stops. You are paying for the boat, skipper, guide, fuel, insurance, lifejackets and masks. You also avoid sharing the day with a large crowd.

The value is weaker if you mainly want transport to one beach. You could find a simpler way to spend time by the water, but this experience adds three islands, historic sights, a village stop and the flexibility of a private group.

For three or more people, check the booking terms carefully because the supplied price is specifically for a group up to two. The cost may change with group size. Lunch, drinks and snacks are extra, so include those in your day’s budget.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make it easier to fit the trip around uncertain weather. Still, do not confuse flexible booking with guaranteed sea conditions. The tour depends on being comfortable on a speedboat and in open water.

Packing for a four-hour island trip

You need less than you would for a full-day excursion, but the right items make a big difference:

• Swimsuit and beach towel
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
• Waterproof shoes for rocky shorelines
• Your own drinks and snacks
• A light layer for an afternoon or sunset departure
• Any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer, though masks are provided

Keep valuables protected from spray. The supplied information does not specify dry storage, so use a waterproof pouch for phones and cameras.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or back problems. You should also think carefully about the speedboat if you dislike fast rides or rough water. Children aged three and above are allowed, but parents should be ready to manage sun, swimming and boat movement throughout the four hours.

Who will enjoy this private island tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, friends and small families who want several small experiences in one outing. You get nature, swimming, a little history, a village and the option of local food without committing to a full day.

It is especially good for people staying in Zadar who want to get onto the Adriatic quickly. The crossing is short, and the private setup lets you spend the limited time on what matters most to your group.

I would think twice if you want a slow, detailed historical tour. The church, windmills, olive press, monastery and Bible copy are interesting stops, but none receives a long museum-style treatment. I would also choose a longer tour if you want a wide range of beaches or plenty of time in each village.

The 4.8 rating from 44 published ratings reflects a consistently strong experience, with transport receiving an especially high score. The useful caution is that several hours can feel too short. One outing included four snorkeling stops, while another guest wished for more different places. That is not a contradiction. It shows how quickly this compact route fills up.

Should you book the Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić tour?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water with more variety than a single beach transfer. Ošljak’s car-free setting, Školjić’s monastery and Ugljan’s fishing-village stop give the trip enough character to balance the swimming.

Choose the afternoon if sunset matters, or the morning if you want the best chance to keep the rest of your day open. Bring your own food and water, tell the skipper whether snorkeling or sightseeing matters most, and accept that four hours will require some tradeoffs.

Skip it if you have back or mobility problems, dislike speedboats or want an unhurried full-day island visit. For everyone else, this is a compact and well-priced way to trade Zadar’s streets for clear water, pine shade and three very different islands.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar.

How long does the boat ride take?

The outward speedboat ride takes about 25 minutes, and the return ride takes about 35 minutes.

How long is the complete tour?

The experience lasts around four hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group experience.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Diving masks are included. You should also bring swimwear, a towel and waterproof shoes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a local fisherman’s restaurant is optional and not included. You should bring your own drinks and snacks.

Can children join?

Yes. The activity is suitable for children aged three and above.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.