half day group speedboat tour of the islands around Zadar

The best part of this Zadar outing is how quickly you leave the city behind. Within about 20 minutes, the speedboat reaches Ošljak and the Adriatic opens into clear water, small coves, and low island shores. You get three chances to snorkel, plus time to swim, sunbathe, and wander around Preko.

I like the three underwater stops, which give you more than one quick swim, and I like the relaxed hospitality: cold water, iced tea, soft drinks, and homemade liqueur are included. The late-afternoon departure adds a fine bonus, with the sun dropping behind you on the ride back and occasional chances to spot dolphins.

The main consideration is the extra docking fee, €10 for adults and €5 for children up to 11, paid separately. This is also a swimming-and-sightseeing trip rather than a full cultural tour, so bring the right expectations, along with a towel and water shoes.

Key points at a glance

• Three snorkeling locations: Explore underwater rocks, fish, and other sea life around Ošljak and Ugljan.
• A proper island route: Visit Ošljak, cruise past Ugljan, and spend the longest break in Preko.
• Morning or sunset timing: Morning trips return around midday, while afternoon departures can finish in evening light.
• Friendly local hosting: Skippers may include Sara, Lovro, Tomislav, or Dubravko, depending on the departure.
• Useful extras included: Snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur come with the boat trip.
• Good value at $31: The price covers four hours on the water and several swim stops, with the docking fee added separately.

Leaving Zadar by speedboat

The meeting point is at Obala kneza Branimira 16, near a gas station. It is not a grand marina entrance, so give yourself a little time to locate the exact spot before departure. The tour ends at the same place, which makes it easy to return to your Zadar base afterward.

Once aboard, you have a fast and practical way to see the islands close to town. The first ride takes about 20 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the sea air and views, but short enough that you are not spending half the tour simply getting to the first stop.

The speedboat matters here. A slower boat would spend more of a four-hour outing in transit. This boat gets you to Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko quickly, leaving the useful part of the day for swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore.

The atmosphere is informal. The crew provides drinks, plays music, and may take photos while you are in the water, later sending them to you. Tomislav is praised for a warm, personal approach, while Dubravko is noted for good local suggestions and an easy manner. The named skippers for the experience are Sara and Lovro, though the operating crew can vary.

Ošljak: your first island swim

Ošljak is the first major stop, reached after the initial speedboat ride. You have about an hour here for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. That opening stop is well judged. You can get comfortable with the boat, test the water, and see how much time you want to spend below the surface before the day moves on.

The sea is the star. The water is described as crystal clear, with underwater rocks and colorful fish visible through the supplied masks and snorkels. You may also see other small sea creatures in the shallows. One outing even produced a seahorse, although that is a lucky sighting rather than something to expect.

I would use this first hour to snorkel before settling into a slower swim. The supplied equipment saves you from packing a mask and snorkel, though you should bring your own if you need a particular fit. Water shoes are useful around rocky entries and uneven seabeds.

Ošljak is not presented as a long historical visit or a major walking stop. Its value is the setting and the easy access to the water. If you are hoping for museums, formal guided sightseeing, or a long village visit, this is not that kind of tour.

Ugljan and the three places to snorkel

After Ošljak, the boat cruises for about 15 minutes toward Ugljan in Zadar County. The morning program focuses on three attractive snorkeling spots around the island, with time for swimming and relaxing between them.

This is one of the strongest features of the trip. Some boat outings offer one rushed swim and call it an island tour. Here, the repeated stops give you a better chance of finding calm water, fish, and interesting rock formations. If one location is busy or the water feels less inviting, you still have other places ahead.

You can choose how active to be. Snorkel around the rocks, swim in a quiet cove, sunbathe on the boat, or simply listen to music with a cold drink. The crew provides water and iced tea, along with homemade liqueur for those who want it. Soft drinks and alcoholic options are both available, according to the details provided.

The homemade liqueur is a small but memorable local touch. It has been compared to a cherry Bakewell flavor, and fresh wild peaches have also appeared on an outing. These extras are not the reason to book, but they help the trip feel more personal than a basic transfer with a swim stop.

The Ugljan portion is primarily about the sea, not a long island exploration. You get roughly an hour of swimming, snorkeling, photos, and sightseeing before moving toward Preko. Pack lightly and keep your phone protected, since the boat and the water are the main places you will spend your time.

Preko gives the trip its longest pause

A 15-minute cruise brings you to Preko, where you get about 70 minutes. This is the longest stop and the most flexible part of the day. You can walk, take photos, look around, swim, snorkel, or sit back and enjoy the shoreline.

That extra time makes Preko useful for mixed groups. One person can stay in the water while another prefers a short walk or a quiet break. Families and couples do not have to follow a single pace every minute.

The stop is still fairly compact. Seventy minutes is enough for a taste of the area, not a full island visit. You will not have time for an extended tour of Ugljan or Preko, and the program does not promise a detailed cultural explanation. Think of Preko as a pleasant island pause within a sea-based outing.

The final stop can also vary in mood according to departure time. On a morning tour, you return to Zadar around midday. On an afternoon trip, you may reach Preko as the heat softens and then ride back while the sky changes color. The late tour is particularly appealing if you want to swim when the sun is less intense and finish with a sunset view.

The ride home and the sunset option

The return cruise to Zadar takes about 30 minutes. By this point, you will have spent several hours in the sun and water, so the boat ride is a welcome chance to sit back. The route gives you more island views without asking you to do anything else.

The afternoon departure is the more atmospheric choice. The trip can end around sunset, and one outing had dolphins appear on the way back. Dolphins are never guaranteed, but the evening light alone can make the return especially enjoyable.

The morning tour suits you better if you want the rest of the day free. It returns around midday, leaving time for lunch, Zadar’s Old Town, or another activity. The afternoon trip suits you if swimming in cooler light and watching the sunset matter more than having a free evening.

Check the actual starting times before booking. The experience runs for four hours, but the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

What the $31 price really covers

At $31 per person, this is a strong-value way to get on the water from Zadar. The price includes the boat tour, skipper, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur. You are paying for transport between several island stops, not just a short harbor cruise.

The extra docking fee changes the final calculation. Adults pay €10, and children up to 11 pay €5. You should bring cash for this charge. Even with that addition, the outing remains reasonably priced for four hours with several swim locations and equipment included.

The value is best for people who would otherwise need to arrange their own boat rental, snorkeling gear, and island transport. It is less compelling if you want a long beach day at one location, since the boat keeps moving and the breaks are limited.

The group format also helps keep the cost down. You should not expect the silence or control of a private charter, but the small-group feeling can still be quite personal. Several outings have felt more like a day on the water with friendly acquaintances than a formal excursion.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who want a half-day away from Zadar. It is especially good for you if clear water, island scenery, and a relaxed pace matter more than structured sightseeing.

The trip also suits a bachelorette group or a small celebration. Music, drinks, swimming, and sunset timing give it a social feel without turning it into a loud party boat.

You do need to be comfortable around water. The boat carries life jackets and snorkeling equipment, but the main activities are swimming and snorkeling. Children under 2 are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old.

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. Sun protection is important, and water shoes make rocky shorelines easier. Bikes are not allowed on the activity.

What to know about the guides

The listed skippers are Sara and Lovro, while Tomislav and Dubravko are also named in connection with departures. You may therefore meet different members of the crew depending on the day.

The crew style is one of the trip’s strongest features. Tomislav is described as accommodating and friendly, and he has offered a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Dubravko has been praised for being welcoming and for giving useful suggestions about places to visit and eat in the Zadar area.

The crew may also explain sea life. One captain is a maritime biologist, which can add useful context when you are looking at fish, rocks, or smaller creatures through the snorkeling mask. That level of explanation may depend on which skipper leads your trip.

I would ask questions as you go. This is a good setting to learn about the bays and sea life because the group is small enough for direct conversation. Just keep in mind that the focus remains on enjoying the water, not on a long formal lecture.

How this compares with a private boat day

A private charter gives you more control over the route, timing, and length of each swim. It can also suit a group that wants to avoid sharing the boat with other people.

This group trip wins on cost and simplicity. For $31, you get a skipper, equipment, several locations, drinks, and a clear four-hour plan. You do not need to navigate, arrange multiple transfers, or work out where snorkeling is best.

The trade-off is fixed timing. You will need to leave Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko when the schedule says so, even if you have just found a particularly nice patch of water. For most people, the variety is worth that compromise.

Booking and cancellation details

You can reserve the tour and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans are still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

English is the listed tour language. The meeting and return point is Obala kneza Branimira 16, near a gas station. Bring cash for the docking charge, and check the selected departure time carefully, especially if you want the sunset return.

Should you book this Zadar island tour?

Book it if your ideal half-day includes clear Adriatic water, three snorkeling opportunities, quick island transfers, and a friendly crew that adds drinks and local touches. The afternoon option is my pick for cooler swimming and sunset light, while the morning departure is better for fitting another activity into your day.

Skip it if you want a long, quiet stay on one beach or a detailed tour of island history and villages. The schedule moves between stops, and the experience is built around the sea.

For most visitors with limited time in Zadar, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see more of the islands without paying private-charter prices. Just budget for the docking fee, pack water shoes, and expect the best moments to happen in the water rather than on land.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours. Morning departures return to Zadar around midday, while afternoon departures can finish around sunset. Check the available starting times when booking.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko. The boat also cruises around the nearby waters of Zadar County during the transfers.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included in the tour price. You should bring a towel and water shoes.

What drinks are included?

Water and iced tea are included, along with homemade liqueur. The crew also provides alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink options.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. The docking fee is €10 for adults and €5 for children up to 11 years old. Bring cash to pay it separately.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour also allows you to reserve now and pay later.