Private Island Hopping Boat tour around Zadar with Drinks

Zadar’s best coastal moments often happen away from the city waterfront, and this private boat trip gives you four hours to find them at your own pace. You can swim from the boat, snorkel in clear water, walk around Ugljan, or simply let the skipper shape the route around your group.

I like the private boat and the freedom it gives you. I also like the practical touches: refreshments are available onboard, snorkeling gear is included, and you can bring your own food and swimming gear. The main consideration is the extra €20 docking fee per boat, paid in cash before departure, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Key points at a glance

• Two island stops: Spend time at a quiet swimming and snorkeling spot, then explore Ugljan Island.
• Private group of up to seven: You share the boat only with your own family or friends.
• Flexible four-hour route: Ask for more swimming, a walk, photo stops, or a boat jump.
• English-speaking local skipper: Marino is one guide named in the booking information, and the skipper may adjust the outing to your wishes.
• Useful onboard equipment: Refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets are available.
• Budget for the dock: Add €20 per boat in cash for docking fees, plus any food you want to bring.

Why a private boat makes sense around Zadar

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where every minute is set in advance. You leave Foša in Zadar and travel by boat toward two island areas, with the skipper adjusting the day to your group’s interests and the conditions on the water.

That flexibility matters. A family with young swimmers may want a longer stop in calm water. A group of friends may prefer swimming, snorkeling, and jumping from the boat. You can also ask for time to walk around Ugljan or stop for photographs.

The boat holds up to seven people, so the $235 price is best understood as a group rate. Split among seven, it works out to about $34 per person before the docking fee. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but you are paying for a private outing rather than a seat on a crowded shared boat.

I would choose this trip when your group values time and control more than a low headline price. You are not buying a long list of formal sights. You are paying for access to the coast, a local skipper, and the ability to set the rhythm yourself.

Starting at Foša, behind the Tornado sign

The meeting point is at the back of Restaurant Foša, beside the Tornado sign. Arrive ten minutes before departure, since finding the correct side of the restaurant is easier before the boat is due to leave.

The location is central to the outing, but do not rely on simply seeing a boat from the restaurant entrance. The instructions specifically place you behind the restaurant. If you are carrying towels, food, or snorkeling gear of your own, this is the time to keep everything together and easy to carry.

The tour lasts four hours, though the exact departure time depends on availability. Since it is a private group, you have a better chance of choosing a start that fits your day than you would with a large scheduled cruise.

The first 30 minutes: leaving Zadar by water

The opening boat ride takes about 30 minutes. This is more than a transfer from point to point. It gives you time to settle in, watch Zadar recede, and get a feel for the Adriatic from a low seat on the water.

The skipper is your guide during the ride and throughout the stops. English is the stated tour language, and the trip is built around conversation rather than a formal lecture. Marino, named in the booking information, has been especially noted for sharing interesting details about the islands and keeping the ride friendly.

Bring a light layer if you tend to feel cool on a moving boat, though the supplied information does not specify the boat’s shade or seating arrangement. The important practical point is to protect anything you do not want splashed, especially phones and cameras.

The first island stop: swimming and snorkeling away from crowds

The first stop lasts about 80 minutes and is planned as a quieter coastal break. You can swim, snorkel, relax, and take in the scenery while the skipper offers guidance and welcome refreshments.

This is likely to be the most unstructured part of the tour, in a good way. You do not need to rush from one sight to the next. If the water appeals to you, use the time for a proper swim. If you would rather stay dry, you can remain onboard and enjoy the setting.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. Life jackets are also available, so ask the skipper if you want one. The trip permits supervised jumping from the boat, giving active swimmers another option, but you should follow the skipper’s instructions before leaving the boat.

The term hidden stop should not be taken as a promise of total solitude. It means the route aims to reach places away from the main tourist areas. Conditions, timing, and the skipper’s judgment will shape the exact location.

You can bring food, but food itself is not included. Refreshments are available onboard, yet you should pack a meal or snacks if four hours on the water will make you hungry. A sealed bottle or small soft bag is more practical than anything difficult to manage on a moving boat.

The second 30-minute ride: time to enjoy the coast

After the first swim, you return to the boat for another roughly 30-minute water journey. This break gives you time to dry off, chat with your group, and enjoy the open view before reaching Ugljan.

The boat rides are part of the appeal, especially for anyone who finds a full day of organized sightseeing tiring. You are not constantly getting on and off. The four-hour plan has a clear shape: travel, swim, travel, explore, then return.

At the same time, a private boat trip is weather-dependent in a practical sense, even though no specific weather policy is provided. If you are booking during a cooler period, keep expectations focused on the coastal outing rather than a guaranteed long swim. One April booking was praised for its route and organization, while an October booking also received a strong recommendation, showing that the tour is offered beyond the main summer months.

Ugljan Island: a walk, a swim, and a more settled stop

The Ugljan stop lasts about 90 minutes. Here you have time for a guided look around, photographs, a walk, and another chance to swim.

Ugljan gives the tour a useful change of pace. The first stop is mainly about the water. This one lets you put your feet on land and see a little of island life. Preko, a small town on Ugljan, was singled out as attractive and authentic in the supplied feedback, so ask whether your route includes time there if that is one of your priorities.

Do not expect a long island tour in 90 minutes. You have enough time for a short walk and photographs, but not for a broad survey of Ugljan. That limit is part of the trade-off: this is a coastal sampler with two island stops, not a full island day.

I like the balance here. You get swimming and snorkeling without giving up the chance to see a real island settlement. If you prefer photographs to walking, the skipper can point out scenic viewpoints and photo spots. One group even caught sunset during its trip, but that should be treated as a happy result of timing, not a guaranteed feature.

Returning to Foša after four hours

The final boat ride returns you to Foša in about 30 minutes. The full route adds up to roughly four hours, with the exact emphasis shaped by your group and the skipper.

That makes this a manageable half-day activity. You can fit it around other Zadar plans without giving up an entire day, though you should avoid scheduling something immediately afterward if you want room for delays or a slower return.

The private format also makes the end of the trip easier for mixed groups. Swimmers can use the water stops fully, while others can spend more time taking photos or walking. You do not have to match the preferences of strangers on the boat.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper is not just handling the boat. The tour promises a local English-speaking guide who can explain the islands, help with the route, and supervise water activities.

That personal element is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A good skipper can help you find the right balance between swimming, exploring, and relaxing. Marino was praised for being talkative, pleasant, and interesting when discussing the islands, while another booking described the guide as particularly helpful with photo spots and scenic viewpoints.

The information does not promise a formal historical tour, so book this for local orientation and practical guidance rather than a museum-style lesson. The best conversations may happen naturally while you are moving between stops.

Price, refreshments, and the real cost

The listed price is $235 for a private group of up to seven. There is also a €20 docking fee per boat, paid in cash upon arrival before the tour. That fee is separate from the advertised price, so include it in your planning.

For seven people, the total is roughly $34 per person, plus a small share of the docking fee. For four people, it is about $59 each before that fee. For two people, the private format becomes much more expensive per person, though some couples may still prefer privacy and flexibility.

Refreshments are available onboard, but food is not included. You can bring your own meal and any swimming equipment you need. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are provided, which keeps the packing list fairly simple.

In value terms, the strongest deal is for a family or friend group close to the seven-person limit. You get a private skipper, two island areas, swimming time, snorkeling, refreshments, and a flexible route in four hours. The value is weaker if you mainly want a cheap boat ride or would rather spend a full day exploring Ugljan.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to families and friends who want a shared day with room to make decisions as they go. It suits people who enjoy swimming but do not want the whole activity to be about water sports.

It is also a good fit for photographers. The skipper can help with scenic viewpoints and photo stops, and the changing views between Zadar and the islands give you several chances to use your camera.

Choose carefully if you need step-free access, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable boarding a boat, moving between water and shore, and managing your own belongings during swimming stops.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed, tightly scripted sightseeing program. The freedom is the point, but it also means the final route is not fixed in the same way as a standard city tour.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans open. Starting times depend on availability, so check them before choosing your day.

The tour operates as a private group with an English-speaking guide. Meet at the back of Restaurant Foša by the Tornado sign ten minutes early, and carry cash for the €20 docking fee.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and any food you want. You may also bring your own swimming gear, though snorkeling equipment is already onboard. Ask for a life jacket if you need one.

Should you book the Zadar island boat tour?

Book this tour if you want a relaxed private outing with real choice built into the day. The strongest combination is the 80-minute swimming and snorkeling stop, followed by about 90 minutes on Ugljan, where you can walk, take photographs, and possibly see Preko.

I would especially choose it for a group of six or seven, since the price makes more sense when shared. Skip it if you want a low-cost shared cruise, a full-day island visit, or wheelchair-friendly access.

For the right group, this is a smart four-hour escape from Zadar: simple, personal, and focused on the coast rather than a packed schedule.

FAQ

How long does the private island tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides, swimming and snorkeling stop, Ugljan visit, and return to Foša.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at the back of Restaurant Foša, by the Tornado sign. You should arrive ten minutes before departure.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour includes two island areas of the Adriatic, with one stop for swimming and snorkeling and another stop on Ugljan Island in Zadar County.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included onboard.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available onboard, and you can ask the skipper for one.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you may bring your own food. Refreshments are available onboard.

Is there an extra docking charge?

Yes. A €20 docking fee applies per boat. It must be paid in cash upon arrival before the tour.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.