Private Island Hopping Boat tour around Zadar with Drinks

The best thing about this Zadar boat trip is its freedom. You have four hours, your own private boat for up to seven people, and a skipper who can shape the route around swimming, snorkeling, island time, or a quiet ride along the coast. It feels more personal than a large excursion boat, with stops away from the busiest areas.

I especially like the private format and the chance to visit Ugljan, including the small town of Preko. I also like the simple extras that make a boat day easier: drinks onboard, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and permission to bring your own food and swimming equipment.

The main point to consider is the extra €20 docking fee per boat, paid in cash before departure. Food is not included, and the route is flexible rather than tightly scripted, so you should choose this trip for relaxed discovery, not a packed sightseeing checklist.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to seven people: The $235 price covers the group, not each individual, which can make it good value for families and friends.
• Two island stops: You can plan for swimming at one stop and time on Ugljan at another.
• A local skipper shapes the route: You can ask for snorkeling, a boat jump, photo stops, or more time in a place you enjoy.
• Preko adds a real island-town stop: You get time to walk, take photos, and see a more local side of the Zadar area.
• Refreshments and snorkeling gear are onboard: Food is not included, so pack a picnic if you want a full meal.
• Bring cash for the docking fee: The €20 charge applies per boat and is separate from the tour price.

Leaving Foša for a slower side of Zadar

The meeting point is behind Restaurant Foša, by the Tornado sign. You should arrive about 10 minutes early, since finding the exact spot at a waterfront restaurant can take a little time, especially if you are not familiar with Zadar’s harbor.

From here, the boat takes you away from the city and out toward the islands. The first ride is listed at about 30 minutes. That is enough time to settle in, watch Zadar recede, and talk with the skipper about how you want to use the four hours.

This is not the right outing if you want a guide delivering a long stream of formal commentary. Its appeal is the easy pace and direct contact with a local skipper. Marino is named in the feedback as a friendly, talkative skipper who explained the islands in an interesting way, though your skipper may be someone else.

The private setup matters here. On a larger boat, one swimming stop may be the only chance to get in the water. On this trip, you can tell the skipper if you want more time for swimming, a longer walk, or a quieter ride. The schedule is flexible, but the exact route still depends on conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

Your first island stop: swimming and snorkeling time

The first stop is described as a quieter coastal place where you have about 80 minutes for a break, a guided look around, swimming, snorkeling, and welcome refreshments. The precise stop is not named, which is part of the flexible nature of the excursion.

For many people, this will be the heart of the outing. You can get into clear water directly from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment provided onboard, or simply float and cool off. If you want a little more action, you can ask to jump from the boat under the skipper’s supervision.

That last detail is useful for families and friend groups, since not everyone wants the same kind of boat day. One person can snorkel, another can stay aboard with a drink, and someone else can take photos from the shore. Life jackets are available if you need one, and you should ask the skipper rather than assume one is already placed at your seat.

The snorkeling equipment is a helpful inclusion, but do not expect a full guided marine biology session. The appeal is casual access to the water. Bring your own mask or fins if you prefer a particular fit, though the supplied equipment means you do not need to buy or rent gear separately.

Pack carefully for this stop. Food is not included, but you may bring snacks or a full meal. That gives you more control than a fixed onboard menu, especially if your group has different tastes. Refreshments are available, but the information does not specify the exact drinks, so bring extra water if you know you drink a lot in the sun.

Crossing to Ugljan and the town of Preko

After the swimming stop, the boat continues toward Ugljan. The schedule allows about 1.5 hours for a break, photo stop, guided tour, walking, and possibly more swimming.

Ugljan gives the trip a useful change of pace. The first stop is about water and downtime. This one lets you put your feet on land and see how the island feels away from Zadar’s urban center. The town of Preko is specifically praised for its authentic character, and it can be a pleasant place to walk without turning the outing into a formal historical tour.

You should think of this as a compact island visit rather than a full exploration of Ugljan. Ninety minutes passes quickly once you include getting off the boat, walking, taking photos, and perhaps stopping for a swim. If your group wants a long meal or a serious island hike, this tour will not provide enough time.

The skipper can help point out photo spots and scenic viewpoints. One account describes the guide arranging a well-planned route and helping the group catch a sunset, although sunset timing will depend on your departure time and the day’s schedule. If photography matters to you, ask about the best viewpoints at the start of the trip rather than waiting until the last few minutes.

Preko is also a good reason to choose this tour over a trip that only circles the coast. You get a glimpse of island life, not just a succession of swimming stops. Still, the tour’s focus remains relaxed coastal time, so the commentary and walking portion may be fairly light.

A flexible route, with limits worth understanding

The operator allows up to two main stops, one for swimming and one for exploring Ugljan. You can also ask for a boat jump, photo stop, or a different balance between shore time and water time.

That flexibility is valuable when your group includes mixed ages and interests. A family may want a short walk and a long swim. Friends may prefer snorkeling and jumping from the boat. A couple may care most about quiet scenery and photographs. A private boat can respond to those preferences far better than a fixed group schedule.

There is a practical limit, however. Four hours is not a blank cheque for unlimited stops. The trip includes the ride out, the ride between stops, time at two locations, and the return to Foša. The listed schedule shows three boat rides of roughly 30 minutes each, though one timing entry appears inconsistent. I would confirm the exact timing with the provider before departure if you need to plan around another activity.

The flexibility also means the day is not fully predictable. That is usually a benefit, but you should be comfortable with a plan that changes with weather, sea conditions, and the skipper’s advice. You are booking a private coastal outing, not a tightly controlled sightseeing program.

What the $235 group price really means

At $235 for up to seven people, the price works out to about $34 per person if the boat is full, before the €20 docking fee. A group of four would pay about $59 per person, and a couple would pay the full group price between them.

That makes the trip most attractive for a family or group of friends. You are paying for privacy, a local skipper, a four-hour boat, island access, refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and the ability to shape the route. A solo visitor or couple may find the total less attractive than a shared boat excursion, but the private setting can still be worth it if privacy is your priority.

Remember to add the €20 docking fee per boat. It must be paid in cash upon arrival before the tour. This is easy to overlook because it is not included in the advertised price. Food is another extra, so plan on buying or packing what you want to eat.

The value improves if you use the tour’s flexibility. If you simply stay on the boat for a short ride and return early, you are not getting the full benefit. If you enjoy a swim, snorkel, island walk, and relaxed time with your own group, the four hours are easier to justify.

Drinks, equipment, and what to bring

Refreshments are available onboard, which is convenient during a warm day on the water. The exact selection is not provided, so I would not treat this as a substitute for bringing your own preferred drinks.

You can bring food, and you should if you expect to be hungry. A small picnic makes sense, especially if your group wants to avoid spending limited island time searching for a meal. Bring swimming gear, a towel, sunscreen, and a phone or camera with a secure case if you want photos from the boat.

Snorkeling gear is included, and life jackets are available. You can ask the skipper for a life jacket if you need one. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the boat setting may be difficult for anyone who needs fully step-free access.

Because the tour includes swimming and walking, wear something that works for both. Shoes with a secure sole are more useful than loose sandals if you plan to walk around Ugljan or move around the boat.

Why the skipper makes the difference

A private boat outing depends heavily on the person at the helm. The skipper controls the route, explains the places you visit, supervises boat jumping, and helps decide how much time you spend in the water or on shore.

The strongest feedback points to friendly, attentive skippers. Marino is singled out for being talkative and interesting when explaining the islands. Other comments praise the captain’s willingness to follow the group’s wishes, as well as smooth planning and helpful photo stops.

That combination is more important than a long list of formal attractions. You are not visiting a museum with a fixed display. You are relying on local judgment to find a pleasant swimming place, set a comfortable pace, and make the most of changing light and sea conditions.

English is the listed tour language. If you want a particular experience, be clear at the start. Ask for more snorkeling, more walking, a quieter stop, or time in Preko. The skipper can only shape the outing around your wishes if you explain them early.

Who will enjoy this four-hour island trip

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

• Families who want control over the pace
• Friends sharing the $235 group price
• Couples who value a private boat more than a low per-person rate
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers
• Photographers looking for coastal views and flexible stop times
• People who prefer a local island town over a large organized excursion

You may want another option if you dislike boats, need wheelchair access, want a full meal included, or prefer a detailed historical tour with a fixed schedule. The walking on Ugljan is a pleasant part of the outing, but it is not presented as a long hike or a major cultural tour.

The tour also suits an arrival day or a lighter afternoon. Four hours is long enough to feel like a proper coastal excursion without taking the entire day. If you book a later departure, ask whether sunset timing fits the route, since one particularly good experience included catching the evening light.

Booking details and small practical points

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

The meeting point is behind Restaurant Foša, next to the Tornado sign. Arrive 10 minutes early. Bring cash for the €20 docking fee, and do not assume food is included.

The tour is for a private group, with English as the listed language. The advertised rating is 5 out of 5 from six ratings, with praise focused on the friendly skipper, comfortable boat, good organization, snorkeling opportunities, Preko, and scenic photo stops.

Should you book this Zadar boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing day on the water and your group can share the cost. The strongest reasons are the adjustable route, the chance to swim and snorkel from the boat, and the stop in Preko on Ugljan. You can enjoy the coast without being tied to a large group’s timetable.

Think twice if you want a cheap individual ticket, a full meal, wheelchair access, or a packed program of landmarks. For a family or group of friends, though, the price can be fair, especially when you use all four hours and make the route your own.

FAQ

How long is the private island tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides, island stops, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and the return to Foša.

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is behind Restaurant Foša in Zadar, by the Tornado sign. You should arrive 10 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 Adriatic islands near Zadar. One stop is used for swimming and snorkeling, while the other is on Ugljan, with time to visit the area around Preko.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available onboard, and life jackets are also available if you need one.

Is food included in the price?

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

Is there an extra fee?

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