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 the Adriatic opens into bright water, small islands, and quiet coves. I like the mix of open-water swimming and island time, rather than spending four hours only on the boat. I also like the small group, capped at 10 people, which makes it easier to talk with the skipper and adjust the pace.

The main drawback is simple: this is an open speedboat, not a shaded ferry. On a windy day, spray can reach you, and there is no toilet on board. You will also pay a separate 10 EUR docking fee in cash, so arrive prepared.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: Swim and snorkel in a quiet bay, walk around tiny Ošljak, then enjoy cafés and shops in Preko.
• A real speedboat ride: The crossing is quick and scenic, but rough water can mean spray and a bouncy ride.
• Good small-group size: Boats carry no more than 10 participants, with one of three boats assigned to your departure.
• Helpful skippers: Jure, Josip, Željko, Gelico, Matte, and other local guides are praised for being friendly, careful, and flexible.
• Drinks are included: You get bottled water, iced tea, and one beer per person, with cold drinks available during the outing.
• Plan for the practical limits: Bring a towel and dry clothes, use the bathroom before boarding, and carry 10 EUR in cash for docking.

Leaving Zadar behind in a fast, open boat

The meeting point is on the waterfront opposite Zadar’s city walls, behind Restaurant Foša on Ulica kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. It is a central spot, but the boarding area can be a little confusing. If you are unsure, take a photo of where you are standing and send it to the operator on WhatsApp.

Once aboard, you have about 15 minutes of cruising before the first stop. The boat gives you a fine view back toward Zadar and the coastline, while the short crossing gets you into holiday mode quickly. This is not a slow sightseeing cruise with a long spoken history lesson. It is a practical, active outing built around water, scenery, and time on shore.

The boats are described as comfortable and well maintained, with room for up to 10 people. Since the operator has three boats, the exact vessel and skipper can vary. Guides named in the feedback include Jure, Josip, Željko, Gelico, Matte, and others. The consistent theme is attentive service: skippers check that people are comfortable, explain the route, and help manage the timing at each stop.

The speed is part of the fun, but it affects comfort. In calm weather, the ride should feel lively without taking much time from the islands. If the sea is rough, hold on and expect occasional spray. You may want to wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a change of clothes in a dry bag or other protected container.

The first stop: 50 minutes in a quiet swimming bay

After roughly 15 minutes, the boat reaches a secluded bay in the Zadar archipelago. This is the tour’s strongest stop for many people because the focus is entirely on the water. You get about 50 minutes to swim, snorkel, or simply float beside the boat.

Snorkel masks are provided, along with life vests. The water is described as exceptionally clear, and you can expect this stop to feel more peaceful than a busy city beach. Several people especially enjoyed being able to jump directly from the boat into deeper water, while others preferred swimming closer to shore.

The bay is not presented as a developed beach resort. That is exactly its appeal, but it also means you should not expect changing rooms, shops, sun loungers, or a full service area. Bring your towel, sunscreen, sun hat, and anything you need for 50 minutes in the sun.

This is a good place to use the snorkel equipment, though visibility and marine life will depend on conditions. One outing included a sea turtle sighting, but that is a lucky possibility, not something the tour promises. The reliable feature is the clear water and time to swim.

Ošljak: one hour on Croatia’s smallest inhabited island

The boat ride to Ošljak takes about 10 minutes. The island is known as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, and its appeal lies in its small scale. You are not coming here for a long list of major sights. You are coming to slow down, walk a little, look at old Dalmatian houses, and enjoy a quieter corner of the archipelago.

You have about one hour here for a visit, walk, sightseeing, or another swim. The old houses and peaceful setting give Ošljak a different feel from Preko, which is larger and better set up for cafés and shopping.

Some outings include a walk up toward old mills and viewpoints. That walk can add a welcome bit of movement after the first swim, and it gives you a broader view over the water. Still, this is not a strenuous hike, and the tour description does not promise a formal guided walk or a fixed route. Your experience will depend on the skipper’s timing and the group’s interests.

Ošljak works best if you appreciate small places and simple scenery. If you want a long beach stop with food and facilities, it may feel brief. There are no detailed promises about restaurants or extensive services here, so bring what you need from the boat.

Preko: 75 minutes for coffee, a stroll, and island life

The next 15-minute speedboat ride brings you to Preko on Ugljan Island. This is the longest stop, at about 75 minutes, and it gives you the most freedom to choose how you spend your time.

You can walk along the waterfront, browse local shops, stop for coffee, buy ice cream, look for Croatian food, or swim. Preko has the most developed feel of the three stops, so it is the natural place to use a restroom. It is also your best chance to buy something rather than relying only on the drinks supplied aboard the boat.

A particularly pleasant option is a walk along the promenade followed by coffee or ice cream near the water. The village offers a glimpse of everyday island life without asking you to give up the whole day. You get enough time to stroll and stop somewhere, though not enough for a long meal, extensive shopping, and a major excursion all at once.

Galevac, a small island with a monastery, can be reached from Preko by a separate small boat. This is an optional extra, not the core boat tour. Be careful with your timing if you go. One group had trouble returning from Galevac because of confusion over the small boat’s operating hours and nearly missed the pickup. The skipper eventually came to help, but the lesson is clear: confirm the return arrangement before leaving Preko, and keep plenty of time to get back to the meeting point.

The ride back to Zadar

After Preko, the boat takes about 15 minutes to return to Zadar. You finish at the same waterfront location behind Restaurant Foša, with the city walls nearby.

The final crossing is a pleasant chance to sit back and watch the coastline. The boat ride is not simply transport between stops. It is part of the experience, especially if you enjoy the feeling of moving quickly across open water and seeing Zadar from offshore.

The full outing lasts four hours. That makes it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon, and you still have much of the day for Zadar’s old town, the Sea Organ, or a meal. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The route is attractive on its own, but the skipper can make or break a short boat trip. The strongest guides on this outing are described as warm, careful, and willing to listen. Jure is singled out for making people comfortable and offering drinks at the right moments. Josip is praised for safe handling, clear English, and extra care in rougher seas. Željko is described as friendly, informative, and good at keeping the group on schedule.

Gelico also receives strong praise for checking comfort throughout the trip and handling an awkward situation thoughtfully. Those details matter because a four-hour tour leaves little room for poor communication. You want someone who explains where to meet, tells you when to return to the boat, and notices when sea conditions change.

The guides speak English. They can point out local places and help you decide how to use your free time, but you should not book this expecting a long, formal history tour. The emphasis is on being on the water, visiting the islands, and enjoying a relaxed outing.

Drinks, equipment, and what to pack

The included drinks add real value, especially on a warm day. You receive bottled water, iced tea, and one beer per person. Cold drinks are available during the trip, and the boat also carries snorkeling masks and life vests.

You should bring:

• Beachwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• A change of clothes
• Cash, including the 10 EUR docking fee
• A small waterproof bag for phone and valuables

There is no toilet on the boat. Use the facilities before departure, then plan to use the toilet at Preko, the final island stop, if needed. This is a small point, but it matters on a four-hour trip with swimming and drinks.

Pets and bikes are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the stated weight limit is 120 kilograms. The boat has open access and swimming stops, so you should be comfortable stepping aboard and moving around without wheelchair support.

Is the 10 EUR extra fee worth it?

The listed tour price is not provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. The value comes from what is bundled into four hours: a skipper, fuel, a small group, three island stops, snorkeling equipment, life vests, water, iced tea, and beer.

Compared with arranging separate transport to the islands, this is a convenient way to combine several places in one half-day. The boat handles the crossings, and you do not have to work out public ferry schedules or organize your own swimming stop. The small group also gives you a more personal setup than a large excursion boat.

The extra 10 EUR docking fee should be part of your budget from the start. It is payable in cash before the trip, so it is not a surprise if you read the conditions carefully. I would also allow for your own spending in Preko if you want coffee, ice cream, food, or souvenirs.

This is good value if you want variety and activity in a short time. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, private charter, a full meal, a bathroom on board, or a long stay at one beach.

Who will enjoy this speedboat tour most?

I would recommend it to couples, groups of friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group, and families with children who can manage a boat and swimming stops. A 10-year-old enjoyed the trip, and the mix of speed, swimming, and island walks gives younger passengers plenty to look forward to.

It also suits anyone with only a short stay in Zadar. In four hours, you see three different island settings without giving up an entire day. The first bay provides the main swim, Ošljak offers a quiet walk, and Preko supplies cafés, shops, and a little local life.

You may want a different outing if you dislike fast boats or get uncomfortable in rough water. People who need frequent toilet access, have limited mobility, or prefer a highly structured cultural tour should also think twice. The boat can get wet in windy weather, and the tour is built around flexibility rather than a long list of guided sights.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively half-day on the Adriatic, especially if swimming and snorkeling matter as much to you as sightseeing. The quiet bay, tiny Ošljak, and more sociable Preko make a smart combination, and the included drinks remove a few small costs and hassles.

I would book it for a calm-weather day, pack dry clothes, and treat the 10 EUR docking fee as part of the price. Keep Galevac optional unless you have clearly confirmed the small boat’s return time. If you want to see several islands quickly and still have time for Zadar afterward, this is one of the more useful ways to spend an afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet on the waterfront opposite Zadar’s city walls, behind Restaurant Foša at Ulica kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. If you are unsure of the exact spot, take a photo of your location and send it to the activity provider on WhatsApp.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What islands and stops are included?

The route includes a secluded swimming and snorkeling bay, Ošljak Island, and Preko on Ugljan Island. You may also have the option to visit Galevac from Preko using a separate small boat.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkel masks and life vests are provided. The tour also includes bottled water, iced tea, and one beer per person.

Is there a toilet on the speedboat?

No. Use the bathroom before boarding. You will have access to a toilet at the final island stop, Preko.

What extra fee must I pay?

A 10 EUR docking fee per person is not included in the tour price. Pay it in cash before the tour begins.