Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić Islands Private Boat Tour

Ošljak is the star of this trip: Croatia’s smallest inhabited island, a car-free patch of pine shade, old stone buildings, olive groves and clear water just a short ride from Zadar. You get three island settings in four hours, not one long stop with a rushed photo break.

I like the mix of swimming and small-scale island history, especially the old olive press, 19th-century windmills and little church on Ošljak. I also like the private format, which gives your group a better chance to pause at a cove or swim when the skipper finds a good spot.

The main drawback is time. Four hours passes quickly, and the optional restaurant stop is not included in the price. The sea can also feel cold outside the hottest part of summer, so bring a towel and a warm layer for the boat ride back.

Key points at a glance

• Ošljak’s car-free character: Walk quiet paths beneath pine trees on Croatia’s smallest inhabited island.
• Three island stops: Swim and snorkel around Ošljak, Školjić and Ugljan rather than staying in one bay.
• Private speedboat: The boat and skipper are reserved for your group of up to two people.
• Old island details: Look for windmills, a small church said to date from the 5th or 6th century, and an olive oil press.
• Local food option: Finish with a snack and perhaps local wine at a fisherman’s restaurant on Ugljan, at your own cost.
• Flexible departure times: Morning and midday trips are available, while the afternoon option includes sunset from the boat.

Why this four-hour island trip works from Zadar

Zadar is a good launch point for a short Adriatic outing because the islands begin close to the city. You meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc, then board a speedboat for the ride out.

The boat journey takes about 25 minutes at the start and about 35 minutes on the return. That leaves roughly three hours among the islands, enough for several stops but not enough for a slow, full-day island tour.

That timing suits you if you want a taste of the Zadar archipelago without giving up an entire day. I would choose it between city sightseeing plans, especially if you want an active afternoon after visiting Zadar’s old town.

The private setup matters here. With a group of up to two, you are not sharing the day with a large boatload of people or waiting while other passengers make decisions. The skipper can still follow the planned route, but the small group makes swimming breaks feel less mechanical.

The boat received a perfect transport score from 86 percent of people who rated it, and the boat is described as fast and clean. That is useful on a short trip, since slow transfers would take too much time away from the islands.

Ošljak, the quiet first stop

Ošljak gives this outing its strongest sense of place. It is car-free and sparsely populated, so the visit is about walking, shade and small historical details rather than shops or a long list of sights.

You can stroll among olive groves and search for an old olive oil press. That simple feature helps explain how island communities once used the land around them. It is not a polished museum visit. You are seeing traces of working island life in their original setting.

The island also has 19th-century windmills and a small church said to date from the 5th or 6th century. The church claim is interesting, but keep your expectations modest. This is a small settlement, not a major archaeological site with extensive displays.

The best part of Ošljak may be the time near the water. Pine trees provide shade, and you can settle on a secluded beach before swimming or putting on the supplied mask for snorkeling. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat and waterproof shoes, since the trip is built around moving between shore and boat.

A car-free island also changes the sound of the place. You are not crossing busy roads or walking through a resort strip. The charm comes from the quiet paths, the trees and the short distance between village, beach and boat.

Swimming and snorkeling at three islands

This is not just a sightseeing cruise. The day includes swimming and snorkeling around three islands, with time for marine-life viewing and several water stops.

Ošljak is the most developed stop in terms of the listed sights, while Školjić offers another small-island pause near its pier and sandy beach. Ugljan gives the outing a wider village setting and the chance to end with food.

The equipment is basic but useful: diving masks and lifejackets are included. You should bring swimwear, a beach towel, waterproof shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. Your own drinks and snacks are also recommended.

Water conditions can shape the experience. One spring visitor found the water very cold, so do not assume that a sunny day means comfortable swimming. If you are sensitive to cold water, plan to enjoy the boat ride, beach and walks as much as the snorkeling.

The boat allows several stops, but the exact number and length can vary. One August trip managed four snorkeling stops, while another afternoon outing included a lovely cove and two further stops. That tells you what the private format can offer, but it also explains why you should not expect a fixed set of identical swim locations every time.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, tell the skipper at the start. The tour description promises opportunities at all three islands, but the final choice of coves depends on the day’s conditions and timing.

Školjić and its Franciscan connection

Školjić is the smallest-feeling stop on the route. After arriving by boat, you can walk toward the Franciscan monastery, then visit its museum.

The museum contains a copy of the Holy Bible from the 15th century. That gives the visit a cultural purpose beyond swimming, though the stop remains compact and should not be confused with a long monastery tour.

You can also relax near the pier or use a sandy beach with shallow, clear water. That makes Školjić a practical place for a quieter swim, especially for people who prefer to ease into the water rather than jump straight into a deep cove.

Families should note that children aged three and older can take part. Still, the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or back problems. A speedboat ride can be jolting, and the day includes moving between boat, shore and walking areas.

The monastery and museum are best viewed as a short cultural stop within an outdoor trip. If you want several hours of church art and formal history, this is not the right outing. If you like adding one unusual historical detail to a swim day, Školjić fits well.

Ugljan village life and the optional meal

Ugljan brings the trip back to everyday island life. Instead of stopping only for a beach, you head toward one of the island’s villages and can eat at a local fisherman’s restaurant.

The snack is optional and not part of the tour price. You should bring money for food and drinks, and you may want to confirm the timing with the skipper so the meal does not reduce your swimming or walking time.

This is one of the most appealing parts of the route because it connects the sea with the people who work around it. You can try local food, taste local wine and walk through the village rather than spending the whole day at a resort-style beach.

Do not treat the restaurant visit as a guaranteed included tasting menu. The supplied information only promises the chance to enjoy a snack at your own expense. Food preferences, opening times and the length of the stop are not specified, so keep the meal flexible.

For a short trip, that flexibility is useful. You can have a quick bite and return to the water, or spend a little longer walking through the village and taking in the atmosphere. Just remember that every extra restaurant minute comes out of a four-hour schedule.

A speedboat ride with a personal feel

The transport is part of the fun, but it is also the part you should assess honestly. The speedboat cuts across the Adriatic quickly, which lets you reach the islands and fit in several stops. It can also feel brisk and exposed compared with a large sightseeing boat.

A professional skipper and English-speaking guide accompany the group. Toni is named in one account as a friendly skipper who showed the group several beautiful spots. You should not assume Toni will operate every departure, but the name gives you a sense of the personal style associated with the service.

The guide explains the island settlements and points out sights along the way. Since the tour has no large group, you can ask questions without trying to attract attention over a crowd.

The boat is covered by insurance, fuel and rental costs, and lifejackets are supplied. You do not need to arrange those basics separately. You do need to bring the personal beach items that make a half-day on the water comfortable.

The speed and open-air setting are less suitable if you have back problems. The tour also requires enough mobility to board the boat and move around beaches, piers and village paths. Those limits are important, particularly if you are booking for an older family member.

Morning, midday or sunset timing

You can choose a morning, midday or afternoon departure, subject to availability. Each timing gives the same general route a different feel.

A morning trip leaves more of the day free for Zadar. It may also appeal if you prefer your main swimming time before the strongest afternoon sun.

A midday departure puts the boat and beaches at the center of your day. Bring plenty of sun protection, since the itinerary includes open water, beaches and walking among the islands.

The afternoon option includes watching the sunset from the boat. That is the most atmospheric choice, though you should think about the sea temperature on the return and bring an extra layer if you tend to get chilled.

The four-hour length makes this easy to fit around other plans, but it also creates the trip’s clearest limitation. One person who enjoyed the outing wished they had booked a full-day version because the four hours went so quickly. If you want leisurely meals, long swims and several unhurried beaches, search for a longer boat trip instead.

Is $294 good value for two people?

The listed price is $294 for a private group of up to two people. For two, that works out to $147 per person, though the price should be checked at booking because rates can change.

That is more than a shared boat excursion, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for a private boat, skipper, guide, fuel, insurance, lifejackets and snorkeling masks. The ability to travel as your own small group is the main value.

I would consider it good value for a couple who wants privacy, speed and several swim stops. It is less compelling if you mainly want a cheap ride to one beach or if you are happy to spend a full day on a large boat.

The optional food cost keeps the base price from covering everything. Bring your own drinks and snacks if you want to control spending, then decide at Ugljan if the fisherman’s restaurant fits your budget and schedule.

The high overall rating of 4.8 from 44 ratings supports the idea that the trip delivers what it promises: a clean, fast boat, pleasant island stops and a friendly skipper. The less positive details are useful too. Four hours can feel short, and cold water can limit swimming outside summer.

What to pack for the islands

Pack as if you are spending a half-day at the beach and on an open boat.

• Swimwear and a beach towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Waterproof shoes for shore access and rocky areas
• Drinks and snacks
• A light extra layer for the return ride, especially on an afternoon trip

Lifejackets and masks are supplied. Boat rental, fuel and insurance are also included.

You will want to keep your luggage small. The information does not specify storage space, so a compact beach bag is the sensible choice. Do not arrive expecting to buy every basic item at the islands.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is helpful when your Zadar plans depend on weather, but you still need to check the available departure time before booking.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it most to couples, parents with children aged three or older, and anyone who wants an active half-day away from Zadar. It suits people who enjoy swimming, short walks, small settlements and local food more than formal sightseeing.

The trip is also a strong choice if you value privacy. A private boat for two lets you avoid a crowded deck and makes the stops feel more personal.

You may want another option if you have back or mobility problems, dislike speedboat motion, or want a full day on the water. It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed long restaurant meal or a fixed number of snorkeling locations.

Should you book the Ošljak, Školjić and Ugljan tour?

Book it if you want three islands in one compact outing, with real time for swimming, a few unusual historical sights and the chance to eat in a fishing village. Ošljak provides the quietest sense of place, Školjić adds the monastery and shallow beach, and Ugljan gives you a taste of village life.

Choose the afternoon departure for sunset, or go in the morning if you want to keep the rest of your day open. Pack for cold water as well as hot sun, and remember that the restaurant stop costs extra.

The best reason to book is the private speedboat format. The main reason to hesitate is the short schedule. If you accept those limits, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see the islands just beyond Zadar without committing your whole day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours. The outbound speedboat ride takes around 25 minutes, and the return ride takes around 35 minutes.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The boat is reserved for a private group of up to two people.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling stops at the islands. Diving masks and lifejackets are supplied.

Is food included in the price?

No. A snack at a fisherman’s restaurant on Ugljan is optional and costs extra. You should also bring your own drinks and snacks.

What languages are available?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and older can take part. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.