Half-day speedboat trip from Zadar with drinks

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is its simple mix of open-water travel and two island stops. You leave Zadar for Preko on Ugljan Island, then continue to small Ošljak, with time for swimming and snorkeling instead of spending the whole morning in transit.

I like the practical extras: drinks and snorkeling masks are included, and the skipper can adjust the outing to suit the group. One guest specifically praised the guide for being friendly, accommodating, and willing to shape the trip around what people wanted. The main catch is the extra €10 port fee per person, which is not included in the advertised price.

• 45-minute speedboat ride: Get across the water quickly, with fuel and a professional skipper included.
• Preko for 75 minutes: Combine coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling in one stop.
• Ošljak for one hour: Finish with more time in the water at a quieter island destination.
• Drinks on board: Ice tea and beer are included, with fruit also available during the trip.
• Small-scale flexibility: The skipper may tailor the outing to the group’s wishes.
• Easy four-hour format: A good fit when you want an island taste without giving up a full day in Zadar.

A Fast Island Morning From Zadar

This trip is built for people who want to get out on the Adriatic without committing an entire day. From the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27, you board a speedboat and head away from the city for a short tour of nearby islands.

The route is compact, but it gives you three different parts of a boat day: fast travel, a village stop, and time at the water. You are not simply ferried to one beach and brought back. Preko adds a little local life, while Ošljak keeps the focus on swimming and snorkeling.

The four-hour length matters. You have enough time to feel that you left Zadar behind, yet you can still plan lunch, sightseeing, or an afternoon at the city’s waterfront. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking.

Leaving From the INA Pier

The meeting point is the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. The trip ends at the same place, which makes the outing easy to fit into a Zadar stay.

The published price is $30 per person, but the separate port charge adds €10 per person. I would treat that fee as part of the real cost when comparing this trip with other boat outings. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling equipment, ice tea, and beer are included, so you are not paying extra for the basic boat service or the listed drinks.

The information does not give a group size, boat model, or seating arrangement. That means you should not assume a private charter or a roomy yacht. You are booking a speedboat excursion with a professional skipper, and the exact feel will depend on the boat and the day’s group.

The 45-Minute Ride Across the Water

The first boat leg lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to make the ride itself part of the experience, not just a transfer. A speedboat gets you to the islands more quickly than a slower sightseeing boat, leaving more of the four-hour schedule for actual stops.

The tradeoff is comfort. Speedboats can feel lively on the water, and the trip description does not promise a covered cabin or a particular type of seating. If you prefer a calm, slow cruise, this may not be your ideal boat outing. If you like feeling the boat move and want to cover nearby islands in a short morning, the format makes sense.

Drinks are available during the trip, including ice tea and beer. Fruit is also provided according to the activity details. Keep in mind that alcohol and fast boat travel are not a great combination for everyone, so choose what suits you and the conditions.

Preko: Coffee, a Walk, and Time to Swim

Preko is the main village stop and the most varied part of the route. You have about 75 minutes there for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling. That is a useful balance for couples or mixed groups, since not everyone has to spend the whole stop in the water.

Preko gives the trip a village feel rather than making it only about beaches. You can use the time to walk around, sit for coffee, or take a swim. The schedule is not long enough for a full island visit, but it is sufficient for a brief look and a change of pace from the boat.

The 75-minute limit also calls for sensible planning. If you want coffee and a walk, you may have less time to swim. If swimming is your priority, do not let the shore activities use up the entire stop. The skipper or guide can help you understand how the time is being handled, but the listed stop remains a short visit, not an open-ended stay.

The snorkeling equipment supplied on the boat is especially useful here. You do not need to arrange a separate rental for the activity listed on the tour. Still, masks are included, while the information does not list fins, towels, or other personal beach items. Bring anything beyond the supplied mask that you know you will need.

Ošljak: One More Hour in the Water

After Preko, the boat makes a 20-minute ride to Ošljak. This shorter leg keeps the morning moving and takes you to the final stop for about one hour of swimming and snorkeling.

Ošljak is presented as the more water-focused stop. There is no scheduled coffee or village walk here, so you can use the hour for the activities that matter most on a boat trip: getting in the water, looking below the surface, and enjoying the setting from shore or the boat.

I like the way the route saves a full hour for this final stop. By this point, you have already had a village visit, so the second stop does not need another long list of activities. It gives you a clear block of time for swimming before the ride back.

The limitation is that the description does not identify the exact swimming area or explain whether you enter from the boat or shore. Conditions can also affect how comfortable snorkeling feels. You should see Ošljak as a chance for a pleasant water stop, not as a guaranteed private beach or a formal snorkeling excursion with specialist instruction.

A Skipper Who Can Adjust the Day

The trip includes a professional skipper and live guiding in English or Croatian. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect a named host to be part of the booking details.

The most useful personal touch is flexibility. The guide is described as friendly and accommodating, with the ability to tailor the outing to the group’s wishes. That could matter if some people want more time in the water while others prefer a walk or coffee. The precise amount of flexibility will depend on the schedule and conditions, but it is worth asking about your priorities early in the trip.

This is not presented as a lecture-heavy cultural tour. The emphasis is on moving between islands, enjoying the sun, and making good use of the stops. If you want detailed historical commentary, ask what guiding will be provided. If you want a relaxed boat day with room for basic local orientation, the format should suit you better.

What the Included Extras Are Worth

At $30 per person, the outing looks reasonably priced for a four-hour speedboat trip, especially with fuel and a professional skipper included. The snorkeling mask, ice tea, and beer add convenience, and fruit is available during the ride.

The €10 port fee changes the calculation. Add it before comparing prices, since it is required and not part of the advertised fare. Even with that extra charge, the trip may offer good value if you plan to swim and snorkel and would otherwise pay separately for a boat transfer or equipment.

The value is less clear for someone who mainly wants a long beach stay. You spend 45 minutes reaching the first main stop, 20 minutes moving between the islands, and another return ride to Zadar. Those boat legs are part of the fun, but they also reduce time on land. You are paying for the route and the boat experience, not just for hours on a beach.

Beer and ice tea are included, but the details do not list a full meal. Fruit is mentioned, yet I would not treat the included refreshments as lunch. Plan your food around the four-hour schedule.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most

I would recommend this outing to anyone staying in Zadar who wants a short island escape rather than a full-day cruise. The four-hour schedule works well for a morning activity, a flexible travel day, or a first taste of the nearby islands.

It is particularly suitable for:

• Couples who want a relaxed ride, coffee, and swimming
• Friends looking for a fast way to reach island water
• Families or mixed groups with different interests at Preko
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers who appreciate included masks
• Visitors who want a guide able to respond to group preferences
• Anyone who prefers booking flexibility, including reserve-now and pay-later terms

I would be more cautious if you dislike speedboats, need a long, quiet beach stay, or want a detailed cultural tour. The description does not provide a fixed group size, private-boat guarantee, or extensive historical program. Those details may matter more to you than the convenient route.

Practical Details Before You Book

The activity lasts four hours, and departure times vary. Check the available start time rather than assuming a morning departure, even though the trip is described as leaving in the morning.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Zadar plans are still shifting.

The live tour is available in English and Croatian. The meeting point and end point are both the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27.

The listed inclusions are fuel, a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment, ice tea, and beer. Fruit is also described as available during the journey. The €10 port fee per person is not included.

Bring swimwear and anything personal you need for time in the water. The supplied information does not state that towels, fins, meals, or hotel pickup are included, so do not count on those services unless confirmed separately.

Should You Book the Zadar Speedboat Trip?

Book it if you want a compact, good-value boat outing with two island stops and real time for swimming. Preko gives you coffee and a walk, Ošljak gives you another hour in the water, and the speedboat keeps the route efficient.

The strongest reason to choose it is the mix of flexibility and simplicity. A friendly skipper can adapt the outing to the group, drinks and masks are included, and you return to the same Zadar pier after four hours.

Skip it if you want a private charter, a slow cruise, a full meal, or a long beach day in one place. Also remember to add the €10 port fee to the $30 advertised price. For a short taste of Ugljan Island and Ošljak without giving up your whole day, this is an appealing choice.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts four hours.

Where does the trip start?

It starts at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

Where does the trip end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 27.

Which places does the trip visit?

The route includes Preko on Ugljan Island and Ošljak.

How long is the stop in Preko?

The stop in Preko lasts about 75 minutes and includes time for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling.

How long is the stop at Ošljak?

The Ošljak stop lasts about one hour and is scheduled for swimming and snorkeling.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Ice tea and beer are included, and fruit is available during the journey.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, including masks, is included.

Is the port fee included in the price?

No. A port fee of €10 per person is charged separately.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in English and Croatian.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking terms allow you to reserve your place and pay later.