half day group speedboat tour of the islands around Zadar

A four-hour speedboat trip gives you a quick, pleasant way to leave Zadar behind and reach the islands of Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko. You spend much of the time in clear water, stopping to swim and snorkel rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next.

I like the three swimming areas, which give you a better chance to see small fish and underwater rocks, and I like the easygoing personal touch: cold drinks, homemade liqueur, music, and skippers who may take photos for you. The main consideration is that this is an active boat outing, not a quiet sightseeing cruise. You need to handle swimming, boarding, sun, and wind comfortably.

Quick reasons to consider this trip

• Three chances to swim and snorkel: You are not limited to one crowded beach stop.
• Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko: The route combines small-island scenery, a village visit, and open-water time.
• A social speedboat atmosphere: Music, drinks, and friendly skippers make the ride feel relaxed rather than formal.
• Morning or afternoon departures: Morning trips return around midday, while later trips can finish with sunset views.
• Snorkeling gear included: Masks and snorkels are provided, so you do not need to pack your own.
• Good price for a half-day on the water: At $31 per person, the tour offers several stops and refreshments, though adults also pay a €10 docking fee.

Leaving Zadar by speedboat

The meeting point is at Obala kneza Branimira 16, near a gas station. That location is practical rather than picturesque, so allow a little time to find the exact departure area and arrive ready to board.

Once the boat leaves, the first ride takes about 20 minutes. A speedboat makes the nearby islands feel pleasantly close. You get open views of the water and the coast without spending half the day in transit.

This is a group trip, but the tone seems intended to be friendly and informal. Skippers named Sara and Lovro lead the advertised experience, while other departures have been handled by Tomislav and Dubravko. The guide can vary, but the useful pattern is clear: you can expect an English-speaking skipper who handles the boat, points out places to stop, and helps set the pace.

The boat is equipped with life jackets, and snorkeling equipment is supplied. Water and iced tea are included, along with homemade liqueur for those who want an alcoholic drink. Bring cash for the docking charge, plus a hat, towel, and water shoes.

Ošljak: the first hour in the sea

The first major stop is Ošljak, where you have about an hour for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. Ošljak is a small island near Ugljan, and this stop works well as an introduction to the day because you can get into the water soon after leaving Zadar.

The sea is the star here. The water is described as clear enough to see fish and underwater rocks, making a mask and snorkel worthwhile even if you are not an experienced swimmer. You might also prefer to float, sunbathe, or simply sit on the boat and enjoy the setting.

I like the flexibility of this stop. You are not pushed into a formal activity or required to follow a long walking route. If snorkeling is your priority, use the time in the water. If you prefer a slower start, you can stay aboard or take a short look around the island.

A practical point: an hour passes quickly when a group is getting in and out of the boat. Have your towel, shoes, and mask ready before the skipper announces the stop. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky Adriatic shores, where a sandy beach should not be assumed.

Ugljan: a short cruise and another swim

After Ošljak, the boat makes a roughly 15-minute cruise toward Ugljan. This short ride gives you time to dry off, take photos, or enjoy a drink before the next stop.

The Ugljan portion includes about an hour for photos, sightseeing, an aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling. The appeal is the mix of activities. You can spend part of the hour in the sea and part of it relaxing with a cold drink, rather than treating every stop as a race to cover ground.

The snorkeling itself is simple but rewarding. The area can reveal small fish, rocks, and other ordinary Adriatic sea life. One guide has a maritime biology background, which can add useful context if you want to ask about what you see. Do not expect a full nature lecture, but the setting offers more than a quick swim if you show some curiosity.

The homemade liqueur is one of the tour’s more distinctive touches. It is served as an optional aperitif, and one flavor was compared to cherry Bakewell. That detail may not matter to everyone, but it helps explain the character of this outing: it is not a bare-bones transfer between islands.

You will also hear about nonalcoholic options. Water and iced tea are included, so you can enjoy the boat without drinking alcohol. Since the tour involves sun and swimming, keep drinking water even if you accept the liqueur.

Preko: your longest island stop

The boat then takes about 15 minutes to Preko, where you have approximately 70 minutes. This is the longest stop and the best chance to get off the boat, walk around, take photos, and choose your own pace.

Preko gives the itinerary a little more variety. The earlier stops focus mainly on the sea, while this one allows for free time and a closer look at the island setting. You can swim and snorkel again, take a walk, or simply sit by the water.

The exact feel of the stop depends on the timing and the skipper’s plan. An afternoon departure may make this the most comfortable swimming period, since the heat can be less intense than in the middle of the day. The later tour also returns during sunset, which adds a pleasant finish to the ride back.

Do not treat Preko as a full island tour. Seventy minutes is enough for a taste, not a detailed visit. If you want museums, long walks, or a full day on Ugljan, this trip is too short. If you want a compact island break with swimming built in, the stop makes good sense.

Choosing between morning and afternoon

The morning tour returns to Zadar around midday. This is useful if you want an early swim and still hope to have the afternoon for Zadar’s old town, a meal, or another activity.

The afternoon trip finishes with sunset on the return journey. Several details make that timing appealing: the air may feel cooler, the light is softer for photographs, and swimming can be more comfortable after the strongest heat has passed. The tradeoff is that you lose most of the afternoon for other plans.

If you care most about underwater visibility and having the rest of the day free, choose the morning. If you want the most atmospheric boat ride and do not mind returning later, choose the afternoon.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before planning dinner or another timed activity in Zadar.

What makes the price good value

The advertised price is $31 per person. That is a reasonable amount for four hours on the water, especially since the fare includes the boat, skipper, life jacket, snorkeling gear, water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur.

There is one extra cost to keep in mind. Adults pay a €10 docking fee, while children up to 11 pay €5. That means you should not calculate the total from the advertised fare alone.

The value comes from the number of active stops. You are not paying only for a scenic ride. You get several swimming areas, time on three islands, and an English-language guide. A private charter would give you more control, but this group outing costs much less and still has a personal, sociable feel.

The price is less attractive if you do not plan to swim or snorkel. Much of the experience is built around getting into the sea. You can still enjoy the views and boat ride, but non-swimmers will not receive the full benefit of the itinerary.

The people who make the trip work

A speedboat tour depends heavily on the skipper. The boat ride is short, the stops are close together, and the guide controls how relaxed or rushed the day feels.

Sara and Lovro are named as the skippers for this experience. Other departures have featured Tomislav and Dubravko. The supplied information points to a team that aims for a welcoming, personal style rather than a rigid lecture.

That personal approach shows in the small extras. Skippers may offer homemade drinks, suggest restaurants in the area, take photos while you are in the water, and send those pictures afterward. One afternoon trip included fresh wild peaches, and a seahorse was spotted during another outing. These details cannot be guaranteed, but they show the sort of informal local contact the trip can provide.

The tour is conducted in English. If you want to learn more about the sea life, ask questions directly. One skipper was described as a maritime biologist, so some departures may offer more detail about fish and coastal ecology than others.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack lightly, since space on a speedboat is limited. The most useful items are:

• Hat and sun protection
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Cash for the docking fee
• Swimwear
• A phone or camera that you can protect from water

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with a life jacket. You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer a personal fit.

Bikes are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 95. Those limits reflect the boat’s movement and the physical nature of boarding, swimming, and island stops.

The water may look calm from shore, but a speedboat ride still involves motion. If you are prone to seasickness, the supplied information does not mention medication or special seating, so ask the operator before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip for someone who wants a short, active taste of the Zadar islands without committing to a full day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy swimming and do not need a highly structured tour.

It is also a good fit for a special group weekend. The informal drinks, music, swimming stops, and photo help give it more of a shared outing feel than a standard transport service.

You will likely enjoy it if you want:

• Several chances to swim in clear water
• Easy snorkeling with equipment supplied
• A relaxed group setting
• A sunset ride back to Zadar
• A low-cost way to see nearby islands

I would think twice if you want a quiet, slow sailing trip, a long island walk, or a detailed cultural tour. The speedboat is designed for movement and sea time. The sightseeing is pleasant but brief, and the schedule leaves little room to linger.

Booking details worth knowing

The activity lasts four hours, and you can reserve now and pay later. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which is helpful when your Zadar plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

The tour begins and ends at Obala kneza Branimira 16. It is not a one-way island transfer, so you return to the same meeting point in Zadar.

Check the available start times carefully. A morning trip and an afternoon trip offer noticeably different moods, even though the route is similar. The afternoon option is especially attractive if you want sunset on the water, while the morning option leaves more time for sightseeing afterward.

Should you book the Zadar island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want clear water, three swim stops, and a friendly half-day on the Adriatic at a modest price. The best parts are the variety of stops, the easy access to snorkeling, and the warm local touches from the skippers.

Skip it if you dislike speedboats, rarely swim, or want a full cultural tour of the islands. For everyone else, this is a practical way to add sea time to a Zadar visit without spending an entire day away. Choose the afternoon for sunset, bring water shoes and cash, and arrive ready to get wet.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Obala kneza Branimira 16 in Zadar, near a gas station.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at Obala kneza Branimira 16.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.

What drinks are included?

Water, iced tea, and homemade liqueur are included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

Is there an additional docking fee?

Yes. Adults pay €10, and children up to 11 years old pay €5.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. Swimwear is also practical for the swimming stops.

Can children and pregnant women join?

Children under two and pregnant women are not permitted on the tour. The activity is also not suitable for people over 95 years old.