Zadar: 3 Islands Speedboat Tour with Drinks and Diving

The best part of this Zadar outing is its mix of clear-water swimming stops and real island time. You are not stuck on a boat all afternoon. You get off to walk around Ošljak and Ugljan, with Preko offering the most developed stop for cafés, shops, and a little local life. I like the small-group feel and the fact that the crew keeps offering water, juice, and beer during the ride. The main thing to consider is that this is an open speedboat, not a roomy sightseeing vessel, so bring a hat, sun protection, and a change of clothes.

I also like the balance between active and easygoing. You can snorkel with the supplied equipment, swim at three attractive spots, or stay aboard and enjoy the coast from the shade. Guides including Dino, David, Davide, and Stella have been praised for keeping the trip relaxed and useful without crowding the schedule. There is no food or toilet on board, so plan around that before leaving Zadar.

Key points to know before you book

• Four hours from central Zadar: Meet at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, where the boat is tied to the walls.
• Three water stops: Blue Bay Otrić and two further locations allow time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Ošljak gives you an hour ashore: Use it for a quiet walk, photos, or a look around the small island.
• Preko is the most visitor-friendly stop: Expect time for walking, shopping, restaurants, and swimming.
• Small boat, personal service: Past departures have had as few as seven or eight people, though the exact group size can vary.
• Useful inclusions: Snorkeling equipment, life vests, unlimited water, a sunshade, fuel, and drinks during the ride are included.

Leaving Zadar through the Bay of Foša

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, near the waterfront. The boat will be tied to the walls, so look for the departure point along the edge rather than expecting a formal terminal building.

Once aboard, the speedboat heads through the Bay of Foša and out toward the nearby islands. The first ride takes about 20 minutes. That is enough time to settle in, take in views of Zadar’s coast, and get a feel for the boat before the first stop.

This is a good format if you have only a short stay in Zadar. You spend little time getting to the islands, then use most of the outing for swimming and shore time. A larger boat would offer more room, but it would also feel slower and less personal.

Past groups have been small, often around seven or eight people. That matters here. With fewer people aboard, it is easier to move around, ask the guide questions, and avoid the packed feeling common on large day boats. The exact number can change, so do not treat a tiny group as guaranteed.

Blue Bay Otrić starts the swimming

The first stop, Blue Bay Otrić, lasts about 45 minutes. It is mainly a water stop, giving you an early chance to swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment.

The water is the reason to bring a swimsuit under your clothes. The supplied masks and snorkels make it easy to look below the surface without hiring equipment separately. Several people have particularly enjoyed seeing fish here, so this is more than a quick photo pause.

You can also use this first stop to judge the pace of the afternoon. If you want to swim hard, this is a useful start. If you prefer to take it easy, you can stay near the boat, cool off, and save your energy for the later island walks.

Life vests are included, which is helpful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Still, this is a boat-based swimming trip, not a supervised pool activity. Follow the guide’s instructions and be realistic about your comfort in open water.

Ošljak offers a quieter hour ashore

After roughly 15 minutes by speedboat, the tour reaches the next location, described as a quieter island stop and associated with Ošljak. You get about an hour here, with time for a guided introduction followed by free time.

This is where the outing shifts from swimming to island exploration. Walk at your own pace, take photographs, or simply enjoy a slower hour away from the boat. The stop is useful because it gives you a sense of the islands as lived-in places, not only as attractive swimming areas.

Do not expect a full sightseeing program packed with monuments. The appeal is the small scale and the chance to wander without a strict group route. The guide shares information about the area, then lets you decide how to use the time.

For me, this is one of the better features of the trip. Many short boat tours rush from one photo stop to another. Here, an hour ashore gives you enough time to stretch your legs and see something beyond the water.

There is one practical limit: the tour description does not promise a long list of formal sights or a major town visit on Ošljak. Choose this stop for calm walking, views, and island atmosphere rather than extensive sightseeing.

Ugljan and Preko bring more life to the afternoon

The next boat ride takes around 15 minutes and leads to the Ugljan area. The itinerary includes time in Preko, a charming settlement with more facilities than the quieter island stops.

You get about an hour here. Use it to walk, browse shops, buy souvenirs, find a restaurant, or swim if you still have time. The stop works well because it gives you choices. Some people want a little shopping and a coffee-town feel, while others would rather stay close to the water.

Preko has been a highlight for many people on the tour, and it is easy to see why. After two more natural stops, a small town adds variety. You can get a glimpse of everyday island life instead of spending all four hours in isolated coves.

The one-hour limit requires a little planning. If you want to eat, shop, swim, and walk, you will not do all of those at a leisurely pace. Decide what matters most before you step off the boat. Since food is not included and there is no toilet on board, Preko may be the practical place to handle those needs, though the supplied information does not guarantee any particular facility or restaurant arrangement.

The final water stop completes the loop

After Preko, the boat takes about 20 minutes to reach another swimming location before returning to Zadar. This final stop gives you another chance to snorkel, swim, or sit back under the sunshade.

The timing works well for different energy levels. If you have spent the afternoon swimming, you can make this a short cool-off stop. If the earlier water was your favorite part, you get one more proper chance to get in.

Drinks are available on the return journey, with water included throughout and beer or juice offered during the trip according to the information provided by past passengers. This is a small touch, but it makes the ride back more comfortable, especially after a hot hour on an island.

The final run to Zadar takes roughly 20 minutes. Depending on your departure time, you may catch softer light along the coast on the return. One past afternoon departure at 4 p.m. was especially well suited to views as the sun lowered, but starting times vary, so check availability for the day you want.

What the small speedboat changes

The boat is central to the experience. You are not simply being carried between stops. The speed makes the nearby islands practical within four hours, and the open setting keeps the coast in view during each transfer.

Small boats also make the trip feel more social. You will share the outing with a limited number of people, and guides such as Dino, David, Davide, and Stella have been praised for being friendly, flexible, and willing to explain the islands.

There are trade-offs. A speedboat offers less indoor shelter and less room than a large vessel. If the sea is choppy, the ride may feel lively. The supplied information does not promise a toilet, so use one before boarding and keep that limitation in mind if you need frequent facilities.

The sunshade helps, but you should still bring a hat, comfortable clothes, and a change of clothes. Cash is also recommended, useful for any purchases during free time in Preko. Bring your own drinks if you want something specific, although unlimited water is included.

Swimming and snorkeling without extra rental costs

Snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided. That saves you the trouble of packing or renting basic gear and makes it easier to decide spontaneously to enter the water.

You should still bring a towel and swimwear, even though only a change of clothes is specifically listed among the suggested items. The supplied gear is a practical inclusion, but fit and comfort can vary. If you own a favorite mask or snorkel, you might prefer to bring it, though the tour provides equipment.

The three water stops are not identical. Blue Bay Otrić is an early swimming and snorkeling location. The middle stop combines a walk with water time, while the final stop offers another chance to swim after visiting Preko. That variety keeps the afternoon from feeling repetitive.

If you are traveling with someone who does not swim, the trip can still work. One past family group included a non-swimming parent who enjoyed the boat and island time. Still, swimming is a major part of the outing, so a non-swimmer should be comfortable remaining aboard or on shore during water breaks.

The guide can shape the day

The guide speaks English and provides information about the islands during the journey and stops. The best use of the guide is not a long lecture. It is the local context you receive while moving between locations, plus help deciding how to use your free time.

Dino has been singled out for a relaxed manner and useful information. David has also been praised for sharing facts, checking on drinks, and keeping the timing smooth. Davide is noted for offering refreshments, while Stella has been appreciated for explaining the Zadar islands. The guide on your departure may be different, but the pattern is clear: service is an important part of the outing.

You should not expect a fixed private itinerary. The guide can adjust the feel of the stops according to the group, within the four-hour schedule. That flexibility is useful when everyone wants more swimming, or when the group would rather spend longer walking around an island.

Is $49 good value?

At $49 per person, this is a strong value if you want several island stops without arranging a private boat. The price includes the speedboat, fuel, guide, snorkeling equipment, life vests, sunshade, and unlimited water. You also receive four hours of transport, swimming, and time ashore.

The value is strongest for active visitors who would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and water equipment. You also avoid spending the whole afternoon traveling because the islands are close to Zadar.

The price does not include food. There is no toilet on board, and you should bring cash for purchases. Those are not hidden costs, but they affect how you plan the day. Preko offers the best chance to buy something during free time, while the boat itself is not set up as a meal service.

Compared with a large group cruise, the smaller boat and flexible feel make the price more appealing. Compared with a private charter, it is far cheaper, but you give up control over the exact route and timing.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend it to couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who want an active half-day near Zadar. It suits people who want a mixture of water, walking, and small-town time rather than a museum-heavy excursion.

It is also a good choice if you value a local, informal feel. The group size can be small, the guides are involved, and the stops leave room for personal choice.

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Babies under one year are also not accepted. Anyone who needs guaranteed toilet access or a proper meal should plan carefully or choose a land-based outing instead.

The trip is not aimed at serious swimmers alone. You can choose how much to swim and use the island stops for walking and photos. But because three water stops are built into the route, you should be happy spending a good part of the afternoon near the sea.

Practical packing advice for four hours

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle spray and wet swimwear. Pack a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The sunshade offers some relief, but you will still spend time in direct sun.

Bring cash for shopping or refreshments during free time. Food is not included, and bringing a snack may be sensible if you do not want to buy something in Preko.

Use a toilet before meeting the boat. The vessel does not have one, and the supplied details do not promise toilet access at every stop.

The boat is tied to the waterfront walls at the meeting point. Arrive with enough time to locate the boat and avoid a rushed start. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans may change.

Should you book the Zadar island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced half-day on the water with three swim stops, snorkeling gear, drinks, and time in both quiet island settings and Preko. The mix is the real strength. You get clear water, a fast ride, an hour on Ošljak, and a more developed island stop without committing to a full-day cruise.

Skip it if you need a toilet aboard, a meal included, wheelchair access, or a slower vessel with lots of indoor space. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see more of the Zadar area in four hours. Bring swimwear, cash, a hat, and a change of clothes, then let the guide handle the route.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. The boat will be tied to the walls.

How long does the tour last?

The speedboat tour lasts four hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Which islands and places does the tour visit?

The experience includes Ošljak and Ugljan, with a stop in Preko. The route also includes three swimming locations, including Blue Bay Otrić.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water is included. Drinks are available on board during the trip, but food is not included.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. The tour information specifically states that a toilet is not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year.