Zadar: 3 Islands Speedboat Tour with Drinks and Diving

This is a four-hour island-hopping trip built around the best part of the Zadar coast: getting off the mainland and into clear Adriatic water. You speed across the Bay of Foša, stop at three swimming spots, and have time to walk around Ošljak and Preko rather than simply viewing the islands from offshore.

I like the small speedboat setting, which gives the ride a friendly, local feel, and I like the balance between water time and shore time. Guides such as Dino, David, Davide, and Stella have been praised for making the trip relaxed and informative. The main drawback is simple: there is no toilet or meal aboard, and a speedboat is not the best fit for wheelchair users, babies under one, or anyone who dislikes a brisk ride on open water.

Key points to know before booking

• Three water stops: Swim and snorkel at Blue Bay Otrić and two other attractive coastal spots.
• An hour on Ošljak: Walk at your own pace after the first swim, with local information from your guide.
• Preko is the most developed stop: Allow time for a village walk, a beach visit, shopping, or a meal on your own.
• Small-group atmosphere: Recent trips have had as few as seven or eight people, leaving more room on the boat.
• Water is included: Snorkeling gear, life vests, shade, fuel, and unlimited water are part of the price.
• Good value at $49: You get four hours on the water, island visits, three swim locations, and transport from Zadar.

Why this Zadar boat trip works so well

Zadar is a fine city for walking, but its best summer pleasure is offshore. The nearby islands are close enough for a half-day trip, yet they give you a clear change of pace. Stone villages, small beaches, pine-shaded paths, and calm water replace the city streets.

At $49 per person, this tour offers more than a basic boat ride. Fuel, a guide, snorkeling equipment, life vests, shade, and unlimited water are included. You also get three separate swimming stops and time on land at two islands.

The value improves if you want a simple outing without arranging a private boat. A private charter can give you more control, but it usually costs much more. This trip keeps the price down by following a set route and sharing the boat with a small group.

The format is active but not demanding. You can swim, snorkel, walk, shop, or simply sit in the shade. You do not need to join every activity. If you would rather stay dry during one stop, you can use the time to enjoy the views.

Leaving Zadar through the Bay of Foša

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, where the boat is tied to the walls. Allow a little time to find the exact departure point, especially if you are coming from Zadar’s old town.

Once aboard, the first ride lasts about 20 minutes. The boat passes through the Bay of Foša, giving you an immediate look back toward the city and along the coast. This opening ride is part of the attraction. You are not sitting on a slow ferry for a long crossing, so the route feels like sightseeing from the start.

Bring a hat and comfortable clothes. A speedboat offers more exposure to sun and wind than a covered sightseeing boat. A change of clothes is also sensible after several swims. The instructions advise bringing drinks and cash, even though unlimited water is supplied aboard.

The boat has a sunshade, but shade is not the same as full cover. Put on sun protection before departure and keep your hat secure. You may find the ride breezy, so loose items should be packed carefully.

Blue Bay Otrić: the first 45 minutes in the water

The first stop is Blue Bay Otrić, reached after about 20 minutes. You have roughly 45 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling.

This is a useful first stop because it gets you into the water early. You are not waiting until the end of the outing to enjoy the sea. The water is described as clear, and the supplied snorkeling equipment lets you look beneath the surface without bringing your own mask and snorkel.

The crew provides life vests, which matter if you are not a strong swimmer or simply want extra comfort in open water. You can choose how active to be. Some people will want to swim and look for fish, while others may prefer a short dip followed by time under the sunshade.

The first stop is mainly about the water, not sightseeing ashore. That is worth knowing if your ideal boat tour includes long village walks at every stop. Here, the reward is a clean stretch of sea and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the day.

Ošljak: an hour on a quiet island

After the first swim, the boat travels for about 15 minutes to Ošljak. You have around one hour of free time on the island.

The guide gives you information about the area, then you can explore independently. This is one of the trip’s better features. You are not hurried through a short photo stop. An hour gives you enough time for a walk, a swim, or a quiet look around before returning to the boat.

Ošljak is the more peaceful island experience on this route. The stop is best suited to people who enjoy a slower pace and small coastal settings rather than a full schedule of attractions. You might find a path or shoreline worth exploring, but the supplied information does not promise a long list of formal sights. Think of this as time to wander and enjoy the setting.

The stop also breaks up the boat travel. Forty-five minutes of swimming followed by an hour on land gives the outing a good shape. You get wet, dry off, walk a little, and then return to the water route.

Ugljan and Preko: the liveliest part of the route

The next boat ride lasts about 15 minutes and brings you to Preko, on Ugljan. You have another hour here for a walk, swimming, snorkeling, shopping, or a photo stop.

Preko is the most town-like stop on the route. If you want a little more life and choice, this is where you will find it. You can stroll through the village, look for a beach, browse shops, or use the free time for a drink or souvenir.

I would save some energy for Preko rather than treating every stop as a race to the water. The hour is long enough for a relaxed walk and a swim, but it is not a full afternoon in town. If you want to eat, food is not included, so you need to pay for it yourself and keep an eye on the departure time.

The contrast between the stops is useful. Ošljak feels suited to quiet exploring, while Preko gives you more of a village visit. The route is not simply three versions of the same beach stop.

For some people, Preko will be the highlight because it offers a more complete island experience. For others, the clear water will be the main attraction. The trip serves both preferences, though you should not expect a long cultural tour or extensive historical commentary.

The final swim and the ride back to Zadar

After Preko, the boat heads toward the last swimming location. The final ride takes about 20 minutes, and the schedule includes time for another swim and snorkeling session before returning to the marina.

This last stop gives you one more chance to use the equipment and enjoy the water without needing to rush straight back to the city. It also means the tour does not end immediately after the land visit, which keeps the day focused on the coast rather than shopping alone.

Drinks are part of the relaxed feel aboard. Unlimited water is specifically included, and recent departures have also included beer, juice, or other offered drinks from the guide. The safest plan is to treat water as guaranteed and bring anything else you particularly want.

The boat returns to the same starting point at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. The full outing lasts about four hours, including the rides between stops. That makes it easy to fit around a morning or evening in Zadar, subject to the departure time available on your chosen date.

One especially useful detail is that some departures have started at 4 p.m. This later option can be pleasant in summer, when the return ride may catch softer light. Starting times vary, so check availability rather than assuming the trip runs only in the morning.

What the small boat changes

The boat size is a real part of the experience. Recent groups have been reported at seven or eight people, and one account described a boat with room for a maximum of seven. That is far more personal than a large excursion vessel.

A small group means the guide can ask what you want to do at each stop. The trip still follows its route, but the atmosphere can feel less rigid. Guides such as Dino, David, Davide, and Stella have been described as friendly, helpful, and happy to offer information about the islands.

The tradeoff is that a small speedboat has limited space. You should pack lightly and expect to share the available seating. There is a sunshade, but no toilet. Four hours is manageable for most people, yet you should use facilities before boarding.

The ride itself is another consideration. Speedboats get you between islands quickly, which leaves more time for swimming and walking. The ride can also be breezier and livelier than a large ferry. If you are sensitive to motion, choose your seat carefully and consider whether a smaller, faster boat suits you.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The tour includes:

• English-speaking live guide
• Speedboat transportation
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life vests
• Unlimited water
• Sunshade
• Fuel

Food is not included. There is also no toilet aboard. Bring cash if you want to buy something in Preko, and bring your own snacks if you need more than the available drinks.

Your day bag should contain:

• Hat
• Comfortable clothing
• Change of clothes
• Cash
• Any personal drinks or snacks
• Sun protection

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year old. Those limits are practical rather than minor footnotes. Boarding a small boat and moving around island shorelines requires a reasonable level of mobility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Zadar plans depend on weather or changing arrival times, though you should still check the exact departure time when booking.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a mix of swimming, island time, and easy sightseeing without paying for a private boat. It suits couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who like a social but small-group outing.

It is also a good match if you want to see more than one island in half a day. You get three water stops, Ošljak, Ugljan, and Preko, with enough free time to make the trip feel varied.

You may want another tour if your main goal is a long restaurant meal, serious history, or a full day on one island. This is an active coastal sampler, not a slow island vacation. The schedule gives you a taste of several places rather than deep time in one village.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the three water stops, but life vests make the experience more approachable for less confident swimmers. Non-swimmers can still enjoy the boat, views, and walks, though swimming is a major part of the tour.

Should you book the Zadar three-island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced half-day on the Adriatic with plenty of water time and a genuine small-group feel. The strongest reasons are the three swimming locations, the hour on Ošljak, the more developed stop at Preko, and the helpful guide service.

At $49, the package is especially good for visitors who would otherwise spend the day in Zadar without seeing the nearby islands. You get fuel, equipment, water, and transport covered, plus a route that balances quiet shore time with a livelier village visit.

Skip it if you need a toilet aboard, require wheelchair access, dislike speedboats, or want food included. For everyone else, this is an efficient and enjoyable way to trade Zadar’s pavement for clear water, island paths, and a breezy ride home.

FAQ

How long does the Zadar three-island tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the speedboat rides, swimming stops, and free time on Ošljak and in Preko.

Which islands and places does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water is included. Food is not included, and you are advised to bring any other drinks you want. Recent departures have also offered drinks such as beer or juice.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. The boat is tied to the walls there and returns to the same location.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year old. It is best for people comfortable boarding a small speedboat and taking part in island walks or water stops.