Zadar: 3 Island Speedboat Tour with Wine and Snorkeling

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is its variety. You get a clear-water swimming stop, a quiet island walk, and a longer visit to Preko, where you can swim, browse small shops, or look across to the monastery on Galevac. I especially like the mix of active and easygoing time, plus the chance to see Zadar from the water on the ride home.

I also like the small group of up to 12 people and the friendly, hands-on skippers. Guides such as Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, and Fabrizio are often praised for good music, helpful advice, and making cautious swimmers feel comfortable. The main drawbacks are the €10 cash docking fee, no toilet at the meeting point, and summer parking trouble.

Key points to know before booking

• Kostanj Bay starts the swimming time: Expect about 40 minutes for snorkeling, sunbathing, and cooling off in clear water.
• Osljak offers the quietest stop: Walk to the ninth-century church, climb the small hill, or sit at the local bar.
• Preko gets the longest visit: You have about 90 minutes for swimming, coffee, shops, and a possible swim toward Galevac.
• The boat holds only 12 participants: That makes the trip more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Drinks are part of the package: You get wine, water, soft drinks, and two glasses of G&T, but lunch and coffee cost extra.
• Bring €10 in cash: This docking charge is paid on arrival and covers all three stops.

Why this Zadar boat trip works so well

Zadar is a good city for a short island outing. The coast begins almost at the edge of town, and a speedboat lets you reach small bays and nearby islands without giving up half a day to transport. This tour uses that advantage well.

You spend less time sitting in a marina and more time changing scenery. The boat ride to each stop takes about 15 minutes, so the day has a pleasant rhythm: cruise, swim, walk, cruise, then settle into a longer island visit.

This is not a serious sailing expedition or a history tour with long lectures. It is a relaxed coastal outing with enough local information to give the stops some meaning. Your skipper handles the route, explains the islands in English, and points you toward places to eat or walk. Guides including Tony, Roko, Mario, Gogo, and Johnny have been especially praised for being friendly and attentive.

The format suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children. One 11-year-old called it the favorite excursion of a cruise holiday, while other families appreciated that skippers offered life jackets and help to less confident swimmers.

Leaving Zadar on a modern speedboat

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Look for the bench or the Tornado sign, and arrive 10 minutes before departure. This is one detail to take seriously. The area has no toilet, and parking is not available at the meeting point. In summer, finding a parking place around Zadar can take time, so do not arrive at the last minute.

Once aboard, the first ride takes about 15 minutes. A speedboat makes the journey part of the attraction. You get open views of the coast, the chance to feel the wind, and a quick look back toward Zadar as the old city recedes.

The boat is modern and the small-group size matters. With no more than 12 people, it is easier to hear the skipper and ask questions. You will still be sharing the boat with other people, and music is part of the atmosphere, so this is not a silent nature cruise.

The ride can feel brisk, especially on a breezy day. If you prefer a slow, shaded boat with lots of room to move around, this may not be your ideal outing. For most people, though, the speed adds fun and lets the tour cover three different locations in only four hours.

Kostanj Bay: a first swim in clear water

The first stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a bay known for clear water. You have around 40 minutes here. That is enough time to get in the water, try the provided mask and snorkel, sunbathe, or simply cool your feet from the boat.

This is the most straightforward swimming stop. You are not being asked to follow a long program. The skipper gets you there, provides snorkeling equipment, and gives you time to enjoy the bay at your own pace.

The water and the sheltered setting are the main attractions. You might see small underwater life close to shore, though conditions and visibility change with weather and sea traffic. The tour provides basic snorkeling gear, but bring your own if you want a particular fit.

Forty minutes passes quickly. If you need a long swim or want to spend hours on a beach, this schedule may feel short. The advantage is that you still have two island stops ahead, so the tour does not spend the whole afternoon in one place.

Drinks are offered during the stops. The package includes two glasses of G&T, one at each stop where they are served, as well as unlimited wine, water, or soft drinks. If you plan to drink alcohol, remember that you are also swimming and riding on a moving boat. Water is the sensible choice between swims.

Osljak: a small island with a curious past

After another 15-minute ride, you reach Osljak. This is the most unusual stop on the route. It is described as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, with about 29 residents. Its compact size gives it a quiet feel that is very different from central Zadar in the summer.

You have roughly 40 minutes for walking and sightseeing. The island’s traditional Mediterranean buildings and wooded paths make this a good place to stretch your legs after the first swim.

Several details give Osljak more character than a simple beach stop. A small church from the ninth century sits among the trees, and the island has ruins connected with a former hospital. You can walk along the shore, try the short climb to the hilltop, or stop at the local bar for a drink.

The view from the hill is worth the effort if you are comfortable with uneven walking. The stop is brief, so do not expect to see every corner of the island. Think of it as a short taste of island life, not a full guided historical visit.

One detail often shared by the guides is that many island residents have the same surname. It is the kind of small local fact that gives the place a human scale. Osljak feels less like a sightseeing checklist and more like a real community passed through gently.

Preko: the longest stop and the most choices

Preko is the final island stop and the one where you have the most freedom. The visit lasts about 90 minutes, giving you time to choose your own pace.

You can walk through the center, browse small souvenir shops, sit for coffee with a sea view, or find the small sandy beach. You can also use the snorkeling equipment again and swim in the water around the island.

Preko is more active in summer than Osljak. That is useful if you want choices, but it also means the stop feels less secluded. The town gives you a better chance to find food or a drink, although lunch and coffee are not included in the tour price.

A particularly appealing option is the view toward Galevac, a nearby island with a small old monastery among the trees. The information provided says you can swim there from Preko. Treat that as an option only for strong, confident swimmers, and allow enough time to return to the meeting place. The tour does not promise a separate guided visit to Galevac.

Some people use Preko as their main swimming stop. Others prefer to explore the village and have a quiet drink. That flexibility is valuable because not everyone in a small group wants the same thing.

The ride back gives you a different view of Zadar

After Preko, the boat heads back toward the starting point. The return ride takes about 15 minutes, with scenic views of the coast and the old city.

Seeing Zadar from offshore is a fitting end to the outing. The city’s waterfront makes more sense when you see its position among the nearby islands. One guide, Gogo, even took a group to see the Sea Organ at night after the tour, but that was an extra gesture rather than part of the scheduled experience. Do not book expecting an evening city visit.

The boat returns to Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. From there, you can continue into Zadar, but plan your own onward arrangements. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What the €44 price really includes

At $44 per person, this is good value for a four-hour outing, particularly because the price includes the speedboat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and three separate stops.

The fuel cost alone can add up on a boat trip, so having petrol included keeps the advertised price easier to understand. You also avoid paying separately for a rental boat, guide, or basic snorkeling gear.

There is one required extra cost: a €10 docking fee per person, paid in cash on arrival. It covers all the stops. In practical terms, your real cost is the advertised price plus this fee, before any lunch, coffee, or extra drinks on the islands.

That total still compares well with a private boat outing, but it is not a private tour. You share the ride with up to 11 other people, and the route is fixed. If you want to choose every bay and set your own timetable, a private charter would suit you better.

The drink arrangement adds value, though it should not be the only reason to book. Wine, water, and soft drinks are available, along with two glasses of G&T. Lunch is not included, and towels are not provided, so bring what you need for swimming.

The guides make a real difference

The route is attractive, but the skipper shapes the mood. The most warmly praised guides include Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, Johnny, Fabrizio, Matteo, Lovre, and Zvone. Their strengths are described in practical terms: clear briefings, good English, humor, music, safety checks, and advice about food and other places to visit.

Tony is frequently singled out for explaining the islands and keeping the group comfortable. Gogo is praised for creating a particularly personal atmosphere. Roko is noted for food recommendations, while Fabrizio is described as patient and careful during the swimming stops.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one specific skipper will be driving your boat. The important point is the small-group format and the local skipper role, not a guaranteed name.

There can be some confusion before departure while staff sort people into their assigned boats. That process happens at the meeting point and is separate from the actual ride. Arrive early, listen for your name, and keep your booking details ready.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want a simple way to combine sea time and island sightseeing without organizing ferries, taxis, and beach equipment yourself.

It is particularly good for:

• First-time visitors with only a few days in Zadar
• Couples and friends who want swimming plus island walks
• Families with children who enjoy boats and supervised stops
• Solo visitors who like a social small-group setting
• Anyone who wants a coastal outing without spending a full day away

You should think twice if you need a toilet immediately available, dislike speedboat motion, want a long beach stay, or expect a full historical tour. The boat has no toilet at the meeting point, and the stops are timed. You will get a taste of each place, not an entire day on any one island.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, water-friendly footwear, and cash for the docking charge. You may also want a dry bag for phones and other small items, though one is not listed as included.

Should you book the Zadar 3 Island Speedboat Tour?

Yes, if you want the most variety possible in four hours. Kostanj gives you clear water and snorkeling, Osljak provides a quiet walk with old buildings and a small church, and Preko gives you the longest pause with swimming, shops, coffee, and the option to look toward Galevac.

The tour is not perfect. The extra docking fee, parking problems, short first two stops, and possible pre-departure confusion are worth knowing before you pay. Still, the combination of a small boat, local skippers, included drinks, and three very different stops makes this a strong-value choice for a half-day in Zadar.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar 3 Island Speedboat Tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides and stops at Kostanj, Osljak, and Preko.

How many people are allowed on the boat?

The group is limited to 12 participants.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. Wait by the bench or the Tornado sign.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 10 minutes before departure so staff have time to assign you to the correct boat.

Is there a toilet at the meeting point?

No. Plan ahead before arriving because toilets are not available at the meeting point.

Is parking available at the meeting point?

No. Parking is especially difficult in summer, so allow extra time if you are arriving by car.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming stops.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes two glasses of G&T, unlimited wine, water, and soft drinks. Coffee and lunch are not included.

Do I need to pay an extra docking fee?

Yes. A €10 fee per person is paid in cash on arrival. It covers all stops.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.