Zadar: 3 Island Speedboat Tour with Wine and Snorkeling

The best part of this Zadar outing is its mix of clear-water swimming and real island life. You leave the city by speedboat, stop at Kostanj Bay, walk the tiny island of Osljak, then spend the longest break on Preko. It feels less like a checklist of sights and more like a sunny afternoon shared with a local skipper and a boatload of new friends.

I like the easy pace and the useful extras: snorkeling equipment, drinks, fuel, and a skipper who handles the route. Guides including Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, and Fabrizio have earned praise for good music, safety, local tips, and friendly help in the water. The main drawback is practical: the €10 cash docking fee is extra, and parking near the departure point can be a headache in summer.

The best parts of the four-hour escape

• Kostanj Bay swimming stop: Spend about 40 minutes in clear water, with time for snorkeling, sunbathing, or a jump from the boat.
• Tiny Osljak: Walk a small inhabited island with a ninth-century church, old ruins, Mediterranean homes, and a hilltop view.
• Long break on Preko: You get about an hour and a half for swimming, snorkeling, coffee, small shops, or a meal.
• Friendly local skippers: Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, Johnny, Matteo, and others are praised for music, island stories, and thoughtful help.
• Small boat atmosphere: The group is limited to 12, so this feels more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Drinks included: Wine, water, soft drinks, and two glasses of G&T are part of the package, though coffee and lunch are not.

Leaving Zadar by speedboat

The meeting point is on Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, near a bench or the Tornado sign. Arrive 10 minutes early. There is no toilet at the meeting point, so take care of that before you arrive. Parking is not available there, and summer traffic can make finding a space slow.

Once aboard, the ride gives you a quick change of scene. Zadar’s old city slips behind you, and the open water begins to do what it does best: clear your head. The boat is modern, and petrol is included, so you are not watching the clock or counting small add-on costs during the ride.

The group limit is 12 people. That matters on a speedboat. You still share the experience, but the skipper can keep an eye on swimmers, answer questions, and adjust the mood more easily than on a large boat. Music is often part of the atmosphere, and several skippers have been singled out for making the ride fun without turning it into a loud party cruise.

The boat rides between stops take about 15 minutes. Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to wind, especially on the return to Zadar. You will spend much of the time outside, so sunglasses, sunscreen, and a secure place for your phone are sensible.

Kostanj Bay: your first swim in clear water

The first stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a quiet bay. The break lasts around 40 minutes, which is enough time to cool off without making the stop feel rushed. You can swim, use the provided mask and snorkel, or simply lie back and enjoy the water.

This is the most straightforward swimming stop. It gives you a chance to get comfortable with the boat and the sea before the longer island visits. The water is described as crystal clear, and the setting is made for a quick swim and a few photos.

Do not expect a fully equipped beach resort. The appeal is the natural bay, not rows of facilities. If you want a lounger, a changing room, or a proper beach café right beside you, this may feel basic. You should also bring a towel, since towels are not supplied.

The drinks help keep this stop relaxed. Depending on the serving arrangement, you can have wine, water, or a soft drink, and the package also includes two glasses of G&T, one at each stop. Since lunch and coffee are not included, do not treat the drinks as a substitute for food.

Osljak: a small island with a surprising past

After another short speedboat ride, you reach Osljak. It is known as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, with about 29 residents. That tiny population shapes the experience. This is not a polished resort built around a visitor schedule. It is a quiet place with old homes, trees, a shoreline path, and a slow island rhythm.

You have roughly 40 minutes here for a walk and some sightseeing. Try the small hill if your legs are willing. The view is satisfying, and the climb gives you a better sense of the island’s compact size. You can also walk beside the shore and take in the traditional Mediterranean architecture.

Look for the little church hidden among the trees. It dates to the ninth century. You can also see the ruins of a former hospital connected with people suffering from plague during the Second World War. The tour does not turn Osljak into a formal museum visit, so you will get a brief introduction rather than a long historical lecture.

One curious detail is that many local residents share the same last name. It is the kind of small island fact that makes the place feel lived-in rather than arranged for sightseeing. There is also a bar if you would rather sit down with a drink than walk the whole island.

Osljak is a good counterweight to the swimming stops. It lets you stretch your legs and see how a very small community works. The tradeoff is that 40 minutes goes quickly. You will need to choose between the hill, the church, the shore walk, and the bar rather than doing everything slowly.

Preko: your longest stop and most choice

Preko is the main stop, with about an hour and a half to spend as you wish. This is where the tour feels most flexible. You can swim, snorkel, walk through the center, browse small local shops, sit with a coffee overlooking the sea, or find something to eat.

There is a small sandy beach, which makes Preko the easiest place to settle in for a longer swim. Snorkeling gear is available, and the clear water gives you the chance to look below the surface rather than simply paddle at the shore. Several visitors have praised this part of the outing as the highlight of their time in Zadar.

You can also use the stop for lunch, though lunch is not included. One guide directed a group toward a place serving fresh fish and sardines at surprisingly reasonable prices. That sort of local recommendation can be useful, but you should still allow time for the return to the boat.

From Preko, you may be able to swim toward the nearby island of Galevac. The small island has an ancient monastery tucked among trees. Treat this as an optional idea, not a guaranteed part of the organized tour. Conditions, time, and your own swimming ability matter. If you are not a strong swimmer, enjoy Galevac from shore or skip the crossing.

Preko is also the stop most likely to feel busy in summer, since it has shops, cafés, and more activity than Osljak. That is part of its charm, but it is not the place to expect complete solitude. The good news is that the 90-minute break gives you enough room to find your own corner.

Skippers make the difference

The boat and the stops are important, but the skipper shapes the day. Names that appear repeatedly in the praise for this experience include Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, Fabrizio, Johnny, Matteo, Mateo, Lovre, and Zvone. The strongest themes are consistent: friendly conversation, good English, interesting island explanations, good music, and attention to people who are less confident in the water.

Gogo received special credit for helping make the day memorable and even showing a group Zadar’s Sea Organ at night after the tour. Tony is often praised for being cheerful, informative, and safety-minded. Roko has been appreciated for food recommendations, while Fabrizio has been noted for patience and clear explanations before the swimming stops.

The exact skipper depends on the departure and the day, so do not book expecting one particular person. Still, the pattern is useful. This is a social trip, and a warm skipper can make the short boat rides feel like part of the experience rather than simple transport.

You should tell the skipper if you are not a strong swimmer. One guide made a point of offering life jackets to people who wanted them and watching out for less confident swimmers. That does not remove the need for personal caution, but it is reassuring.

What the price really includes

At $44 per person, the tour is well priced for a four-hour boat outing, especially because petrol, the modern speedboat, local guide, snorkeling equipment, and drinks are included. You are paying for three stops and a small group, not just a ferry ride between islands.

The extra charge is the docking fee: €10 per person, paid in cash on arrival. That brings the basic cost closer to $55, depending on the exchange rate. Add lunch, coffee, and any extra purchases on Preko, and your total spending will rise.

Even with those additions, the package offers solid value if you want swimming, island time, and a guide in one half-day. It is less attractive if you only want transportation to Preko, since regular public options may suit a person who prefers to explore at a slower pace. Here, you are paying for the speedboat, the route, the hosted stops, and the social setting.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times carefully, since the tour lasts four hours and you will want to fit it around other plans in Zadar.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this tour if you want several types of experience in one outing: open-water boat travel, swimming, snorkeling, a short island walk, and time for coffee or food. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children. One 11-year-old reportedly called it the best excursion of a cruise holiday.

It is also a good choice for people who want company. With up to 12 participants, you meet people from different countries, and the boat naturally creates conversation. The atmosphere can include music, wine, and jokes, so it is more social than a quiet private charter.

You may want another option if you dislike speedboats, need a toilet throughout the outing, want a fully structured historical tour, or prefer guaranteed solitude. The sea can be breezy, the boat has no promise of a private seat for every mood, and the stops combine free time with light guiding rather than formal museum-style interpretation.

Practical packing advice for Zadar

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cash for the €10 docking fee. A water-resistant phone pouch is useful, since swimming from the boat makes dry storage important.

Wear shoes that work for both a boat and a short island walk. Osljak includes a small hill and shoreline paths, while Preko invites more walking than you may expect if you browse shops or head toward the beach.

Eat before departure or plan to buy food on Preko. Lunch is not included, and coffee is also extra. Water, wine, soft drinks, and the listed G&T servings are included, so you only need to budget for food and personal purchases.

The meeting point has no toilet, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Arrive early, but leave extra time if you are driving. Summer parking near the departure point is difficult.

Should you book the Zadar island tour?

Book it if you want a lively, good-value half-day on the water with three clearly different stops. Kostanj gives you the swim, Osljak gives you the quiet island character, and Preko gives you time and choice. The skippers are a major strength, especially if you get someone like Tony, Mario, Gogo, Roko, or Fabrizio who adds useful local advice and keeps an eye on the group.

Skip it if you want a private, slow boat day or a serious historical tour. For most visitors with four free hours in Zadar, though, the combination of clear water, small-island walking, drinks, and a 12-person boat makes this a strong way to get beyond the city without spending a fortune.

FAQ

How long does the Zadar island tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including speedboat travel and stops at Kostanj, Osljak, and Preko.

How many people are in the group?

The experience is limited to 12 participants, making it a small-group speedboat outing.

What drinks are included?

The package includes two glasses of G&T, one at each stop, along with unlimited wine, water, or soft drinks. Coffee and lunch cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it at Kostanj and Preko.

What is the extra docking fee?

You must pay a €10 docking fee per person in cash on arrival. This fee covers all stops.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, by the bench or Tornado sign. Arrive 10 minutes before departure. Parking and toilets are not available at the meeting point.