Zadar: 3 Islands Luxury Boat Tour with Aperol Spritz & Snorkeling

The best part of this Zadar excursion is its easy mix of clear Adriatic swimming and small-island wandering. You leave from the old harbor of Foša, see Zadar from the water, then spend time on Ošljak and near Ugljan without packing your day with long transfers or crowded sightseeing stops.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the generous time ashore, especially on Ošljak, where only about 30 people live. I also like the simple comforts: snorkeling gear, bottled water, and an Aperol Spritz or Prosecco while the boat moves between islands. The main caution is that the extra docking charge is paid in cash, and the boat may not suit you if you need a tightly timed cruise-port connection.

Key points to know

• Ošljak is the characterful stop: This tiny inhabited island was once used as a quarantine site for Zadar and is now a quiet fishing village.
• Swimming time is built in: The first Ošljak stop lasts about 40 minutes and is aimed at swimming and snorkeling.
• You get real time ashore: The second Ošljak visit lasts about 45 minutes, while the Ugljan stop lasts about an hour.
• The group stays small: The boat takes a maximum of 12 people, with many departures running around 10.
• The price is attractive: At about $36.30 per person, the tour includes water, snorkeling equipment, and one alcoholic drink, but docking fees are extra.
• Come ready for sun and spray: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water shoes for rocky island access.

Leaving Foša Harbor with Zadar Behind You

The outing begins in Zadar’s oldest harbor, Foša. The opening boat ride gives you a fine view back toward the Old Town, which is a better start than simply meeting at a marina outside the city. You get your bearings quickly: stone walls, water, and the old center receding behind you as the boat heads south toward Ugljan.

A short briefing comes first. You learn how the day will run, then settle into the boat for the ride to the islands. The boat is described as modern, clean, and comfortable, with enough room for a full group of 12. Several departures have had around 10 people, a useful size for a boat trip where you want room to sit, move, and get help from the skipper.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. Skippers such as Edi, also written as Eddy or Edy in some accounts, Mario, and Mate have guided different departures. Their jobs go beyond steering. They handle the boat, explain the stops, help people on and off, pass out drinks and water, and keep an eye on swimmers.

That said, the amount of commentary can vary by skipper and by the mood of the group. You should expect useful local details and practical guidance, not a long, structured history lecture at every stop.

First Stop: Swimming and Snorkeling off Ošljak

The first stop near Ošljak is the most direct water activity of the day. You get about 40 minutes to swim and snorkel in the Adriatic, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view if you do not want to get wet.

The water is often clear and blue, and several departures have found it calm enough for easy snorkeling. The supplied masks and equipment make this a good choice if you do not want to pack your own. Fish sightings are not guaranteed, though. One day produced mostly small fish, while another had better conditions for swimming than for underwater viewing.

That is normal for a short Adriatic snorkel stop. The appeal is the warm sea, the clean water, and the chance to swim from a boat near the islands. This is not a dedicated marine-life expedition, so set your expectations accordingly. You may see small fish, rocks, and clear water rather than a busy underwater world.

The sea temperature can also change the feel of the stop. In warm summer weather, 40 minutes may feel just right. On a cooler day, you might prefer to sit in the sun, take photos, or remain on the boat. One departure was delayed by poor weather and found the water too cold for snorkeling, a reminder that this is an outdoor trip with conditions beyond the operator’s control.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. I would also pack water shoes, since rocky shorelines and island access can be awkward in bare feet. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential. The sun reflects strongly off the water, and there is little point discovering that only after your first swim.

Second Stop: Ošljak, a Tiny Inhabited Island

The tour then gives Ošljak a second role. Instead of stopping only for a swim, you get about 45 minutes to walk around the island and see its quiet village setting.

Ošljak is the smallest inhabited island in the Adriatic, with roughly 30 local residents. That small population shapes the experience. You are not arriving at a large resort with a row of shops and a full schedule of attractions. You are visiting a small place where the appeal is the calm setting, simple paths, and sense of a functioning fishing community.

Ošljak also has a link to Zadar’s past. It was used as a quarantine site for the city, then later developed into a fishing village. You may hear some of this background from the skipper, but the stop is mainly about seeing the island at your own pace.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a walk, photographs, and a pause near the water. It is not enough for a long hike or an extensive museum visit. That limitation is part of the design. You can enjoy a quiet island without giving up most of your day.

If you want lunch, a drink, or a longer village visit, save some appetite and planning for the Ugljan stop. Ošljak is best treated as a short, peaceful break rather than a full destination in itself.

The island’s small scale also means you should be respectful of local life. Keep noise down near homes, stay aware of the limited facilities, and do not expect the same services you would find in Zadar or a larger resort village.

Final Stop: Ugljan, Preko, and Školjić

The last part of the tour takes you toward Ugljan Island, with Školjić near the island as a favored place for swimming, sightseeing, and a short walk.

The visit lasts about an hour, making it the most flexible stop. You can swim again, explore the area, see the old church, or look at the monastery collection if access and timing allow. You can also walk around Preko village or make a quick stop for lunch.

This is where the tour works especially well for mixed groups. One person can swim, another can walk, and someone else can sit with a drink and enjoy the view. You are not forced into one activity.

The lunch option needs a little planning. The stop is long enough for a quick meal, but this is not presented as a food tour and lunch is not included. If you want to eat ashore, use the time carefully so you do not turn the final stop into a rushed dash back to the boat.

The old church and monastery collection add a little cultural interest after the first two water-focused stops. Still, access and opening conditions can vary, so I would treat them as possible bonuses rather than the main reason to book.

What the Boat Experience Feels Like

The boat is one of the stronger parts of this excursion. It has been described as modern, clean, and comfortable, with room for a maximum of 12 people. That matters because a small boat feels much more pleasant when you have space to sit and do not spend every stop stepping around other people’s bags.

Shoes may need to come off before boarding, so wear something easy to remove. Keep your belongings compact and secure. The ride between stops is part of the experience, but open water can mean spray, especially when the skipper needs to make up time after a weather delay.

Most of the time, the boat ride sounds like a chance to relax with an Aperol Spritz or Prosecco, bottled water, and sometimes fresh local fruit such as cherries or peaches. The published inclusion specifies one alcoholic drink per person. One account described an allowance of two drinks, so I would confirm the exact serving arrangement before departure rather than assume unlimited drinks.

The tour has a social side, but it does not require you to party. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photographs, or talk with the group. The experience suits friends and couples particularly well, while families can also enjoy it when children are comfortable around boats and the sea.

Price, Extra Fees, and What You Get

At about $36.30 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing if you want several islands without hiring a private boat. The price covers transportation by boat, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and one Aperol Spritz or Prosecco.

You are paying for more than a transfer. The outing includes three island-area stops, swimming time, a walk on Ošljak, and time near Ugljan and Preko. The small group also gives it a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel.

There is one important extra cost. The docking fee is paid in cash and is listed as €10 per adult and €5 for children under 12. Add that to your budget before you decide the tour is inexpensive. The cash requirement is easy to miss, so prepare the correct amount.

The tour lasts about three to four hours, including travel between stops. That makes it useful for a morning or afternoon around other Zadar plans. It is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough to leave time for the Old Town, a meal, or another activity.

Timing Matters if You Arrive by Cruise Ship

The biggest practical warning concerns punctuality. The boat has a fixed departure time, and the operator may leave after waiting only a few minutes. A cruise ship arrival can be unpredictable, and even a short delay becomes serious if the meeting point is some distance from the port.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, build in a generous buffer. Do not count on running from the terminal to the meeting point, especially with children or luggage. Contact the operator in advance, confirm the exact location, and allow time for disembarkation and local transport.

The operator has used WhatsApp to send meeting details and start-time information, which can help if you are unsure where to go. Still, communication does not remove the need to arrive early. A late start can also reduce time at the islands and may make the return ride feel rushed.

The company has offered an alternate departure or refund in at least one missed-departure situation, but you should confirm the arrangement directly rather than rely on it. For a cruise connection, I would choose this tour only if the timing leaves plenty of room.

Weather, Swimming Conditions, and Comfort

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required for the tour to operate.

Weather also affects the quality of the day even when the boat leaves. Wind can make the ride splashy, and cooler conditions can make snorkeling unpleasant. One poor-weather outing started late and ended with a fast ride back that left passengers cold and wet. That is not the usual picture in the positive accounts, but it is a fair reminder to bring a light layer and accept some weather risk.

On a sunny day, the same boat ride can be the highlight. The water, island views, and short travel time create a pleasant rhythm: ride, swim, walk, ride, then swim or eat again. The experience is best when you treat it as a flexible sea day rather than a fixed sightseeing program.

Who Should Book This Zadar Boat Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a small-group outing with more water time than formal sightseeing. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families who like to combine swimming with short walks.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Ošljak without arranging your own boat. The island’s tiny size and local character are difficult to appreciate from a distance, and the 45-minute walk gives you enough time to experience it without spending a full day there.

You may want a different option if you dislike rocky access, cannot swim, need a guaranteed lunch, or want a detailed cultural tour. Non-swimmers can stay aboard, but the tour’s main pleasures are the sea and the islands.

I would also avoid booking it too close to an important cruise departure unless you have a large time cushion. The boat is not designed around individual ship delays.

Should You Book It?

For most people spending a few days in Zadar, I think this is a worthwhile half-day trip. The strongest features are the small group, comfortable boat, clear swimming water, and time to walk around Ošljak rather than simply photograph it from offshore.

Book it for a relaxed mix of sea, sun, and simple island life. Pack cash for the docking fee, water shoes, sun protection, a towel, and a light layer. Confirm the meeting time and drink details, then arrive early. If the weather is good and your schedule is flexible, the $36.30 base price offers a lot for a short outing.

FAQ

How long does the Zadar boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three to four hours, including the boat rides between Zadar and the islands.

How many people can join the tour?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Ošljak and the Ugljan Island area, including Školjić and the village of Preko.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment and bottled water.

Is an alcoholic drink included?

Yes. The included drink is listed as one Aperol Spritz or Prosecco per person.

Is there an extra docking fee?

Yes. The docking fee is €10 per adult and €5 for children under 12, payable in cash.