Blue Lagoon Snorkeling on Speedboat & Island Hopping Tour

The best part of this trip is the mix of fast speedboat travel and slow island time. You leave Zadar by boat, stop on peaceful Osljak, then spend much longer on Preko for a walk, lunch, coffee, or a swim with the included snorkeling gear.

I like the small-group feel and the chance to book the whole boat for up to six people. I also like the practical touches: cold drinks, bottled water, shade at the rear, a front sundeck, and lifejackets for children and adults. The main point to consider is the cost. At $517.66 per group, it makes the most sense when shared by several people, not as a cheap solo excursion.

Key points to know before you book

• Osljak gives you about 45 minutes of quiet island time, a welcome change from the city.
• Preko is the longer stop, with about 2 hours and 15 minutes for walking, food, coffee, beach time, and snorkeling.
• The speedboat adds real excitement, with a front sundeck and shaded seating at the back.
• Cold drinks, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment are included, but lunch is not.
• The boat can be personalized for a private group, including a suitable departure place if arranged ahead.
• Skippers Luka and Fabricio are part of the operating team, and families are welcome with lifejackets available.

Leaving Zadar from Foša

The tour starts at Foša, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2 in Zadar. This is a useful departure point because you begin close to the city rather than spending much of your limited tour time on a long transfer.

The opening ride heads slowly along the Zadar shore. That gives you time to settle in, take in the coastal views, and get used to the boat before the faster parts of the trip. The ride is not simply transport between stops. The boat itself is part of the attraction, with a sunbathing area at the front and shade toward the back.

You can choose your seat based on the weather and your comfort. The front suits you if you want sun and a more open ride. The shaded rear is the better choice if you prefer cover, have young children, or want a break from direct sunlight.

Cold drinks and bottled water are included. That matters on a warm Croatian day, especially when you are switching between walking, swimming, and sitting in the sun. Still, bring the usual beach basics: swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you need for a few hours outdoors. The provided details do not specify towels or meals, so plan around what is included rather than expecting a full boat-service setup.

Osljak, a 45-minute pause from city noise

The first stop is Osljak, where you have about 45 minutes to walk around. This is the short stop, but it gives the trip a pleasant change of pace. After the noise and movement of Zadar and the speedboat, Osljak is meant for a quiet wander rather than a packed sightseeing program.

Do not expect a long guided tour or a full day of exploration here. Forty-five minutes is enough for a brief walk and a sense of the island’s small-scale local life. You can stretch your legs, take photographs, and enjoy the calm before returning to the boat.

I like the order of the itinerary. Osljak comes first, so you get a gentle introduction to island life before the longer stop at Preko. If you want extensive time on land, this part may feel brief. If you mainly want a short walk between stretches on the water, the timing works well.

The island stop also gives families a chance to move around before the next boat ride. That can be useful for children, although parents should keep an eye on the clock because the boat will continue to Preko after roughly 45 minutes.

Preko, the main island stop

Preko receives the largest share of your time, about 2 hours and 15 minutes. That makes it the heart of the outing. You can walk toward the island center, stop for lunch or coffee with a sea view, or spend time on the small sandy beach.

This flexible stop is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not forced into one activity. You can make it active with a walk and snorkeling, social with a café stop, or easygoing with time on the beach.

Lunch is not included in the price, so budget separately if you want a meal. The tour information does not name a restaurant or set menu, which leaves you free to choose how to use the stop. You may prefer a proper lunch, a coffee, or a simple break by the water.

The small sandy beach is also the place to use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water is described as crystal clear, making this a good chance to look below the surface without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a short coastal snorkeling stop, not a full marine safari with a specialist guide.

The beach may be the best choice for families because it combines swimming and shore access. Lifejackets are available for each passenger if needed. You should still judge conditions and swimming ability for yourself, since the tour is conducted in open coastal water.

Snorkeling without packing a full kit

The operator provides snorkeling equipment, which removes one common nuisance from a water-based excursion. You do not need to buy or carry your own mask and snorkel just for this outing.

The snorkeling takes place during the Preko stop, so you can decide how much time to spend in the water. If you want a swim followed by coffee, that is possible. If you would rather stay dry and walk around the island, the schedule allows for that too.

I see this as a good feature for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another relaxes on the beach or heads toward the center for food. A group with children can keep the water time short without losing the rest of the island visit.

The tour description does not provide water depth, marine-life details, or a guided underwater lesson. You should therefore treat the snorkeling as a self-directed activity using the supplied gear. Bring your own prescription solution if you need it, since no information is given about special equipment.

A speedboat ride with room for shade

The boat adds energy that you would not get from a slow sightseeing vessel. The trip includes a fast ride, with a front sundeck for open-air views and shaded seating at the back. That combination lets you choose between sun and shelter instead of being stuck in one type of seat.

The speed is part of the appeal, but it also means the ride may feel more active than a standard ferry crossing. If you prefer a calm, slow boat, this may not be your ideal coastal outing. If you like the idea of reaching two islands in a short four-hour trip, the speedboat makes the schedule possible.

The skipper stays with you throughout the experience. Luka and Fabricio are named as members of the operating team, and the trip is designed around direct help from the local skipper rather than a large coach-style operation.

The return ride follows the coast back to the Zadar meeting point. You get another chance to enjoy wide views from the water, and the return is part of the experience rather than a hidden transfer at the end. The activity finishes where it starts at Foša.

How the private-group price works

The listed price is $517.66 per group of up to six people. At the full six-person capacity, that works out to about $86.28 per person. That is the key figure to use when judging value.

For a couple, the same group price becomes much harder to justify. For a family or group of friends, the cost is more reasonable because you are paying for a private-style boat experience, skipper service, drinks, equipment, and access to two islands in about four hours.

The listing also gives a maximum of 11 participants for the activity. At the same time, the group price is stated for up to six people, and private personalization is tied to booking the whole boat. Ask for clarification at booking if your party has more than six people or if you want a private departure arrangement.

The ability to request a suitable departure place is specifically offered when you book the whole boat. Do not assume this applies to a shared booking. Send the request before the day of the trip so the operator can confirm what is possible.

For value, the tour works best when you care about flexibility and time on the water. It is less suited to someone who wants the lowest-cost way to reach Preko or who plans to spend most of the day on one beach.

Who will enjoy this four-hour outing

I would consider this a good fit for families, friends, and couples who want several types of activity in one compact trip. You get a boat ride, a short island walk, a longer island stop, the option to eat or drink ashore, and time for snorkeling.

Families may appreciate the choice of shaded seating and the availability of lifejackets. Children can enjoy the speedboat and water time, while adults can use the Preko stop for a walk or coffee.

It also suits a group that wants control over the day. Booking the whole boat can allow a more personal departure arrangement, and the longer Preko stop gives you choices rather than a fixed sequence of attractions.

The tour may not suit you if you need a full-day excursion, a detailed historical tour, or a heavily structured snorkeling program. Osljak is brief, lunch costs extra, and the main appeal is the combination of scenery, sea time, and freedom.

Practical booking and weather advice

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity uses a mobile ticket, so keep the confirmation available on your phone when you arrive at Foša.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. The operator welcomes families with children, and lifejackets are available for every passenger if needed.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Because the trip depends on good weather, avoid scheduling it as your only chance to see the islands if your wider holiday plans are very tight. A little flexibility makes this type of boat outing easier to enjoy.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a short, lively coastal escape from Zadar and plan to share the price with family or friends. The strongest reasons are the small-group speedboat, the two different island stops, the included snorkeling equipment, and the freedom to spend Preko your own way.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, dislike fast boats, or want a longer and more educational snorkeling trip. The $517.66 group price is reasonable when divided among six people, but it is a poor value for a small party that will not use the boat’s full capacity.

For the best fit, reserve the whole boat if possible, ask about your preferred departure place in advance, bring swim gear and sun protection, and keep money aside for lunch or coffee on Preko. That gives you the right balance of speed, swimming, quiet island time, and practical comfort.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Foša, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2, 23420 Zadar, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes stops on Osljak and Preko.

How much time is spent on Osljak?

You have about 45 minutes to explore Osljak on foot.

How long is the stop at Preko?

The Preko stop lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, cold drinks, and bottled water are included. Lunch is not included.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Families with children are welcome, and lifejackets are available for each passenger if needed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.