★ Zadar: SpeedBoat Tour to 3 Islands – Swimming & Snorkeling

The best part of this Zadar outing is the small open speedboat, which gets you away from the city quickly and into the clear water of the archipelago. In four hours, you get swimming, snorkeling, island walks, and village time without giving up a full day.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, and I like the mix of active and easygoing stops. Guides such as Josip have earned praise for clear explanations, friendly energy, and useful local suggestions. The main drawback is practical: there is no toilet on the boat, and rough weather can send sea spray over the sides.

Key points

• A four-hour island run from central Zadar: The waterfront meeting point is behind restaurant Foša, opposite the city walls.
• Three island names, several kinds of stops: You get a swimming and snorkeling break, time on Ošljak, a longer visit to Preko, and views around Galevac.
• Ošljak is the smallest inhabited island on the Adriatic coast: Its old Dalmatian houses and quiet paths give the trip a local feel.
• Preko gives you the longest shore break: You have about 75 minutes for a walk, swimming, a drink, or Croatian food.
• The boat carries only 10 people: That makes it easier to hear the English-speaking guide and ask for advice.
• Bring dry clothes and cash: Food is not included, and the boat has no toilet.

A fast start from Zadar’s old city walls

Your meeting point is on the waterfront at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, opposite Zadar’s city walls. Boarding is behind restaurant Foša. This is a useful location if you are staying in or near the old town, but take a moment to check the exact spot before departure. If you are unsure, the operator asks you to photograph your location and send it by WhatsApp.

Once aboard, the speedboat gives you a quick change of scene. Zadar’s waterfront fades behind you, and the open water becomes the main attraction. The first sightseeing cruise lasts about 15 minutes, long enough to settle into the ride and take in the coastline before the first water stop.

The boat is open, so you are exposed to the weather. On a calm day, that means fresh air and a pleasant sense of speed. On a windy day, occasional spray may reach you during the crossing. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, protect your phone, and keep a change of clothes in a dry bag if possible.

The group limit of 10 is important here. A speedboat with a small party feels more personal than a large excursion boat, and you should be able to hear the guide without fighting engine noise or a crowd. It also means the experience depends somewhat on the mix of people aboard. You get less privacy than on a private charter, but far more room to move than on a big boat.

The secret swimming stop, 45 minutes in clear water

After the opening cruise, the boat stops at a secluded swimming area for around 45 minutes. This is the tour’s most active section. You can swim, use the provided masks for snorkeling, or stay aboard and enjoy the water from the boat.

The stop is not presented as a formal beach visit, which is part of its appeal. You get a chance to see the Adriatic from the water rather than spending the entire trip walking from one developed waterfront to another. The stop also breaks up the sightseeing, giving you time to cool off before the island visits.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. You will also want a sun hat, beachwear, and dry clothes for later. The supplied masks make snorkeling easy to try, though one booking specifically noted that the snorkeling equipment could be better. I would treat the masks as a useful extra, not as specialist gear for a serious snorkeling session.

The boat includes water, iced tea, and beer. That is convenient after a swim, but food is not included. Since the first substantial chance to buy food comes later, eat before departure or carry something suitable if the operator permits it. The supplied information does not specify a full onboard meal service, so do not plan on lunch from the boat.

Ošljak, a tiny island with old Dalmatian houses

The next cruise takes about 15 minutes, followed by roughly an hour on Ošljak. The island is known as the smallest inhabited island on the Adriatic coast, and its appeal is its scale. You are not coming here for a long list of major sights. You are coming for a quiet walk, old stone houses, sea views, and time beside the water.

The guide gives you a short introduction, then you have free time to explore. This format works well. You get enough context to notice the old Dalmatian architecture, but you are not kept in a tight group for the entire visit. Walk the narrow paths, look for a place to sit, or head toward the water for another swim if conditions allow.

Ošljak is a good stop for anyone who prefers small places to packed attractions. The island’s size helps the visit feel simple and unhurried. It also means you should keep your expectations in check. This is not a major town with a full program of shops and museums. Its value is in the atmosphere, the traditional houses, and the contrast with Zadar’s busy waterfront.

You can swim here as well as walk and take photographs. Wear shoes that are comfortable for uneven paths, although the tour information does not specify the exact shore surface. The hour passes quickly, especially if you want both a walk and time in the water.

Preko gives you 75 minutes to set your own pace

From Ošljak, the boat makes another short sightseeing cruise of around 10 minutes before reaching Preko. This is the longest stop, at about 75 minutes, and it gives the tour a different rhythm. Ošljak is small and quiet. Preko feels more like a proper village visit, with traditional stone houses, narrow streets, places to eat, and time to wander.

You can use this break in several ways. Take a walk through the village, sit down for Croatian food, go swimming, or look around for local products and souvenirs. The guide can point out places and offer recommendations, but you are not tied to a fixed group route for the full 75 minutes.

That flexibility is one of the strongest features of the tour. A tightly planned island trip can leave you feeling rushed. Here, the longest stop lets you choose what matters most. If you already had enough swimming at the earlier stop, Preko gives you room for food and a walk. If the water is the main reason you booked, you can make the most of the shore.

Food is not included, so budget separately for anything you eat or drink in Preko. Cash is also listed among the things to bring. The tour does not promise card payment at every stop, so carrying cash is a sensible precaution.

Preko is also the only place specifically identified as having toilet access. That detail matters more than it may sound. Use the facilities here, because there is no toilet on the boat and no other onboard option during the crossings.

How Galevac fits into the three-island route

The experience is promoted as a three-island tour and names Ošljak, Preko, and Galevac. Galevac is described as the final island area, with narrow village streets, local markets, and possible souvenir shopping before the return to Zadar.

The timed route gives specific stop lengths for the secret swimming area, Ošljak, and Preko, then includes a return cruise to the city. Because the detailed timing does not assign a separate stop duration to Galevac, you should confirm with Aveta Speedboat Tours how Galevac is handled on your chosen departure. It may be viewed during the route or included as part of the Preko area, depending on the day and sea conditions.

That small point is worth clarifying before you book if visiting Galevac is your main goal. The reliable core of the outing is the swimming stop, Ošljak, and Preko. The broader route includes Galevac, but the exact amount of time there is not specified.

A guide-led trip that still leaves room to wander

The guide and skipper are part of the value here. The tour runs in English, and the captain handles the boat while the guide explains the places you see. Some departures may have the same person doing both jobs, as happened with Josip, whose communication and friendly manner received especially strong praise.

Good guiding matters on a short island trip. Without context, Ošljak can become just a pretty stop for photographs, and Preko can become a quick walk with no sense of place. A few clear explanations help you understand why the old stone houses and small island communities matter.

At the same time, this is not a full historical tour. The emphasis is on scenery, swimming, local streets, and practical recommendations. I would choose it if you want a social day on the water with some cultural detail. If you want long lectures, museums, or a highly structured history program, this is not the right format.

The group size also makes it easier to ask the skipper for advice. One of the tour’s strongest features is the informal exchange between the crew and passengers. You can ask about where to eat, what to see in Preko, or how to make the most of the swimming stops.

Is $58 a fair price for four hours?

At $58 per person, this is good value if you want several parts of a boat day without paying for a private charter. The price covers the skipper, guide, boat ride, swimming and snorkeling stops, masks, life jackets, beer, water, and iced tea. It also gives you transport between three island areas, rather than asking you to arrange separate boat connections.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. You get a fast coastal ride, a 45-minute water stop, an hour on Ošljak, and 75 minutes in Preko. That is a lot of change in scenery for a four-hour outing.

The price does not cover food, and you may want to buy something during the Preko stop. You also pay with your time and comfort in other ways. There is no toilet on the boat, the boat is exposed to wind and spray, and the snorkeling equipment is basic. Those are not hidden costs, but they are part of deciding if the price feels right for you.

The rating of 4.8 from 40 bookings fits the tour’s strongest qualities: a good captain, a friendly atmosphere, clear explanations, and an easy mix of guided time and free time. The one equipment complaint suggests you should bring realistic expectations. You are booking a speedboat sightseeing trip with casual snorkeling, not a specialist water-sports excursion.

Who will enjoy this speedboat trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, solo adults, and families with older children who enjoy being on the water. The small group gives the tour a social feel without the scale of a party boat. It also suits anyone with only half a day in Zadar who wants to see beyond the city walls.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy swimming and do not mind a little spray. A sun hat, sunscreen, towel, beachwear, and a change of clothes are essential. Cash is useful for food or purchases in Preko.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year. Pets are not allowed. You should also think carefully about the boat if you dislike open water, strong sun, or a rough ride.

Weather matters. On a calm day, the open speedboat is part of the fun. When the sea is rough, you may get wet during the crossings, and the ride may feel less comfortable. Check the forecast and dress for the possibility of spray rather than assuming the boat will stay dry.

Booking flexibility and a few practical points

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

The tour lasts four hours from the waterfront in Zadar and returns to the same meeting point. The boat has a separate boarding arrangement behind Foša, and the operator recommends using WhatsApp if you have trouble finding the crew.

The life jacket is included, and you should follow the skipper’s instructions during the crossings and swimming stops. Keep valuable items protected from water, especially on a windy day.

Should you book the Ošljak and Preko speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the Adriatic with three island areas, swimming, basic snorkeling, village walks, and a friendly English-speaking crew. The combination of a small group, useful local advice, and free time at Ošljak and Preko gives you more freedom than a rigid sightseeing cruise.

Skip it if you need a toilet onboard, want a dry and sheltered boat, or expect advanced snorkeling equipment. Also confirm the exact Galevac stop if that island is central to your plans.

For most people staying in Zadar, $58 is a sensible price for a compact island outing. Pack lightly, bring sun protection and dry clothes, use the toilet at Preko, and let the skipper’s local advice shape your free time.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour meet in Zadar?

Meet the crew at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 on the waterfront opposite the city walls. Boarding is behind restaurant Foša. If you cannot identify the spot, take a photo of your location and send it to the activity provider on WhatsApp.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours and returns to the same waterfront meeting point in Zadar.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour includes Ošljak and Preko, and it is presented as a three-island route that also includes Galevac. The detailed timing does not give Galevac a separate stop duration, so confirm the exact arrangement with the provider.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Diving masks and life jackets are included. The snorkeling equipment is basic, and one booking noted that the masks could be improved.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There is no toilet onboard. Toilet access is available at the last stop, so use the facilities in Preko before returning.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, sunscreen, beachwear, a change of clothes, and cash. Dry clothes are especially useful because sea spray may reach you if the water is rough.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.