Zadar: Three Islands Private Boat Tour

The best part of this Zadar boat trip is its private, easygoing pace. Captain Goran takes you from Foša harbor to Galevac, Preko, Ošljak, and the sandy beach at Kostanj, adjusting the stops around your wish to swim, snorkel, explore, or simply sit with a cold drink. I especially like the homemade anchovies in Goran’s own olive oil, and the chance to reach coves and a beach that cars cannot reach. The main consideration is that four hours passes quickly, so you will need to accept a fairly brisk route if you want all the stops.

I also like the personal touch. Goran provides drinks, snorkeling gear, and local food, and he has arranged extras such as birthday cake and champagne for special occasions. This is not the best choice for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy, and you should bring a towel, swimwear, sun hat, and sunglasses.

Key points to know before you book

• Private group of up to five: The $282 group price works out to $56.40 each for five people, with no larger boat crowd to share the experience.
• Captain Goran sets a relaxed tone: You can tell him if swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, or time ashore matters most.
• Four island stops and beach time: The route includes Galevac, Preko on Ugljan, Ošljak, and sandy Kostanj Beach.
• Food is part of the outing: Expect drinks plus homemade anchovies or sardines, bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, and local olive oil, depending on what is prepared.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You can swim from the boat or explore the water near the islands without bringing your own gear.
• Good for small celebrations: Birthday gatherings can be arranged, including special touches such as cake and champagne.

A private way to see Zadar’s nearby islands

Many Zadar boat trips are built around a fixed schedule and a full passenger list. This one is different in a simple but important way: the group is private, with space for up to five people. That gives you a say in how the four hours feel.

You can ask for more swimming, more time on an island, or a slower lunch break. If your group wants to keep moving, you can do that too. The published schedule gives you a useful outline, but the experience is designed to bend around your priorities.

The price is $282 per group, not per person. For five people, that is $56.40 each. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are paying for a private boat, a guide, drinks, food, and flexibility rather than a seat on a large shared cruise. Families and groups of friends get the strongest value.

The boat leaves from Port Foša, listed at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. Plan to arrive ready for sun and water. Bring swimwear and a towel, plus sunglasses and a hat. You cannot bring bikes, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy.

Leaving Foša for Galevac and its quiet monastery

The first part is a short sightseeing cruise of about 20 minutes. It gives you time to leave Zadar behind and look back toward the city from the water before reaching Galevac, also called Galovac or Školji.

Galevac is small, peaceful, and best suited to a short visit rather than a long day of sightseeing. Its main landmark is the 15th-century monastery of St. Paul. The stop combines a guided look at the island with free time, swimming, snorkeling, and an aperitif.

I like this opening stop because it gives the trip some variety right away. You are not simply racing from beach to beach. The monastery adds a bit of local character, while the water provides the first chance to cool off.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes, so keep your expectations sensible. You will have time to look around and get in the water, but not enough for a long historical visit. If your group cares more about swimming than the monastery, tell Goran early. The private format makes that kind of adjustment possible.

Preko on Ugljan, with food and time to choose

The next stop is Preko, on the island of Ugljan. The name Preko means across, fitting its position opposite Zadar, and this is the most flexible stop on the route. The planned time here is about 40 minutes.

You can use this break for a guided walk, swimming, snorkeling, food tasting, or simply some free time. It is also described as a hop-on, hop-off stop, giving the schedule a loose island-visit feel rather than a strict sightseeing march.

This is where the local food becomes part of the story. Goran serves island products such as marinated or salted anchovies in homemade olive oil. Other food noted on the trip includes bread, tomatoes, cheese, and ham. Drinks can include beer, wine, cola, water, and other soft drinks.

The anchovies are worth trying even if you normally avoid them. The homemade olive oil and simple bread make them feel less like a formal meal and more like a taste of someone’s kitchen. That is one of the most memorable details of this trip, and a useful reason to choose it over a basic swim cruise.

You may also want to leave room for something sweet ashore. One family stopped for ice cream during the outing, showing how the private schedule can accommodate a quick break. Do not expect a long restaurant meal. The food is a generous local snack or light lunch, not a full culinary tour.

Ošljak, small coves, and the best swimming time

After Preko, there is another short sightseeing cruise of about 10 minutes before reaching Ošljak. The island stop lasts roughly one hour, making it the longest island visit on the route.

Ošljak is known here for its small coves and beaches, many of which suit swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear enough for fish spotting, and the boat can take you to places that feel quieter than the main shore areas around Zadar.

This is probably the strongest stop for people who want time in the sea. You can get off the boat, swim, snorkel, walk around with Goran as your guide, or simply relax. Several families found the water easy to enjoy, and one outing included sightings of dolphins, though wildlife is never something you should count on.

The one-hour schedule gives you a proper break, but it is still not an all-day beach stay. If you want to linger in one cove, you may need to give up some time elsewhere. That is not a flaw so much as the trade-off of a four-hour route with several stops.

For families, Ošljak is a strong fit. Children can swim from the boat and use the snorkeling equipment, while adults can enjoy the scenery and food. Still, keep in mind that this is a boat-and-water outing. It is not designed around step-free access or special mobility support.

Kostanj Beach, reached without a road

The final main stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a cove that cannot be reached by car. The boat spends about 50 minutes here, including time for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.

That lack of road access is the point. You arrive by water, step into a quieter setting, and have time to enjoy one last swim before returning to Zadar. The sand also gives this stop a different feel from the rocky shores often associated with the Adriatic.

Kostanj is a good place for the group to settle into the last part of the trip. You can take photos, swim, or use the snorkeling gear. If you have spent the earlier stops exploring and tasting food, this is a pleasant final pause rather than another tightly scheduled sightseeing visit.

The route back takes about 25 minutes. That return gives you time to dry off, finish a drink, and watch the shoreline come back into view. Since the total outing is four hours, keep an eye on the clock and follow Goran’s timing so you do not have to rush the return.

Captain Goran makes the difference

The guide is Goran, the captain and host behind Sunset-Tours. His role is more than steering the boat. He explains the islands, points out places worth seeing, serves food and drinks, and checks what your group wants from the day.

That personal approach is the reason this trip works best for people who prefer a human-scale outing. Goran has changed start times when possible, including an earlier 11 a.m. departure for one group and a 1 p.m. start for another. You should ask in advance rather than assume your preferred time is available.

He has also helped shape special occasions. One birthday group received cake and champagne, and the tour can be arranged for smaller birthday parties. The important detail is that these extras should be discussed ahead of time.

Goran’s local connection matters. He is from the island, and the food he serves comes from his own preparation and local sources. That does not turn the trip into a formal food tour, but it gives the outing a more personal flavor than packaged snacks from a cooler.

The small-group setting also lets him respond to your pace. If you want a calm afternoon with long swims, say so. If you want to see as much as possible, he can keep the route moving. The more clearly you explain your priorities, the more useful the private format becomes.

Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment

Food and drinks are included, which adds real value to a four-hour trip. Expect water and soft drinks, with beer and wine also available. The exact selection can vary, but the experience includes enough refreshment that you do not need to plan a separate drink stop on the boat.

The signature tasting is the anchovy and olive oil combination. You may also receive sardines or tuna, along with bread, tomatoes, cheese, and ham. This is simple island food, served casually and meant to be shared.

Snorkeling equipment is included as well. That matters if you are packing light or do not want to rent gear separately. Bring your own towel and swimwear, but the masks and related equipment are provided for the water stops.

Music can also be part of the mood. One group connected its own music to the boat’s speaker. Since this is a private trip, that kind of small preference is easier to accommodate than it would be on a large shared boat.

What the four-hour schedule really means

The route includes about 20 minutes to Galevac, 20 minutes at Galevac, 40 minutes at Preko, 10 minutes to Ošljak, one hour at Ošljak, 15 minutes to Kostanj, 50 minutes at the beach, and 25 minutes back to Zadar. The timing adds up to a busy but manageable half-day.

You will see several places, but you will not get a full day on any single island. The strength is variety: monastery, island town, coves, sandy beach, swimming, snorkeling, and food. The compromise is that each stop has a time limit.

I would choose this trip if you have one free afternoon in Zadar and want a broad taste of the nearby islands. I would choose a slower beach day instead if your main goal is to stay in one place for hours.

Weather can affect the plan. Goran has contacted groups ahead of time when the forecast looked poor and kept them updated. That is useful, but you should still expect the route or timing to depend on sea conditions.

Who will get the most from this boat tour?

This trip suits:

• Families who want swimming, snorkeling, snacks, and a manageable four-hour outing
• Couples looking for a private boat rather than a large shared cruise
• Small groups of friends who want control over music and timing
• Visitors who enjoy local food served informally
• Birthday groups seeking a small celebration on the water
• Anyone who wants several island views without committing to a full-day excursion

It is less suitable if you need wheelchair access, have epilepsy, dislike being on the water, or want a long, detailed monastery visit. It is also not a good choice if you expect a formal restaurant meal. The food is local, homemade, and casual.

Booking details and practical advice

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The tour lasts four hours, but starting times depend on availability.

The meeting point is Port Foša in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Confirm the exact meeting instructions when you book, especially if you are staying outside the central area.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and pack a towel, hat, and sunglasses. Sunscreen is a sensible addition, though it is not specifically listed among the required items. Do not bring a bike, since bikes are not allowed.

The advertised language is English. The group is private, and the maximum group size is five people.

Should you book the Zadar Three Islands tour?

I would book this tour if you have up to five people and want a flexible half-day on the Adriatic. The combination of Galevac’s monastery, Preko’s food stop, Ošljak’s coves, and sandy Kostanj gives you more range than a simple swim cruise.

The strongest reasons to choose it are Captain Goran’s personal hosting, the homemade anchovies and olive oil, and the freedom to shape the day around your group. At $282, the price is especially fair for five people, since the cost includes a private boat, drinks, food, snorkeling gear, and a guide.

Choose something else if you need accessible facilities, want a fixed beach base, or prefer a larger tour with a lower price per person for a small party. For a family or group of friends, though, this is a relaxed and flavorful way to see Zadar from the water without spending a full day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Port Foša in Zadar, listed at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

How long does the tour last?

The boat trip lasts four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to five people.

Which islands and beaches does the route visit?

The route includes Galevac, Preko on Ugljan, Ošljak, and Kostanj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included. Offerings can include homemade anchovies or sardines, bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, olive oil, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide language is English.

Can the tour accommodate a birthday celebration?

Yes. Smaller birthday parties can be arranged, and special touches such as cake and champagne have been organized for birthdays.

Is the boat tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy. Bikes are also not allowed.