Zadar: 3-Island Speedboat Tour with Snorkeling and Drinks

Zadar’s best island escape may be the one that keeps moving. This four-hour speedboat trip takes you to Ošljak, Preko, and a third stop chosen for its quiet water and natural setting. You get time to swim, snorkel, walk, and explore, rather than simply looking at the islands from the boat.

I like the small group of no more than 12 people, which makes the boat feel social without turning it into a floating crowd. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, sunscreen, unlimited water, local drinks, and a GoPro11 for underwater photos. The main thing to consider is that this is a compact speedboat, not a roomy cruise boat, and the ride can feel lively when the skipper opens the throttle.

Key points at a glance

• Three island stops in four hours: Visit Ošljak, Preko, and a quieter third location close to Zadar.
• Free time, not a guided march: Swim, snorkel, walk, shop, or sit with a coffee at your own pace.
• A small boat with a quick ride: The group limit is 12, giving the trip a friendly, informal feel.
• Useful gear included: Snorkels, masks, sunscreen, water, local alcoholic drinks, and a GoPro11 are provided.
• Strong guide presence: Josip and Luka are often singled out for clear explanations, good local advice, photos, and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Extra cost to budget for: Docking fees total €10 per adult or €5 per child for all stops.

Leaving Zadar for the Adriatic

The meeting point is on Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, opposite the Foša restaurant. Look for a guide in a red hat. From there, you board a compact speedboat and head out for the first 15-minute cruise.

This opening ride is short, but it sets the tone. You are not spending most of the day in transit. The boat gets you away from Zadar quickly, then gives you a few well-spaced stops where you can get into the water or explore on land.

The small-group format matters here. With a maximum of 12 participants, you should have a better chance of hearing the guide and getting help with the snorkeling equipment. Guides named Josip, Josef, and Luka receive repeated praise for being friendly, attentive, and good at explaining what to do at each stop.

You will also hear music on board, and the mood is more casual outing than formal sightseeing lecture. That suits the trip well. The guide can point out places to eat, suggest what to see on each island, and take photos, while you still have room to enjoy the ride.

Ošljak: swimming, walking, and a little exercise

The first major stop is Ošljak, where you have about 80 minutes. This is the longest stop of the day, so it is the place to make a plan rather than try to do everything at once.

You can walk, take photos, swim, snorkel, or follow a short route for views. The water is the main attraction, and the supplied equipment means you do not need to pack a mask and snorkel if you do not have them. A GoPro11 is also available for underwater pictures, a nice touch if you want more than the usual phone shots from the shoreline.

I would use this stop for a swim first, while the water and your energy are fresh. Then leave time for a walk and a few photographs. The stop is long enough for a relaxed pace, but not long enough to wander without checking the meeting time.

Ošljak also gives the tour some balance. This is not only a fast boat ride and a series of quick photographs. You have enough time to move your body, look around, and enjoy the sea without feeling hurried every few minutes.

Keep in mind that the tour does not promise a long, demanding hike. The walking is part of a mixed stop that includes swimming and snorkeling. If you want a serious coastal trek, this is not the right format. If you want a short walk with time in the water, it fits well.

The quiet third stop and its clear water

After another 10-minute cruise, the boat reaches a third island stop. Its name is kept as a surprise, and the visit lasts about 45 minutes. The focus here is swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and watching marine life.

This is likely to be the most nature-focused part of the trip. There is no stated shopping or coffee break at this stop, so think of it as time beside the water rather than a village visit. You can use the snorkeling equipment again and look below the surface for small marine life.

The surprise element adds a little fun, but it also means you cannot plan around a particular island attraction. The value comes from the setting and the chance to spend time in a less structured place. Your guide will give instructions and let you know how much time you have before returning to the boat.

For swimmers, this may be the favorite stop. For non-swimmers, it is still a pleasant chance to take photographs and enjoy the boat’s quieter surroundings, but the activity is clearly built around being in or near the sea.

Preko brings coffee, shopping, and more freedom

A further 10-minute cruise brings you to Preko for about an hour. This stop has the widest range of choices. You can get coffee, shop, walk, swim, snorkel, or simply sit and watch the island go by.

Preko is useful because it breaks up the beach time with a more settled place. If you have had enough salt water, you can stay on land. If you want one more swim, the choice is yours. Guides such as Josip and Luka are good sources of practical suggestions here, especially for places to eat or drink.

The hour passes quickly, so choose your priority before leaving the boat. A coffee and a short walk are realistic. Coffee, shopping, a swim, and a long meal are harder to combine in the time available.

The freedom at each stop is one of the strongest parts of this tour. You are not required to remain beside the group for every minute. You receive directions and a return time, then get space to enjoy the island in your own way. That makes the trip a good match for couples, friends, and solo visitors who like some independence.

After Preko, the boat takes about 20 minutes to return to Zadar. You arrive back at the same meeting point on Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

What the speedboat adds, and what it does not

The boat is part of the attraction. Several guides are praised for creating a fun atmosphere with music and a quick ride, and the speed gives you a sense of movement between stops. You see more than you would on a single-island outing while still having time ashore.

The tradeoff is comfort. A compact speedboat has less room than a large sightseeing vessel. If you prefer a quiet, slow cruise with plenty of shade and space to stretch out, this may not be your ideal boat trip. If you enjoy speed and do not mind a more active ride, it adds energy without taking over the whole experience.

The boat is described as new and safe, and the skipper remains responsible for the route and instructions. Still, bring a towel and sun hat, and use the supplied sunscreen. There is no reason to treat the boat ride as a break from the sun. You will be exposed on the water, particularly during the 15-minute opening ride and the return trip.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and the real value of $34

At $34 per person, the tour is priced as an accessible half-day outing. The value is strongest if you plan to swim and make use of the included equipment. A speedboat, skipper, guide, three island visits, snorkeling gear, unlimited water, local alcoholic drinks, sunscreen, and a GoPro11 add up to a useful package.

The local alcoholic drink is a social extra, not the reason to book. Unlimited water is more important in practical terms, especially during a warm afternoon. You should still bring your own towel and sun hat.

There is one required extra charge: docking fees total €10 per adult or €5 per child for all stops. Add that to your budget before comparing the tour with other boat trips. Even with the fee, the overall cost remains reasonable for a four-hour small-group outing, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for boat transport, snorkeling gear, and drinks.

The GoPro11 is another worthwhile feature, but you should confirm how the photos or footage are handled during the trip. The provided information confirms that the camera is available, but it does not explain the delivery process. Bring your own phone if you want complete control over your pictures.

The guides shape the atmosphere

The strongest personal touch comes from the skipper and guide. Josip, also called Josef in some feedback, is repeatedly praised for his humor, attention to each person, island explanations, restaurant tips, and willingness to take photographs. Luka is also praised for clear instructions, local information, good music, and a helpful manner.

That matters because the tour leaves room for informal interaction. You are not locked into a long lecture. A good guide can tell you where to walk, where to eat, and how to spend your free time, then let you get on with it.

The guides also appear attentive to practical needs. One account describes Luka helping with a finger injury and disinfecting it. That is not a reason to expect medical care on board, but it does suggest a useful level of attention during the outing.

Language support is available in English, Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian. The experience is built for a mixed international group, with clear instructions at each stop.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a short, active escape from Zadar rather than a full-day island expedition. It works especially well for people who want several swims, a little walking, and enough free time to choose their own pace.

It is also a good pick for solo visitors. The group is small, the guide helps keep the mood social, and you do not have to spend every stop attached to a traveling companion. Couples and friends will appreciate the mix of speed, music, swimming, and island time.

Families with older children may enjoy it, but the compact speedboat and water-based activities require comfort with the format. Babies under one year are not accepted, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not intended for people over 95.

I would be cautious about booking if you dislike speedboats, need extensive shade or space, or want a long cultural tour with detailed historical guiding. The focus is the sea, the island scenery, swimming, and a relaxed social atmosphere.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour lasts four hours, with starting times varying by availability. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans are still shifting.

Bring a towel and sun hat. Wear something suitable for swimming, though the supplied information does not specify changing facilities. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the boat is compact and the day centers on water activities.

Remember the meeting point: Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, opposite the Foša restaurant. The guide wears a red hat, and the tour returns to the same location.

Should you book the Zadar island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want to fit three island experiences into one half-day without paying for a private charter. The combination of Ošljak’s longer stop, the quiet swimming location, and Preko’s coffee and shopping gives the trip more variety than a simple beach transfer.

The tour is especially good value for confident swimmers and people who enjoy a fast, friendly boat ride. Josip and Luka add local advice and a personal touch, while the snorkeling equipment, drinks, sunscreen, and camera reduce the amount you need to organize yourself.

Skip it if you want a slow cruise, a large shaded boat, or a serious history tour. For everyone else, this is a practical and lively way to get beyond Zadar’s waterfront, with enough free time to make the islands feel like places you visited rather than scenery you passed.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar speedboat tour?

The experience lasts four hours, including the boat rides and time spent at Ošljak, the third island stop, and Preko.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, opposite the Foša restaurant. Look for a guide wearing a red hat.

Does the tour return to the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point on Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops include Ošljak and Preko, plus a third island location presented as a surprise stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it at Ošljak, the third stop, and Preko.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water and unlimited local alcoholic drinks are included.

Are there any extra fees?

Yes. Docking fees are €10 per adult and €5 per child in total for all stops.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or babies?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year. It is also not suitable for people over 95.