Zadar: 3 Islands Speedboat Tour with Drinks and Diving

Short boat ride, big Adriatic payoff. This four-hour trip packs in clear-water swimming, easy snorkeling, and island time without asking you to give up a full day. I especially like the small-group feel and the mix of quiet swimming spots with the friendly village of Preko. The main drawback is practical: there is no toilet on board, and food is not included.

The $49 price is strong for a speedboat outing that includes fuel, a guide, snorkeling equipment, life vests, shade, and unlimited water. Guides such as Dino, David, Davide, and Stella have received warm praise for being helpful and relaxed, though your guide will depend on the departure.

This is a good choice if you want to get out on the water without committing to a long cruise. You should be comfortable boarding a boat, swimming from the boat, and walking around island roads. Bring a hat, dry clothes, comfortable clothing, cash, and any snacks you want for the four-hour trip.

Key Points

• Three very different stops: Swim at Blue Bay Otrić, explore Ošljak, then spend time in Preko on Ugljan.
• Small-group atmosphere: Past departures have often had around seven or eight people, leaving more room than many larger excursion boats.
• Swimming gets real time: The schedule allows about 45 minutes at Blue Bay, an hour at the second stop, and an hour in Preko.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Masks and equipment are available, so you do not need to pack your own.
• Drinks help on a sunny outing: Unlimited water is included, and several departures also offered beer or juice.
• A $49 half-day outing: You get sea views, island time, fuel, equipment, and a guide without using an entire day.

Leaving Zadar Through the Bay of Foša

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, where the boat is tied to the walls. Arrive ready to board rather than expecting a large terminal or formal marina check-in. The tour begins with a roughly 20-minute speedboat ride through the Bay of Foša.

That first run is part of the pleasure. You get open views toward Zadar’s coastline, a brisk ride, and a quick change from city sightseeing to open water. The speedboat gives you more movement and sea air than a slow excursion vessel, while the small capacity keeps the trip from feeling like a floating bus.

The ride can be sunny and exposed, so use the boat’s sunshade when you want a break. A hat is useful, and comfortable clothes are better than anything stiff or precious. You may get splashed, especially if the sea is lively, so a change of clothes is sensible.

The group size matters here. A past departure had seven people, and another had eight. That leaves enough room to sit comfortably and makes it easier for the skipper to respond to the group. It also means this is a social outing, not a private charter. You share the boat, stops, and pace with other people.

Blue Bay Otrić: Your First Swim at 45 Minutes

Blue Bay Otrić is the first major stop, reached after about 20 minutes on the boat. You get roughly 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, along with time to look around and hear information from the guide.

This stop sets the tone. You are not spending the first half of the trip merely riding between islands. You can get into the water early, see fish with the provided snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the clear sea before the day becomes warmer and busier.

If you are not a confident swimmer, life vests are included. You can still enjoy the stop from the boat or in the water at your own comfort level, but the trip is built around swimming. A non-swimming family member has enjoyed the outing before, yet you should not book it expecting a sightseeing cruise with no water activity.

The 45-minute stop is long enough to swim without making the itinerary feel sluggish. You may want to use the first few minutes to settle into the water, then save time for snorkeling. Do not expect a full beach day here. The point is a refreshing stop in a good-looking bay, not a long stay with a full range of beach facilities.

Ošljak and the One-Hour Island Break

After another approximately 15-minute speedboat ride, the tour reaches its second stop, described as a quieter island spot and identified with Ošljak in the main trip description. You have about an hour here for photos, walking, swimming, snorkeling, and free time.

This is the most flexible part of the outing. You can stay near the water, wander at your own pace, or follow the guide’s suggestions about the area. The island gives you a chance to step off the boat and see a small piece of Dalmatia at walking speed, rather than viewing everything from the seat of a speedboat.

I like this change of rhythm. Blue Bay is mainly about the water, while Ošljak gives you time to move around and look at the setting. One past departure described the second island as especially impressive, while another praised the chance to walk around each stop rather than spending most of the tour in transit.

Do not expect a long guided tour with a packed list of monuments. The guide provides local information, then gives you room to choose what interests you. That works well for independent people who prefer a loose hour to a strict route.

The practical issue is footwear. The supplied information calls for comfortable clothes, but not specific shoes. Since you may walk around and then return to swimming, wear something that handles both. Keep your belongings simple and secure, as this is a boat-and-island outing rather than a full beach resort visit.

Preko on Ugljan: The Most Developed Stop

The final island stop is Preko, reached after another 15-minute boat ride. You get about an hour for a photo stop, a walk, shopping, swimming, snorkeling, and free time.

Preko is the most village-oriented part of the itinerary. You can walk around, look for souvenirs, browse shops, and choose a place to pause before returning to the boat. The setting has a more settled, visitor-friendly feel than the earlier swim stops, with restaurants and shops available according to the trip information.

This contrast is important. Some people will love Preko most because it offers an easy taste of island life and a chance to buy something small. Others may prefer the first two stops, where the focus is on quiet water and nature. If your ideal outing is three secluded coves, Preko may feel more built up. If you want both swimming and a village stop, it rounds out the trip nicely.

The full hour gives you enough time to walk without rushing. You can also swim here, but do not assume every minute needs to be spent in the water. The best use of this stop depends on your priorities. Have a look around, pick up a souvenir if you wish, and keep an eye on the agreed return time.

Several people have singled out Preko as the highlight because of its relaxed feel. That makes sense: it is the stop where you can combine a short walk, a little shopping, and the atmosphere of a real island community.

The Ride Home and Drinks on Board

After Preko, the boat takes roughly 20 minutes to return to the starting point. The ride back includes another swimming opportunity in the general trip description, though the detailed schedule lists the three main stops as Blue Bay Otrić, Ošljak, and Preko.

Water is included throughout, and the boat has shade. Past departures also offered beer, juice, or other drinks, with guides checking in more than once. Water is the dependable inclusion, while you should not rely on a particular alcoholic drink unless your departure confirms it.

The return ride is a good time to sit back and watch the coastline. The boat is part of the attraction, not just transport. You get a lively ride between stops, then a slower chance to take in the coast as you head back to Zadar.

Food is not included. Bring a small snack if you need one, especially if you are booking an afternoon departure. The tour information also tells you to bring drinks, even though unlimited water is supplied. That is good advice if you have a particular beverage in mind.

Why the Small Group Changes the Experience

The boat’s small size is one of its strongest features. Past groups have included about seven or eight people, and one departure was described as having a maximum of seven. The exact capacity may vary, but this is clearly aimed at a compact group rather than a large party boat.

That gives you more room and makes conversation with the guide easier. Guides named Dino, David, Davide, and Stella have been praised for being friendly, flexible, and informative. Dino in particular was described as relaxed and willing to adjust the pace, while David was appreciated for sharing facts and offering drinks.

Do keep in mind that guide quality can vary by person and by day. The consistent pattern is a casual, helpful style rather than a formal lecture. That suits the trip. You get useful information about the islands without losing your free time.

A small boat also means less separation between you and the water. That is excellent for views and swimming, but it gives you fewer places to retreat if the sun is strong or the sea becomes choppy. The sunshade helps, yet bring a hat and use sunscreen.

Is $49 Good Value?

At $49 per person, this tour offers good value if you want water time and a taste of nearby islands in half a day. The price includes the speedboat, fuel, guide, life vests, snorkeling equipment, shade, and unlimited water. You also get around three hours of island and swim stops, with the rest spent moving between locations.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange boat transport and snorkeling gear separately. You get three distinct stops and enough free time to make the trip feel like more than a quick photo run.

The price does not cover food, and there is no toilet on board. Those are not minor details on a four-hour outing, particularly if you are traveling with children or need frequent facilities. Babies under one year old and wheelchair users are not suited to this activity, and the boat setup is not designed for either.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times before booking, since a morning trip and a late-afternoon trip will feel quite different in the summer sun. One past group particularly enjoyed a 4 p.m. departure, returning as the sun was going down.

Who Should Book This Speedboat Trip?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who want a compact sea outing. It works especially well if you have only a few days in Zadar and want to see more than the old town without losing a full day.

It is also a good match for people who like a flexible schedule. You get guide information, but you are not marched from sight to sight. At Ošljak and Preko, you can decide whether to swim, walk, shop, take photos, or simply sit in the shade.

Swimmers and snorkelers will get the most from the trip. You can see fish with the supplied equipment, and the clear water is repeatedly praised in the experience feedback. Life vests help, but this is still an activity centered on getting into the sea.

I would be more cautious if you need a toilet close at hand, dislike small speedboats, or want a full meal and a long guided tour. The outing is active, exposed, and informal. It is not a luxury yacht cruise or a history-focused island tour.

What to Bring and What to Know

Pack lightly, but bring the right things:

• Hat and sun protection
• Comfortable clothes
• A change of clothes
• Any personal drinks or snacks
• Cash for shopping or purchases in Preko
• Swimwear and footwear suitable for walking

Snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided, so you do not need to bring those. The boat has a sunshade, but that does not mean every seat stays shaded for the entire ride.

The meeting point is at the boat tied to the walls on Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Since there is no onboard toilet and no food included, plan around those limits before you leave Zadar.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want three swim opportunities, a small boat, and two different island experiences for a fair half-day price. The combination of clear water, snorkeling equipment, free time on Ošljak, and the village atmosphere of Preko gives you more variety than a simple coastal cruise.

Skip it if you want a large, fully serviced boat, guaranteed meals, or a formal cultural tour. For everyone else, this is an easy way to add sea time to a Zadar visit. The strongest reasons to book are the small group, the generous time in the water, and the relaxed guides. Just bring a snack, accept the lack of a toilet, and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

How long does the Zadar speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides and stops at Blue Bay Otrić, Ošljak, and Preko.

What islands and places does the tour visit?

The trip visits Ošljak and Ugljan, with time in Preko on Ugljan. It also stops at Blue Bay Otrić for swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included in the tour.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water is included. Past departures also offered drinks such as beer or juice, but food is not included. You may bring your own drinks and snacks.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. The tour information specifically states that a toilet is not included on board.

Can wheelchair users or babies under one year old join?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year old.