Zadar Islands: Private Hidden Treasures Speedboat Tour

The best Adriatic days leave room for detours. This private speedboat trip from Zadar does exactly that, carrying you through the island maze toward Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan with time for swimming wherever the skipper finds a good spot. I especially like the freedom to stop often and the chance to visit small island villages instead of spending the whole day at sea. The main drawback is the extra €160 fuel charge, paid in cash per group, which changes the real cost quite a bit.

I also like the intimate setup. The boat is booked for your group, not mixed with strangers, and past outings have included just two people aboard. Skippers such as Marija, Lovre, and Roko have earned warm praise for their local stories and friendly manner. Still, a speedboat ride can get jolty in wind, and the boat may feel more practical than polished.

Key points to know before you go

• Three island areas in one day: The route reaches Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan, with views toward Rava, Žut, and Sit along the way.
• Swimming is the main event: You can stop repeatedly at secluded bays, with snorkeling gear and lifejackets supplied.
• A real village pause: You have time for coffee, ice cream, or a cold drink on Dugi Otok, then can eat lunch in the village of Iž.
• Private means flexible: The skipper can adjust the pace and stop for photos, swimming, walking, or marine-life watching.
• Budget for the fuel fee: The listed price is $329 for up to two people, plus €160 cash for fuel per group.
• Come prepared for the sun: Bring a towel, sun cream, water shoes, drinks, snacks, sunglasses, and a hat.

What you are really buying for $329

The advertised price is $329 per group of up to two people, not per person. That makes the base price $164.50 each for a pair, before the €160 fuel surcharge. Since the fuel fee applies to the whole group, the outing becomes better value when two people share it than when one person books alone.

The price includes the boat, skipper and guide, snorkeling equipment, lifejackets, insurance, and bottled water. Lunch, coffee, ice cream, and other drinks are extra. You should also bring your own snacks and drinks, since the tour asks you to supply those yourself.

I see the value in the private format. A standard boat trip often follows a fixed route and timetable. Here, you have room to linger in a quiet bay, skip a stop that does not suit you, or ask for another swim. That flexibility matters on a hot summer day, when the best part of the outing may be sitting in shallow water under the shade of a pine tree.

The cost is less attractive if you are mainly looking for a short boat ride and one swim. This is a seven-hour commitment, with a substantial fuel fee on top. It makes the most sense for a couple or small private group that wants a full day on the water and values privacy over the lowest possible fare.

Leaving Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar

The meeting point is the supplier’s office at Marina Tankerkomerc, Ivana Meštrovića 3. From there, you board the speedboat and head out through the Zadar channel.

The first and last legs each take about an hour. That gives you two hours of open-water travel, but the ride is part of the day rather than dead time. You get changing views of the Zadar archipelago as you move toward the islands.

A speedboat is useful here because it covers more water than a slower boat. You can reach several island areas in one outing while still keeping around five hours for stops, swims, village time, and photos. The tradeoff is comfort. One past account described a windier return leg as more jolty, though still enjoyable overall.

If you are sensitive to motion, ask about the day’s conditions before setting off. Bring a hat that will stay put, sunglasses with a secure fit, and sun protection. The boat has a canopy, but you will still spend much of the day exposed to sun and wind.

Dugi Otok brings the first taste of island life

The route heads around Ugljan toward Dugi Otok. Before the longer swim stop, you get a short break to slow down and enjoy a simple island pause. You might choose coffee, ice cream, or a cold drink.

This stop matters because it breaks up the boat ride. Croatian island life is not only coves and clear water. It is also a quick drink at a village table, a quiet waterfront, and the slower rhythm that comes when the day is not ruled by traffic or tight schedules.

Do not expect a long sightseeing visit here. The itinerary describes a quick break, so think of it as a chance to stretch your legs and get your bearings before returning to the coast. If you want a substantial meal, save your appetite for Iž, where lunch is available at a local restaurant.

The sandy bay near Dugi Otok

The first major swim stop is a small sandy bay near Dugi Otok. It is surrounded by wild nature and offers a change from the rocky shoreline found in many parts of the Adriatic.

You can rest beneath olive trees or stay on the boat beneath its canopy. The water is described as turquoise and clear, making this a good place for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, or simply floating without a schedule pressing you onward.

The phrase private beach should be understood in a practical sense. The tour takes you to a secluded spot away from the main tourist flow, but the information does not promise exclusive use of the beach. Conditions and other boats can vary. The attraction is the quiet setting and the chance to spend time there without a large tour group around you.

Bring water shoes. A sandy bay sounds easy underfoot, but shore conditions can change, and water shoes are useful for getting in and out of a boat or walking along the shallows. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, but you should bring your own beach towel and sun cream.

Island views on the way to Iž

After the Dugi Otok stop, the boat continues toward Iž. Along the way, you see parts of the wider Zadar archipelago, including Rava, Ugljan, Žut, and Sit.

This is one of the strongest parts of the trip for anyone who wants more than a single beach. The islands appear as a connected chain, yet each has a different feel from the water. You are not simply being taken to one famous sight and brought back. The route gives you a broad sense of the island area around Zadar.

The boat ride also gives your skipper a chance to share local information. Lovre, Roko, and Marija have each received especially warm praise for being friendly and offering insight into island life, culture, and food. The quality of that personal contact is important on a private trip. A good skipper does more than steer. They help you understand why a village, cove, or meal matters.

Snorkeling and music at an Iž cove

On Iž, you stop at a secluded bay for more swimming and snorkeling. You can swim from the boat and use the onboard sound system, so this section has a relaxed, informal feel.

The water is the star. Past outings included several swims in clear water, with one pair stopping at three separate spots. The flexible format means you can stay longer if everyone is happy in the water, though the exact timing depends on the day and the skipper’s judgment.

This is a good place to use the snorkeling gear included in the price. You may see marine life in the clear shallows, but the tour does not promise a particular species or a formal guided snorkeling session. Think of it as casual exploration from the boat rather than a specialist wildlife excursion.

The sound system will appeal to some groups and matter less to others. If you want a quiet day, you can simply leave the music off and enjoy the water. If you are traveling with friends or family, it adds a little atmosphere during a long swim stop.

Iž village and the choice of lunch

The village of Iž gives the day its clearest human touch. It is presented as a traditional Croatian island village, and the stop lets you walk around, take a break, and choose lunch at a local restaurant.

I like this part because it prevents the trip from becoming an endless chain of beaches. You see how the islands are lived in, not just how they look from a boat. Even a short walk and a simple drink can tell you more about island life than another hour of coastal scenery.

Lunch is not included. You pay separately, and you should ask clearly what is available and how much it costs before ordering. One past outing praised the seafood meal, while another had a poor experience with the restaurant recommendation and felt limited to expensive beef or fish dishes rather than the full menu.

That is a useful warning, not a reason to skip Iž. Treat the lunch stop as optional and stay in control of your order. If the menu or prices do not suit you, use the village stop for a drink and a light break instead. Bring your own snacks so you are not dependent on the restaurant.

The final sandy bay on Ugljan

The last major stop is on the uninhabited side of Ugljan. This bay has shallow water and white sand, making it especially appealing for relaxed swimming and easy beach games.

Families may like the shallow water, and adults can use the stop to wind down after the busier sequence of boat rides and snorkeling. You can sit in olive gardens or beneath pine trees, or stay under the boat’s canopy.

This stop also shows why the private format is useful. A large group needs to move together. A private group can spend its final hour doing very little, which is often exactly what you want after several swims. If you prefer active sightseeing, you can use the time for more photos, a walk, or another swim.

From Ugljan, you return to Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar. The tour is listed as seven hours, with a minimum of six hours, and it may last longer for your enjoyment at no extra cost. That is a generous approach, though the exact finish will depend on weather, sea conditions, and how long you choose to stop.

Skippers make the private format work

The strongest praise goes to the skippers. Marija was described as exceptionally kind and friendly, while Lovre was praised for his company and for explaining local culture, cuisine, and daily life. Roko was credited with finding a comfortable balance between privacy and local insight.

That balance is worth thinking about before you book. Some private boat operators stay quiet and let you manage the day. Others fill the trip with facts. Here, you can expect a personal guide who can add local context, but you still have room to set the pace.

The tour is in English. The group is private, and the experience is suitable for children aged three and older. The supplied information does not give a maximum group size beyond the listed price for up to two people, so you should confirm the arrangement if more than two people are in your party.

What to pack for seven hours outside

Pack lightly, but pack for the water. I would bring:

• Swimsuit and beach towel
• Sun cream, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Water shoes
• Your own drinks and snacks
• A secure bag for small personal items
• Dry clothing for the return to Zadar

Bottled water is supplied, but the tour specifically asks you to bring your own drinks and snacks. That is easy to overlook when the booking includes water. Lunch and other food are not included, so a small picnic backup is sensible even if you plan to eat in Iž.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The boat is designed for a day on the water, not for carrying a large suitcase. You will also want both hands free when boarding, swimming, or moving between the boat and shore.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this tour if you want a private day of swimming, island scenery, and unhurried stops. It suits couples especially well, since the base price covers two people and the boat can feel like your own floating platform for the day.

It also works for families with children aged three and older, provided everyone is comfortable with a speedboat and repeated swims. The shallow Ugljan bay is helpful, while lifejackets and snorkeling equipment are included.

This is less suitable if you want a carefully scripted cultural tour, a guaranteed restaurant menu, or a polished luxury yacht. The boat has received some criticism for looking a little worn, and wind can make the ride bumpy. You should also avoid booking it if you dislike sun exposure, open-water travel, or flexible meal arrangements.

The experience carries a 4.9 rating from 27 ratings, and 92 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. Those numbers fit the main pattern: people value the skipper, the privacy, the swimming locations, and the feeling of getting away from crowded routes.

Should you book the Zadar Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want to spend most of a full day in clear water and quiet bays, with a friendly skipper shaping the route around your group. The ability to swim several times, visit Dugi Otok and Iž, see the archipelago from the boat, and finish at a sandy Ugljan bay gives you a full Adriatic day rather than a single photo stop.

Think twice if the €160 cash fuel fee strains your budget, or if you expect a spotless, high-end boat and a guaranteed bargain lunch. Ask about sea conditions, clarify the lunch options, and split the cost with a companion for the best value.

For a couple that wants privacy, local conversation, and plenty of time in the water, I would book it. Bring snacks, water shoes, and a flexible attitude. The best moments here are likely to come from an extra swim or a quiet bay, not from following the clock.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the supplier’s office at Marina Tankerkomerc, Ivana Meštrovića 3, in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is scheduled for seven hours, with a minimum duration of six hours. It can last longer for your enjoyment at no extra cost.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $329 for a group of up to two people.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €160 fuel surcharge applies per group and is payable in cash.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour is organized as a private group experience.

Which islands does the route visit?

The route includes stops around Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan. You can also see Rava, Žut, and Sit during the boat ride.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and lifejackets are included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can choose to eat at a local restaurant in the village of Iž, at your own expense.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimsuit, beach towel, sun cream, water shoes, and your own drinks and snacks.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The tour is suitable for children aged three and older.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

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