Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko Islands Speedboat Tour

Three stops, one boat, and very little waiting. This four-hour trip gives you three distinct Adriatic stops for $57, with swimming, snorkeling, and time to wander Preko. I also like the small group, capped at 10 people, and the friendly captains, especially Kristijan and Luka. The tradeoff is a brisk schedule, and the speedboat can feel lively on the water, so it is not ideal for people with back or heart problems.

You meet the boat at the waterfront and spend much of the morning or afternoon moving between beaches and islands. Beer, water, and snorkeling gear are included, but food is not, and non-swimmers will not get the full benefit of the trip. Bring a towel, sun protection, and a little cash or a card for food in Preko.

Key points to know before booking

• Three water stops in four hours: Kostanj, Ošljak, and Preko give you a mix of swimming, snorkeling, village time, and boat scenery.
• A genuinely small group: The boat carries no more than 10 people, making it easier to ask questions and get on and off the boat.
• Kostanj starts the water fun: You get about an hour at a sandy bay for swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, and a beer.
• Ošljak is tiny and scenic: This stop offers 45 minutes for photos, swimming, and a look at Croatia’s smallest inhabited island.
• Preko gives you time ashore: The final island stop lasts about 75 minutes, enough for a walk, a swim, and food.
• The captain shapes the mood: Music, local stories, flexible swimming time, and occasional local spirits have all been part of the experience.

Why this Zadar boat trip works so well

Zadar is easy to enjoy from land, but its setting makes better sense from the water. The city faces a chain of islands scattered across the Zadar Channel, and the short crossings let you see that coastal pattern without committing to a full-day cruise.

I like the balance here. You get the speed and excitement of a modern speedboat, but you also get time to sit on a beach and walk through a village. It is not simply a ride around the bay, and it is not a long ferry trip where most of the day disappears in transit.

The $57 price is fair for what is included. You receive the boat ride, a local English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, water, and beer. A private boat would cost far more, while a basic ferry ticket would not give you the same access to small swimming spots or the same amount of guidance.

The group limit matters. With up to 10 people, the experience feels more personal than a large excursion boat. You can usually hear the captain, move around the boat more easily, and get in and out of the water without a crowd pressing behind you.

The strongest part is the atmosphere. Several captains, including Kristijan and Luka, have been praised for being warm, helpful, and easy to talk with. Music is part of the ride, and the mood can be lively rather than formal. If you want a quiet nature cruise with long lectures, this may not be your best match.

Leaving Zadar on a 15-minute speedboat ride

The meeting point is at the waterfront, where you look for a boat with the company logo. The short launch from Zadar quickly changes your view of the city. Instead of looking at the waterfront from a promenade, you see the skyline recede as the islands come forward.

The first boat leg takes about 15 minutes. That is short enough to keep the day moving, but long enough to enjoy the ride and the open water. The exact feel depends on sea conditions, and a speedboat can bounce more than a slow sightseeing vessel.

You should arrive ready for the water. Wear swimwear under your clothes, use sunscreen before boarding, and keep sunglasses and a hat close by. There is no need to pack snorkeling equipment, since it is supplied, but you should bring your own towel.

English is the tour language. The captains use the ride to explain the route and, according to the experience described by past customers, may share stories about the islands as you pass them. The tone is informal and social, not a formal historical tour.

Kostanj bay brings the first swim

Kostanj is the first main stop and lasts about one hour. It is described as a sandy beach in a small bay, which gives you a welcome change from the rocky swimming spots found along much of the Croatian coast.

This is your best chance to settle into the day. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling gear, look for marine life, or simply enjoy the scenery from the shore. A beer and water are included, so you can have a drink without making an immediate stop for supplies.

The sandy shore is a useful feature for anyone who prefers an easier entry into the sea. Still, the water may feel cool early in the season. One June visitor found the first swim a bit cold, so do not assume every stop will feel like a warm bath, especially in May or early June.

The hour passes quickly. If snorkeling is important to you, get organized soon after arriving rather than spending most of the stop choosing a spot. The captain may give you freedom to swim without pressure, but the boat still has a schedule to keep.

Kostanj is also a good test of the tour’s pace. You are not settling in for a half-day beach stay. You are sampling several places, each with a different character.

Ošljak offers a small-island pause

After another 15-minute crossing, the boat reaches Ošljak. This island is known here as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, and that detail gives the stop a special sense of scale.

You have about 45 minutes for a break, photos, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. Ošljak is less about a long walk and more about enjoying a compact island setting. The views across the water are a major part of the appeal.

The short stop works well if you enjoy variety. You can take photographs, cool off in the sea, and get a feel for a very small community without spending hours ashore. It also keeps the day from becoming repetitive, since you move from a sandy bay to a tiny inhabited island.

The limitation is obvious: 45 minutes is not enough for an extended exploration. You will need to choose between swimming, photographs, and walking. I would treat Ošljak as a scenic pause rather than a full sightseeing visit.

The water is the main attraction here. Bring the snorkeling gear ashore and use the stop for a second swim if you enjoyed Kostanj. If you prefer staying dry, the crossing and island views still make Ošljak worthwhile.

Preko gives you the longest time ashore

The final island stop is Preko, on the larger island of Ugljan. The boat ride from Ošljak takes about 15 minutes, then you have roughly 75 minutes to explore.

This is the most flexible part of the trip. You can walk through the village, stop for food, swim again, or sit and enjoy the waterfront. One group used the time for lunch, a walk through the streets, and another dip in the sea. That combination is exactly what makes Preko more than another beach stop.

You should plan your priorities before getting off the boat. Seventy-five minutes is enough for a pleasant taste of the village, but not enough to explore Ugljan Island in depth. If lunch matters, go early. If swimming matters more, head for the water first and eat afterward.

Preko also gives the day a better rhythm. The first two stops focus on nature and swimming, while Preko adds a small taste of local island life. You are not just moving from one pretty bay to another. You get a place where you can walk, eat, and set your own pace for a while.

The return journey takes about 15 minutes. After a final look across the channel, you arrive back at the Zadar waterfront.

What the captain adds to the experience

The captain is more than the person steering the boat. The best part of this tour depends on how well the skipper handles the pace, the group, and the local setting.

Kristijan and Luka receive especially warm praise for their friendliness and professionalism. Luca was also singled out for explaining the morning plan clearly and making a family group feel comfortable. That matters on a small boat, where the captain’s manner shapes the whole outing.

The captains have also adjusted the feel of the trip for different groups. Families with children aged 10 and 13 enjoyed the ride, while groups of young adults liked the music and social atmosphere. Some trips have included a taste of local brandy, although you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of every departure.

The music may suit you, or it may not. This is not a silent nature excursion. The mood can feel festive, especially with a full group, but the captain still leaves time for swimming and sightseeing.

Is the four-hour schedule enough?

For a short trip from Zadar, yes. You spend about an hour at Kostanj, 45 minutes at Ošljak, and 75 minutes at Preko. The four 15-minute speedboat legs account for one hour of the total, leaving three hours at the stops.

That division gives you a proper taste of the islands without using an entire day. You can book it around other Zadar plans, which is useful if you want time for the Old Town, the Sea Organ, or an evening meal.

The schedule does require some discipline. You cannot linger at one bay for half the day, and you may have to stop swimming when you are ready for another 10 minutes. If you prefer to set your own route and stay in one place, a private boat or beach day would suit you better.

For most people, the changing scenery is the point. The trip never becomes a long stretch of open water with nothing to do.

Who should book, and who should skip it?

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want active time on the water. It suits people who like swimming, short walks, village stops, and a cheerful boat atmosphere.

Children under 2 are not accepted. The trip is also unsuitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, and anyone over 264 pounds or 120 kilograms.

You should also think honestly about your comfort in the sea. Snorkeling is included, but the tour is built around water access. If you do not swim, you will lose much of the experience.

The boat is easy to board for many people, but the supplied information does not promise special accessibility equipment. If you need that kind of support, contact the company before booking rather than guessing.

Practical value at $57 per person

At $57, the tour delivers more than simple transport. You receive a speedboat ride, three island-area stops, snorkeling equipment, water, and beer. You also avoid arranging separate ferries or finding your own swimming spots.

Food is not included, so plan to buy lunch or snacks in Preko. Tips are also not included. Since the trip is only four hours, the extra cost should be limited unless you make a full meal stop.

The flexible booking terms help if your Zadar plans may change. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

The strongest value comes from the small group. Ten people or fewer means you are paying for access to a more personal outing, not merely a seat on a large boat. At the same time, this is still a shared trip, so the music, pace, and stop lengths are set for the group.

Should you book this island tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the water with several chances to swim and a real village stop at Preko. The mix of Kostanj’s sandy bay, tiny Ošljak, and walkable Preko gives you more variety than a simple beach cruise.

I would skip it if you need a quiet, fully accessible boat, dislike speedboat motion, cannot swim, or want several hours at one beach. For everyone else, this is a well-priced way to see the Zadar islands without spending a full day away from the city.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar island speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides between Zadar, Kostanj, Ošljak, Preko, and the return to Zadar.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $57 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

The skipper waits at the waterfront in a boat displaying the company logo.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ošljak and Ugljan Island, where you visit the village of Preko. It also stops at Kostanj bay.

How long do you spend at Kostanj?

You spend about one hour at Kostanj for swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, sightseeing, and a beer.

How long do you spend on Ošljak?

The Ošljak stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes time for photographs, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.

How long do you spend in Preko?

You have about 75 minutes in Preko for walking, sightseeing, swimming, and finding food.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, water, and beer are included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so plan to buy it separately, especially during the time in Preko.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people over 264 pounds or 120 kilograms. Pets are also not allowed.