Blue Lagoon Snorkeling on Speedboat & Island Hopping Tour

Fast boat, quiet islands, clear water. This four-hour outing gives you a lively way to see the Zadar coast, with stops on Osljak and Preko, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and cold drinks included. I like the mix of speed and downtime, plus the chance to tailor the departure if you book the entire boat. I also like that skippers Luka and Fabricio have earned praise for making the trip fun and well organized.

The main consideration is time. Osljak gets about 45 minutes, while Preko receives roughly two hours and 15 minutes, so you will see only a small slice of each island. The price of $517.66 per group of up to six can make good sense for a private outing, but it is a serious cost if your party is small.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different island stops: Osljak offers a short, quiet walk, while Preko gives you more time for food, coffee, beach time, and snorkeling.
• A speedboat with both sun and shade: Sit on the front sundeck for the ride or use the shaded rear area when the sun gets strong.
• Cold drinks are included: Bottled water and other cold drinks help keep the half-day easy and comfortable.
• Snorkeling equipment is provided: You can use the gear at the clear water around Preko without packing your own set.
• A small-group feel: The boat can carry a maximum of 11 people, and a whole-boat booking can allow more personal planning.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded.

Leaving Zadar by luxury speedboat

The trip starts at Foša, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2 in Zadar. From there, you head along the shore before crossing toward the islands. The opening ride is not simply a transfer. It gives you a broad view of Zadar from the water and lets the pace build gradually.

That pace is part of the appeal. A speedboat covers more water than a small harbor boat, but this is not presented as a nonstop thrill ride. You get the quick, energetic movement of the boat, then time to walk, swim, eat, and sit still. That balance makes the outing suitable for families and mixed-age groups.

The boat has a sundeck at the front and shade at the back. If you want wind and open views, the front is the natural choice during the ride. If you prefer less sun, or if you are traveling with children who need a break from the heat, the shaded area is useful. Life jackets are available for every passenger if needed.

Cold drinks and bottled water are included. Lunch is not, so plan to buy food during the Preko stop or eat before departure. Since the tour lasts about four hours, the lack of a provided meal is not a major problem, but you should not expect a full onboard lunch service.

Osljak gives you 45 quiet minutes

Osljak is the first stop, with about 45 minutes to explore on foot. This is the shorter island visit, so keep your plans simple. You will have time to walk around, see a little of the local setting, and enjoy a quieter break from Zadar.

The value of Osljak is its calm mood. You are not being asked to race through a list of major sights. Instead, you get a brief chance to leave the city behind and experience a smaller island environment. The stop works well as a reset after the boat ride.

Still, 45 minutes passes quickly. If you want a long walk, a leisurely coffee, or extensive sightseeing, Osljak will feel brief. I would treat it as a gentle introduction rather than the main event. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking, and keep your expectations matched to the limited time.

The skipper guides the group throughout the outing, so you are not left to work out the route alone. That is especially helpful when you want to make the most of a short stop without wasting time finding your way around.

Preko is the main stop for swimming and lunch

After Osljak, the boat continues to Preko, where you have about two hours and 15 minutes. This is where the tour opens up. You can walk toward the island center, stop for lunch or coffee with a sea view, or settle by the small sandy beach.

Preko offers the best choice of activities. You can keep moving, sit down for a drink, or spend much of the stop in the water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the clear sea gives you a chance to look below the surface rather than simply swim.

The included equipment keeps the outing practical. You do not need to bring a mask and snorkel to take part, though you may prefer your own gear if you have it. The tour description does not promise a specific marine life encounter, so think of the snorkeling as a pleasant way to enjoy the water, not a guaranteed wildlife excursion.

The sandy beach is a useful feature for families. Children and adults can cool off, and passengers who do not want to snorkel can stay on shore. Life jackets are available, but supervision and comfort in the water remain your responsibility.

Preko is also the point where the tour can feel less structured. You have several ways to spend the time, but lunch and coffee cost extra. If you want a quieter outing, bring a relaxed plan. If your group wants to eat, swim, and walk, agree on priorities before splitting up so nobody loses track of the return time.

The skipper shapes the experience

A good boat outing depends heavily on the person at the helm. Here, Luka and Fabricio were specifically praised for being excellent and deserving special credit. That fits the design of the trip: the skipper guides you between stops, helps keep the outing organized, and provides local direction along the way.

You should expect a friendly, active role from the skipper rather than a formal guided tour packed with historical commentary. The information provided focuses on the route, island stops, water time, and practical help. If your main goal is detailed history, this may not be the right format. If you want a local hand to manage the boat and keep the day moving, it is a better match.

The group size matters too. The maximum is 11 people, which is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing boat. The advertised price is for a group of up to six, and if you book the entire boat, the operator can personalize the outing and may accommodate a suitable departure place if you ask in advance.

That flexibility is worth clarifying before you pay. It applies when you reserve the whole boat, not automatically to every booking. Send your request ahead of time rather than assuming a different pickup point or custom route will be available.

What the $517.66 price really buys

At $517.66 per group of up to six, this is best judged as a private or small-group experience rather than a low-cost island transfer. If six people share the advertised price, the cost works out to about $86.28 per person. A smaller group will pay more per head.

The fee covers the boat outing, skipper, cold drinks, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment. It also buys time saved on the water, a more active ride than a standard ferry, and the chance to visit two islands in one half-day. For a family or group of friends that values privacy and a flexible pace, those benefits can justify the cost.

The price is harder to defend if you mainly want a cheap swim and a short boat ride. You will still need to pay for lunch or coffee in Preko, and the entire experience lasts only about four hours. You are paying for the boat format and personal service, not for a full-day island expedition.

I would compare it with your group’s priorities. If everyone wants the same relaxed combination of speed, swimming, and island time, the group rate can be sensible. If some people want sightseeing, others want a beach, and nobody wants to spend much, a shared public option may be easier, though it would not provide the same private-boat feel.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing

This tour suits families, couples, and friend groups who want several types of activity in one morning or afternoon. Children are welcome, and life jackets are available for each passenger. The short ride, open-air seating, and clear division between walking, beach time, and boat travel make it easy to adapt to different energy levels.

It also suits visitors who have limited time in Zadar. You can leave the city, see two islands, swim, and return to the same meeting point without giving up an entire day. The return ride includes more views along the shore, so the trip ends with another look at the coast rather than a simple dash back to port.

You may want another kind of excursion if your priority is long hiking, extensive cultural sightseeing, or a full meal included in the price. Osljak is a short stop, and Preko gives you freedom rather than a packed guided program. That is a strength for some groups and a weakness for others.

The boat may also be less appealing if you dislike speed, sun, or being on open water. The shaded rear area helps, but the outing is built around a speedboat, not a slow cruise. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider that before booking, although the supplied information does not provide specific medical advice.

Practical details to sort out before departure

The meeting point is Foša, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2, 23420 Zadar, Croatia. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, and the location is near public transportation. Give yourself enough time to find the departure place, especially if you are carrying beach items or traveling with children.

The ticket is mobile, which keeps check-in simple. Booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. If you need a particular departure arrangement, mention it when booking the whole boat rather than waiting until the day of the trip.

Weather can affect the outing. The experience requires good conditions, and if poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Your own cancellation terms are stricter: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Those suggestions follow directly from the planned activities: you have a beach stop, snorkeling, time in the sun, and a walk on Osljak and Preko. Food is not included, so leave room in your plan for lunch or coffee in Preko.

Should you book the Zadar speedboat tour?

I would book this if you want a lively half-day on the water with a small group, not a formal sightseeing tour. The strongest points are the two-island route, the clear-water snorkeling at Preko, the included drinks and equipment, and the choice of sun or shade on the boat.

The best value comes when six people share the group price or when a smaller party cares enough about a private boat to pay for it. Families should appreciate the island breaks and available life jackets, while friends will likely enjoy the mix of fast cruising and unhurried time ashore.

Skip it if you need a low-cost outing, a full meal, or hours at one beach. But if Luka or Fabricio are guiding your trip, the boat is in good weather, and your group likes both action and downtime, this is a well-shaped way to get beyond Zadar for a few hours.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Foša, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2, 23420 Zadar, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes stops on Osljak and Preko.

How much time is spent on each island?

You have about 45 minutes on Osljak and about two hours and 15 minutes on Preko.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and cold drinks are included. Lunch is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.