Explore Islands and Blue Bay Snorkeling Adventure on Speedboat

Crystal-clear water is only a short boat ride from Zadar. This four-hour speedboat trip visits Pjescana Uvala, Ošljak, and Preko, giving you three different tastes of the nearby islands without taking up a full day. I like the easy snorkeling stops and the small-group limit of 12 people. I also like that cold drinks, petrol, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is the lack of a restroom onboard, plus a potentially confusing meeting point crowded with other boat tours.

The pace is relaxed rather than packed. You get time to swim, walk, eat, or sit by the sea at each stop. Wind can slow the boat, though, and one hour at the final stop may feel long if you are not planning to eat or have a drink there.

Key points to know before booking

• Three stops, three different moods: Swim at Pjescana Uvala, explore quiet Ošljak, then spend time in the village of Preko.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You do not need to bring your own mask, though towels are not provided.
• A small group helps: The boat carries a maximum of 12 people, making the outing more personal than a large cruise.
• Bart has received praise for his care: One review specifically calls him a great counselor, while another highlights the guide’s attention to everyone onboard.
• The meeting point can be confusing: Several boat tours gather near the pickup location, so allow extra time to find the correct boat.
• Weather affects the schedule: Wind may reduce the boat speed and shorten time at the stops.

A short speedboat escape from Zadar

This tour works well when you want to get out on the water without committing to a full-day island cruise. From the meeting point at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar, you set out by speedboat for nearby coastal stops.

The tour lasts about four hours. Around three hours and 15 minutes are assigned to the three island and swimming stops, leaving the rest for the boat ride between them. That gives you a useful mix of time on shore and time moving across the water.

I see the small group as one of the best parts of the plan. With a maximum of 12 people, you should have a more manageable boat experience than on a large excursion vessel. The tour is offered in English, and most people can take part.

The route is simple but well judged. Pjescana Uvala gives you the best chance to focus on swimming and snorkeling. Ošljak adds a quiet island setting and a short walk. Preko gives you a choice of lunch, coffee, or a sandy beach. You are not forced into one kind of activity all day.

Pjescana Uvala: the first hour in clear, shallow water

The first stop is Pjescana Uvala, a blue lagoon bay close to Zadar. The water here is described as low and crystal clear, which makes it the natural place to try the provided snorkeling equipment.

You receive welcome drinks at this stop, a small touch that is useful after getting settled on the boat. The stop lasts about one hour, enough time to swim and look below the surface without turning the visit into a long beach stay.

I would make this your main swimming stop. The tour gives you equipment, but not towels, so bring your own. You should also arrive ready to get wet rather than expecting a formal beach setup. This is a boat excursion, not a beach club visit.

The clear water is the main attraction, but conditions can change with the weather. The tour requires good weather, and wind may affect the speedboat’s schedule. If you are booking for snorkeling, a calm day will give you the best chance of enjoying this stop fully.

Pjescana Uvala is also a good reason to book this tour instead of choosing only a village sightseeing trip. You get a proper hour for swimming at the start, rather than a quick photo stop squeezed between longer transfers.

Ošljak: a quiet island with a small hill and windmill

The second stop is Ošljak, a small island between the Blue Lagoon area and Ugljan Island. This is the quietest stop on the route and offers a little more choice than Pjescana Uvala.

You can walk up the hill to look for a windmill, or stay near the water and swim with a snorkeling mask. The stop lasts about one hour, so you have enough time to choose one activity without rushing badly.

I like this part of the route because it breaks up the swimming. A day spent only jumping in and out of the water can become repetitive. Ošljak gives you a reason to dry off, stretch your legs, and see a small island setting before returning to the boat.

Do not expect a long island hike. The information provided only promises a walk up the hill to the windmill, not an extended walking route. If you want to swim, the time is there for that too.

Ošljak may appeal most to couples and small groups looking for a calm break from Zadar. One review describes the trip as a relaxed way to get away from the city and recommends it for couples and groups. That matches the feel of this middle stop, where the point is simple: a quiet island, a swim, and a little walking.

Preko: lunch, coffee, or a small sandy beach

The last stop is Preko on Ugljan Island. Unlike quiet Ošljak, Preko is a small village that becomes lively in summer and quieter outside the main season.

You have about one hour and 15 minutes here, the longest stop of the day. Food is not included, so you can use this time to choose lunch at a local restaurant. You can also have coffee with a sea view or walk to the right toward a small sandy beach.

This stop gives you the most freedom, but it also creates the biggest question about timing. One review found the final eating stop too long, especially after wind had already slowed the boat and shortened the rest of the excursion. If you are not interested in eating or sitting for a drink, an hour and 15 minutes may feel less useful than the swimming stops.

For that reason, I would decide your plan before reaching Preko. If you want lunch, this is the place to do it. If you prefer to swim, head toward the small sandy beach. If you only want a quick coffee, you may have spare time afterward.

The final stop also adds a bit of local life to the day. You are not simply returning to Zadar after a series of swimming breaks. You get time in a real island village, with food and coffee options rather than a fixed meal arranged by the tour company.

What the small-group boat setup means

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to make the boat feel more personal and keep the stops manageable.

The guide’s role matters on a trip like this. One review praises the guide for being courteous, answering questions, and keeping an eye on everyone. Another names Bart and describes him as a great counselor. That suggests the crew is an important part of the experience, especially for anyone who has questions about the route or needs help getting comfortable with the snorkeling equipment.

The boat has no restroom. This is one of the practical points you should take seriously. You will spend several hours on the water, so use facilities before departure and plan accordingly. Personal items such as towels are also not supplied.

Cold drinks are included, along with petrol and snorkeling equipment. Food is not included, and dinner is specifically excluded. You should bring money or a payment method for anything you want to buy in Preko, though the available details do not specify restaurant prices or payment options.

Meeting at Zadar’s crowded boat pickup point

The tour starts and ends at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000 Zadar. It is near public transportation, which makes the start practical if you are staying in Zadar without a car.

The main arrival warning comes from the pickup area itself. Several boat tours use the same general location, and one person found it confusing to identify the correct boat. I would arrive early, check the tour name carefully, and ask staff nearby if you are unsure. Do not assume the first speedboat you see is yours.

The activity returns to the same meeting point. That makes it easy to plan the rest of your day in Zadar, since you are not being dropped at a different marina or island.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the tour is often booked about six days ahead, leaving some space between booking and departure is sensible, especially during the busy summer period.

Is $36.05 good value?

At $36.05 per person, this is a reasonably priced half-day outing if you want swimming, a speedboat ride, and time on two islands. You are paying for transport between several locations, petrol, cold drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a guide-led experience.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange their own boat transport to Pjescana Uvala, Ošljak, and Preko. You also avoid the work of figuring out the route and timing yourself.

The price does not cover food, towels, or any listed fees and taxes. Since Preko is a stop rather than a catered meal break, budget separately for lunch, coffee, or drinks there. The supplied details also say dinner is not included, though dinner would not normally fit naturally into a four-hour daytime tour.

The cost is less attractive if you mainly want a long beach stay. Each swimming stop has a fixed time, and much of the day is spent moving between locations. It is better value for someone who wants variety than for someone who wants to settle on one beach all afternoon.

Wind and weather can change the day

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Wind matters even when the tour still operates. One review explains that the boat moved more slowly in windy conditions and that the day became shorter than expected. The response from the operator notes that speed must match the weather conditions.

That is a normal limit of a speedboat outing, but it is worth keeping in mind if your schedule is tight. Do not place an important evening reservation immediately after the tour. The planned duration is about four hours, yet weather can affect the exact pace.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Croatia.

Who will enjoy this speedboat trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a short escape from Zadar with several types of stops. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who like the freedom to choose between swimming, walking, lunch, and coffee.

It is also a good fit for people trying snorkeling for the first time. Equipment is provided, the first bay has shallow, clear water, and the stops are long enough to practice without pressure.

Families may also find the trip workable, since most people can participate and the group stays relatively small. Still, the lack of a restroom and the need to bring towels are worth considering for younger children.

You may want a different kind of boat trip if you dislike fixed schedules or do not enjoy sitting through a long lunch stop. The final 75 minutes are useful for eating and relaxing, but they may feel slow if you would rather keep swimming.

This is not the right choice if you want a full day of island exploration. You get a taste of three places, not a detailed visit to any one of them.

Final booking advice

I would book this tour if your ideal Zadar outing includes clear water, simple snorkeling, a small boat, and a little island time. The route offers good variety for four hours, and the price includes several practical extras that would otherwise add up.

Before you book, make three preparations: bring a towel, use a restroom before departure, and arrive early at the meeting point so you can identify the correct boat. Keep your schedule flexible in case wind slows the trip.

Choose it for the mix of Pjescana Uvala’s swimming, Ošljak’s quiet walk, and Preko’s food and sea views. Skip it if you need a guaranteed fast timetable or want a full meal and beach day built into the price.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000, Zadar, Croatia.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour stops at Pjescana Uvala, Ošljak, and Preko on Ugljan Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the experience.

Are drinks or food included?

Cold drinks are included. Food is not included, so you must pay separately for lunch or coffee in Preko.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.