Half-day speedboat trip from Zadar with drinks

Small boat, big Adriatic views. This four-hour speedboat trip from Zadar combines open-water cruising with swimming, snorkeling, and time in the island village of Preko. I especially like the short travel time between stops and the fact that drinks, fruit, and snorkeling masks are included, so you can focus on the sea rather than extra arrangements. The main catch is the additional 10 euro port fee per person.

The schedule gives you a useful mix: a longer stop in Preko for coffee and a walk, followed by a quieter hour at Ošljak for swimming. A recent booking praised the skipper’s friendly, flexible approach and the way he adjusted the outing to suit the group. That personal touch may matter if you prefer a relaxed boat day instead of a rigid sightseeing march.

Key points at a glance

• Four hours from Zadar: A compact morning or half-day outing that fits neatly into a busy Dalmatian schedule.
• Two different island stops: Preko offers coffee, a village walk, swimming, and snorkeling, while Ošljak is set aside mainly for time in the water.
• Fast speedboat transfers: The ride to Preko takes about 45 minutes, followed by a 20-minute hop to Ošljak.
• Drinks are included: Ice tea and beer are provided, with fruit available during the trip.
• Extra port fee: You pay the listed $30 price per person plus a 10 euro port charge.
• Friendly, adaptable guiding: The skipper speaks English and Croatian and may tailor the outing to the group’s wishes.

Leaving Zadar from the INA pier

Your meeting point is the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. This is also where the boat returns, which makes the trip simple to fit around your time in Zadar.

The meeting point is practical rather than picturesque. You are not setting off from a grand marina or an old harbor square, so allow yourself enough time to find the pier and identify the correct boat. The information provided does not give a required arrival time, so check your confirmation for the exact departure instructions.

The tour lasts four hours, with starting times depending on availability. A morning departure is especially useful if you want to spend the afternoon in Zadar, visit another island, or simply take a long lunch after returning.

The boat itself is a speedboat, not a large sightseeing vessel. That means the ride should feel more direct and lively than a slow ferry crossing. It also means you should expect an open-air experience with exposure to sun, wind, and spray. Bring sun protection, and wear swim-friendly clothing from the start.

Fuel and a professional skipper are included in the price. The guide operates in English and Croatian, so basic tour information and safety instructions should be accessible to English-speaking visitors.

The 45-minute ride toward Preko

The first crossing takes about 45 minutes. This is the longest uninterrupted ride of the day, giving you time to settle into the boat and watch Zadar recede behind you.

A speedboat changes how you experience the water. You cover the distance quickly, but the ride itself becomes part of the outing. You get open views across the Adriatic and a refreshing sense of movement, rather than spending much of the day tied to one dock.

Still, this is not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of narrated landmarks. The supplied details focus on the sea, beaches, and island stops. If you want detailed historical commentary at every turn, this may feel light on interpretation. If you prefer sun, water, and a flexible pace, the format is a better fit.

Drinks are available on board, including ice tea and beer. Fruit is also provided. That is a small but useful inclusion, since a half-day on the water can leave you hungry and thirsty. You do not need to plan the trip around finding a café during the first crossing.

Preko: 75 minutes for coffee, swimming, and a walk

Preko is the most varied stop. You have about 75 minutes here, with time for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling.

The stop works well because it is not limited to one kind of activity. You can stay active in the water, stroll through the village, or sit with a drink and let the day slow down. If you want a balance of local atmosphere and beach time, Preko is the main stop that provides it.

The name Preko means across, a fitting name for a village reached from Zadar by a short crossing. It sits on Ugljan Island, one of the islands directly opposite the city. The tour gives you only a brief visit, so think of it as an introduction rather than a full exploration of Ugljan.

I would use the first few minutes to get your bearings, then decide what matters most to you. Seventy-five minutes passes quickly if you try to combine a long coffee, a full walk, and an extended swim. If you value the village atmosphere, walk first. If the sea is your priority, head toward the water and save the strolling for the end.

The snorkeling equipment is included, and masks are specifically provided. That removes one common nuisance from a boat trip. You can use the stop to look beneath the surface, though the information does not promise a particular reef, marine-life encounter, or marked snorkeling site. Keep your expectations sensible: this is recreational snorkeling, not a specialist marine excursion.

The guide’s flexibility may be most useful here. The only detailed praise available highlights a skipper who was friendly, accommodating, and willing to shape the day around the group’s wishes. That suggests you may be able to communicate your priorities, such as more time for swimming or a slower village visit, within the limits of the schedule.

The 20-minute hop to Ošljak

After Preko, the boat makes a shorter 20-minute crossing to Ošljak. This is a pleasant change of pace. You have already had time for a village stop, and now the outing shifts toward open water and swimming.

Ošljak is described as the final destination and is scheduled for one hour. The activities listed here are swimming and snorkeling, so this is the clearest chance to spend a solid block of time in the sea.

The shorter ride matters. You are not losing another long stretch of the afternoon to transport, and the boat spends more of its time delivering you to the water. For many people, this second stop will be the most relaxing part of the outing.

The information provided does not specify the exact swimming area, facilities, or type of shoreline at Ošljak. You might find a simple island setting rather than a developed beach resort. Come ready for a natural swim stop, not a place built around sun loungers, shops, and organized beach services.

Snorkeling masks are included here too. If you enjoy looking below the surface, Ošljak gives you a full hour to use them without feeling rushed by an immediate departure. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the time to swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy the quiet water.

Returning to Zadar after the final swim

The boat returns to Obala kneza Branimira 27, the same location where you began. The provided schedule does not assign a separate return crossing time after Ošljak, but the full activity lasts four hours, including both boat rides and island stops.

That fixed length makes the trip easy to plan. You are not committing to a full day on the water, yet you get enough time for two island visits and a proper swim. It is a good middle ground for people who want more than a quick harbor cruise but less than an all-day island-hopping program.

The return ride is also your final chance to enjoy the speedboat itself. By then, you will have had the main activity the tour promises: sun, sea, island scenery, and time in the water. The experience is less about checking off a long list of sights and more about spending a half-day outdoors.

What the $30 price really covers

The listed price is $30 per person. For that amount, you receive the speedboat trip, fuel, a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment, ice tea, beer, and fruit during the journey.

That is a fair package if you want transport to two island stops without arranging a private boat, buying drinks along the way, or bringing snorkeling gear. The speedboat also covers the practical distance between Zadar, Preko, and Ošljak in a relatively short outing.

You must add a 10 euro port fee per person. This is the most important price detail to remember. The advertised cost is not your full out-of-pocket total, so compare the combined price rather than looking only at the $30 headline figure.

Value also depends on how you use the stops. If you spend most of the time swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the included drinks, the cost makes good sense. If you mainly want a detailed guided visit to Preko, the short stop may feel limited.

The inclusion of beer makes the trip feel informal, but remember that you are on a boat and in the sun. Choose your drinks sensibly, especially if you are swimming or prone to seasickness. Ice tea gives you a nonalcoholic option.

The best fit for this speedboat outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple island escape from Zadar without giving up an entire day. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming and do not need a packed cultural program.

It also fits people who like some choice during a tour. At Preko, you can walk, have coffee, swim, or snorkel. At Ošljak, you get a longer water-focused stop. The skipper’s reported willingness to adjust the outing is another plus for anyone who prefers a human, flexible style.

The trip may be less suitable if you dislike fast boat rides, need extensive historical commentary, or want a guaranteed itinerary built around specific monuments. The available information does not promise a particular boat size, group size, underwater site, or detailed commentary at each island.

You should also think about your comfort in the sun. The experience centers on warm Mediterranean weather and swimming. If you would rather spend the day in shade, museums, or air-conditioned transport, this is not the right choice.

Practical advice before you go

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up for the boat ride. A small bag is more useful than bulky luggage, since the outing moves between boat and shore.

Wear footwear that you can manage around a boat and at swimming areas. The tour details do not specify the exact type of shore at either stop, so practical shoes are safer than delicate sandals.

Keep your schedule flexible around the four-hour duration. The tour ends where it begins, at the INA pier on Obala kneza Branimira 27, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Check the departure time carefully before booking other activities.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Zadar to Preko and Ošljak trip?

Book it if your ideal half-day includes a speedboat ride, two island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and a cold drink in the sun. The strongest reasons are the efficient four-hour format, the variety between Preko and Ošljak, and the skipper’s reported friendly, accommodating manner.

Before paying, add the 10 euro port fee to the advertised $30 price. Also make sure you want a water-based outing rather than a history-focused tour. If you accept those points, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see a little of Ugljan Island and spend time in the Adriatic without making a full day of it.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts four hours, including the boat rides and island stops. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the trip begin?

You meet at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 27.

Which islands and stops are included?

The trip visits Preko on Ugljan Island and Ošljak. Preko includes time for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling. Ošljak includes swimming and snorkeling.

How much time do you spend at each island?

You spend about 75 minutes in Preko and about one hour at Ošljak.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Ice tea, beer, fruit, fuel, a professional skipper, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Is the port fee included in the price?

No. The 10 euro port fee per person must be paid separately from the listed tour price.