Speedboat Beach escape to Zadar Islands

Zadar looks best from the water. This four-hour speedboat trip links the old harbor of Fosa with a sandy beach, tiny Ošljak Island, and the seaside town of Preko. I especially like the small group size of no more than 10 people and the chance to swim, snorkel, and see island life without spending a full day at sea.

I also like the relaxed approach offered by captain Luka, who is praised for making time for swimming and for helping arrange an excellent lunch stop. The main consideration is cost: the advertised price is $77.40 per person, but a separate €10 fuel surcharge applies, and lunch is not clearly included.

Key points to know before booking

• Kostanj Beach gives you a full hour for swimming and sunbathing, rather than a rushed photo stop.
• Ošljak is one of the Adriatic’s smallest inhabited islands, with just 29 residents and an area of 0.39 square kilometers.
• Preko offers the most complete island visit, with olive groves, fishing traditions, small bays, and a relaxed waterfront setting.
• The boat carries no more than 10 people, which makes the trip more personal than a large excursion vessel.
• Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included, while fuel costs an extra €10 per person.
• Captain Luka receives strong praise for safety, warmth, and flexibility, useful qualities on a short boat trip.

Leaving Fosa and crossing Zadar’s waterfront

The trip begins at the old harbor of Fosa, at Zadar Boat Tours on Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. This is a useful starting point because you are not being sent out to a distant marina. You begin near the historic center, then pass along Zadar’s famous waterfront before heading toward the islands.

That opening boat ride helps you get your bearings. Zadar is often experienced from its stone lanes and waterfront promenade, but the view changes once you are offshore. You see the city from the side, with the harbor and shoreline forming a quick introduction before the open water takes over.

The boat itself is suited to a small-group outing, with space for a maximum of 10 people. That number matters. You are less likely to spend your short tour waiting for a large group to board or gather, and it should be easier to ask Luka for a little more time at a swim stop.

The ride lasts about four hours, so this is a compact island outing rather than a full-day sailing trip. You get three distinct stops, but each one has a different purpose. Kostanj is for water time, Ošljak is for a short walk and island character, and Preko gives you the broadest taste of everyday life on Ugljan.

Kostanj Beach: one hour in the water

The first stop is Šetalište Otrić, where you visit the sandy Kostanj Beach. The plan allows about one hour here, which is enough time to swim and sunbathe from the boat without turning the stop into a long beach day.

A sandy beach is a welcome change from the rocky shoreline found in many parts of the Croatian coast. If you prefer to get into the water rather than spend the whole trip taking pictures, this is likely to be the highlight. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can look beneath the surface without packing your own gear.

The wording of the stop suggests that you swim and sunbathe on or from the boat, not necessarily that you go ashore for a long beach visit. I would bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for anything you do not want splashed. The boat gives you a good base, but you should not treat this as a serviced beach club with changing rooms and facilities.

One hour sounds generous on paper, though it passes quickly once you have changed, swum, dried off, and settled back in. If you want the most time in the water, tell Luka early in the trip. His flexible style is one of the reasons this outing may feel less mechanical than a strict hop-on, hop-off schedule.

Bottled water is included, as are alcoholic beverages. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim and the boat is moving between several islands. The important point is that basic refreshments are covered, so you are not left entirely to your own supplies during a short trip.

Ošljak Island: tiny scale, old stone, and a short walk

After the beach, the boat heads to Ošljak, a remarkably small island with only 29 permanent inhabitants. Its total area is 0.39 square kilometers, and it lies just half a nautical mile from Preko.

Ošljak is not the place for a long hike or a packed sightseeing schedule. Its appeal comes from its scale. You can get a sense of a small island community in a short visit, with a traditional Mediterranean setting that feels very different from the city you left behind.

The old fishing port gives the island a strong local character. The Church of St. Mary, dating from the 6th century, adds an important historical point to the stop. You will not need a full day to understand Ošljak, but 45 minutes is enough to look around without feeling that you have only stepped ashore for a single photograph.

A two-kilometer hiking trail passes a lighthouse and the remains of 16th-century windmills. The island was declared a forest park in 1985. Those details make Ošljak more than a beach transfer, though you should keep your expectations in check. With only 45 minutes scheduled, you are unlikely to complete the trail at a leisurely pace and still have time to explore everything else.

I would treat this stop as a compact walk with a few worthwhile sights, not a serious hiking excursion. Wear shoes that are comfortable for uneven paths, since the tour description does not suggest a formal paved promenade throughout the island.

Ošljak may appeal most to you if small places interest you more than famous ones. It has a human scale. You are seeing a living island with a port, church, lighthouse, and old windmill remains, rather than simply being dropped at another swimming cove.

Preko and Ugljan: the fullest island visit

The final stop is Preko on Ugljan Island, and this is where the tour gives you the broadest picture of the Zadar archipelago. Ugljan sits opposite Zadar across the Zadar Canal, only a few nautical miles from the city.

The island is known for olive groves, natural bays, small fishing ports, and a long connection with the sea. Olive cultivation here reaches back more than 2,000 years, and the island continues to produce olive oil known for its quality and aroma. You do not need to be an olive-oil specialist to appreciate the setting. The groves help explain why the island feels tied to agriculture as well as fishing.

Preko is one of the better-known settlements along Ugljan’s eastern side. The same coast also includes Ugljan, Kali, and Kukljica, each built around natural bays and a strong maritime tradition. Your one-hour stop does not allow time to cover the whole island, but it offers enough to sample the setting and see why Ugljan is such a popular escape from Zadar.

This is also the stop connected with the most memorable food experience. Captain Luka has been praised for taking time to arrange one of the best lunches of the trip. The important practical detail is that lunch inclusion is not specified, so you should ask what the plan is and expect to pay separately unless told otherwise.

That flexibility can work in your favor. A short tour becomes much more pleasant when the captain is willing to recommend a good meal instead of forcing everyone through a rushed timetable. Still, if you have dietary restrictions, a firm budget, or a tight return plan, clarify the lunch arrangements before departure.

What the price really covers

The listed price is $77.40 per person, with an additional fuel surcharge of €10 per person. That puts the true cost above the headline figure, so compare the final amount rather than judging the tour by the first price you see.

For that cost, you receive roughly four hours on the water, three stops, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. A maximum group of 10 also improves the value. You are paying for a small boat outing rather than a large sightseeing cruise, and the limited passenger count can make it easier to get personal attention from the captain.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and want a short island sampler. You are not paying for a long guided history tour, a full-day sailing adventure, or a luxury meal package. You are paying for efficient transport between several coastal stops, time in the water, and a chance to see Ošljak and Preko without organizing boats and ferries yourself.

The price may feel less attractive if you mainly want to sit on a beach for several hours. In that case, a dedicated beach day could give you more time for less money. The tour makes more sense if you value variety and want to combine swimming, a tiny historic island, and a larger inhabited island in one morning or afternoon.

The small-group atmosphere and captain Luka

Captain Luka is central to the feel of this outing. His strongest qualities are patience, a welcoming manner, and attention to safety. He is praised for not rushing the group, which matters because four hours can easily become a race between stops.

A good captain also changes how comfortable you feel on a small boat. You want clear handling, a sense that someone is watching the conditions, and room to ask for help with snorkeling equipment or timing. The available feedback specifically highlights feeling safe, happy, and welcome with Luka at the helm.

That does not mean the tour has a completely private schedule. The listed stops and approximate times still shape the day. But the possibility of some flexibility is valuable, especially at Kostanj Beach or during the lunch stop at Preko.

The maximum group size of 10 is another clear advantage. A small group cannot guarantee a quiet boat, since that depends on the people aboard, but it gives the captain a better chance to speak with everyone. It also avoids the impersonal feel of a large excursion.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The tour returns to the same meeting point in Zadar, which simplifies your plans. You do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another harbor.

Most people can participate, but the trip still involves boarding a boat, moving around on deck, and getting in and out of the water if you choose to swim. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so ask the operator directly if you need specific assistance.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the cut-off uses local time, check the timing carefully if your booking was made from another country.

For packing, I would keep it simple:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable shoes for Ošljak
• A small waterproof bag
• Any personal snacks or medicines you need
• A payment method for the fuel surcharge and possible lunch

The supplied details confirm snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. They do not confirm hotel pickup, lunch, towels, or changing facilities, so do not assume those are part of the package.

Who should book this island escape?

I would recommend it to you if you have only a short time in Zadar but want more than a city walk. Four hours is a useful middle ground. You can see the waterfront from the boat, swim at Kostanj, walk around Ošljak, and spend time in Preko without giving up an entire day.

It also suits you if you prefer a small-group trip and want a captain who takes a friendly, unhurried approach. The boat limit of 10 people, snorkeling gear, and flexible feel all support that kind of outing.

Families and mixed-age groups may find the format appealing because not every stop demands the same level of activity. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and others can look around Ošljak or Preko. Still, anyone uncomfortable with boat travel or water access should check the practical details first.

I would be less likely to recommend it if you want a serious walking tour, a full island day, or a guaranteed gourmet lunch. The time at each stop is limited, and the €10 fuel surcharge raises the final cost. You should also be comfortable with a schedule built around sea conditions.

Should you book the Zadar speedboat escape?

Book it if you want a compact, personal introduction to the Zadar Islands. The strongest reasons are the small boat, the full hour at Kostanj Beach, the unusual visit to tiny Ošljak, and the chance to spend time in Preko without arranging island transport yourself.

Before paying, confirm the final price with the €10 fuel surcharge, ask about lunch arrangements, and check the weather forecast. If those details suit your plans, this is a well-balanced choice for swimming, island scenery, and a friendly captain who appears to value comfort over rushing from one stop to the next.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Zadar Boat Tours, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000 Zadar, Croatia, near the old harbor of Fosa. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The tour has a maximum of 10 participants.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A fuel surcharge of €10 per person is not included in the listed price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.