Zadar: Island-Hopping, Swimming & Snorkeling SpeedBoat Tour

Clear water, small islands, and a fast boat make a fine Zadar morning. This four-hour trip links Ugljan, Ošljak, Galevac, and several quiet swimming stops without asking you to spend a full day at sea. I like the small group of up to 11 people, which should make boarding and getting in and out of the water less awkward, and I like that snorkeling gear, drinks, WiFi, and an underwater GoPro are included.

I also like the flexible route. The skipper can adjust the stops when wind or sea conditions change, which matters in the Adriatic. The main drawback is the pace: this is an active outing with several swims, short boat rides, and limited time at each place. It is not a slow sightseeing cruise, and the age and fitness rules are unusually strict.

The price is $51 per person, plus a €5 cash charge for berthing, anchorage, and protected areas. That is fair value if you plan to swim and snorkel several times, though less so if you mainly want island scenery from a seat. English-speaking guides Marin and Petar have earned especially warm praise for being friendly, helpful, and good at adapting the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Four hours, several water stops: Expect a brisk schedule with swimming or snorkeling at most stops.
• Ugljan, Ošljak, and Galevac: You get a mix of open-water swimming, island walks, Mediterranean vegetation, and local history.
• Small speedboat group: The boat carries no more than 11 participants, making the outing more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Snorkeling extras included: Equipment, safety gear, water, beer, WiFi, a Bluetooth speaker, and an underwater GoPro are part of the package.
• Route depends on the weather: The skipper may replace or rearrange stops for safety and better sea conditions.
• Best for active adults: The tour excludes children under 10, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with low fitness, and people over 55.

Leaving Zadar by speedboat

The meeting point is at the INA gas station on Obala kneza Branimira 20A. The boat arrives about 15 minutes before departure, but it cannot wait long, so you need to arrive early rather than stroll up at the advertised starting time.

Once aboard, you get a quick ride out toward the nearby islands. Each boat transfer lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, so you spend far more time at the stops than on the boat. That is a good balance for a half-day outing. You get the thrill of a speedboat without spending most of the morning simply crossing from one island to another.

The boat includes all required safety equipment, fuel, passenger insurance, and an ice box with water and beer. A Bluetooth speaker provides music, and onboard WiFi is listed as available. Those extras are pleasant, but the more useful inclusions are the snorkeling equipment and the GoPro. You do not need to bring fins or a mask just to take part.

Still, bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and perhaps a dry bag for valuables. Those items are not listed as included. A small amount of cash is also essential because the €5 charge for berthing, anchorage, and protected areas is payable at check-in.

The first swim near Ugljan

The first major stop is around Ugljan Island, reached after roughly 15 minutes on the speedboat. The water is the main attraction here: clear, turquoise, and suited to a first swim while you still have plenty of energy.

You can snorkel among fish and look down into the Adriatic underwater world. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, enough for a swim, some mask time, photographs, and a short rest. A welcome drink is also listed for this part of the outing.

This is a useful opening stop because it gets you into the water quickly. You do not spend the first hour listening to a long explanation or waiting for the main attraction. If you are comfortable in the sea, you can make good use of the time. If you are a slower swimmer, remember that the overall trip has several more stops, so save some energy.

The word active matters here. The tour is designed around repeated swims, not one quick dip followed by a long ride. An intermediate level of fitness is recommended, and anyone who is uneasy in open water should think carefully before booking.

Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island

After another 15-minute ride, the boat reaches Ošljak. This small island is described as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, and its appeal comes from its compact scale and thick Mediterranean plant life.

Pines, cypresses, holm oaks, olive trees, and Mediterranean scrub cover much of the island. This gives Ošljak a different feel from a bare swimming stop. You get a little natural shade and a sense of how people have lived with the dry coastal climate over time.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes time for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life. The schedule does not promise a long guided walk here, so think of Ošljak mainly as a water and scenery stop, with historical context from the guide along the way.

That balance is worth understanding. If you want a detailed island tour with museums, churches, or extended time ashore, Ošljak will feel brief. If you want to step off the usual Zadar route, see a very small inhabited island, and swim in clear water, the stop fits the trip well.

The island also adds variety. Ugljan gives you the first major swim. Ošljak gives you a more enclosed setting with trees, rocks, and a small-island atmosphere. The boat then continues toward Preko and Galevac.

Walking around Galevac near Preko

The longest stop is at Otok Galevac, also called Galevac Island, near the village of Preko. You get about an hour here, including free time, photographs, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and a walk around the island.

Galevac is surrounded by shallow sandy beaches, making it a particularly good place for a relaxed water stop. You can choose to walk around the small island, smell Mediterranean herbs, and hear about the history of the area. Or you can spend the hour in the sea.

That choice is one of the tour’s best features. Not everyone wants to snorkel at every stop. If you have had enough salt water by this point, Galevac gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see the shore. If swimming is your main reason for booking, the shallow water makes it easier to enjoy without rushing.

The walk is not a long hike. Galevac is small, and the stop is built around a simple circuit of sightseeing and free time rather than a demanding trek. Wear shoes that are comfortable on mixed coastal ground, but do not expect a full hiking outing.

The guide’s explanation is another reason to pay attention here. The tour links the island scenery to the wider history of Dalmatia, rather than treating the islands as anonymous photo backgrounds. Marin has been singled out for being friendly and explaining the area well, while Petar has been praised for keeping the mood easygoing. Guides can change, but the company’s strongest personal praise centers on this friendly, adaptable style.

The final secret swimming stop

After Galevac, the boat makes another short trip of about 10 minutes to a final swimming stop. You get around 20 minutes for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and watching marine life.

Twenty minutes is not long, but it works as a final chance to get into the water before returning to Zadar. It also means you should not treat every earlier stop as your only opportunity. If the sea is especially inviting, you will have another short swim later.

The route may include additional natural places or quiet spots when conditions allow. These are not guaranteed, and the skipper can change the plan for safety. That flexibility is practical rather than disappointing. Wind, waves, and local conditions can make one cove better than another on a given day.

You should also keep your expectations sensible. A speedboat tour cannot promise a particular fish sighting, water temperature, or secluded cove every time. What it can offer is a series of chances to swim and snorkel in different settings, with a skipper who can respond to the day’s conditions.

A brief look at the Greeting to the Sun

The return route includes a five-minute photo stop at the Greeting to the Sun in Zadar. This is a short final look rather than a full visit, so the boat does not replace a proper evening visit to the installation on shore.

The stop adds a recognizable Zadar sight to a trip focused mainly on islands and water. It also gives you a last photograph before returning to the original meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 20A.

Because the stop lasts only five minutes, you should not expect time to walk around, study the installation, or wait for sunset. Think of it as a quick visual farewell to the city after the morning at sea.

What the $51 price really covers

At $51 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a four-hour small-group speedboat outing. You are paying for the boat, skipper and guide, fuel, insurance, safety equipment, snorkeling equipment, drinks, WiFi, and access to a GoPro for underwater images.

The value is strongest if you use the equipment and take part in several swims. A separate boat trip with fuel and a skipper can quickly cost more, especially when the group is limited to 11 people. The inclusion of water and beer also removes a small but useful expense during a warm morning.

The €5 additional fee needs to be included in your budget. It covers berthing, anchorage, and protected areas, and it must be paid in cash at check-in. That brings the basic cost to $51 plus €5, before any personal spending.

I would compare this price with the kind of day you want. For a short, active introduction to the islands around Zadar, it is a good deal. For a passive cruise with long commentary, a meal, or hours on one beach, it is the wrong product.

The small group and the speedboat tradeoff

A maximum of 11 participants is a real advantage. Boarding is simpler, the skipper can speak with people more easily, and you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd when it is time to swim or snorkel.

The boat itself also lets the group move quickly between islands. The longest listed boat ride is about 15 minutes, and most transfers take 10 minutes. That keeps the day moving and leaves time for four separate water or sightseeing areas.

The tradeoff is space. A speedboat is not a wide ferry deck with room to wander around. You should expect a more active ride, close seating, and frequent movement between the boat and the water. If you need a calm, spacious platform, a larger vessel may suit you better.

Music from the Bluetooth speaker can make the ride more lively, but it may not appeal to everyone. The small-group setting gives you a chance to speak with the guide and other people, though the atmosphere will depend on the particular group.

Weather changes are part of the plan

The route is not fixed in every detail. If conditions are poor, the skipper may rearrange the stops or replace them with safer options. That is an important strength for a sea outing, since a rigid plan can be uncomfortable or unsafe when wind changes.

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Do not book this expecting every named stop to happen in the exact listed order. Book it for the general experience: quick island transfers, several opportunities to swim and snorkel, a walk on Galevac, and a flexible response to the sea.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to active adults who want to see several nearby islands without giving up a full day. It suits you especially well if you like swimming, snorkeling, small boats, and short stops rather than long time onshore.

It is also a good choice for people who want a social outing. The boat holds no more than 11 participants, and the company describes the trip as a personal small-group experience. The friendly style associated with guides such as Marin and Petar is a welcome part of the package.

I would not choose it for a family with young children, since children under 10 are not permitted. Pregnant women and people with back or heart problems are also excluded. The activity is not recommended for people with a low fitness level, and the stated age limit excludes people over 55.

That last rule may surprise some visitors, especially fit older adults. It is best to treat it as a firm booking condition rather than assume an exception.

Should you book the Zadar island tour?

Book it if you want a lively four-hour outing built around the sea. You will get Ugljan’s clear swimming water, Ošljak’s small-island character, Galevac’s walk and shallow beaches, another final swim, and a quick look at the Greeting to the Sun.

I would skip it if you want a slow cruise, a long island walk, or a guaranteed fixed route. The tour packs a lot into four hours, so the reward is variety, not depth at one place.

For the right person, the $51 price is fair, especially with equipment, drinks, fuel, insurance, and a small group included. Arrive early at the INA gas station, bring cash for the €5 fee, save energy for several swims, and let the skipper adjust the route when the Adriatic has other plans.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar island-hopping tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the speedboat rides, swimming, snorkeling, island stops, and the brief visit near the Greeting to the Sun.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 20A in Zadar. The boat arrives about 15 minutes before departure.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience is limited to 11 participants, making it a small-group speedboat trip.

Which islands are visited?

The route includes Ugljan Island, Ošljak, and Otok Galevac near Preko. It can also include additional natural stops if weather conditions permit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The boat has an ice box with water and beer. A welcome refreshment is also provided during the first stop.

Is the itinerary always the same?

No. The skipper can modify or adjust the route because of weather and sea conditions. Additional natural stops may also be added when conditions allow.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 10 are not permitted on this tour.

What extra fee must I pay?

A €5 charge per person covers berthing, anchorage, and protected areas. It must be paid in cash at check-in.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.