Zadar: Private SpeedBoat Tour to Islands – Drinks Included

Fast boats make island hopping easy. This private Zadar tour combines a thrilling ride with quiet bays, sandy beaches, and small island villages around Ugljan. I like the private format, which lets you shape the outing around swimming, sightseeing, or simply enjoying the boat. I also like that drinks and snorkeling gear are included, though the speedboat can feel lively on the waves and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with back problems.

You leave from Foša harbor and return there after four hours on the water. Skippers Christian and Kristin have earned praise for friendly service, patient sightseeing stops, and a good supply of wine, beer, water, and iced tea. The price is $397 per group up to one, so check the final rate carefully if you are booking for more than one person.

Key points to know before you book

• Foša harbor departure: You begin near Zadar’s waterfront and get a fine view of the city as the boat pulls away.
• Kostanj bay swimming stop: The first major stop offers about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a drink in a scenic bay.
• Ošljak island visit: This tiny island is known as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, making it a distinctive stop rather than just another beach break.
• Preko free time: You get about 90 minutes to walk, swim, visit cafes, browse souvenir shops, or find a seafood meal.
• Private skipper and flexible route: You can request changes to suit your group, and the skipper can give you more time where you most want it.
• Speedboat energy: The ride itself is part of the fun, but bouncing over waves may not suit everyone.

Leaving Zadar from Foša harbor

The tour starts at Zadar Boat Tours, usually at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Pickup can also happen at another nearby place if the boat can dock there, which is useful if you are staying close to the waterfront.

The first 15-minute run gives you a quick change of scene. Zadar’s waterfront slips behind you, and the view from the water gives you a different sense of the city than you get from the lanes and squares on shore. You are not spending hours in transit before the first stop. That matters on a four-hour trip.

This is a private outing, not a large excursion with a fixed crowd. You travel with your own party and an English-speaking skipper. The skipper handles the route, boat, and timing, while you decide how much of the day should go toward swimming, walking, or simply sitting back with a drink.

The boat is described as a brand-new luxury speedboat. Expect a faster, more open-air ride than you would get on a slow sightseeing vessel. The speed is enjoyable for many people, and one particularly enthusiastic account praised the thrill of bouncing over the waves. Still, sit securely and be realistic about your comfort level. The experience is not suitable for people with back or heart problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, children under two, or non-swimmers.

Kostanj bay gives you the first real break

After about 15 minutes on the boat, you reach a scenic bay on Ugljan, described as Kostanj. This is the tour’s first proper pause, lasting around one hour.

The appeal here is simple: clear water, a sandy beach, and time to get wet rather than just look at the coast from the boat. You can swim and use the included snorkeling equipment. The water also gives you a chance to see marine life, though the exact conditions and sightings can vary.

I like this stop because it prevents the trip from becoming a rushed island checklist. You have enough time to swim, take photographs, enjoy the scenery, and have a drink. If you are more interested in the water than village sightseeing, this is likely to be one of your favorite parts.

The snorkeling gear is included, as are bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquor. That makes the stop feel more relaxed, since you do not need to arrange refreshments before boarding. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim or if the boat ride later in the day may be lively.

There is no lunch included. If you want a full meal, Preko is the better place to arrange it, since the stop there includes cafes, fresh seafood restaurants, and free time. You should not count on a full meal at Kostanj.

Ošljak is the tour’s most unusual island stop

From Kostanj, another 15-minute ride brings you to Ošljak. This is the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, a detail that gives the stop a clear identity. You are not simply pulling up at another broad resort beach. The point is the island’s compact scale and picturesque character.

You have about 50 minutes here for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and views of marine life. The schedule also allows the boat to pass scenic spots along the way. That combination makes Ošljak a useful middle stop: short enough to keep the tour moving, but long enough for a walk or a swim.

I would treat this as a place for a slow look rather than a major historical visit. The supplied information does not promise museums, formal monuments, or a long guided walk. Its value comes from being small, photogenic, and different from the larger island of Ugljan.

The stop also gives you another chance to swim if the water and weather suit you. Since the tour is private, you can ask the skipper how much time to spend in the water compared with looking around the island. That flexibility is more useful here than on a fixed group boat, where everyone has to leave at the same time.

Preko adds village time and a sandy beach

After another 15-minute speedboat ride, you reach Preko, where you have approximately 90 minutes. This is the longest stop of the tour and the best chance to get out of pure boat mode.

Preko offers the sandy Jaz beach, cafes, souvenir shops, and fresh seafood restaurants. You can walk through the village, take photographs, swim, or sit down for something to eat. If your group has different interests, this stop should work well. One person can look for a cafe while another takes a swim, and someone else can browse the shops.

The extra time also makes Preko the most practical place for lunch, although the meal is not included in the tour price. Budget for food separately. If you prefer to keep the trip focused on swimming and the boat, you can simply use the beach and village as a relaxed final stop.

I appreciate the balance here. The tour does not end after a string of swimming pauses. You get a little local village atmosphere before returning to Zadar. At the same time, Preko is not presented as a full cultural tour, so keep your expectations in the right place. You are visiting for a short walk, beach time, cafes, shops, and seafood, not an extended exploration of island life.

What the private format really adds

A private boat is most valuable when your group has a clear preference. You might want longer swimming stops, more sightseeing, or a faster ride with less time on land. The skipper can customize the tour, so tell the operator what matters to you before departure.

The experience also suits groups that do not want to spend four hours following an unfamiliar crowd. You can enjoy drinks, take photographs, and talk without trying to keep up with a large party. The arrangement feels especially useful for couples, families with older children, or a small group of friends who want the boat to themselves.

The private setup does not remove every limitation. The total tour still lasts four hours, and the published route includes several 15-minute boat legs. You cannot turn it into a full-day island visit without arranging something different. You also should not assume that every request can be met if weather or sea conditions make a route impractical.

The skipper is an important part of the experience. Christian has been praised for combining beautiful swimming bays with an exciting speedboat ride. Kristin has been praised for polite service and allowing plenty of time for island sightseeing. Those details suggest that the human side of the tour matters as much as the boat itself.

Drinks, snorkeling, and the real value of $397

The listed price is $397 per group up to one. That wording is unusual, so I would confirm exactly how the price applies to your party before paying. Since this is a private tour, the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat and how much you appreciate having an exclusive skipper and route.

Fuel is included, which removes one common extra cost on a boat trip. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, liquor, and snorkeling gear are also included. You still pay separately for lunch or any food you order in Preko.

For a solo participant, the price is high. For a private party that wants a tailored outing, the calculation may look better, especially when compared with paying separate fares for transport, boat trips, and snorkeling equipment. The value is not just the number of islands. It is the privacy, the direct access to swimming bays, and the ability to decide how to use the stops.

The included drinks are a pleasant extra, but they should not be the reason you book. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the short travel times between islands, and the mix of water time and village time. If you do not swim and do not enjoy fast boats, much of the tour’s appeal disappears.

Who will enjoy this four-hour route

I would recommend this trip to people who want to see several nearby places without spending a whole day at sea. It gives you a taste of Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko in one compact outing, with time for swimming and a drink along the way.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples wanting a private coastal outing
• Small groups of friends who enjoy speedboats
• Confident swimmers who want snorkeling time
• Visitors who prefer flexible sightseeing over a fixed group schedule
• People who want a beach and village stop, not just an offshore cruise

You should think twice if you are uncomfortable with speed, prone to back pain, pregnant, a non-swimmer, or traveling with a child under two. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and pets are not allowed.

Weather and sea conditions matter even though no specific weather policy is provided. A private skipper can adjust the route to your preferences, but you should still expect the experience to depend on conditions on the day. Wear practical swim clothing and bring anything you personally need for sun protection, since only the listed equipment and drinks are included.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

The tour lasts four hours, but the available starting times vary. Check the schedule before you book, especially if you are trying to fit the outing between other Zadar plans.

The listed route includes four 15-minute speedboat sections, followed by roughly one hour at Kostanj, 50 minutes at Ošljak, and 90 minutes at Preko. The times are a useful guide, but the private format may allow some adjustment.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while you finalize your schedule. The activity ends back at the original meeting point, or at the agreed nearby dock.

Should you book the Zadar private speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the water, especially if swimming, snorkeling, and private travel matter more to you than a long cultural tour. Kostanj offers the best water break, Ošljak supplies the unusual island detail, and Preko gives you time for a walk, cafe, beach, or seafood lunch.

I would skip it if you want a slow ferry ride, a fully guided history tour, or a low-cost way to reach the islands. The speedboat is central to the experience, not just transportation. For the right group, the combination of a thrilling ride, clear swimming water, drinks, and a flexible skipper can make the price worthwhile. Before booking, confirm the group pricing and make sure everyone is comfortable with the boat and swimming requirements.

FAQ

Where does the private speedboat tour start?

The usual meeting point is Zadar Boat Tours at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000 Zadar. Pickup may be arranged at another nearby location where the boat can dock.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides and stops at Kostanj bay, Ošljak, and Preko.

What islands and places does the tour visit?

The route includes Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko. Stops include Kostanj bay, Ošljak island, and Jaz beach in Preko.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquor are included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can find cafes and fresh seafood restaurants in Preko during the free-time stop.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is operated as a private group experience with an English-speaking live guide and skipper.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or non-swimmers. Pets are also not allowed.