Zadar: 3 Island Speedboat Tour with Wine and Snorkeling

Zadar looks best from the water. This four-hour outing gives you three very different stops, from a quiet swimming bay to the small island of Osljak and the livelier waterfront of Preko. A local skipper handles the boat, points out places along the coast, and keeps the mood easygoing with music, wine, water, soft drinks, and G&T.

I especially like the mix of swimming and island time. You are not stuck on the boat for the whole morning, but you also do not spend the day trudging between landmarks. The small group, limited to 12 people, makes the speedboat feel social without turning into a packed excursion.

The main drawback is practical rather than scenic: you must pay a €10 docking fee in cash on arrival, and the meeting point has no toilet or parking. Summer traffic around Zadar can be slow, so you need to arrive early and plan ahead.

Key points at a glance

• Kostanj bay offers the best first swim, with about 40 minutes for snorkeling, sunbathing, and cooling off in clear water.
• Osljak is the quietest stop, with a tiny population, a ninth-century church, old ruins, and a short hill walk.
• Preko gives you the most freedom, with 90 minutes for swimming, coffee, shops, food, or a walk toward Galevac.
• The boat ride is part of the fun, with quick coastal crossings, open views, music, and a friendly English-speaking skipper.
• Drinks are included, with wine, water, and soft drinks available, plus two glasses of G&T, one at each stop.
• The €44 price is strong value, but remember the extra €10 cash docking fee and the fact that lunch, towels, and coffee are not included.

Why this four-hour boat trip works well from Zadar

Zadar is easy to enjoy on foot, but its coast is the real show. The old town faces a chain of islands, sheltered bays, and small settlements that are hard to appreciate from city streets. This tour gives you a short, active taste of that waterborne side without asking you to give up an entire day.

At $44 per person, the price is reasonable for a modern speedboat, fuel, skipper, snorkeling equipment, three stops, and drinks. The extra €10 docking charge brings the total cost higher, but it still compares well with a full-day boat excursion. You also avoid the cost and effort of arranging several ferry rides or finding separate swimming spots.

I would think of this as a sampler rather than a serious island tour. You get enough time to sense each place, but not enough to explore every lane, church, or restaurant. That is the tradeoff: more variety in four hours, less time at any one location.

The atmosphere depends partly on the skipper. Guides named Mario, Tony, Gogo, Johnny, Roko, Fabrizio, Lovre, Matteo, and others have received especially warm praise for being friendly, attentive, and good company. Several have helped less confident swimmers with life jackets, suggested local food, or added bits of island history along the way.

Starting at the Tornado sign

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. You should be there 10 minutes before departure and wait by the bench or the Tornado sign.

This is not a full-service marina departure. There is no toilet at the meeting point, so use one before arriving. Parking is also unavailable at the meeting point, and summer parking in Zadar can be difficult. If you have a rental car, allow extra time to leave it elsewhere and walk over.

The staff may be sorting people among several boats, so the first few minutes can feel less tidy than the actual outing. Keep your booking details handy and listen for your name or boat assignment. Once you are aboard, the experience becomes much simpler.

The speedboat takes roughly 15 minutes to reach the first stop. That short crossing matters because it gives you a pleasant burst of speed without turning the tour into a long, windy transfer. You get open views back toward Zadar and a quick look at the shore from a different angle.

Kostanj bay: the first swim in clear water

Kostanj is the tour’s easiest introduction to the sea. The boat stops at a sandy beach in a sheltered bay, where you have about 40 minutes to swim, snorkel, or lie in the sun.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which is useful if you are traveling light. The water is described as clear, and the stop is designed for cooling off rather than sightseeing. You can jump in from the boat or make your way toward the beach, depending on conditions and the skipper’s instructions.

This is a good place to settle into the pace of the tour. You are not expected to perform or keep moving. If you prefer to stay dry, you can enjoy the scenery from the boat, but the stop works best if you bring swimwear and take the chance to get in the water.

The 40-minute limit is enough for a proper swim, but it goes quickly if you want to snorkel, dry off, and sunbathe. I would have your swimsuit on before boarding and keep a towel within easy reach. Towels are not provided.

The first included G&T is served around the stops, and wine, water, or soft drinks are also available. Alcohol and swimming require a little common sense. If you plan to spend the stop in the water, save the drink for afterward.

Osljak: a tiny island with an unusual past

After another short boat ride, you reach Osljak. This is the most distinctive stop on the route because it feels far quieter and more local than the other two islands.

Osljak is known as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia. It has around 29 inhabitants, and many locals share the same last name, an amusing detail that gives you a sense of how close-knit island life can be. The island has traditional Mediterranean buildings, thick trees, and a calm shoreline that invites a slow walk.

You have about 40 minutes here. That is enough for a short stroll, a photo stop, or a climb up the small hill for a wider view. Tread carefully if you attempt the hill, since the tour information describes it as small but does not promise a paved route.

One of Osljak’s highlights is a little church dating from the ninth century. You can also look for the remains of a former hospital connected with people suffering from plague during the Second World War. These traces are modest, not grand monuments, and that is part of their appeal. You are seeing the sort of small-scale island history that is easy to miss on a faster, more polished excursion.

There is also a bar if you would rather sit down with a drink. That choice makes Osljak flexible. You can walk, take photographs, look for the church, or simply enjoy the shade.

The short stop does mean you need to choose. You probably cannot see every corner, climb the hill, visit the church, and settle into the bar. If walking and local details matter most to you, keep the swim at Kostanj focused so you have more energy for this stop.

Preko: the longest and most flexible island visit

Preko receives the longest stop, around 90 minutes, and it is where the tour gives you the most freedom. The island has small shops, cafés, a waterfront, and a sandy beach where you can swim or use the snorkeling gear again.

The summer atmosphere is livelier here, but Preko is not presented as a major resort town. You can grab a coffee with a sea view, browse for a souvenir, find something to eat, or simply sit by the water. Some tour participants have also used the stop to eat fresh fish and sardines at local restaurants, so this may be the best point to arrange lunch if you are hungry.

The beach gives you another chance to snorkel, and the longer stop means you do not need to rush through it. Families may appreciate the extra time, especially if children need a break between swimming and walking. The boat crew can also help people who are not strong swimmers and provide life jackets for those who want them.

From Preko, you can look across toward Galevac, a nearby islet with an old monastery among the trees. The tour information suggests swimming there from Preko, but you should treat that as an optional idea, not a guaranteed part of the boat itinerary. Only consider it if the conditions, your swimming ability, and the guide’s advice all make it sensible.

This is also the stop where you may feel the difference between a four-hour tour and a full island day. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but once you allow time for the walk from the boat, swimming, food, and getting back on board, you will not have hours to wander. Keep an eye on the departure time.

The ride back gives you one last view of Zadar

The return crossing takes about 15 minutes, with another look toward Zadar and its old city from the water. It is a pleasant way to finish, especially if you take a moment to notice how the city sits against the sea.

One skipper, Gogo, even showed a group the Sea Organ at night after the tour. That sort of extra help cannot be promised, but it shows how much the individual captain can shape the outing. The listed tour ends back at the starting point, so any extra stop or sightseeing should be treated as a bonus rather than part of the fixed plan.

The speedboat itself is a key part of the experience. You are not simply being transported between beaches. The wind, quick crossings, music, and changing views create a sense of movement that a standard ferry would not provide.

The tradeoff is exposure. Speedboats can be breezy and sunny, and you may get spray depending on the conditions. Bring sun protection and clothing you do not mind wearing around water. The supplied information does not specify covered seating, so do not assume you will have shade for the whole ride.

Drinks, snorkeling, and what you really receive

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, petrol, the modern speedboat, and an English-speaking local skipper. For drinks, the package includes two glasses of G&T, one at each stop, as well as unlimited wine, water, or soft drinks.

That wording is worth understanding. It does not mean unlimited cocktails. If you prefer wine, water, or a soft drink, you can keep those coming during the tour. If you want G&T, expect two glasses rather than an open bar.

Lunch and coffee are not included. Preko is the sensible place to buy food or a café drink, but you should carry enough cash or a payment method suitable for the places you visit. The only clearly stated cash requirement is the €10 docking fee per person, paid on arrival.

A towel is not included. Bring one, along with swimwear, sun protection, and a small bag that can handle a little water. You will be happier if your phone and other valuables are protected during the crossings.

Who should book this Zadar excursion?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants swimming, scenery, and a taste of island life in one compact outing. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy being on a fast boat and can manage short walks.

It is also a good choice if you are in Zadar for only a few days. You see three locations without arranging transport yourself, and the skipper can add local advice about food and sights. The small group is large enough for conversation but small enough to avoid the feel of a large excursion boat.

You should think twice if your priority is a long, quiet beach day. The boat visits three places, so every stop has a time limit. You should also be comfortable with a social setting, as the trip brings together up to 12 people from different countries.

People with limited mobility should ask the operator for current details before booking. The information confirms swimming, snorkeling, walking, a small hill, and boarding a speedboat, but it does not provide specific accessibility details.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Is the $44 tour worth it?

Yes, for most visitors the value is very good. The base price covers the boat, fuel, skipper, equipment, three stops, and a generous drink package. Add the €10 docking fee, and you still get a half-day on the water for less than many full-day coastal outings.

The strongest value comes from the variety. Kostanj supplies the swim, Osljak supplies the quiet island character, and Preko supplies the longest break and the most choices. You are not paying only for a beach transfer.

I would book it if you want an active but manageable introduction to the Zadar coast. Just arrive early, use a toilet before meeting the boat, bring a towel and sun protection, and keep €10 in cash for the docking charge. If that sounds like your kind of half-day, this is an easy way to trade Zadar’s pavement for clear water and three very different island stops.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar 3 Island Speedboat Tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the speedboat journeys and time at Kostanj, Osljak, and Preko.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. Wait by the bench or the Tornado sign and arrive 10 minutes before departure.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 12 participants.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it at Kostanj and Preko.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes two glasses of G&T, unlimited wine, water, or soft drinks. Coffee and lunch are not included.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. You must pay a €10 docking fee per person in cash on arrival. This covers all stops.

Is parking or a toilet available at the meeting point?

No. Parking is not available at the meeting point, and there is no toilet there. Plan ahead, especially during summer.