Speed and sun on Croatian islands. This private 4-hour ride from Zadar pairs serious boat fun with laid-back island time, with stops built around swimming and views.

I especially like the drinks included (soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine, and liquor) and the fact that snorkeling gear is provided, so you can go straight from the harbor to the water. In the nicest way, the whole plan feels flexible, not rushed.

One consideration: it’s an active speedboat day. If you’re dealing with back or heart problems, or you’re not confident in the water, this isn’t the right fit.

Key things I’d plan around

• A new luxury speedboat feel with lots of real-speed bouncing on the waves
• Kostanj Bay swimming time and crystal-clear water breaks for photos and snorkeling
• Ošljak’s calm, small-island vibe with time to explore and see marine life
• Preko village time near Jaz beach, with a walkable pocket of cafes and seafood spots
• Drinks flowing all day (including beer, wine, and liquor) along with bottled water and soft drinks

From Foša Harbor: Why the route feels like a real outing

This tour is built for people who want more than a slow ferry experience. You start in Zadar at the dock area used by Zadar Boat Tours (with pickup possible around Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, when the boat can dock nearby). Then you head out toward the island group that sits just offshore from the city: Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko.

The biggest value here is the mix of speed and time. You get short cruising stretches, then proper breaks to swim, snorkel, and look around. That matters because Croatia’s Adriatic can be hard to enjoy fully if your day is split between buses, long waits, and “quick photo stops.” Here, the water time is the point.

Also, since it’s private, you’re not stuck matching your pace to a big group. The skipper can adjust how you spend the break windows—more sightseeing if you like walking coastal lanes, more swim time if you just want to stay in the water.

Kostanj Bay and the first swimming window

The tour’s first big moment is the ride toward Ugljan and its sandy beach at Kostanj. The approach from the Zadar waterfront gives you a moving panorama—part city edges, part open sea—and you’ll spend enough time on the boat to feel like you’re actually doing something, not just getting transported.

At the Kostanj area, you get your first meaningful break: scenic viewing, photos, swimming, and snorkeling. The water is described as crystal clear, and that’s exactly what makes snorkeling work here: when visibility is good, you can relax instead of squinting and guessing.

Practical note: because snorkeling gear is included, you don’t need to scramble for rentals on the day. Just show up with swimwear ready and plan on using that first water time, not saving it for later out of habit.

Hidden coves, sea views, and a proper break

After the initial coast-to-beach moment, the tour continues through more open-water viewing with another break time built in. This is the kind of segment that makes private boating worth it: you’re not only moving between landmarks. You’re also pausing where the coastline and light look good from the water.

During this stretch, you can expect the usual “boat day” rhythm:

• Photo stops and sightseeing from the speedboat
• A break that includes spirits and wine tasting along with time to swim and snorkel
• Marine-life viewing opportunities mentioned later in the route, and the ocean watching starts early here too

The drink tastings aren’t just a marketing add-on. Because the boat is running on a tight schedule (4 hours total), having drinks included helps the breaks feel complete. You’re not thinking about where to buy a cold bottle next—you’re spending that energy on enjoying the water.

Ošljak: the smallest inhabited island in Croatia

Next comes one of the route’s most specific selling points: Ošljak, described as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia. This isn’t just a postcard stop. The timing is long enough for you to slow down and actually look around.

You’ll cruise for a short stretch, then arrive at Ošljak for about 50 minutes. That window includes sightseeing and swimming and snorkeling, with extra attention to watching what’s happening in the water (marine-life viewing is specifically part of the stop).

What I like about a place like Ošljak on a speedboat tour is the contrast. You go from energetic boat motion to something calmer and smaller. That’s a rare combo when you’re based in a city like Zadar. Ošljak gives you the feeling of being tucked away from crowds while still being close enough to reach comfortably.

One more reason this stop is valuable: you’re not spending the whole day just bouncing between big-name beaches. You’re getting a small, real-island moment that fits the boat’s theme.

Preko and Jaz beach: time to walk and refuel

After Ošljak, the route shifts to Preko, a village on the mainland side of the island group. The stop here lasts around 1.5 hours, which is long enough to do more than just wade in the water.

What you can do with that time:

• Break time plus a photo stop
• Free time and walking
• Swimming again in the water near Jaz beach in Preko
• Browsing small spots like souvenir shops and taking the edge off your appetite with cozy cafes and fresh seafood restaurants nearby

This is where the tour turns from “boat-only” into a more well-rounded day. You get at least one stop where you can switch gears from ocean time to village time. Even if you don’t go far, you’ll feel the difference: smaller streets, a slower rhythm, and that Preko shoreline atmosphere that’s hard to recreate from the water alone.

If you’re the type who likes snapping photos from the boat, you’ll love this stop because you can also aim for ground-level shots—walkways, beachfront views, and the small village layout.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and fuel: the real value math

Let’s talk value, not just price. The listed cost is $397 per group (up to 1), for a 4-hour private tour. That sounds steep at first glance—until you break down what’s included.

Included items:

• Snorkeling gear
• Drinks: soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine, and liquor
• Fuel
• Bottled water specifically mentioned, plus the broader drink lineup
• A skipper and live tour guide in English

Not included:

• Lunch

So you’re paying for transportation by speedboat, the water activity tools, and a full drinks package during the day. If you’ve ever tried to build your own boat day in Croatia—gear rental, drinks, and a skipper—costs add up fast. Here, the tour bundles it so you can plan your spending with fewer surprises.

The one missing piece is lunch. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it does mean you’ll want to handle food separately if you’re hungry for a full meal during the day. The Preko area is where you’ll have the easiest time to grab something, since the stop includes time on land.

The skipper makes the day: Christian and Kristin energy

This tour lives or dies on the skipper’s style, and the vibe described with skippers such as Christian and Kristin is that they’re accommodating and genuinely fun. That shows up in practical ways: giving you time to see what you came for, keeping things relaxed during sightseeing windows, and making the drink breaks feel natural instead of awkward.

Speedboat days can be a mixed bag if the skipper drives hard without caring about comfort. Here, the overall feel is that the ride is thrilling—yes, with a bouncing, fast feeling on waves—but still managed well enough that sightseeing time remains part of the plan.

Tip for how to use that energy: at each stop, decide fast what you want most—photos, snorkeling, or walking. With a private guide, those decisions matter more because the plan is meant to flex around you.

Who this speedboat tour fits (and who should skip it)

This is a good match if you want:

• A private group experience with tailored attention
• A speedboat day built around swimming and snorkeling
• A route that includes both small-island quiet (Ošljak) and village time (Preko)

It’s not a good match if you:

• Are not a confident swimmer (this is explicitly listed as not suitable)
• Have back problems or heart problems (also explicitly listed)
• Are traveling with a wheelchair (not suitable)
• Are pregnant (not suitable)
• Are bringing pets (not allowed)

Also, there’s an age note: it’s not suitable for children under 2 years.

And here’s a realistic comfort note: speedboats mean movement. Even people without health restrictions may find the ride physically intense. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider bringing the same caution you would for any bouncy boat day.

Price and timing: what $397 gets you in 4 hours

You’re looking at a 4-hour tour with starting times that depend on availability. That duration is long enough to feel like a full outing, but short enough to keep energy high. You’re not trapped on a boat for half a day with nothing to do but stare at the horizon.

The schedule also makes sense for island hopping at this distance:

• Short cruise segments between stops
• Water-focused breaks where you actually use the snorkeling gear
• A longer land-and-walk window at Preko so the day doesn’t become one continuous swim session

If you’re trying to decide whether the cost fits you, ask a simple question: do you want to spend your day on the water with drinks and gear included? If the answer is yes, this price starts to look more reasonable. If you mostly want a relaxed coastal tour with minimal physical activity, you might prefer something slower and less speedboat-based.

Should you book this Zadar islands speedboat day?

I’d book it if you want a private speedboat experience that’s practical for real water time: Kostanj for sand-and-snorkel moments, Ošljak for that smallest-inhabited-island feel, and Preko for a walk and a break from being on the boat.

I would skip it if you can’t do active water time, if health limitations make a speedboat ride uncomfortable, or if you’re looking for a long, on-land sightseeing day rather than a condensed island-and-sea experience.

If you fit the sweet spot—swimming, snorkeling, and a fun skipper-led route out of Zadar—this is the kind of day you’ll remember because it’s not just views. It’s movement, water, and time where you can actually enjoy the Adriatic.

FAQ

What islands are included on this private speedboat tour?

You’ll visit and spend time around Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko, with swimming and snorkeling stops tied to the route.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 4 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Zadar Boat Tours. The start is listed near Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000, Zadar, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the price.

What drinks are included?

Drinks included are soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine, and liquor.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Can I bring a pet?

No. Pets are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. It is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What languages are offered by the guide?

The live tour guide is English.