Experience Zadar Archipelago with private Antares sailing tour

Zadar looks better from the sea. This private Antares sailing tour combines a cruise past the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun with stops on Ošljak, Galevac, and Ugljan. I like the small-group setup, limited to your own party of up to five, and I like the chance to adjust the day toward swimming or sightseeing.

The family-run operation is another strong point. Laura, Tony, and the other skippers bring a personal touch, with clean boats, drinks, snacks on some outings, and useful local suggestions. The main consideration is time: four hours gives you a pleasant taste of the archipelago, but not a long, unhurried visit to every island.

Key things to know before you book

• A private boat for up to five people: The $239.79 group price can offer good value when shared by a family or small group.
• Three island stops: You visit Ošljak, Galevac, and Preko, with time for swimming, walking, and sightseeing.
• A flexible pace: The skipper can put more focus on bathing or more focus on seeing the islands, depending on your group.
• Zadar from a fresh angle: You pass the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun from the water instead of viewing them only from the waterfront.
• Snorkeling gear and water included: You do not need to arrange basic equipment before setting out.
• A family-run experience: Laura and Tony are named as guides and boat captains, giving the trip a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.

Why this four-hour cruise works well

Zadar is easy to visit on foot, but its setting only becomes clear once you leave the old town shoreline. The city sits at the edge of a busy island world, and a boat gives you a quick sense of how the coast, small islets, and larger islands fit together.

This is not a full-day sailing voyage. It is a compact outing with several different moods: urban views at the start, a quiet island stop, a possible swim, a look at old religious buildings, and time in a small island settlement. That variety makes the tour useful when you have only part of a day free.

I also like the fact that this is a private activity. You are not sharing the boat with a large crowd or waiting for a group of strangers to finish every stop. If one person in your party wants to swim while another prefers a short walk, the skipper can help shape the outing around your needs.

The tour is guided by a professional skipper, and the family business describes its service as a way to show both the nature and history of Zadar and nearby Ugljan. The experience is less about a formal lecture and more about seeing the area from the water with someone who knows how to use your limited time.

Leaving Zadar past the Sea Organ

The boat departs from Bakelitplast, Proizvodnja Proizvoda Od Gume i Plastičnih Masa, at Bregdetti ul. 42 in Zadar. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes planning easier if you have a hotel, car, or later appointment in the city.

Early in the cruise, you pass Zadar’s Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun. From the water, you get a different view of the old town and the waterfront promenade. The Sea Organ is especially interesting from this angle because you can see the public space as part of the shore rather than as a separate sightseeing stop.

This opening section also gives you a chance to settle into the boat. The included bottled water is practical in the sun, and snorkeling equipment is supplied for the swimming portions. Some outings have included drinks and crackers, but I would not count on food being provided because breakfast, brunch, and lunch are not included.

The city views are one of the tour’s strongest features. If you have already walked Zadar’s center, the boat ride adds another layer without requiring another long museum visit or guided city walk.

Ošljak: quiet lanes and traditional houses

The first listed stop is Ošljak, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes set aside. That is the longest island visit of the tour, so you have time to do more than step ashore for a quick photograph.

Ošljak is known for its traditional Mediterranean houses and its small settled areas. The old buildings give the stop a clear sense of place. You are looking at a lived-in island setting, not a purpose-built beach resort, and that makes the visit feel more connected to local coastal life.

I would use this stop for a slow walk, a look at the architecture, and a chance to enjoy the quieter pace. The island is small enough that the appeal comes from simple details: stone houses, narrow routes, sea views, and the contrast with Zadar’s urban waterfront.

The tradeoff is that Ošljak may feel too quiet if you want constant activity. There is no promise of a long organized tour, a meal, or a packed schedule here. That is part of its charm, but you should be comfortable with an hour or more of unhurried island time.

Because the stop is relatively long, ask your skipper how the time will be divided on your departure day. The available information allows for flexible planning, and the guides have adjusted outings for groups that wanted more time in the water.

Galevac: a tiny islet near Preko

Next comes Galevac, also called Školjić, opposite Preko. The islet sits only about 80 meters from Preko, making it a very short hop across the water but a distinct stop in its own right.

The main attraction is the old church and its monastery collection. The islet is also used for swimming, touring, and sightseeing. With roughly 40 minutes here, you should expect a short visit rather than a large amount of free time.

This is the kind of stop where a local skipper matters. You need someone to help you make sensible use of a compact visit, especially if your group wants both a look around and a quick swim. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can make the water part of the stop without bringing your own mask and gear.

Admission to Galevac is listed as not included. The available details do not specify a separate admission price, so ask Antares Sailing if access or the monastery collection has a charge on your date.

Galevac is likely to appeal most if you enjoy small religious sites and short island walks. If you prefer a long swim with plenty of time to relax, the 40-minute window may feel brief.

Preko and the wider island of Ugljan

The final main stop is Preko, with about one hour allocated. Preko is on Ugljan, an island known for its mild Mediterranean climate, nearby islands and islets, and a mix of rocky and sandy beaches.

The name Preko means across, fitting its position opposite Zadar. From here, you get a strong sense of the close relationship between the city and the islands. Zadar is not isolated from its surrounding coast. It faces a chain of settlements and small pieces of land that have long shaped local travel and daily life.

You can use the hour for a short walk, a swim, or a combination of both. The precise balance depends on the skipper and the wishes of your party. One of the useful features of a private boat is that you can say clearly if you want more bathing or more sightseeing.

Preko is also a good place to slow down after the earlier stops. The tour has already given you architecture on Ošljak and a small historic site on Galevac. Here, the focus can shift toward the sea, beaches, and the character of Ugljan.

As with Ošljak, do not expect a full island tour in one hour. Ugljan is much larger than the small islets on the route, and this excursion gives you only a brief introduction. If your main aim is to explore Ugljan in depth, you would need more time than this tour provides.

Swimming, snorkeling, and flexible planning

The strongest practical advantage of this outing is its ability to adjust to the group. One party used the boat for two swimming locations, including a place that worked better for someone with troublesome knees. Another outing included an anchored bay for swimming and snorkeling before continuing to a nearby fishing village.

Those details show why a private tour can be useful. You can explain your priorities at the start. If your group wants to swim, say so. If one person needs an easier access point, mention it before the boat leaves. The skipper can then make better choices within the available four hours.

You should still keep expectations realistic. The fixed route includes Ošljak, Galevac, and Preko, so flexibility does not mean the schedule is unlimited. Weather, sea conditions, and the time needed to move between stops will affect how long you can spend at each place.

Swimming equipment is included, along with bottled water. Lunch, breakfast, and brunch are not included. Some past outings had drinks and snacks available, but I would bring anything substantial your group may need rather than planning on a meal aboard.

A separate outing reached Kali, a nearby fishing village, where the party ate tuna and anchovies at Srdela. That is a useful example of the skipper adapting the day, but Kali is not listed as one of the standard stops here, so you should ask in advance if you want a meal stop or a different route.

What the skipper and boat add

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and safe. That matters on a short trip because you spend a large part of the experience aboard, moving between stops rather than only walking on shore.

Laura receives especially strong praise for her friendly manner and ability to tailor the day. Tony has also captained outings, and the family business approach means you may get a more personal exchange than you would on a large scheduled cruise.

The best quality here is not a long speech packed with facts. It is attention to the group. The skippers have helped parties find swimming spots, choose easier access, and make room for both lunch and sightseeing. That practical flexibility can turn a basic boat ride into a much better use of a free afternoon.

Do keep in mind that the exact skipper may vary. The information names both Laura and Tony, but it does not promise a particular person for every departure. If meeting Laura is important to you, ask when booking.

Is $239.79 good value for five people?

The listed price is $239.79 per group of up to five, not per person. At full capacity, that works out to about $48 per person, before any food or other costs. For a family or group of friends, that is a reasonable way to get a private boat, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, water, and several island stops.

For two people, the per-person cost is much higher. You are paying for privacy, control over the pace, and the ability to shape the route rather than simply buying the cheapest seat on a shared boat.

The value is strongest if you care about a personal outing and want to swim. It is also useful if your party has different needs, such as one person wanting more sightseeing and another wanting easy access to the water.

The price does not include lunch, breakfast, or brunch. Plan for those costs separately. Since the tour lasts about four hours, it can also fit neatly beside a morning or evening in Zadar, which improves its practical value.

Who should book this sailing tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and small groups who want a private half-day on the Adriatic without committing to a full-day sailing trip. It suits people who enjoy a mix of scenery, island stops, swimming, and light sightseeing.

It is especially appealing if you want a quieter alternative to Zadar’s main beaches. The boat lets you get away from crowded shore spots and reach places that are harder to combine on your own in four hours.

The tour may be less suitable if you have a serious medical condition, since the activity is not recommended for that situation. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but you should discuss any specific mobility concern with the operator before booking.

The experience is also weather dependent. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund after a change of plans, cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Should you book Antares Sailing?

Book it if you want a private, flexible boat outing and your group values time in the water as much as time ashore. The mix of Zadar views, Ošljak’s traditional houses, Galevac’s church and monastery setting, and Preko’s island atmosphere gives you plenty of variety in four hours.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long visit to Ugljan, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or a full-day sailing adventure. For everyone else, especially a group of four or five, the price is fair and the personal service is the real advantage. Ask about the day’s exact swimming plan, food options, and skipper before departure, then enjoy the coast at a slower pace.

FAQ

How long is the Antares sailing tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Bakelitplast, Proizvodnja Proizvoda Od Gume i Plastičnih Masa, Vl. Paolo Bajlo, Bregdetti ul. 42, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Zadar.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to five people.

Which islands and islets does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Ošljak, Galevac, also called Školjić, and Preko on Ugljan.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included.

Is food included?

No. Lunch, breakfast, and brunch are not included. Some outings have had drinks and snacks available, but food should not be assumed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.