Islands Tour in Zadar by Speedboat

Three stops, clear water, and a small boat. This four-hour trip from Zadar combines three swim opportunities with time in Preko, a visit near Galevac, and the option of eating in Kali. I like the small maximum group of 12, and I like that the skipper can adjust the day to suit the group. The main catch is the €10 docking fee per person, which comes on top of the advertised $25 price.

The boat carries water, iced tea, fuel, a skipper, and basic snorkeling gear. That makes the low headline price appealing, but you still need to bring a towel, arrange your own food, and accept that there is no toilet aboard. The ride is best for people who want sea time and simple island stops, not a long guided history tour.

The published score is 5 from 86 ratings, with all listed feedback recommending the experience. Names that appear in the feedback include skipper Bart, praised for splitting the group’s time well and looking after everyone without hovering. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a little cash or a card for lunch, drinks, and the docking charge.

Key points before you book

• Three water stops: You get time at Pjescana Uvala at the start, another rocky shore at the end, and a sandy beach near Preko.
• Small speedboat group: The boat takes no more than 12 people, giving you more room than a large excursion boat.
• Preko gives you choices: Swim, walk around, visit nearby Galevac, sit at a cafe, or stop for local food.
• Kali is an alternative final stop: If you prefer seafood and a beach bar to another swim, the route can head to this fishing village.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Masks and snorkels are available, but towels and food are not.
• Budget carefully: The advertised price is $25 per person, with a separate €10 docking fee per person.

Why this four-hour boat trip works well from Zadar

Zadar sits on the mainland beside a spread of islands, so a speedboat is a practical way to reach clear water without committing to a full-day cruise. This outing keeps the schedule compact. You spend roughly 45 minutes at the first bay, 90 minutes around Preko, and one hour at the final swimming or food stop, with short boat rides linking the places.

I like that the trip does not force every person into the same activity. You can swim while someone else stays aboard with a drink. At Preko, you can use the sandy beach, visit Galevac, eat, or sit at a cafe. At the last stop, you can choose another rocky swim or ask to sail to Kali for seafood and cocktails.

The small group matters here. A maximum of 12 people means less crowding around the boarding point, easier conversation with the skipper, and more space on the boat. The feedback repeatedly praises the friendly crew, clean boat, helpful suggestions, and calm handling of the group.

This is not a museum-style excursion. You will not get a long program of historical commentary from the information provided. The attraction is the water, the island atmosphere, and the freedom to spend a half-day outdoors.

Leaving Obala kneza Branimira 27A

The meeting point is at Obala kneza Branimira 27A in Zadar, and the tour returns there. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Car parking is not provided, so do not treat the departure point as a parking facility.

The advertised cost is $25 per person, which is unusually low for a four-hour speedboat outing with fuel, a skipper, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included. Yet the extra €10 docking fee per person changes the real calculation. Add that fee before deciding if this is the right bargain for you.

Food is also separate. You can buy something during the Preko stop, and the possible Kali visit includes a restaurant with seafood specialties. If you want to keep spending down, bring only what is allowed and practical for the boat, but the tour specifically says food is not included.

The boat has no toilet. That is easy to overlook on a short trip, but four hours can feel long if you need regular facilities. Use a restroom before departure and keep that limitation in mind if you are traveling with a small child or anyone who needs frequent breaks.

Pjescana Uvala: a quiet first swim

The first stop is Pjescana Uvala, described as a secluded bay on Ugljan. The ride from Zadar is short, so you reach the water quickly instead of spending much of the morning in transit.

You get about 45 minutes here. The main choice is simple: swim in the clear sea or stay on the boat with a drink and enjoy the sun. Snorkels and masks are available for looking around the rocky bottom, including coral-filled rocks mentioned in the tour details.

This stop sets the tone for the day. It is not built around a long walk or a formal activity. You step off the boat, get in the water, and enjoy the coast at your own pace.

The limitation is timing. Forty-five minutes gives you a good first swim, but it is not enough for a long snorkel session or a slow beach morning. I would treat it as a refreshing start rather than the main event.

Preko on Ugljan: the most flexible stop

After the first bay, the speedboat heads to Preko on Ugljan. You have about an hour and a half here, making it the longest stop and the part of the trip with the most choice.

Preko offers a sandy beach, cafes, and restaurants serving local specialties. You can swim, sit with a drink, eat a meal, or simply walk around. That mix makes the stop useful for groups with different interests. One person can look for lunch while another heads into the water.

Just offshore is Galevac, a small island about 20 meters from the mainland. You can reach it by swimming if you have enough energy, then explore its small setting before returning to Preko. The short distance makes it an appealing extra challenge, but you should only swim across if you are comfortable in open water and conditions suit you.

The long stop also gives the day some breathing room. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. Still, food and drinks here are your responsibility, and restaurant prices are not part of the tour fee.

The published feedback includes a family with a three-year-old who enjoyed the morning, which suggests the flexible pace can work for families. Even so, there is no toilet on the boat, and you should plan around that before leaving Preko.

The final hour: another swim or a visit to Kali

The final portion gives you a choice. You can stop at another rocky beach for swimming and snorkeling, or sail to Kali on Ugljan if you would rather have a village and seafood stop.

The rocky beach is a good fit if you have come mainly for the sea. It gives you another chance to swim in clear water and look along the coast with the supplied mask and snorkel. After two earlier water opportunities, this stop lets you finish the trip in the way many people want: one more jump into the Adriatic.

Kali offers a different mood. It is known here as a fishing village, with a restaurant serving seafood specialties and a beach bar beside it. The bar has music and cocktails, so this option suits you if you want a social drink and lunch instead of another swim.

The route can adapt to the group, but do not assume every possible activity will receive equal time. The tour lasts about four hours in total. If you spend longer at Preko, the final stop may feel shorter, and the skipper’s choices depend on the day and the group’s preferences.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The strongest praise centers on the crew. The skipper is described as friendly, attentive, helpful, and willing to offer suggestions without taking over the outing. Bart is named in the feedback, with specific praise for splitting the group so people could get the kind of day they wanted.

That matters on a small boat. A poor skipper can make a short sea trip feel cramped or disorganized. A good one keeps the timing under control, watches the group, and knows when to leave people alone to enjoy the water.

The crew also provides water and iced tea. These are modest extras, but they are useful under the sun and save you from buying every drink during the trip. The boat itself is described as clean, with enough room for a small group to sit comfortably.

Music is mentioned in connection with the island stops and the beach bar, not as a promise of a full party boat. Expect a relaxed social outing, with the mood shaped by the skipper and the people aboard.

Snorkeling, swimming, and what to pack

The tour supplies masks and snorkels, so you do not need to bring your own equipment unless you prefer your personal gear. The focus is simple shoreline exploration around rocky areas, not a technical underwater activity or a formal marine lesson.

Pack a towel because none is provided. Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes, bring sun protection, and carry a dry layer if you dislike sitting in wet clothing during the boat rides. Water and iced tea are included, but food is not.

Since the boat has no toilet, use one before departure. The tour is suitable for most people, according to the supplied information, but you should still be honest about your swimming comfort and ability to manage a half-day on a small boat.

The weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For that reason, avoid placing an important same-day connection immediately after the tour.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, active taste of the Zadar islands without giving up an entire day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like mixing swimming with a casual meal or cafe stop.

It is also a good choice for people who prefer options. You can spend most of your time in the water, enjoy the boat with a drink, visit Galevac, or choose Kali for seafood. The skipper’s flexibility is one of the tour’s best features.

I would think twice if you need a toilet aboard, dislike open-water swimming, or want a detailed cultural tour. The experience is built around coast, water, and simple island time. It also may not suit someone looking for an all-inclusive outing, since food, towels, parking, and the docking fee are separate.

At $25 plus €10 for docking, the value is strongest if you use the included snorkeling gear, enjoy all three stops, and take advantage of the drinks and small-group setting. If you compare it with a large boat cruise, this offers a more personal format. If you compare it with a private charter, it is far less costly but gives you less control.

Should you book the Zadar islands tour?

Book it if you want a friendly four-hour outing with clear water, three chances to swim, and enough flexibility to suit different kinds of people. The small boat, attentive skipper, clean vessel, and Preko stop give it more substance than a simple ride along the coast.

Before paying, add the €10 docking fee, plan for your own lunch, and remember the boat has no toilet. If those points work for you, this is a sensible half-day way to see Ugljan and enjoy the Adriatic without a long commitment.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at Obala kneza Branimira 27A, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

It returns to the same meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $25 per person. A separate docking fee of €10 per person is also required.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included for the swimming and snorkeling stops.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water and iced tea are included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can eat at restaurants in Preko or, if the route goes there, Kali.

Is there a toilet on the speedboat?

No. There is no toilet on the speedboat.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.