Zadar: Three Islands Private Boat Tour

The best part of Zadar may be offshore. This four-hour private boat trip visits Galevac, Ošljak, Preko, and the sandy cove of Kostanj, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling. I like the freedom to shape the outing around your group, and I like the genuine local touch of homemade olive oil with marinated and salted anchovies. The main consideration is that this is a relaxed coastal trip, not a fast-paced sightseeing cruise packed with monuments.

Captain Goran adds real character to the experience. He knows the islands, adjusts the timing when possible, and has been praised for thoughtful touches such as birthday cake, champagne, drinks, and even returning a ring left on the boat. The private format is the real luxury, though the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy.

Key points to know before you book

• Four hours, four waterside stops: Galevac, Preko, Ošljak, and Kostanj give the trip a pleasant mix of culture, swimming, snorkeling, and food.
• Private group for up to five: At $282 per group, the full boat costs about $56.40 per person if you have five people.
• Galevac has a 15th-century monastery: The islet of St. Paul brings a little history and quiet to what is mainly a swimming day.
• Ošljak is the longest stop: You get about an hour for its coves, beaches, snorkeling, and local snacks.
• Kostanj is reached only by boat: Its sandy beach cannot be reached by car, which helps explain its appeal.
• Food is part of the welcome: Expect drinks, bread, tomatoes, and homemade fish served with Goran’s own olive oil, with anchovies as the signature taste.

Leaving Port Foša for the islands

The meeting point is in Zadar’s Port Foša, listed at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. This is convenient if you are already exploring the old town and want to move from stone streets to open water without arranging a separate transfer.

The first cruise takes about 20 minutes. That short ride gives you time to settle in, take in the coastline, and get comfortable with the boat before the first stop. The tour is conducted in English, and the group stays private rather than being combined with strangers.

That private setup matters more than it may sound. You can tell Goran if you want more time in the water, prefer to linger at an island, or would rather keep moving. Several groups appreciated being able to set the pace, and one family arranged an earlier start at 1 p.m. instead of the original time. Starting times depend on availability, so ask before booking if your schedule is tight.

The boat is described as comfortable, though no seating plan or boat size is given. I would still bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. Sunscreen is also sensible for any open-water trip, even though it is not listed among the required items.

Galevac and the St. Paul monastery

The first island stop is Galevac, also called Galovac or Školji in the schedule. It is a small islet with the 15th-century monastery of St. Paul, and the stop lasts around 20 minutes.

This is the most cultural pause of the trip. You get a guided introduction, an aperitif, and free time, with swimming and snorkeling also possible. The monastery gives Galevac a calm sense of place, while the surrounding water keeps the stop connected to the main purpose of the outing: enjoying the Adriatic rather than spending the day indoors.

Twenty minutes is enough for a short look and a swim, but not for a long visit. If your main interest is history, you should keep expectations modest. The tour gives you an atmospheric glimpse, not a full monastery tour with extensive historical detail.

I like the order of this stop. You begin with a bit of local culture, then shift toward beaches and coves. That keeps the trip from becoming four identical swim stops.

Preko brings a break and a taste of island life

The boat continues to Preko, where you have about 40 minutes. The schedule allows time for a guided visit, swimming, snorkeling, food tasting, and a flexible hop-on, hop-off style pause.

Preko is useful as a change of rhythm. Instead of staying on the boat for every minute, you can take a break and spend time on land. The food tasting is one of the more memorable parts of the experience, especially if you enjoy simple coastal cooking rather than polished restaurant fare.

Goran serves local products including marinated and salted anchovies in his own homemade olive oil. Other food mentioned across the outing includes bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, sardines, and tuna. Drinks have included beer, wine, cola, and water. The exact selection may vary, but the food is clearly more than a token snack.

Anchovies are the signature item, and they may not appeal to everyone. If you normally avoid strong fish, you can still enjoy the scenery, fruitless? No, avoid unsupported. The food is not the whole tour. But if you like seafood, this tasting adds a personal connection to the islands that a standard boat excursion often lacks.

The 40-minute stop is not long enough for a major exploration of Preko. Think of it as a short island pause with food and water time, not a full town visit. That is a fair trade on a four-hour outing that also includes three other coastal stops.

Ošljak offers the longest swim stop

After about 10 minutes of cruising, the boat reaches Ošljak. This is the longest stop, at roughly one hour, and it is where the trip settles into its most relaxed pattern.

Ošljak is described as having small beaches and sheltered coves suited to swimming and snorkeling. You can spend time in the water, walk around with Goran’s guidance, or simply sit back and enjoy the quiet. The shallow coves and clear water make this a strong choice for families, although parents should still supervise children around the boat and shoreline.

The snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and gear. Fish sightings are possible, and one group even saw dolphins during its outing, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The sensible reason to bring the equipment is not to chase a particular sighting. It is to make it easy to look beneath the surface whenever the water and conditions are right.

Ošljak is also a good place to notice the advantage of a private boat. On a large excursion, you generally follow a fixed timetable. Here, Goran can respond to your group’s energy. If everyone is enjoying the water, you can make that hour count. If you have had enough sun, the stop need not feel like an obligation.

Kostanj is the sandy finish

The final major stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a cove that cannot be reached by car. The boat spends about 50 minutes here, including a photo stop, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is a strong finish because it offers something different from the rockier coastal settings common around the Adriatic. A sandy beach gives you a softer place to swim and a change from stepping into the sea over stone. The cove also makes a good photo stop, especially if your group wants a final quiet stretch before returning to Zadar.

The word sandy should not lead you to expect a broad resort beach with facilities. The information provided describes a beach reached by boat, not a developed bathing complex. Bring everything you need for the stop, including your towel, hat, and water-friendly footwear if you prefer extra protection underfoot.

After Kostanj, the return cruise takes about 25 minutes. That is long enough to relax, dry off, and enjoy the coast without making the journey feel like a full-day commitment.

Food, drinks, and the personal touch

The homemade anchovies in olive oil are the most distinctive feature of the onboard hospitality. Goran uses his own olive oil, and the fish is served with simple accompaniments such as bread and tomatoes. Some groups also received cheese, ham, sardines, or tuna.

This is not a formal meal, and you should not book the trip expecting a restaurant service. It is an aperitif-style spread that fits the setting. Eating salty fish and fresh bread beside the sea feels properly local, especially when the food comes from the person steering your boat rather than from a generic catering tray.

Drinks are included. Past outings have had beer, wine, cola, water, and other soft drinks available. If you have dietary restrictions or dislike seafood, ask before departure what can be provided. The supplied details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-specific alternatives.

The personal care extends beyond food. Goran arranged cake and champagne for a birthday group, and when one person left a ring on the boat, he found it and posted it back to the United Kingdom. Those details do not change the route, but they show the kind of attentive hosting this tour aims to provide.

Smaller birthday parties can also be arranged. Ask in advance rather than assuming a celebration package is included in the standard price.

Why the private price can make sense

The listed price is $282 for a group of up to five people. At maximum capacity, that works out to about $56.40 per person for four hours, including the private boat, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

For two people, the cost is $141 each. That is less attractive than the full-group rate, but you are paying for privacy, flexible timing, and a boat shaped around your own plans. For a family of four or five, the price is easier to justify because a large shared cruise may cost less per person but will not offer the same control over stops.

The best comparison is not simply with the cheapest boat ticket in Zadar. Ask what you value. If you want a fixed route, a crowd, and the lowest possible price, this is probably not the right choice. If you want to swim at several spots, eat local food, and avoid a 50-person boat, the private format gives the price real value.

Four hours is also a sensible length. You see a good slice of the islands without giving up an entire day. The tradeoff is that each stop is brief, with only Ošljak receiving a full hour. You are sampling the area, not settling into one beach for the whole afternoon.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and small groups of friends who want a flexible Adriatic experience. It works especially well for people who care more about swimming, quiet coves, and local food than about a long history lecture.

Families have several advantages here. The boat is private, the schedule can respond to children’s moods, and there are multiple chances to swim. One family with children aged six and nine had a good time, while another group with children aged 11 and 16 enjoyed setting its own pace.

It also suits a birthday or small celebration. Music can be connected to the boat’s speaker, according to one group, which may help create the right mood for a relaxed afternoon. Keep the celebration modest and confirm special requests in advance.

This trip is less suitable if you need step-free access. It is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy. Bikes are not allowed. Anyone who dislikes boats, fish, or swimming should consider another Zadar activity.

Weather matters, too. Goran has contacted groups ahead of time when conditions looked poor and kept them updated. That is useful, but a boat tour remains dependent on safe weather and water conditions.

Practical details that affect your day

Book a starting time that leaves room around the four-hour outing. The schedule includes about 20 minutes to Galevac, 40 minutes at Preko, 10 minutes to Ošljak, an hour there, 15 minutes to Kostanj, and a 25-minute return, with the remaining time built into the overall route and stops.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes if possible. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and a towel, as requested. The supplied information does not list hotel pickup, so plan to reach Port Foša yourself.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your Zadar plans are still shifting. Check the available starting times before you commit, particularly in the shoulder seasons.

The tour operates in English. Goran’s role is part captain, part host, and part local guide, so expect informal explanations rather than a formal museum-style presentation.

Should you book the Zadar Three Islands tour?

Book it if you want a small, personal boat day with swimming, snorkeling, local snacks, and room to set the pace. The combination of Galevac’s monastery, Ošljak’s coves, Preko’s tasting stop, and Kostanj’s boat-only sandy beach gives the four hours enough variety.

I would be less eager to book it if your priority is a full cultural tour, a large sandy beach with facilities, or the lowest possible price. The schedule moves steadily, and the strongest moments come from the water, the quiet stops, and Goran’s hospitality rather than from major monuments.

For a group of four or five, the value is particularly good. You get a private outing for roughly $56.40 per person, with drinks, food, equipment, and a captain who can adapt the day. That is a solid way to see the islands near Zadar without spending the whole afternoon in a crowd.

FAQ

Where does the Zadar Three Islands boat tour start?

The meeting point is Port Foša in Zadar, listed at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

How long does the tour last?

The boat tour lasts four hours, including the cruises between Zadar and the island stops.

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

The route includes Galevac, Preko on Ugljan, Ošljak, and Kostanj sandy beach. The experience is promoted as a three-island tour, with the coastal stop at Kostanj included as the final beach visit.

Is the boat tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience for up to five people.

Are food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Local offerings can include homemade olive oil, marinated and salted anchovies, bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, sardines, or tuna.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy. Bikes are also not allowed.