Zadar: 3 Island Speedboat Tour with Wine and Snorkeling

Blue water, small islands, and a fast boat make a fine Zadar escape. This four-hour trip takes you from the city to Kostanj Bay, Osljak, and Preko with a local skipper, swimming time, snorkeling gear, and drinks along the way. I like the small group of up to 12 people, which keeps the ride more personal than a large excursion boat. I also like the mix of sea time and island wandering, especially the chance to see Osljak’s old church and Preko’s relaxed waterfront.

The main catch is the extra €10 docking fee per person, paid in cash on arrival. You should also plan carefully around the meeting point: there is no parking or toilet there, and summer parking in Zadar can take time. The boat rides are short, but the open-air setup means you should bring sun protection and expect some spray.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Mario, Tony, Roko, Gogo, Fabrizio, Johnny, Matteo, Lovre, and several others have earned praise for being friendly, careful, and good company on the water. The pre-departure check-in can feel less tidy when several boats are being assigned, but once you are aboard, the captains generally take charge well.

Key points to know before booking

• Kostanj Bay is the first water stop: You get about 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and jumping into clear water.
• Osljak offers the quietest island stop: Walk to the ninth-century church, climb the small hill, or sit at the local bar.
• Preko gives you the longest break: The 90-minute stop allows time for coffee, shops, a sandy beach, and snorkeling.
• Drinks are part of the price: The package includes wine, water, soft drinks, and two glasses of G&T, with the exact serving arrangement handled during the stops.
• The ride is social and compact: A maximum of 12 participants makes it easy to meet people without feeling packed into a big group.
• Bring cash for the dock fee: The €10 charge is separate and paid on arrival.

Why this boat trip works so well from Zadar

Zadar’s old town is easy to enjoy on foot, but its best coastal scenery begins offshore. This tour gives you a quick look at the nearby islands without asking you to commit to a full-day sailing trip or a long ferry schedule.

At $44 per person, the price is attractive for four hours on a modern speedboat. Fuel, a local skipper, snorkeling equipment, and drinks are included. You also get three different stops, rather than spending most of the outing simply moving from one point to another.

I see the value in the format. You get the excitement of a speedboat, the calm of small island villages, and enough free time to swim instead of merely taking photographs from the deck. The short duration also works well if you have only a few days in Zadar, are visiting from a cruise ship, or want to keep part of the day free for the old town.

The tradeoff is that this is not a slow sailing trip. The boat moves briskly between stops, and the open boat provides limited shelter from the sun. You should be comfortable with a lively ride and getting on or off near the water. If you want a long lunch, a quiet sail, or extensive historical guiding, this is not the right outing.

Meeting the boat and crossing to Kostanj Bay

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Look for the bench or the Tornado sign, and arrive at least 10 minutes early. There is no toilet at the meeting point, so take care of that before you arrive. Parking is not available there, and summer traffic can make finding a space a nuisance.

The first ride takes around 15 minutes. That is long enough to leave the city behind, feel the speed of the boat, and begin seeing Zadar from a different angle. The return route also gives you a final view of the old city from the water.

Kostanj Bay is the first real reward. It is described as a secluded bay with clear water and a sandy beach, and the stop lasts about 40 minutes. This is your best chance to settle into the sea portion of the trip. You can swim, use the provided mask and snorkel, sunbathe, or simply cool off in the water.

The snorkeling here is casual rather than a formal guided activity. You are given equipment, but you should not expect an instructor or a long underwater route. The appeal is the clean water and the freedom to choose your pace. Several people especially enjoyed jumping from the boat into the blue water, although you can use a life jacket if you prefer extra support.

If swimming is important to you, pay attention to the weather and sea conditions on the day. The exact feel of a water stop can change with wind and waves. Still, Kostanj is a smart first stop because it gets everyone into holiday mode before the island walks begin.

Osljak, Croatia’s small inhabited island

After another 15-minute boat ride, you reach Osljak. This is the most unusual stop because it feels less like a beach visit and more like a small village walk.

Osljak is known as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia. It has 29 residents, and many locals share the same last name, a detail that gives the island an appealingly close-knit character. Its stone buildings, trees, and quiet paths offer a sharp contrast to Zadar’s city center.

You have around 40 minutes here. That is enough for a short walk, but not enough for a leisurely exploration of every corner. I would use the time with a simple plan: walk along the shore, head toward the small hill for the view, and look for the ninth-century church among the trees.

The island also has ruins of a hospital connected with people suffering from plague during the Second World War. That is a sobering detail, and it adds a layer of human history to what otherwise feels like a peaceful seaside stop. Your skipper may offer some background, but this is not a formal museum visit or an extended history lecture.

There is also a bar, which gives you the option of a quick drink instead of a longer walk. That choice matters because Osljak is compact, and you can shape the stop around your mood. I would choose the walk if it is your first visit. You will see more of what makes the island distinctive than you would from the bar alone.

The drawback is time. Forty minutes goes quickly if you want to climb, photograph the church, walk the shore, and stop for a drink. Pick one or two priorities rather than trying to do everything.

Preko gives you the tour’s longest break

From Osljak, the boat continues a short distance to Preko. This is the liveliest stop and the one where you have the most freedom. The scheduled break lasts about 90 minutes, giving you time to walk, swim, shop, or sit with a drink by the sea.

Preko has small local shops, souvenir stalls, and places to stop for coffee. The waterfront is the natural place to slow down, but it is worth walking toward the center too. A small sandy beach offers another chance to swim and use the snorkeling equipment.

Some tours rush island visits into a quick photo stop. Preko is different because the longer pause lets you choose between several simple pleasures. You can have a coffee, browse the shops, eat if you have arranged your own food, or stay in the water for most of the hour and a half.

Lunch is not included, so plan ahead. You may find food available on the island, but the tour price does not cover it. One useful suggestion from the guides has been to try local food in the area, including fresh fish and sardines. If eating is important to you, ask your skipper about current options and allow enough time to return to the boat.

Preko also offers a small side adventure. From the island, you can swim toward nearby Galevac, where an old monastery sits among the trees. The tour information presents this as a possibility, not a guaranteed part of the schedule, so do not count on making the swim if conditions or timing do not allow it. You should also be a confident swimmer before attempting it.

This stop is likely to be the favorite for anyone who wants a proper island break rather than only a swim. It gives you room to spread out and do your own thing, while still keeping the group on a clear schedule.

Drinks, snorkeling, and the small-group atmosphere

The included refreshments help explain the tour’s appeal. You receive water and soft drinks, unlimited wine, and two glasses of G&T, with one glass served at each stop according to the activity details. Coffee is not included, and neither is lunch.

The drinks are not the main reason to book, but they suit the setting. A cold drink after swimming or while looking across a quiet island makes the boat feel more like a casual social outing than a basic transfer service. If you do not drink alcohol, water and soft drinks are available.

The group limit is 12 people. That is small enough for the skipper to check that everyone is comfortable, explain the route, and offer suggestions about where to eat or what to see. Guides such as Mario, Tony, Gogo, and Roko have been especially praised for their friendliness and care. One guide made sure less confident swimmers had life jackets, which is the sort of practical attention I value more than a polished speech.

Music is sometimes part of the atmosphere. Several outings have included good music and a relaxed mood, but the exact style will depend on the captain and group. You may meet people from several countries, making this a natural choice if you enjoy a social excursion.

There has been some confusion before departure when staff sort people among different boats. That issue appears to happen at check-in rather than during the trip itself. Arriving early, checking your boat assignment, and staying near the meeting point should help.

What to bring and what to expect on the water

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Towels are not included. A small dry bag or waterproof phone case would also be sensible, since this is an open boat and spray is possible.

Wear footwear that you can walk in comfortably. Osljak and Preko are not difficult hiking destinations, but you may walk on uneven surfaces near the shore. Keep your belongings compact because a speedboat has less storage than a large excursion vessel.

The boat legs are listed at about 15 minutes each, making the trip easy to follow. You are not trapped at sea for long stretches, and every stop offers a clear purpose: Kostanj for water time, Osljak for a short village walk, and Preko for a longer island break.

The activity is conducted in English. The captains are not only drivers. They explain the islands, point out places to visit, and often suggest food or other things to do in Zadar. Their personality matters here, and the many positive comments about Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, Fabrizio, Johnny, Matteo, Lovre, and others suggest that the company has a strong bench of personable skippers.

Still, a friendly captain cannot change the basic nature of the outing. You will have limited time at each stop, no included meal, and no toilet at the starting point. The boat is suited to people who want movement, swimming, and a bit of local color rather than a polished luxury cruise.

Is the $44 price good value?

For $44, this is one of the more affordable ways to get a taste of the Zadar islands by speedboat. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling gear, three stops, and drinks are included. The only required extra is the €10 docking fee, paid in cash on arrival.

That brings the practical cost closer to $54 plus any food or coffee you buy. Even so, the package compares well with arranging separate transport to multiple islands, especially once you consider the time saved and the local captain’s guidance.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want variety. In four hours, you swim in a clear bay, walk a tiny historic island, and spend a longer break in Preko. You also get a lively boat ride and views of Zadar from the water.

The value is weaker if you dislike group outings or already plan to spend a full day on Preko. In that case, a public ferry and a slower independent visit may give you more time and control. You also might prefer a longer sailing trip if the ride itself is your main interest.

Who should book this Zadar island tour?

I would recommend it to couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and small groups who want an active half-day without a demanding schedule. One 11-year-old reportedly considered it the best excursion of a cruise visit, which says something about the boat’s appeal to children who enjoy speed and swimming.

It is also a good fit if you want to meet people. The group is limited to 12, but the shared boat, drinks, music, and swimming stops create an easy social setting.

I would think twice if you need a fully accessible outing, since the supplied details do not explain accessibility arrangements. I would also reconsider if you want a quiet, alcohol-free, history-focused experience, although nonalcoholic drinks are available and the guides do provide information about the islands.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check the available schedule when booking.

Final verdict: book it for variety, not for a full island day

Book this tour if you want a fast, friendly introduction to the coast around Zadar. The combination of Kostanj’s clear water, Osljak’s tiny community, and Preko’s longer free time gives you three different experiences in one outing.

The strongest reasons to go are the modest price, the small boat, the generous swimming opportunities, and the skippers. Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, and the other captains have helped make this experience feel personal rather than mechanical.

Just arrive early, bring cash for the €10 dock fee, use the toilet before meeting the boat, and do not expect lunch or towels. If those details suit you, this is an easy and enjoyable way to trade four hours of city sightseeing for sea air, island paths, and a cold drink on the Adriatic.

FAQ

How long is the Zadar 3 Island Speedboat Tour?

The tour lasts four hours. The route includes boat rides of about 15 minutes between the main stops, plus time at Kostanj Bay, Osljak, and Preko.

What islands and locations does the tour visit?

The tour visits Kostanj Bay, Osljak, and Preko. From Preko, you may also be able to swim toward nearby Galevac and its monastery, depending on time and conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it during the swimming stops, including at Kostanj Bay and Preko.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The activity includes water, soft drinks, unlimited wine, and two glasses of G&T, with one glass served at each stop according to the tour details. Coffee is not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can use your free time in Preko to find food, but you should budget separately for any meal.

What extra fee must I pay?

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