Half-day speedboat trip from Zadar with drinks

A small boat makes island time count. This four-hour speedboat outing links Zadar with Preko and Ošljak, giving you swimming, snorkeling, a village walk, and open-water views without spending a full day at sea. I like the short, varied route and the fact that drinks, fruit, fuel, a skipper, and snorkeling gear are included.

I also like the flexible feel of the trip. The skipper is described as friendly, accommodating, and willing to shape the outing around your wishes. The main catch is the extra 10 euro port fee per person, which is not included in the advertised $30 price. That added cost is easy to miss when comparing tours.

Key details at a glance

• Two islands in four hours: Visit Preko on Ugljan Island, then stop at the smaller island of Ošljak.
• A useful mix of activities: You get a village walk and coffee time at Preko, followed by swimming and snorkeling stops.
• Drinks are included: Ice tea and beer are available on board, with fruit also provided during the ride.
• A fast boat saves time: The first crossing takes about 45 minutes, followed by a 20-minute ride to Ošljak.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.
• Budget carefully: The $30 price does not cover the 10 euro port fee per person.

Why this half-day boat trip works well

Zadar is a city built beside the sea, but some of the best coastal scenery begins just offshore. A speedboat lets you leave the city behind quickly and reach the islands without committing to a full-day cruise.

That makes this a smart choice if your schedule is tight. You can spend the morning or afternoon on the water and still have plenty of time for Zadar’s old town, a meal, or an evening walk along the waterfront.

I especially like the balance between motion and downtime. You are not stuck on the boat for four straight hours, and you are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. Preko gives you time for a walk and coffee, while Ošljak is set aside for swimming and snorkeling.

The experience is also fairly easygoing. It is not presented as a formal historical tour or an intense water-sports outing. You get a local skipper, a small boat, basic snorkeling equipment, and enough free time to enjoy the water at your own pace.

Meeting at Obala kneza Branimira 27

The trip begins at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. This is an important detail because Zadar has several waterfront piers, ferry areas, and excursion departure points.

Give yourself enough time to identify the correct spot. The meeting point is not described as a major terminal, so checking the address before you leave your accommodation is sensible. The same location is used when the boat returns.

Because the tour lasts four hours, the start time can vary. You need to check the available departures for your date when booking. Morning departures are mentioned in the trip description, but the exact starting time depends on availability.

The language options are English and Croatian. A live guide is included, though the experience is likely to feel more like a skipper-led outing than a long, formal sightseeing lecture. That is a good fit if you prefer practical local guidance and time outdoors.

The 45-minute ride from Zadar

The first boat ride lasts about 45 minutes. This is long enough to make the crossing part of the experience, not just a transfer between stops.

A speedboat changes how you see the coast. You get open views toward the islands and a brisk ride across the water, with the boat itself providing much of the fun. The trip is not built around large-boat comfort or a quiet, slow cruise. You should expect a more active ride.

Drinks are included during the journey. The listed options are ice tea and beer, and fruit is also available. This is a small but useful touch, especially during a sunny outing when you do not want to spend the ride thinking about where to buy refreshments.

Still, you should plan for ordinary sun exposure. The trip highlights warm Mediterranean weather, and much of your time is likely to be outside. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a swimsuit. If you are sensitive to wind or spray, a light layer may also be useful.

Preko on Ugljan Island: 75 minutes to set your own pace

Preko is the main stop, with about 75 minutes for coffee, walking, swimming, and snorkeling. The village gives the trip a little more character than a simple beach transfer.

You can use this stop in different ways. Take a short walk through the village, sit down for coffee, or head toward the water with the provided snorkeling equipment. If swimming is your priority, you can keep the visit simple and spend most of the time near the shore.

I like having several choices here. Some boat trips turn every stop into a strict group schedule, but this visit allows you to decide how active you want to be. You can stay dry and enjoy the village, or make the most of the Adriatic water.

The 75-minute limit is also worth noting. It is enough for a taste of Preko, but not enough for a long exploration of Ugljan Island. Think of this as a compact island visit rather than a full tour of Ugljan.

The trip description highlights Preko’s culture, but the supplied details do not specify particular monuments, museums, or historic buildings visited during the stop. The value here is the combination of a small island village, a waterfront break, and time away from Zadar.

If you want to drink coffee, walk, change for swimming, and snorkel all in one stop, you will need to watch the clock. Pick your main activity before arriving. Trying to do everything may leave each part feeling rushed.

The 20-minute ride to Ošljak

After Preko, the boat makes a shorter crossing of about 20 minutes to Ošljak. This keeps the route moving and gives you another stretch of open water without a long transfer.

Ošljak is the final stop and is set aside for about an hour of swimming and snorkeling. Compared with Preko, this part is more focused. You are not being asked to visit a village, stop for coffee, and explore streets. You can simply get into the water and enjoy the setting.

This is likely to be the most appealing section for anyone booking the trip mainly for a swim. Masks and snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental for the activity.

The details provided do not identify a particular beach, reef, or marine life at Ošljak. You should therefore view snorkeling as a pleasant included activity rather than a specialist wildlife excursion. Conditions can also affect how enjoyable the water is on a given day.

An hour passes quickly, especially if you need time to get ready and dry off before returning to the boat. Bring a towel and anything else you need for changing, since those items are not listed among the inclusions.

Returning to Zadar after four hours

The boat returns to the same pier at Obala kneza Branimira 27. The route is compact enough to fit comfortably into a half-day, with the main travel sections clearly separated from the island stops.

That timing is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. You get three distinct parts of a coastal day: the ride from Zadar, a village and swimming stop at Preko, and a more focused water stop at Ošljak.

The return ride is also a useful planning point. You are not left on another island or required to arrange separate transport back to Zadar. The boat brings you to the original meeting point.

Because the trip ends back in the city, it works well before an evening meal or another Zadar activity. Just leave some flexibility in your schedule rather than booking something that begins immediately after the stated four-hour duration.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The price covers fuel, a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment, ice tea, and beer. Fruit is also described as available during the journey.

That package keeps the day simple. You do not need to pay separately for fuel, hire a boat, or arrange snorkeling gear. The included drinks are useful, but they should not be treated as a full meal replacement.

The 10 euro port fee per person is extra. At the advertised $30 price, that means your practical cost is higher than the headline figure. For a solo participant, the combined amount is roughly $40 before any other personal spending, though the final exchange rate may vary.

I would compare the total cost with other boat options, not just the base price. Even with the port fee, the value is reasonable if you want a fast boat, two island stops, a skipper, drinks, and snorkeling in a single half-day.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hat or light cover-up
• Comfortable shoes for walking in Preko
• A small amount of money for personal purchases such as coffee
• Dry clothing for the ride back

The provided information does not say that lunch, hotel pickup, towels, or private transport are included. Plan on handling those needs yourself.

The skipper’s flexible approach

The most praised part of this experience is the skipper’s manner. The available feedback describes a guide who was very friendly, accommodating, and willing to tailor the outing to the group’s wishes.

That matters on a small speedboat. A flexible skipper can help you decide how to use the limited time at Preko, explain where to swim, and adjust the mood of the trip to suit the group. You may prefer more time in the water, while someone else may want a walk and coffee. The ability to respond to those preferences adds real value.

Of course, flexibility is not the same as a fully private custom charter. The trip is still built around a four-hour route with planned stops. Think of the skipper’s approach as a willingness to listen and make the day pleasant, not a promise that every part of the itinerary can be changed.

The tour has a perfect 5 out of 5 rating from five submitted reviews. That is a very positive signal about satisfaction, particularly regarding the guide’s friendly and helpful service, but it is still a small sample. I would place more weight on the clear route, inclusions, and timing when deciding.

Who should book this trip

This outing suits you if you want to see a little more than Zadar’s waterfront without giving up most of your day. It is a good match for couples, friends, and families who like swimming, short boat rides, and relaxed island stops.

It also suits people who prefer a small-group feel and direct contact with a skipper. The friendly, adaptable approach is a plus if you dislike rigid sightseeing schedules.

You may want another type of excursion if your main goal is a long beach day, serious snorkeling, or a detailed cultural tour of Ugljan. The time at each island is limited, and the provided information does not promise specialist instruction, extensive sightseeing, or a particular marine-life route.

It is also less suitable if you want every cost included in one simple payment. The separate port fee must be added to your budget.

Is the $30 price good value?

At first glance, $30 for four hours on a speedboat looks appealing. Once you add the 10 euro port fee, the value depends on what you want from the day.

For a simple transfer to one island, the cost would be less compelling. Here, you are paying for a round trip from Zadar, fuel, a professional skipper, two island stops, snorkeling equipment, and drinks. That is a useful bundle for someone who would otherwise need to arrange several pieces separately.

The strongest value comes from the variety. You are not spending the entire trip at one beach. You get a village visit at Preko, a dedicated swimming and snorkeling stop at Ošljak, and the speed of a boat that keeps travel time under control.

I would book it if you want an active but unhurried half-day and are comfortable paying the port fee. I would skip it if you are counting every euro or want a full-day island experience with more time at each destination.

Should you book the Zadar speedboat trip?

I would recommend this trip to anyone with four free hours who wants a straightforward taste of the nearby islands. The route is well balanced, the boat ride adds energy, and the combination of Preko and Ošljak gives you both village time and water time.

The friendly and flexible skipper is the clearest reason to choose this option over a more rigid group cruise. The extra port fee is the main point to watch, and the limited stop times mean you should choose your priorities before boarding.

Book it if you want swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and island scenery in a compact package. Look elsewhere if you need lunch included, a detailed cultural tour, or a full day on Ugljan Island.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The trip lasts four hours, including the boat rides and island stops.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 27.

Which islands does the trip visit?

The route visits Preko on Ugljan Island and the island of Ošljak.

How long do you spend at Preko?

The planned stop at Preko lasts about 75 minutes and allows time for coffee, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

How long do you spend at Ošljak?

The stop at Ošljak lasts about one hour and is intended for swimming and snorkeling.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Ice tea, beer, and snorkeling equipment are included. Fruit is also available during the trip.

Is the port fee included in the price?

No. A port fee of 10 euros per person must be paid separately.