Private Island Hopping Boat tour around Zadar with Drinks

Small boat, big Adriatic views. This private four-hour trip from Zadar gives you time on two islands, with swimming, snorkeling, a walk through Ugljan, and a route shaped around your group. I like the freedom to bring your own food and swimming gear, and I like that the skipper can stop for a jump from the boat when conditions suit. The main consideration is the extra 20 EUR docking fee, payable in cash before departure.

This is not a packed sightseeing cruise with a loud crowd and a fixed script. It is a relaxed outing for up to seven people, run by an English-speaking local skipper. The strongest praise centers on friendly service, good route planning, attractive photo stops, and the chance to see Preko on Ugljan Island without rushing through it.

The best parts of this Zadar boat trip

• Private boat for up to seven: You get the boat and skipper for your own group, which makes the flexible route more useful.
• Two island stops: One stop focuses on swimming and snorkeling, while Ugljan gives you time to walk, take photos, and explore.
• Preko feels local: The small town on Ugljan is praised for its authentic character and pleasant waterfront setting.
• A skipper who listens: Marino is described as friendly, talkative, and interesting when explaining the islands.
• Useful onboard gear: Refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets are available, though food is not included.
• Good value for a group: At $235 for up to seven people, the per-person cost drops sharply when the boat is full.

Leaving Foša for the open water

Your meeting point is at the back of Restaurant Foša, beside the Tornado sign. Arrive about 10 minutes early. This detail matters because the front of the restaurant is not the meeting spot, and a few minutes spent searching around the harbor can make a calm departure feel needlessly frantic.

From Foša, the boat spends about 30 minutes reaching the first stop. That ride is part of the pleasure, not just a transfer. You leave the city edge behind and get a water-level view of the Zadar coast, with time to settle into the slower rhythm of the outing.

Because this is a private boat, you are not tied to a large group’s pace. You can tell the skipper what matters most to you: swimming, snorkeling, walking around Ugljan, taking photos, or simply enjoying the ride. The route is flexible, but flexibility works best when your group agrees on its priorities before boarding.

The boat is a traditional and relaxed way to see the coast. Do not expect a formal cruise with a long list of narrated landmarks. Instead, you get a local skipper, a small group, and a chance to spend time in places away from the busiest tourist areas.

The first island stop: swimming and snorkeling

The first major stop lasts about 80 minutes. It is intended as a quieter coastal break, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a guided look around the area. The exact place is described as a hidden spot rather than a named attraction, which is useful if you want a less organized feel.

Snorkeling gear is included onboard, so you do not need to pack equipment just for this excursion. You can also bring your own swimming gear and any other items you want for the water. Life jackets are available if you need one, and you should ask the skipper before entering the water if you have any concerns.

You can also jump directly from the boat, with the skipper supervising. That option adds a little fun for confident swimmers, but it is not the main purpose of the stop. If your group includes children or anyone who is not a strong swimmer, use the provided life jackets and ask the skipper for clear guidance before anyone gets in.

The 80-minute stop is long enough to make the swimming feel worthwhile, rather than a quick photo pause. Still, the time must cover several possible activities. If everyone wants to snorkel, swim, take photos, and walk around, you may need to keep an eye on the clock.

Refreshments are available onboard, which is welcome after time in the water. Food is not included, so bring snacks or a packed meal if you expect to get hungry. You are specifically allowed to bring food with you, and that makes the tour easier for families and groups with different eating habits.

Crossing to Ugljan and exploring Preko

After the first stop, the boat heads toward Ugljan. The transfer takes roughly 30 minutes, giving you a short rest between water activities and the walking portion of the trip.

Ugljan is the more substantial stop, with about an hour and a half for a walk, photos, swimming, and a guided visit. The island is in Zadar County, close enough for a practical half-day outing but far enough to make the city feel distant for a while.

The small town of Preko receives especially strong praise. It is described as attractive and authentic, with a character that feels less staged than a heavily visited resort. That makes it a good fit if you want more than a swim stop. You can stretch your legs, see a little of island life, and enjoy the waterfront at an easy pace.

The time in Ugljan is flexible, but it is not unlimited. An hour and a half should give you room for a walk and photographs, with some time left for a swim if your group moves efficiently. If you prefer a leisurely café break or a long swim, tell the skipper early so the route can be adjusted as far as possible.

The island stop is also the best part of the tour for people who are not keen on jumping from boats. You can stay dry, walk around, and enjoy the views while more active members of your group use the water. That balance makes the outing work well for families and mixed-age groups.

Why the private format matters

The private setup is the heart of this trip. You are not sharing the day with a busload of strangers, and you do not have to follow a rigid sequence of stops. The boat is reserved for your group of up to seven, with your own local skipper.

That format is valuable for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want different levels of activity. One person can snorkel while another prefers a walk. You can ask for photo stops, spend more time in the water, or favor Ugljan if the island visit matters most.

The tradeoff is that the tour depends on communication. A flexible schedule does not mean every request can be added without affecting the rest of the route. With only four hours, you should decide whether your group wants a swim-heavy trip, an island walk, or a balanced mix.

The skipper’s personality also matters more on a private outing. Marino is specifically praised for being friendly, talkative, and interesting when discussing the islands. Another strong point is the skipper’s willingness to follow guest preferences and find good photo spots. That human touch can turn a basic boat ride into a much more personal day out.

The route, timing, and pace

The overall structure is straightforward:

• Meet at Foša, behind the restaurant by the Tornado sign.
• Spend about 30 minutes traveling to the first stop.
• Enjoy around 80 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, refreshments, and a guided visit.
• Travel onward toward Ugljan for roughly 30 minutes.
• Spend about 90 minutes on Ugljan, with walking, photos, swimming, and guided sightseeing.
• Return to Foša in about 30 minutes.

The timing adds up to approximately four hours, though exact movement times can vary with the agreed route and stop locations. The schedule gives you enough time to enjoy both water and land, but it is not designed for a full island day.

One review describes a route timed well enough to catch the sunset, with memorable viewpoints and photo locations. That suggests it may be worth asking about a later departure if sunset views are important to you. Do not assume every departure will include sunset, since the start time depends on availability and the season.

Drinks, food, and what to pack

Refreshments are available onboard, which covers the basic need for a drink during the ride and after swimming. Food is not included, but you may bring your own. For most groups, packing water, fruit, sandwiches, and something salty is sensible.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and comfortable clothing for the walk on Ugljan. The tour information specifically allows you to bring swimming gear, so you are not limited to whatever is supplied on the boat.

Snorkeling equipment is included onboard. Life jackets are also available, but they are not necessarily placed on every person automatically. Ask the skipper if you want one, especially before swimming or jumping from the boat.

There is no reason to overpack. The best approach is a small day bag with your swim items, food, phone, and anything you need to stay comfortable in the sun. Keep valuables secure and avoid bringing items that could be damaged by spray.

Price and the extra docking cost

The advertised price is $235 for a private group of up to seven people. For seven passengers, that works out to about $34 per person before the docking fee. For four people, it is roughly $59 each, and for two people, the private format becomes a much more expensive choice.

The price is strongest when you fill the boat. A group of friends or a family of six or seven gets private transport, a skipper, refreshments, snorkeling equipment, two island areas, and a flexible route without paying separate per-person fares for a shared cruise.

You also need to add the 20 EUR docking fee per boat. It is paid in cash upon arrival before the tour, so do not treat the posted tour price as the final amount. Because the charge is per boat rather than per person, it has little effect on the value for a full group but matters more for a couple.

Food is another extra cost, though bringing your own keeps that part simple. If you compare this outing with a standard group cruise, remember that the main value here is privacy and control, not a long list of included meals or entertainment.

What the praise tells you

The feedback is unusually consistent, with a perfect 5 rating from six reviews. The most repeated strengths are the skipper’s friendly manner, the smooth planning, the quality of the boat, and the ability to respond to personal wishes.

That pattern is useful. It tells you the core product is not built around one famous sight. It succeeds because the day feels well handled. A good boat, a pleasant captain, and sensible timing matter when you are spending four hours on the water.

The comments also point to two different kinds of enjoyment. One is active, with good snorkeling opportunities and the option to jump into clear water. The other is quieter, with Preko, scenic viewpoints, and time to look around Ugljan.

The sunset and photo-stop feedback is especially helpful for anyone who likes taking pictures. You can ask the skipper about the best time for evening light and whether the route can include a sunset view. The flexibility is a real feature, but you should discuss it before departure rather than wait until the boat is already returning to Zadar.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to a private group of friends or family members who can agree on a relaxed half-day plan. It suits people who want swimming and snorkeling but also want to walk through a small island town.

It is also a good choice if you dislike fixed group schedules. The skipper can adapt the route, offer photo stops, and respond to requests within the limits of the four-hour trip.

This is less suitable if you want a long historical tour, a full day on one island, or a guaranteed list of named sights. The information provided focuses on coastal scenery, swimming, snorkeling, Ugljan, and a personal boat ride rather than extensive cultural commentary.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone with mobility concerns should take that limitation seriously, since the outing involves boarding a boat, swimming options, and walking on Ugljan.

Practical booking advice

Reserve early if you want a particular departure time, especially if sunset is part of your plan. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which gives you some flexibility while arranging your Zadar schedule.

Bring cash for the 20 EUR docking fee. Meet behind Restaurant Foša by the Tornado sign 10 minutes before departure, not at the restaurant’s main entrance.

Tell the skipper what your group wants before the boat leaves. Mention swimming ability, snorkeling interest, food needs, the amount of walking you prefer, and whether photos or sunset matter. A private tour gives you room to shape the day, but the skipper needs that information early.

Should you book the Zadar island tour?

Book it if you want a small, private, flexible boat trip with a real mix of water time and island exploring. The combination of snorkeling, refreshments, Ugljan, Preko, and a friendly local skipper gives the four hours a pleasant variety.

The value is best for groups of five to seven, where the price becomes reasonable per person. Couples can still enjoy the privacy, but should compare the total cost with shared boat trips before booking.

For an active and easygoing group, this is a strong choice. Just budget for the cash docking fee, bring your own food, and remember that the day is shaped more by swimming, scenery, and local guidance than by formal sightseeing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is behind Restaurant Foša, by the Tornado sign. You should arrive 10 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts four hours. Available starting times depend on the date and schedule.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Which islands are visited?

The route includes two islands in the Zadar area. One stop is used for swimming and snorkeling, and the other is Ugljan Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available onboard.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available onboard. Ask the skipper if you need one.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can bring your own food on the boat.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. A 20 EUR docking fee applies per boat for all stops. It must be paid in cash before the tour.

Can wheelchair users join?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.