Zadar: 3-Island Speedboat Tour with Snorkeling and Drinks

Three islands, four hours, one lively ride. This Zadar speedboat trip packs swimming, snorkeling, island walks, and free time into a brisk half-day on the Adriatic. I like the small group of up to 12 and the freedom to explore each stop without being tied to the guide every minute. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, a GoPro11 underwater camera, sunscreen, water, and local drinks are included.

The main thing to consider is the pace. You get about 80 minutes on Ošljak, 45 minutes at the unnamed third stop, and one hour in Preko, but the boat rides and three separate landings take time. The compact speedboat can also feel lively on the water, so this is better for people who enjoy a little speed than for anyone seeking a slow, quiet cruise.

Key details at a glance

• Small boat, small group: A maximum of 12 participants keeps the outing more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Ošljak gets the longest stop: You have 80 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, walking, photographs, and a short hike.
• The third stop changes the rhythm: This unnamed island stop offers 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life.
• Preko adds village time: The one-hour visit allows for coffee, shopping, a walk, or another swim.
• Drinks and gear are included: You receive unlimited water, a local alcoholic drink, snorkeling equipment, sunscreen, and use of a GoPro11.
• Budget for docking fees: Add €10 per adult or €5 per child, covering all stops.

Leaving Zadar from Foša

The meeting point is at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, opposite the Foša restaurant. Look for a guide in a red hat, a useful detail in an area where several boats and waterfront businesses can make a first meeting less obvious.

Once everyone is aboard, the speedboat heads out for a short sightseeing cruise of about 15 minutes. That opening run is not just transport. It gives you a quick change from Zadar’s urban waterfront to open water, with the breeze and boat speed setting the tone for the afternoon.

The boat is described as compact and new, with music on board. That combination helps create a friendly, holiday mood, though it also means the ride is part of the entertainment rather than a calm vessel for quietly watching the coast. If you like fast boats, you will probably enjoy the sensation. If you prefer a gentle ferry ride, sit where you can brace yourself comfortably and expect some movement.

A guide and skipper accompany the group. The most frequently praised guides include Josip, Josef, and Luka, with several different spellings appearing in the feedback. Their role goes beyond steering: they explain the stops, give suggestions for food and activities, check that people are comfortable, and often take photographs.

Ošljak: your fullest island stop

Ošljak is the first major stop and the longest one, with about 80 minutes to use as you wish. That generous pause matters because it gives you time to do more than step ashore, take one photograph, and hurry back to the boat.

You can walk around, take a short hike, swim, snorkel, or simply sit near the water. The combination makes Ošljak the most flexible stop of the day. If you want active time, start with the walk and views, then cool off in the sea. If swimming is your priority, go straight to the water and save the walk for later.

The snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins. The tour also carries a GoPro11 for underwater photographs, which is a welcome touch for anyone who wants more than ordinary phone pictures. Ask the guide how the camera is shared and used early in the stop, since time in the water passes quickly.

The sea is the star here. Clear water and views beneath the surface are central to the experience, but you should treat snorkeling as a weather and visibility activity rather than a guaranteed wildlife show. The supplied details promise marine-life viewing at the third stop, not a fixed list of fish or other creatures.

Ošljak also gives you the best chance to add a little walking to a mostly water-based outing. Several people particularly liked having a small hike alongside swimming and free time. That mix helps keep the tour from becoming four straight hours of sitting on a boat.

The unnamed third island and its quiet water break

After another sightseeing cruise of roughly 10 minutes, the boat stops at a surprise third island. The lack of a fixed name is part of the appeal, since the stop is presented as a lesser-known place rather than a headline attraction. At the same time, you should not book this tour expecting a detailed historical visit to a famous island. The information provided keeps this stop focused on nature.

You have about 45 minutes here for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life. This is the shortest island stop, so plan to get into the water promptly if you want a proper swim.

The break works well as a contrast to Ošljak. Instead of combining several possible activities, it centers on the sea. You can use it to float, look below the surface, or take photographs from the boat and shore.

The boat’s snorkeling gear and underwater camera are especially useful at this stop. You are not spending extra money each time you want to enter the water, and the guide can offer instructions about where to swim. Still, stay aware of the time and follow directions closely. A 45-minute stop includes getting in and out of the water, drying off, and returning to the boat.

Preko: coffee, shopping, and a slower hour

The final island visit is Preko, reached after another sightseeing cruise of around 10 minutes. You get one hour here, enough for a more varied stop with coffee, shopping, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is the place to change the pace. After the quick ride and water activities, you can walk around, browse shops, or sit down for coffee instead of treating every stop as an athletic challenge. If you would rather swim again, you have that option too.

The guide’s local suggestions can be useful in Preko. Josip and Luka were praised for offering recommendations about restaurants and places to visit, including local food options. The tour does not include lunch, so these suggestions may help you decide how to spend your free time, but you should plan and pay for any meal separately.

Preko is also a good reason not to spend every available minute snorkeling earlier. The day includes three different kinds of island time: walking and swimming at Ošljak, a short nature-focused water stop, and a more settled hour in Preko. That variety is one of the strongest features of the route.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

The listed timing adds up to a busy half-day:

• About 15 minutes cruising from Zadar
• 80 minutes at Ošljak
• About 10 minutes to the third stop
• 45 minutes at the third stop
• About 10 minutes to Preko
• One hour in Preko
• About 20 minutes back to Zadar

The short cruises connect the stops, while the longer ride back gives you time to enjoy the boat and the views. In practice, you should think of this as an active outing with repeated transitions, not a single long beach stay.

I like this structure for a first taste of the islands near Zadar. You see several places without arranging ferries, finding swimming spots, or figuring out how to return on your own. The tradeoff is that none of the stops becomes a full-day visit. If your dream is to settle onto one beach for hours, choose a slower, single-island plan instead.

The schedule also rewards a little self-management. Have your towel and sun protection ready, listen for the return time, and avoid wandering too far from the meeting point on each island. The guides are there to help, but the tour works best when you keep an eye on the clock.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and photographs

The package includes unlimited water and an unlimited local alcoholic drink. That is useful in the Croatian sun, especially on a boat where you may not find shade at every moment. The inclusion of sunscreen is another practical detail, though you should still bring a sun hat and apply protection before boarding.

The alcoholic drink adds to the social mood, but it is not a reason to overdo it. You are moving between a speedboat, uneven shore areas, and swimming stops. Water should be your main drink if you plan to snorkel or walk.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which keeps the cost down and saves luggage space. The GoPro11 adds value for people who want underwater images, though use of a shared camera may depend on the guide’s arrangements and available time.

Bring a towel and sun hat. Those items are specifically requested, and both are more useful here than extra clothing. Comfortable footwear is sensible for walking, but the supplied information does not specify a required shoe type, so ask the provider if you have concerns about the shore access.

Is $34 a good deal?

The advertised price is $34 per person, with docking fees added at €10 per adult or €5 per child for all stops. Those fees are important because they raise the real cost beyond the headline figure.

Even so, the package offers strong value if you intend to swim and visit several islands. For the price, you receive boat transport, a guide, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, an underwater camera, sunscreen, unlimited water, and a local alcoholic drink. Organizing the same mix independently would mean arranging transport, checking departure times, carrying gear, and paying for separate island connections.

The value is less clear if you do not swim, dislike speedboats, or mainly want a quiet sightseeing cruise. You are paying for movement between islands and active free time, not for a long guided history talk or an included meal.

The small group is a real advantage. Twelve people or fewer makes it easier to ask a question, hear instructions, and get help with photographs or equipment. It also reduces the impersonal feel common on large coastal excursions.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, solo visitors, and active families who want a quick introduction to the islands near Zadar. Solo participants can fit in easily because the guides make an effort to talk with everyone, and the small group gives you natural company without forcing you to stay beside the group at every stop.

It suits people who like choice. You can swim, walk, snorkel, shop, drink coffee, or simply enjoy the ride. The tour does not demand that everyone follow one fixed activity.

It is less suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, and people over 95, as stated in the activity information. It is also a poor match for anyone who wants a fully slow-paced boat ride or a long, uninterrupted beach afternoon.

The speedboat may be a highlight for one person and a drawback for another. Several comments praise the fast ride, music, and sense of excitement. That same energy can feel tiring if you are sensitive to motion or want a peaceful cruise.

Small details that improve the day

Meet the guide opposite the Foša restaurant and look for the red hat. Arriving with your hat and towel already accessible will make the first boarding easier.

Use Ošljak for the walk and longer swim. Save some energy for the short third stop, where the schedule is tighter, then consider using Preko for coffee, shopping, or a more relaxed stroll.

Ask the guide for current food recommendations in Preko. Josip and Luka were especially praised for pointing people toward local restaurants and explaining what to do at each island.

Keep track of the return times yourself. You get free time rather than a constant guided walk, which is one of the tour’s strengths, but it also means you need to return to the boat promptly.

The tour runs in English, Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian. It lasts four hours, but starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve without paying immediately if that option is offered for your date.

My verdict on the Zadar island speedboat tour

Book this trip if you want three island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and a lively boat ride in one compact outing. The price remains reasonable after you account for the included gear, drinks, sunscreen, camera, skipper, and small group.

I especially like the balance between organized transport and personal free time. Josip, Josef, and Luka are repeatedly praised for friendliness, clear instructions, local suggestions, humor, and attention to the group. That human touch matters on a short tour, since a good guide can turn a simple boat transfer into a much more enjoyable day.

Skip it if you need a calm cruise, guaranteed shade, a full meal, or hours on one beach. For everyone else, this is a practical and cheerful way to get beyond Zadar’s waterfront and sample the nearby Adriatic islands without spending a full day or a large sum.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides, island stops, and return to Zadar.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, opposite the Foša restaurant. Look for a guide wearing a red hat.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ošljak, Preko, and a third surprise island stop described as a hidden gem.

How much free time do you get at Ošljak?

You get about 80 minutes at Ošljak for walking, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and photographs.

How long is the stop at the third island?

The third island stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes time for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and viewing marine life.

How much time is available in Preko?

You get about one hour in Preko for coffee, shopping, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water and an unlimited local alcoholic drink are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and use of an underwater GoPro11 camera are included.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. Docking fees cost €10 per adult and €5 per child in total for all stops.

What should you bring?

Bring a sun hat and towel. Sunscreen is included, but additional sun protection may still be useful.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is limited to 12 participants.

Is the tour accessible to wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can you cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.