Islands Tour in Zadar by Speedboat

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is its mix of easy island access and free time. From Zadar, you reach Ugljan quickly, then spend the day swimming in clear water, walking around Preko, or stopping for seafood in Kali.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which gives you room to sit comfortably and makes it easier for the skipper to adjust the pace. I also like that fuel, a skipper, water, iced tea, and mask-and-snorkel gear are included.

The main catch is practical: there is no toilet on the boat, and the advertised $25 price does not include the €10 per-person docking fee. Food, towels, and parking are also your responsibility.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Three water-focused stops: You get several chances to swim and snorkel around Ugljan.
• Preko adds a useful land break: Visit the sandy beach, walk around town, or swim to nearby Galevac.
• Kali gives you a food option: Skip the final swim and choose a seafood restaurant or beach bar instead.
• Small boat, personal feel: The group is limited to 12, and skipper Bart is specifically praised for splitting time well among different interests.
• Good value, with an extra fee: Fuel, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included, but docking costs €10 per person.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellation by you is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Why This Speedboat Trip Works Well From Zadar

Zadar sits close to a scatter of islands, but getting to the best swimming spots on your own can take more planning than you might expect. This trip keeps things simple. You meet at Obala kneza Branimira 27A, board a small speedboat, and head across to Ugljan without spending the day on a large ferry.

The format is refreshingly straightforward. You are not packed into a big excursion boat with a fixed entertainment program. Instead, the skipper takes you to several coastal spots and leaves the choice to you: swim, snorkel, sit with a drink, explore a town, or eat seafood.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book. Some people on the boat may want to spend every possible minute in the water. Others may prefer a café, a beach, or a meal. The skipper can help divide the time so the trip does not feel like a race between stops.

The boat holds no more than 12 people. That matters on a four-hour outing. You should have a better chance of finding a comfortable seat, hearing the skipper, and getting quick answers when you need them.

The First Stop at Pjescana Uvala

After leaving Zadar, the boat makes a short run to Pjescana Uvala, a quiet bay on Ugljan. The main attraction is the water. It is described as crystal clear, with rocky areas that can be explored using the supplied mask and snorkel.

You get about 45 minutes here. That is enough time for a proper swim, a little snorkeling, or a relaxed drink in the sun, but it is not a long beach session. If you want to inspect the coral-filled rocks, put on the mask soon after arriving. Waiting until the final few minutes will leave you wishing for more time.

This first stop sets the tone for the trip. It is not built around famous monuments or a long guided talk. It is built around the coast itself. You can float, look beneath the surface, and enjoy the quick change from Zadar’s waterfront to a quieter island bay.

Bring your own towel. The operator supplies drinks and snorkeling equipment, but not towels. A swimsuit, sun protection, and something dry to sit on will make this stop more comfortable.

Preko and Galevac, the Longest Stop

The boat then continues to Preko on Ugljan, where you have around an hour and a half. This is the most varied part of the trip because you can choose between beach time, a small island visit, food, and a café stop.

Preko offers a sandy beach, which gives you a different setting from the rocky swimming areas. If you want a change from the boat, this is the place to stretch your legs and spend time on shore.

Just offshore is Galevac, a small island only about 20 meters from the mainland. You can swim across if conditions and your energy allow, or simply look at it from the shore. The short distance makes it a fun option, but do not treat the crossing casually. Stay within your comfort level and follow the skipper’s guidance.

You can also eat at one of the local restaurants or stop at a café for a drink. Food is not included, so this is the point where you should budget for lunch or a snack. The chance to buy local specialties makes the stop more than a simple swim break, but it also means your final cost depends partly on what you order.

The long stop gives the outing a welcome pause. Speedboat rides are exciting, but four hours of bouncing between coves could become tiring. Preko lets you slow down, eat, walk, or sit by the water before returning to the boat.

Families may find this the easiest section of the outing. A three-year-old child was reported to have enjoyed the trip, and the combination of beach, café, and short boat rides gives younger children more variety than a nonstop snorkeling trip. Still, you should judge your own child’s comfort with sun, wind, and time on a small boat.

The Final Choice: Swim at Pjescana Uvala or Visit Kali

After Preko, the schedule takes you to a final coastal stop listed as Pjescana Uvala. Here, you can swim and snorkel from another rocky beach. The extra water stop is useful because it means you are not limited to a single short swim early in the day.

If you have had enough swimming, you can instead sail to Kali, a fishing village on Ugljan. This choice is one of the trip’s best practical touches. You are not forced to snorkel simply because that was the original plan.

Kali offers a seafood restaurant, a beach bar, music, and cocktails. The restaurant is described as a place for high-quality seafood, while the beach bar gives you a more casual option. If you want a meal, check the timing with the skipper so you do not feel rushed before the return to Zadar.

The schedule gives you about one hour at this final stage. That is enough for a swim or a relaxed stop, but you should not expect a long village visit. This is a short coastal outing, not a full tour of Kali.

What the Speedboat Ride Feels Like

A small speedboat changes the character of the day. You move between stops quickly, and the open-water views become part of the experience rather than dead time. The ride itself is likely to feel more active than a ferry crossing, so anyone sensitive to motion should prepare accordingly.

The boat is reported to be clean and comfortable for its size. With a maximum of 12 people, it should feel less crowded than a large group cruise. You will still have limited storage and no bathroom, so use facilities before departure and keep your personal items compact.

Drinks include water and iced tea. That is helpful in the heat, but it is not a full refreshment service. Bring money for food and any additional drinks you want at Preko or Kali.

The crew’s attitude seems to be a major part of the experience. Skipper Bart is praised for being friendly, attentive, and good at dividing time so different people can enjoy the outing in their own way. That matters because the group may not all want the same thing. One person wants snorkeling, another wants a seafood lunch, and someone else wants music and a cocktail. A flexible skipper can keep those wishes from clashing.

Price, Extra Fees, and Overall Value

At $25 per person, the base price looks very low for a four-hour island trip. Fuel, the skipper, mask-and-snorkel equipment, water, and iced tea are included. You also get transport between multiple locations without arranging separate ferries or taxis.

The important extra cost is the €10 docking fee per person. Add food, café purchases, or cocktails, and the final spend can be much higher than the headline price. Even so, the package remains appealing if you mainly want swimming, short boat rides, and a little time on shore.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging a private boat or several ferry trips. The small group and multiple stops give this outing a useful middle ground. You get more freedom than on a large cruise without paying the full cost of a private charter.

The value is strongest for people who want an active half-day rather than a polished luxury cruise. The boat has no toilet, towels are not supplied, and meals are not covered. Those limits are easy to manage if you arrive prepared, but they should be part of your decision.

Who Should Book This Outing

I would choose this tour if you want to see nearby islands without giving up a large part of your day. It suits couples, friends, families with children who are comfortable on a boat, and anyone who values swimming time over a long cultural tour.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another sits with a drink. At Preko, you can choose a sandy beach, Galevac, a restaurant, or a café. At the final stop, you can swim again or switch to Kali and seafood.

You may want a different tour if you need a bathroom onboard, want lunch included, dislike speedboats, or prefer detailed history and sightseeing. The focus here is the sea, the coast, and relaxed island stops. There is no promise of an extensive guided tour through island villages.

The trip is also weather dependent. Calm, sunny conditions will make the water stops far more enjoyable. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, do so at least 24 hours before departure to receive a full refund.

Practical Tips for a Better Half-Day

Arrive ready to swim. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, bring a towel, pack sun protection, and carry a small amount of cash or a payment card for food and drinks on shore.

Use the snorkeling gear early if seeing the rocky seabed matters to you. Each stop is limited, and the time goes quickly once you have settled into the water.

Have breakfast before departure if you want to avoid buying food. Since lunch is not included, Preko or Kali is your chance to eat, but the timing may not suit your usual meal schedule.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the boat feels most stable and consider preparing before departure. The itinerary includes several speedboat rides, not just a calm cruise.

The meeting point is Obala kneza Branimira 27A in Zadar, and the activity returns there. The location is near public transportation, but car parking is not provided. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the mobile ticket makes check-in simple.

FAQ

How long is the Islands Tour in Zadar?

The trip lasts approximately four hours and returns to the meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 27A in Zadar.

What islands and places does the tour visit?

The outing visits Pjescana Uvala and Preko on Ugljan, with the option to swim to nearby Galevac. The final stop can include another Pjescana Uvala swimming area or the fishing village of Kali.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, and you can use them at the swimming stops.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water and iced tea are included. Food and other purchases at restaurants, cafés, or the beach bar are not included.

Is there a toilet on the speedboat?

No. The speedboat does not have a toilet, so use facilities before departure and during the shore stops.

What is not included in the price?

Towels, food, car parking, and the €10 per-person docking fee are not included. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling equipment, water, and iced tea are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Should You Book the Speedboat Tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, small-group way to spend half a day swimming around Ugljan, with enough flexibility for a beach, café, seafood meal, or visit to Kali. The combination of three water-focused stops, included snorkeling gear, and a friendly skipper makes the outing especially appealing for active couples, families, and friends.

Skip it if a bathroom, included lunch, or a slow sightseeing cruise is important to you. Also remember to add the €10 docking fee to the advertised price. For the right kind of day, though, this is a practical way to trade Zadar’s city streets for clear water and nearby island coast without committing your whole day.