Speedboat Beach escape to Zadar Islands

Zadar’s best short boat escape is less about checking off sights and more about getting into the clear water and small-island rhythm just offshore. In about four hours, you reach a sandy beach, a tiny inhabited island, and Preko on Ugljan, with time to swim, walk, and sit by the sea.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which makes a speedboat outing feel personal rather than crowded. I also like the flexible pace associated with captain Luka, who is described as taking time for swimming and lunch instead of rushing from one stop to the next.

The main consideration is cost clarity: the advertised price is $77.40 per person, but a €10 fuel surcharge is added. Lunch is not listed among the inclusions, so ask about any meal stop before you assume food is covered.

Key points to know before booking

• Kostanj beach gives you a full hour for swimming and sunbathing, with snorkeling equipment supplied.
• Ošljak is a very small inhabited island, home to 29 people and a two-kilometer walking trail.
• Preko offers a taste of Ugljan, with olive groves, fishing traditions, and a pleasant waterfront setting.
• Captain Luka is named as the guide, and the trip’s style is relaxed rather than rushed.
• The boat carries no more than 10 people, a useful advantage for a half-day on the water.
• Water, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling gear are included, but the €10 fuel charge is not.

Leaving Zadar through Fosa and the waterfront

The trip begins from Zadar’s old harbor at Fosa, passing along the famous Zadar waterfront before heading into the Zadar Channel. That opening ride matters. You do not simply appear at a beach; you get a quick change of scene from the city’s stone streets and harbor walls to open water and island views.

The listed meeting point is Zadar Boat Tours, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. The tour description also identifies old harbor Fosa as the starting area, so check the exact boarding instructions when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it practical if you are staying in central Zadar.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. A speedboat covers the short distance to the islands quickly, leaving enough time for stops instead of spending most of the outing in transit. Since the whole experience lasts about four hours, you get a compact taste of the archipelago without giving up an entire day.

The boat holds a maximum of 10 people. That is small enough for a more sociable outing and gives you a better chance to ask questions or request a little extra time in the water. Still, a small boat has less room than a large excursion vessel, so pack lightly and bring only what you need for swimming and sun.

Kostanj beach: one hour in the water

The first stop is the sandy beach of Kostanj, at Šetalište Otrić. You have about an hour here for swimming and sunbathing on or from the boat. This is the most relaxed portion of the outing, and it gives the day a clear purpose: you are not only seeing the islands, you are getting time to enjoy the Adriatic.

Snorkeling equipment is included. That is useful even if you are not planning a serious underwater outing, since you can look below the surface without bringing your own mask and snorkel. The available details do not promise a particular marine life display or a guided snorkeling session, so think of the gear as a convenience rather than a formal activity.

The sandy beach is a welcome contrast to Zadar’s hard urban waterfront. You can swim, float, sunbathe, and take in the shore from the boat. If you prefer a full beach stop, note that the description specifically says you will swim and sunbathe on a boat, so your time may be centered around the vessel rather than a long stay on land.

One hour is enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not a long beach day. If you want several hours of uninterrupted sunbathing, this tour will feel too active. If you want a good swim paired with two island stops, the timing works well.

Water is included, along with alcoholic beverages. Drink sensibly, especially in the sun and on a moving boat. Bottled water is the more important inclusion here, though you may want to bring any additional drinks or snacks you need.

Ošljak: a tiny island with a short walk

Ošljak is the most unusual stop because of its size. It covers only 0.39 square kilometers and has 29 permanent residents. The island is just half a nautical mile from Preko, yet it has its own small port, old buildings, and a quieter feel than the larger island settlements.

You have about 45 minutes on Ošljak. That is enough for a quick look around, but not enough for a slow island walk with long stops. The island’s walking trail is two kilometers long and passes a lighthouse and the remains of 16th-century windmills. Depending on the exact pace and route, you might see part of the trail rather than complete it during the scheduled stop.

Ošljak also has the Church of St. Mary, dated to the sixth century, along with traditional Mediterranean architecture and an old fishing harbor. These details give the stop more substance than a simple photo break. You can see how a very small community was shaped by fishing, stone buildings, the sea, and practical island life.

In 1985, Ošljak was declared a forest park. That designation helps explain why the island is appealing as a short walking stop. You get a change from the beach and the boat, with a little shade and a chance to stretch your legs.

The limitation is time. Forty-five minutes passes quickly, especially if you want to swim, walk the trail, see the church, and take photographs. I would choose one main goal before arriving: a short walk, a look at the port and church, or a quick wander toward the lighthouse. Trying to do everything could make the stop feel hurried.

Preko and the olive-growing island of Ugljan

The final major stop is Preko, on Ugljan. The name means across, fitting its position opposite Zadar across the Zadar Channel. Ugljan is one of the main islands in the Zadar archipelago and is known for olive groves, small fishing ports, natural bays, and long ties to seafaring.

You get about an hour in Preko. That gives you enough time to look around the settlement and get a sense of island life, though not enough to explore all of Ugljan. The island has more than 2,000 years of olive cultivation behind it, and its olive oil is noted for its quality and aroma.

This is a good stop for people who want more than beach time. You can see a settled community, look toward the water, and understand the connection between the island and the sea. Preko is not presented as a major sightseeing center packed with monuments. Its value is simpler: a brief encounter with a working Adriatic island and its long-standing food and fishing traditions.

The island’s eastern side includes several fishing and tourist settlements, including Preko, Ugljan, Kali, and Kukljica. You will not visit all of them on this four-hour outing, but the stop in Preko gives you a useful introduction to the area.

Again, the timing is the trade-off. An hour is pleasant for a short walk and a drink, but it is not enough to explore Ugljan in depth. If you want to hike through olive groves or visit several villages, plan a separate island day. This tour is designed as a sampler.

What the small group and captain-led pace mean

The maximum group size of 10 is one of the strongest practical features. On a boat this size, the atmosphere should be more intimate than on a large harbor cruise, and the captain can keep the day from feeling like a strict procession of timed stops.

Captain Luka is specifically named as the guide. The available feedback describes him as an exceptional captain who did not rush the day, made time for swimming, and helped create a welcoming atmosphere. It also notes that he made passengers feel safe and comfortable. Those are important qualities on a speedboat, where good judgment and calm communication matter as much as sightseeing knowledge.

You should still understand the style of this experience. It is not a formal lecture-heavy tour with a detailed historical presentation at every stop. It is a captain-led island outing built around swimming, short walks, and time near the water. If you prefer a relaxed day with room to breathe, that is a good match. If you want exhaustive history, long guided walks, or a packed schedule, you may want a more structured excursion.

One useful detail is the mention of lunch during a successful outing. Lunch is not included in the stated package, so treat it as something that may be arranged or suggested rather than a guaranteed part of the price. Ask before departure if a meal stop is planned and how payment works.

What is included, and what the price really buys

The listed price is $77.40 per person, plus a €10 fuel surcharge. That places the total cost above the headline figure, so budget using both amounts. Currency conversion will affect the final total if you are paying in dollars.

For that price, you are buying a four-hour small-group boat experience with three distinct stops, transport across the water, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. The value is strongest if you want a compact outing and do not want to arrange ferries, beach time, and island visits on your own.

The fuel surcharge is worth noting because it is not a minor wording detail. On a short boat trip, fuel forms a real part of operating costs, but you should still include the €10 in your comparison with other Zadar excursions.

Lunch is not included in the listed inclusions. No entrance fees are listed for Kostanj, Ošljak, or Preko, and the stops themselves are described as free admission. You should still plan for personal purchases, including food if lunch is available.

The mobile ticket makes booking convenient. Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not met, with the option of another date or experience.

Who will enjoy this four-hour island escape

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several flavors of the Zadar archipelago in a single morning or afternoon. You get swimming at Kostanj, a short island walk on Ošljak, and a look at Preko’s larger island setting.

It also suits couples, friends, and independent visitors who prefer a small boat over a large group cruise. The maximum of 10 people keeps the scale manageable, while the four-hour length leaves room for other plans in Zadar.

Families may find the short duration useful, especially if everyone is comfortable on a speedboat and in the water. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific details about child ages, infant seating, or accessibility. Ask the operator directly if those points matter to you.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, need extensive shade, or want a long beach stay. You should also choose another type of tour if your main goal is a full archaeological or historical visit. Ošljak has notable historic details, but this outing gives you only a short time there.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer for the boat ride. Since the stops include swimming and walking, practical clothing will serve you better than anything formal. Keep your belongings compact, since boat space is limited by nature.

Should you book the Zadar Islands speedboat tour?

I would book it if you want a short, varied escape from Zadar with a personal captain, three different island experiences, and plenty of time near the water. The best reasons are the small group, the included snorkeling gear, and the relaxed pace associated with Luka.

I would skip it if you want a full beach day, a guaranteed included lunch, or enough time to explore Ugljan at length. Before paying, add the €10 fuel surcharge to the advertised price and confirm the meeting point, meal arrangements, and weather policy.

For a half-day introduction to the islands, the trip offers a sensible mix: swim at Kostanj, walk a little on tiny Ošljak, and spend time in Preko. It gives you a taste of the archipelago without asking you to surrender an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts from Zadar’s old harbor at Fosa. The listed meeting point is Zadar Boat Tours, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000 Zadar, Croatia. Confirm the exact boarding location when booking.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 10 people.

What stops are included?

The route includes Kostanj beach at Šetalište Otrić, the island of Ošljak, and Preko on the island of Ugljan.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €10 fuel surcharge per person is not included in the advertised price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.