Half-day speedboat trip from Zadar with drinks

The best part of this four-hour outing is the chance to trade Zadar’s waterfront for open water, small islands, and two very different stops. You ride a speedboat to Preko on Ugljan Island, then continue to the tiny island of Ošljak for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the short travel time between stops and the freedom to mix a village walk with time in the water. I also like that the skipper can adjust the outing to your wishes, a detail that makes this feel less rigid than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The main thing to watch is the extra €10 port fee per person, which is not included in the advertised $30 price. You will also need to be comfortable with a speedboat and bring sensible sun protection, since much of this trip is spent outside.

Key points to know before you book

• Two island stops: Preko offers coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling, while Ošljak is set aside mainly for time in the water.
• Four hours door to door: The trip leaves from Zadar and returns to the same pier, with about 65 minutes of listed boat travel.
• Drinks are included: Ice tea and beer are provided, and fruit is available during the ride.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Masks are included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
• The skipper may shape the day around you: The guide is described as friendly, accommodating, and willing to tailor the outing to your wishes.
• Budget for the port fee: Add €10 per person to the $30 listed price.

Leaving Zadar by speedboat

You meet at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. This is also where the trip ends, so the arrangement is simple: get to one waterfront meeting point, enjoy the cruise, and return there four hours later.

The first listed boat ride takes about 45 minutes. That gives you enough time to settle into the boat and watch the Zadar shoreline recede, but it is not a long open-sea crossing. The speedboat keeps the day moving, which matters on a half-day trip with two island stops.

This is not a slow, formal sightseeing cruise. The point is to get out among the islands, stop where the water looks inviting, and spend the bulk of the outing outside. You can expect sun, wind, spray, and a fairly active ride, so a secure hat and clothing that can handle a little water are sensible choices.

The listed price is $30 per person, which is attractive for a four-hour trip that includes fuel, a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment, ice tea, and beer. The port fee adds €10 per person, so include that charge when comparing this outing with other boat trips from Zadar.

Preko gives the trip a village stop

After the first boat ride, you spend about 75 minutes in Preko on Ugljan Island. This is the most varied stop of the day. You can have coffee, walk around, swim, or use the included mask to snorkel.

The name Preko means across, fitting its position opposite Zadar across the channel. You do not need a long visit here to get a feel for the place. The schedule gives you enough time to leave the waterfront, take a short walk, and return to the sea without turning the trip into a full island tour.

I like this balance. A boat trip made up only of swimming can feel repetitive, while a trip made only of sightseeing leaves little time to enjoy the water. Preko gives you a pause from the boat and lets you choose your pace.

You should keep an eye on the clock, though. Seventy-five minutes is useful but limited. If you stop for coffee, walk around, and swim, you probably will not have time for a long exploration. Think of Preko as a pleasant sample of Ugljan Island, not a complete visit.

The guide speaks English and Croatian. The available description also notes that the skipper is friendly, flexible, and willing to shape the outing around your preferences. That could be useful here. If your group cares more about swimming than coffee, or prefers a short walk before getting back on the boat, it is worth explaining that early.

Ošljak is the water-focused stop

The second ride lasts about 20 minutes, taking you from Preko to Ošljak. This shorter crossing leaves about an hour for the island stop, and the plan here is clear: swimming and snorkeling.

Ošljak is a small island, and the schedule treats it as a quiet place to enjoy the sea rather than a major sightseeing stop. You will not be rushed through a list of monuments or shops. Instead, you have time to get into the water, use the supplied mask, and relax before the return ride.

This stop should appeal most to you if swimming is a main reason for booking. It also gives the day a different rhythm from Preko. The first island stop mixes village time and water activities, while Ošljak is more focused on the sea.

Snorkeling is included, but the information provided does not promise particular marine life, underwater sites, or guaranteed water conditions. Keep expectations sensible. You are getting basic equipment and time to look around in the water, not a specialist snorkeling excursion.

The one-hour stop is long enough to make the boat trip worthwhile without making the day feel overextended. Still, you should be ready to get back aboard when the skipper calls time. The return to Zadar is part of the four-hour schedule.

What is included on the boat

Fuel and a professional skipper are included. That means you are not paying a surprise fuel surcharge, and the person running the boat is also guiding the trip in English or Croatian.

Drinks include ice tea and beer. Fruit is also available during the journey. These small touches matter on a sunny half-day outing, especially when you are moving between swimming stops and may not want to arrange a separate drink at every stage.

Snorkeling masks are included as well. That saves you from packing your own mask, though you may still want to bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a cover-up. Those personal items are not listed as included, so plan to bring them yourself.

The experience does not list a meal. Do not book it expecting lunch or a full onboard food service. The included fruit and drinks are useful refreshments, but you should make your own food plans around the trip if you need something more substantial.

The guide’s flexible approach matters

The strongest personal detail available about the experience is the skipper’s attitude. The guide is described as friendly, accommodating, and willing to tailor the trip to the group’s wishes.

That can make a real difference on a small speedboat outing. A fixed schedule still applies, since the trip has set stops and a four-hour duration, but the mood of the day may be adjusted. You can say if you want more time for swimming, a quieter pace, or a little more time walking in Preko.

Do not read this as a promise that every part of the route can change. The listed plan includes Preko and Ošljak, and the trip must return to Zadar on time. It simply suggests a more personal style than a large boat with a guide delivering the same script to everyone.

Since no guide name is provided, you should not expect a named historical specialist or a formal lecture. The value here is practical help, local boat handling, and a skipper who pays attention to what you want from the outing.

Is $30 plus the port fee good value?

At $30 per person, the base price is low for a four-hour speedboat trip from Zadar. Fuel, the skipper, masks, ice tea, and beer are included, which makes the offer easier to judge than a bare transport ticket.

The actual cost includes the €10 port fee per person, so you should compare the trip at the combined price rather than focusing only on the headline figure. Even with that extra charge, the outing offers a useful mix of transport, island time, swimming, and refreshments.

The value depends on how you use the stops. If you want a serious cultural tour, the schedule may feel light. If you want an easy half-day on the water with a village visit and two chances to swim, the combination is stronger.

You are also paying for convenience. The boat leaves from central Zadar, takes you directly to the islands, supplies snorkeling masks, and returns you to the same pier. You do not need to organize separate ferry tickets, local transfers, or equipment rental.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a compact introduction to the islands near Zadar. It works well for couples, friends, and families who can swim or are happy to spend time beside the water.

It is especially suited to people who want variety without committing a whole day. You get a speedboat ride, a short village visit, coffee time, swimming, snorkeling, and a second island stop, all within four hours.

It may be less suitable if you dislike fast boat rides, need a long period of shade, or want a highly structured historical tour. The supplied information does not give details about group size, shade, onboard toilets, or accessibility, so you should ask the provider directly if any of those points affect your decision.

The trip also suits flexible people. The skipper’s willingness to respond to group preferences is a plus, but the experience will work best if you are happy with a general plan rather than a minute-by-minute sightseeing program.

Practical details for a smoother morning

Check the available starting times before booking. The trip is described as a morning departure, but the exact start time can vary.

Arrive at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. Since the same location is used for the return, you do not need to arrange a separate end point.

Bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes if you prefer to stay dry on the return ride. The supplied information confirms drinks and masks, but it does not list towels, food, or personal sun gear.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are useful if your Zadar plans are still shifting, but check the conditions shown at booking.

Should you book the Zadar speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a relaxed, water-centered half-day with two island stops and minimal planning. The strongest reasons are the efficient route, included snorkeling masks and drinks, and the skipper’s reported willingness to shape the outing around your wishes.

Skip it if your priority is a long cultural visit, a full meal, or detailed island exploration. Preko receives about 75 minutes, Ošljak about an hour, and the rest is boat travel, so this is best understood as a sea outing with a village stop.

For the right kind of day, the $30 price plus the €10 port fee gives you a simple way to leave Zadar, swim in the islands, and be back by the end of the half-day.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat trip start?

The meeting point is the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the trip last?

The full experience lasts four hours. The listed boat rides take about 45 minutes to reach the first stop and 20 minutes between Preko and Ošljak.

What stops are included?

The trip includes Preko on Ugljan Island and Ošljak. Preko allows time for coffee, walking, swimming, and snorkeling. Ošljak is scheduled for swimming and snorkeling.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The price includes snorkeling masks, ice tea, and beer. Fruit is also available during the journey.

Is the port fee included in the price?

No. You must pay an additional €10 port fee per person.