Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić Islands Private Boat Tour

Ošljak is the star of this private four-hour speedboat trip from Zadar. It is Croatia’s smallest inhabited island, car-free and quiet, with pine shade, old olive groves, a tiny church, and sea clear enough for snorkeling. You also reach Školjić and Ugljan, so the day feels like a proper island sampler rather than one beach stop.

I like the freedom of a private boat, especially when you can stop for a swim at three islands and choose a morning, midday, or sunset departure. I also like the mix of sea time and small cultural sights: 19th-century windmills, an old olive press, a Franciscan monastery, and a village restaurant serving local food. The main drawback is simple: four hours passes quickly, and the optional restaurant meal costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in one short outing: Visit Ošljak, Školjić, and Ugljan without committing to a full-day cruise.
• Ošljak is car-free and tiny: Walk among pine trees and olive groves, then look for the old church and olive-oil press.
• Three chances to swim and snorkel: Masks are provided, though you should bring your own towel, sunscreen, and waterproof shoes.
• A private boat for up to two people: The $294 group price works out to $147 each when two people share it.
• Local food is optional: You can eat at a fisherman’s restaurant on Ugljan, but lunch is not included.
• Sunset is available: Choose the afternoon departure if watching the sun go down from the boat appeals to you.

Leaving Zadar by speedboat

Your meeting point is Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar, in front of the reception building and café. From there, the boat heads across the Adriatic, with the first transfer taking about 25 minutes.

That crossing is part of the pleasure. You are not sitting on a large ferry with a fixed schedule and a crowd around you. You are in a private speedboat, with a skipper and English-speaking guide who can shape the stops around the pace of your group.

The boat rental, fuel, insurance, lifejackets, and snorkeling masks are included. You still need to bring drinks and snacks, since your own refreshments are not supplied. Pack a swimsuit, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, beach towel, and waterproof shoes. A towel matters more than you might expect after several swims.

The ride is quick, but this is not a slow sightseeing cruise. If you have back problems or limited mobility, this trip is not a good fit. The boat and the island walks also make it less suitable for anyone who needs smooth, step-free access.

Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island

Ošljak gives this trip its character. The island is car-free and sparsely populated, so you get a quieter setting than you would on a larger resort island. Its small size makes it easy to explore on foot during a short stop.

You can walk beneath pine trees, find a secluded beach, and swim or snorkel close to shore. The water is the main attraction, but Ošljak is not only a beach break. Look for the 19th-century windmills and the small church said to date from the fifth or sixth century.

The island also has olive groves and an old olive-oil press. These details help you picture the older working life of the place, when olive growing and fishing mattered more than tourism. You will not spend hours in a museum here. Instead, you see traces of island life while walking between the shore and the village.

The private format helps at this stop. You can spend more time swimming if that is your priority, or use some of the break for a walk and photos. The boat may make several swim stops during the outing. One past four-hour trip managed four snorkeling stops, though the exact number depends on conditions and the skipper’s plan.

Bring realistic expectations about snorkeling. This is a coastal swim with a mask, not a dedicated underwater expedition. You may see marine life in the clear water, but the main pleasure is cooling off, floating, and looking below the surface in a quiet cove.

Školjić and its Franciscan monastery

The smaller island of Školjić adds a different mood. After time around Ošljak, you walk toward a Franciscan monastery and can visit its museum.

A copy of a 15th-century Holy Bible is displayed there. That gives the stop a useful historical focus without turning the excursion into a long museum visit. The monastery also offers a change of pace after the speedboat and swimming.

Near the pier, you can relax, or choose a sandy beach with shallow, clear water. This is likely the easiest swimming stop for children or anyone who prefers to stay close to shore. The tour accepts children aged three and above, though parents should still consider how their child handles boat rides, sun, and swimming.

The order and length of the stops may vary. The stated island time is about three hours, with the remaining time used for the outward and return boat rides. That sounds generous, but it must cover three islands, swimming, walking, and a food stop, so you should not expect long, unhurried visits everywhere.

Ugljan villages and a fisherman’s lunch

Ugljan is the largest island on this route and gives you the best chance to see a traditional village setting. The plan includes a stop at one of the island’s villages, where you can eat at a local fisherman’s restaurant.

The restaurant meal is optional and not included in the price. That is worth noting when you compare this tour with other boat trips. You pay the fixed private-boat rate, then handle your own food bill if you decide to eat.

The reward is a more local-feeling break than a meal served aboard the boat. You can try local wine and a snack, then walk through the village and watch the ordinary rhythm of island life. The available details do not specify the menu, so do not book this expecting a particular seafood dish or a fixed tasting course.

If you prefer to keep the stop short, bring your own food and drinks. The tour allows you to bring snacks, and that can help you protect your swim time. If the meal matters to you, ask the skipper about the timing when you meet.

What four hours really gives you

A four-hour tour is a good compromise for a short stay in Zadar. You get out on the water and see three islands, but you do not lose a full day that could be used for Zadar’s old town or another excursion.

The tradeoff is pace. You will move between stops by speedboat, but island time still has to be divided among swimming, snorkeling, walks, the monastery, and food. One person who took a four-hour version felt the time went by so fast that a full-day trip would have been better. That is useful advice if you want long beach hours or a relaxed lunch.

Choose the morning if you want to start sightseeing early and keep the rest of the day free. A midday trip breaks up a hot day in Zadar with a few hours at sea. The afternoon option adds a sunset from the boat, which may be the most atmospheric choice for a couple.

The sunset departure may also reduce the amount of harsh midday sun, but you still need sunscreen and a hat. The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking.

The value of a private boat

The price is $294 for a group of up to two people. For two, that is $147 per person. The number looks high beside a standard group cruise, but private pricing changes the comparison.

You are paying for the boat, skipper, guide, fuel, insurance, lifejackets, and masks, with the route built around a very small party. You are not paying for lunch, drinks, or any extra food at the Ugljan restaurant.

I see the strongest value here for two people who care about privacy and flexibility. You can decide how much time to give swimming, walking, and village food instead of following a large group’s fixed rhythm. It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to reach one beach as cheaply as possible.

The high transport score and overall rating of 4.8 from 44 ratings point to a dependable boat experience, but those numbers should not replace practical judgment. The boat is fast and clean according to one recent account, and skipper Toni was praised for being friendly and showing beautiful spots. Another outing had a polite, discreet skipper. The exact skipper may vary, so Toni is not guaranteed.

Who should book this island trip

I would choose this tour for a couple or two friends who want a private taste of the Zadar islands without spending a whole day at sea. It also suits visitors who like mixing swimming with small cultural stops.

Families with children aged three and older can consider it, especially because Školjić has shallow water. Still, children need to manage a speedboat ride, sun, and several changes of location. The trip is not designed for people with mobility impairments or serious back problems.

It is also a good match for confident swimmers who want several short water stops. If you dislike getting in and out of a boat, prefer long walks, or want a full historical tour, this may feel too active and too brief.

The tour is conducted in English. A private group also means you can ask questions directly and avoid a crowded boat, but the supplied details do not promise a multilingual guide.

Practical packing and timing advice

Wear swimwear under your clothes. Bring a beach towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, waterproof shoes, and your own drinks and snacks.

Waterproof shoes are useful around rocky shorelines and boat access points. The supplied masks cover the basic snorkeling need, but you can bring personal gear if you prefer your own fit.

Do not count on the optional restaurant as your only food plan. Since lunch is not included and the timing may change, a small snack in your bag is sensible. You can still decide to eat at the fisherman’s restaurant once you reach Ugljan.

The tour can run in the morning, at midday, or in the afternoon. Afternoon departures include sunset viewing from the boat. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić tour?

Book it if you want a private, active half-day on the water with three islands, several swim opportunities, and a few worthwhile historical details. Ošljak’s car-free lanes, pine shade, olive press, and old church give the trip more substance than a simple beach transfer.

Skip it if you need a low-cost group excursion, have back or mobility concerns, or want enough time for a long lunch and slow beach day. At $294 for up to two, the price makes the most sense when privacy matters and you can share the cost.

For the best fit, choose the afternoon if sunset appeals to you, bring your own snacks, and ask about the planned balance between swimming and the village stop. That small conversation can help turn a fast four-hour circuit into the island day you want.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

Meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours, including the speedboat rides and island stops.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Ugljan, Ošljak, and Školjić.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience for up to two people at the stated group price.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat, professional skipper and English-speaking guide, lifejackets, diving masks, insurance, and fuel.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a fisherman’s restaurant on Ugljan is optional and costs extra.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. The experience includes swimming and snorkeling at three island stops, and diving masks are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, a beach towel, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof shoes, and your own drinks and snacks.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children aged three and above can take part. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.