Zadar Islands: Private Hidden Treasures Speedboat Tour

The best part of this private speedboat trip is the freedom to shape the day around the sea. You can stop for a swim when the water looks inviting, linger in a quiet bay, or spend more time in a village instead of following a fixed coach-tour schedule. I especially like the small sandy bays and the chance to see several islands in one outing.

I also like the personal feel. Skippers such as Marija, Lovre, and Roko have helped make the ride feel like a day with a friendly local rather than a simple boat transfer. The main caution is cost: the advertised price is $329 for up to two people, but a separate €160 fuel charge is payable in cash, and lunch costs extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to two people: You get your own group, skipper, route, and swimming rhythm rather than sharing a large excursion boat.
• Three strong swimming stops: Plan on clear water, snorkeling from the boat, shallow sand at Ugljan, and plenty of time to relax under olive trees or a canopy.
• A useful island mix: The day combines open water, quiet bays, the village of Iž, and views of Rava, Ugljan, Žut, and Sit.
• The €160 fuel fee matters: It is charged per group and paid in cash, so include it when judging the true cost.
• Bring your own beach supplies: Pack sunscreen, a towel, water shoes, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, drinks, and snacks.
• Good for flexible beach time: The tour lasts about seven hours and may run longer for your enjoyment at no extra cost.

Leaving Zadar for the island chain

Your day begins at Marina Tankerkomerc on Ivana Meštrovića 3, where you meet the supplier and board the speedboat. The first run takes about an hour, giving you a broad view of the Zadar channel and the island of Ugljan as the city fades behind you.

A private speedboat is a smart choice for this part of Dalmatia. The islands are spread across the water, and a slower boat would leave less time for swimming and shore stops. Here, the journey itself becomes part of the outing. You can watch the coastline change, scan the water for marine life, and ask your skipper about the places you pass.

The boat is described as a small inflatable speedboat for two people in at least one outing, so you should expect an intimate setup rather than a roomy yacht. That makes the trip feel private, but it also means you will be more exposed to wind, spray, and movement on the water. One couple found the return ride a little jolty when the wind picked up. If you are sensitive to motion, keep this in mind.

Bring a hat and sunglasses that fit securely. The sun reflects hard off the Adriatic, and there is no good reason to spend the ride squinting or protecting your face with one hand.

Dugi Otok and a slower island pause

The first main area is Dugi Otok, where the pace changes from open-water cruising to island time. You get a short break for coffee, ice cream, or a cold drink before heading to a quieter bay.

This pause matters because the trip is not only about ticking off swimming spots. A drink in a small Croatian island village gives you a look at ordinary life between ferry arrivals and summer beach crowds. You can stretch your legs, take a few photos, and let the day settle into a slower rhythm.

The schedule allows room for a walk, free time, and sightseeing. Still, the exact village stop is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a long guided visit or a formal history tour. The appeal is simple: a brief taste of island life between swims.

If you want coffee or a snack, this is one of the better times to buy it. You are also advised to bring your own drinks and snacks, which is useful if you prefer not to rely on what is available at the stops.

The small sandy bay near Dugi Otok

After the break, the boat heads to a small sandy bay near Dugi Otok. It is surrounded by wild nature and has the kind of quiet setting that can be difficult to find close to a major coastal city.

You can rest beneath olive trees, sit under the boat’s canopy, swim in turquoise water, or simply let the boat stop doing the work for a while. This is the sort of place where a private tour earns its keep. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, so the skipper can give you time to enjoy the water instead of rushing you through a photo stop.

The beach is small, so do not picture a wide resort shoreline with rows of loungers. Its appeal is the opposite. You get a natural setting, simple swimming, and room to slow down. The sand also makes this a pleasant break from the rocky shorelines found across much of the Croatian coast.

Bring water shoes anyway. The tour includes sandy shallows, but other boarding points and swimming areas may be rocky or slippery. Water shoes also make it easier to get in and out of the boat with confidence.

Cruising past Rava, Žut, and Sit

The route then turns toward Iž, with views across the Zadar archipelago. Along the way, you can see the islands of Rava, Ugljan, Žut, and Sit. The value here is not a formal island tour with a stop on every shore. Instead, you get a moving view of the scattered Adriatic chain, with your skipper pointing out places as you pass.

This section is especially good for people who want more than one postcard scene. The islands have different shapes and moods, and the speedboat lets you cover a broad stretch of sea in one day. You can enjoy the sensation of moving through the archipelago without spending the whole afternoon in transit.

Your skipper is an important part of this section. Lovre, for example, added local details about island life, culture, and food during one outing. Roko was also praised for creating a pleasant balance between privacy and local conversation. Marija has been described as warm and kind, while also leading the group to good swimming places and Croatian food.

Those names are useful to know, but you should not assume a specific skipper will be assigned to you. The important point is that the trip works best when you ask questions. Ask about the islands, local dishes, village life, and the places you pass. A private boat gives you the chance to turn a pleasant ride into a more personal introduction to the area.

Swimming and snorkeling off Iž

The next major stop is a secluded bay on Iž island. Here, you can swim and snorkel directly from the boat, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and listen to music through the boat’s sound system.

The water is the star. Several people have enjoyed swimming in clear water at multiple secluded spots, with one outing including three separate swims from the boat. That pattern gives the day a nice rhythm: cruise, stop, swim, dry off, and cruise again.

You should think of this as relaxed snorkeling rather than a dedicated marine-life expedition. The experience includes marine-life viewing, but no particular species or reef site is promised. Bring realistic expectations and enjoy the clear water, small fish, and underwater views you may find along the way.

The music system is a fun extra if you want a livelier beach day. It also gives you control over the mood during a private outing. If quiet is more your style, you can simply enjoy the sound of the water and the skipper’s company.

The boat includes life jackets and insurance. Even strong swimmers should use good judgment around a moving boat, especially if the sea becomes choppy. Follow the skipper’s instructions when getting in and out of the water.

Iž village and the choice of lunch

The village of Iž offers a change from beaches and open water. It is presented as a traditional Croatian island village, and the stop gives you a chance to see a more settled, everyday side of the archipelago.

This is where the tour feels more grounded. Swimming shows you the Adriatic as a playground, while Iž gives you a glimpse of how island communities are organized around small harbors, homes, restaurants, and the rhythms of the sea.

You can choose to eat lunch at a local restaurant. Seafood is a natural choice, and one outing included a delicious seafood meal. Lunch is not included, so check the menu and prices before ordering.

I would be careful here. One couple had a poor experience with the restaurant recommendation and found that the dishes they expected from the menu were not available. They were offered expensive fish or beef instead and felt overcharged, even though the food itself was good. This does not mean every meal will go the same way, but it is a clear reason to ask what is actually available and what it costs before you sit down.

If you prefer to keep spending under control, bring snacks and drinks and treat lunch as optional. If a local meal is one of your main reasons for booking, tell the skipper early in the day that you want a straightforward restaurant stop and ask for current menu choices.

Ugljan’s sandy bay for the final swim

The last major stop is on the uninhabited side of Ugljan Island. This sandy bay has shallow water, pale sand, olive gardens, and pine trees. It is a fitting final stop because the shallow water makes it easy to play, wade, or relax without needing a serious snorkeling plan.

You can sit in the shade, swim close to shore, or stay on the boat beneath the canopy. Families with children aged three and older may appreciate the shallow water, though parents should still supervise closely around the boat and sea.

This stop also gives you a final chance to enjoy the difference between the inhabited and uninhabited sides of the islands. Earlier, you see village life and local restaurants. Here, the focus is simply on nature, open space, and a quiet beach break before returning to Zadar.

The tour is listed as seven hours, with a minimum of six hours and the possibility of lasting longer for your enjoyment at no extra cost. That flexibility sounds useful, but your exact time at each stop will depend on the weather, sea conditions, and what you want to do. Speak up if you would rather swim longer than rush to the next bay.

What the price really includes

The listed cost is $329 per group of up to two people. For a couple, that works out to $164.50 per person before fuel and any food or drinks. The boat, skipper, guide service, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, insurance, and bottled water are included.

The separate fuel charge is €160 per group, payable in cash. That brings the fixed cost noticeably higher, especially for only two people. You should calculate the full amount before booking rather than treating the advertised price as the final bill.

The value depends on what you want from a boat day. If your priority is the lowest possible price, a shared excursion may cost less. If you care about privacy, flexible swim stops, and avoiding a large group, the private format has a stronger case.

The speedboat also saves time. You cover several islands and still have about five hours for swimming, village time, walking, and sightseeing, with roughly an hour each way on the water. For a one-day outing from Zadar, that is a useful balance.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want a full day on the water but do not want to spend every hour on a boat with strangers. Couples are the obvious match, especially those looking for quiet swimming spots and a relaxed lunch stop.

It also suits small families with children aged three and older. The shallow sandy bay at Ugljan is a useful feature, and the private setup lets you adjust the pace. Still, parents should be ready for sun, wind, boat movement, and a long day outdoors.

This is less suitable if you dislike speedboats, want a large stable vessel, or prefer a tightly scheduled cultural tour with formal commentary. It is also not the best choice if the fuel fee would stretch your budget or if you want lunch included in the price.

The tour is in English, and the skipper serves as both driver and local guide. The strongest experiences will come from asking questions and explaining what you want from the day: more swimming, more village time, a longer lunch, or a quieter ride.

Practical packing advice for seven hours

Pack more than swimwear. You should bring:

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• A beach towel and water shoes
• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes
• Your own drinks and snacks
• Cash for the €160 fuel fee and optional lunch
• A phone or camera with a secure case

Bottled water is included, but extra drinks and snacks are your responsibility. A towel is not listed as included, so bring one. Water shoes are especially useful when boarding from rocky edges or walking in shallow water.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking because the departure schedule can vary.

Should you book the Zadar Islands private speedboat tour?

Book it if you want private time in the water, several island views, and a flexible day that mixes quiet beaches with a real village stop. The clearest strengths are the swimming, the personal skipper service, and the ability to avoid the feel of a mass excursion.

Before booking, add the €160 cash fuel fee to the advertised price and set aside extra money for lunch. Ask about the restaurant menu before ordering, and be ready for a bumpy ride if the wind rises.

For a couple willing to pay for privacy and a full day around the Zadar islands, this is a strong choice. You will get the most from it if you pack well, speak up about your preferred pace, and treat the route as a flexible island day rather than a rigid sightseeing program.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns at Marina Tankerkomerc, Ivana Meštrovića 3, in Zadar.

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The activity is listed as seven hours. It lasts a minimum of six hours and may continue longer for your enjoyment at no extra cost.

What islands can I see during the trip?

The route includes areas around Ugljan, Dugi Otok, and Iž, with views of Rava, Žut, and Sit along the way.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €160 fuel surcharge applies per group and must be paid in cash.

Is lunch included?

No. You can choose to eat at a local restaurant in Iž, but lunch costs extra. You should also bring your own drinks and snacks.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, a beach towel, water shoes, drinks, and snacks. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and bottled water are provided.