Zadar: 3 Island Speedboat Tour with Wine and Snorkeling

Zadar’s best escape may be only 15 minutes from the harbor. This four-hour speedboat trip takes you from the city waterfront to Kostanj Bay, Osljak, and Preko, with time for swimming, snorkeling, island walks, and a cold drink along the way. You get coastline, small villages, and a taste of slow island life without giving up half your day.

I like the mix of active water time and easy island wandering, and I like the friendly local skippers. Guides such as Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, and Fabrizio have earned praise for good music, useful food tips, patient help, and relaxed storytelling. The main drawback is practical: you must pay a €10 cash docking fee, and there is no toilet at the meeting point or on the boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Kostanj Bay gives you an early swim stop: You get about 40 minutes for snorkeling, sunbathing, and cooling off in clear water.
• Osljak is small but full of character: Walk to a ninth-century church, see old ruins, or climb the hill for a view.
• Preko gets the longest visit: You have about 90 minutes for swimming, a coffee, local shops, or a walk toward nearby Galevac.
• The group is limited to 12 people: That makes the boat feel more personal than a large cruise excursion.
• Drinks are part of the ride: Wine, water, soft drinks, and two glasses of G&T are included, with drinks served during the stops.
• Bring cash and arrive early: The €10 docking fee is paid on arrival, parking is difficult in summer, and you should arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Why this short boat trip works so well from Zadar

Zadar is easy to enjoy on foot, but its old town can feel busy in summer. This trip gives you a quick change of pace. The boat leaves from Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 and reaches the first swimming area in roughly 15 minutes.

That short crossing matters. You do not spend an hour getting out to sea before the fun begins. The route feels active from the start, with views back toward Zadar and the chance to see the city from the water on the return.

The boat carries no more than 12 people, so you are not being moved around in a large group. You can expect a social atmosphere, music, and plenty of conversation with people from different countries. The exact skipper changes, but the strongest names connected with the experience include Mario, Tony, Gogo, Roko, Fabrizio, Matteo, Johnny, and Zvone.

The guides are a major part of the appeal. Tony is often praised for explaining the islands clearly and keeping the mood light. Gogo has been especially good at making people comfortable and offering extra local suggestions. Roko has helped with food recommendations, while Mario has been praised for thoughtful attention to swimmers who were less confident in the water.

You should still keep expectations sensible. This is not a private luxury charter with a quiet boat for just your own party. It is a small shared outing, and the energy depends partly on the group and the skipper working that day.

Kostanj Bay: your first chance to swim

The first stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a sheltered bay. After the short boat ride from Zadar, you get around 40 minutes here. This is the most straightforward water stop, so it works well as an introduction to the day.

You can swim, use the provided mask and snorkel, cool off, or stay on the boat and enjoy the view. The water is described as clear, and the calm bay makes it a pleasant place to get in without a long hike or complicated beach setup.

The snorkeling is simple rather than a serious underwater expedition. You are there to see the clear water and small coastal life, not to spend hours examining a reef. Still, it is a useful inclusion because the equipment is supplied and you do not need to bring your own mask.

The 40-minute limit is both good and bad. It keeps the tour moving, but it may feel short if swimming is your main reason for booking. I would treat this stop as a refreshing first swim, not the entire water portion of the day.

Drinks help make the stop feel relaxed. The package includes wine, water, and soft drinks, plus two glasses of G&T, with one served at each stop according to the tour information. Lunch is not included, so do not expect food on the boat.

Osljak: a tiny island with an unusual story

From Kostanj, the boat takes about 15 minutes to Osljak. You get around 40 minutes to walk and explore this small inhabited island.

Osljak is described as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, with 29 residents. One curious local detail is that many residents share the same last name. That sort of small fact gives the place more personality than a standard beach stop.

You can walk along the shore, climb the small hill for a view, or look for a church dating from the ninth century. There are also ruins of a hospital connected with people suffering from plague during the Second World War. The island’s traditional Mediterranean buildings and quiet paths give you a glimpse of life that feels very different from Zadar’s old town.

A small bar offers another option. You can order a drink and simply sit for a while, which may be the right choice during the hotter part of the day.

The limitation is time. Forty minutes is enough for a short walk and photographs, but not for a slow, detailed exploration of every corner. If you want a long history talk or a full island hike, this tour will move too quickly. If you like a compact stop with a little history, a view, and a quiet village feel, Osljak is one of the most distinctive parts of the route.

Preko: the longest and most flexible stop

A short boat ride brings you to Preko, where you have about an hour and a half. This is the part of the trip with the most choice.

Preko is livelier in summer than Osljak. You can browse small shops, get coffee with a sea view, walk around the center, or head toward a small sandy beach. Snorkeling equipment is available here too, so you can use the longer stop for another swim rather than rushing back into the boat.

The water near Preko is a major reason to bring swimwear. Several people have singled out the clear blue water and the pleasure of swimming along the coast. One particularly useful detail is the chance to swim toward Galevac, a nearby island with a small old monastery among the trees. The tour information presents this as something to look for, not a guaranteed guided visit, so treat it as an optional challenge and check with the skipper before attempting the swim.

Preko also works well if not everyone in your group wants to swim. One person can take a coffee break, another can browse the shops, and someone else can walk by the shore. That flexibility makes the stop more family-friendly than a tour built around nonstop boat activity.

Food is not included, but some skippers may point you toward local places. A past route experience included advice about fresh fish and sardines at a restaurant on the island. Since restaurant details can change, ask your skipper for current suggestions rather than relying on a fixed plan.

The ride itself: fast, social, and exposed

The speedboat is the transport and part of the entertainment. Each crossing lasts about 15 minutes, enough time to feel the speed without turning the day into a long open-water journey.

You will be outside, with sun, wind, and spray possible. Bring sun protection and a light layer if you are sensitive to wind. Towels are not included, so pack your own or plan to dry in the sun.

There is no toilet at the meeting point, and the information provided does not list a toilet on the boat. Use facilities before departure. This is an easy detail to overlook and one of the most useful things to know before you arrive.

The boat is not a quiet sightseeing platform. Music is part of the mood, and the trip has a friendly, social feel. That suits people who want a fun half-day with a skipper who chats, gives island information, and keeps everyone moving. It may not suit you if you want a silent cruise or a formal history lesson.

The English-language guiding is another practical strength. Skippers have explained island sights, helped with masks and life jackets, and made an effort to include less confident swimmers. Safety support is available, but you should still be comfortable around open water and follow the skipper’s instructions.

What the €44 price really buys you

At $44 per person, the headline price is attractive for a four-hour outing that includes fuel, a modern speedboat, a local skipper, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and three stops.

You should add the €10 cash docking fee per person. That brings the real cost closer to the mid-50-dollar range, depending on exchange rates and the booking price you receive. Lunch, coffee, towels, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off are extra.

Even with the docking fee, the value is good if you want several different experiences in one morning or afternoon. You get a swimming bay, a tiny historic island, a larger island with shops and beach time, and a fast ride between them. Booking separate boat transport and arranging snorkeling on your own would likely require more planning.

The price is less appealing if you dislike group activities or do not plan to swim. Much of the tour’s value comes from the water stops. You can walk and sit at each location, but the boat ride and swimming are the heart of the experience.

Meeting point, timing, and small details that matter

Wait at the bench or by the Tornado sign at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Arrive 10 minutes before departure. The meeting point has no toilet, so plan ahead.

Parking is not available directly at the meeting point, and summer parking in Zadar can be difficult. If you are driving, allow extra time. This is not the kind of departure where you want to arrive at the last minute carrying beach gear and searching for a space.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the harbor area.

The tour lasts four hours, but departure times vary. Check the available start time when booking, especially if you have a cruise departure, a restaurant reservation, or another activity later in the day.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your weather plans are uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check the forecast. Swimming and open-water boat rides are much more enjoyable on a warm, calm day.

Who will enjoy this Zadar excursion most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a compact introduction to the islands near Zadar. It is especially good for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who like swimming and boat rides.

It also suits a first visit to Zadar. You get a view of the coast, a small island with local character, and a more active stop at Preko without committing to a full-day excursion.

Families should note that the experience includes open-water swimming and a fast boat. One child on a past outing called it a favorite excursion, and the skippers have helped less confident swimmers with life jackets. Even so, parents should decide whether their children are comfortable with boat movement and sea swimming.

I would choose a different activity if you need a guaranteed quiet boat, a full meal, a private guide, or a long historical tour. You may also want more time at each island than this schedule allows.

Should you book the three-island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the water, three different coastal stops, and enough free time to swim or walk without spending your whole day away from Zadar.

The strongest reasons are the clear water at Kostanj and Preko, the unusual character of tiny Osljak, the small group size, and the skippers’ friendly approach. The €10 cash fee, lack of toilet facilities, difficult summer parking, and shared-boat format are the main things to accept before booking.

For a good balance of price, scenery, swimming, and local island atmosphere, this is an easy choice. Bring cash, swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and realistic expectations about the short stop times. Then let the skipper handle the route while you enjoy Zadar from the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Zadar three-island speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides and stops at Kostanj Bay, Osljak, and Preko.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Osljak and Preko, along with a swimming stop at Kostanj Bay. The tour is commonly described as a three-location island and coast experience.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $44 per person. You must also pay a €10 cash docking fee per person on arrival.

Is the docking fee included in the advertised price?

No. The €10 docking fee is paid separately in cash, and it covers all stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included and can be used at Kostanj Bay and Preko.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, water, and soft drinks are included. The tour information also includes two glasses of G&T, with one served at each stop.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and coffee are not included. You can ask the skipper about food options during the Preko stop.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the bench or by the Tornado sign at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6 in Zadar. Arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Is parking or hotel pickup available?

Parking is not available at the meeting point, and summer parking can be difficult. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.