Zadar: Three Islands Private Boat Tour

Zadar’s best boat outing may be the one that gives you room to set the pace. This four-hour private trip with Captain Goran visits Galevac, Ošljak, and Ugljan, with time for swimming, snorkeling, island walks, and a sandy beach that cars cannot reach.

I like the personal touch: Goran serves local bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, and his own olive oil with marinated or salted anchovies. I also like the freedom of a private boat, where you can linger at a favorite cove instead of following a large group. The main consideration is simple: this is a compact four-hour trip, so you get a taste of the islands rather than a full day at sea.

Key points

• Private boat for up to five people: A good fit for families, couples, or friends who want their own space.
• Three island stops plus Kostanj Beach: The route combines island scenery, swimming spots, a sandy beach, and time in Preko.
• Captain Goran sets a relaxed tone: He shares local knowledge and adjusts the outing to your group’s wishes.
• Food is part of the experience: Expect homemade olive oil, anchovies, bread, tomatoes, and drinks.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You can get into the water without packing your own mask and gear.
• Best for flexible swimmers: The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy.

A small boat and a local view of Zadar

The trip begins at Port Foša, listed at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. From the start, you are close to Zadar’s old town, yet the city soon gives way to open water and the low islands scattered off the coast.

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to five people. That matters more than it may sound. On a large excursion, you often spend half your time waiting for other people to board, swim, eat, or return from shore. Here, your group can give Goran a clearer idea of what you want from the afternoon.

You can ask for more swimming, more time on an island, or a slower ride between stops. Past groups have also connected their own music to the boat’s speaker, and Goran has helped arrange extras such as birthday cake and champagne. Those details are not guaranteed, but they show the kind of personal service this trip can offer.

The listed price is $282 per group, not per person, for up to five people. For five people, that works out to about $56 per person. For two people, the cost feels much higher, but the private format, drinks, food, equipment, and direct attention from the captain help explain the difference.

Galevac and the monastery of St. Paul

The first island stop is Galevac, also called Galovac in the itinerary. The short cruise from Zadar gives you time to settle into the boat before reaching this small islet near Preko.

Galevac is known for the 15th-century monastery of St. Paul. The setting is quiet and green, with the monastery giving the stop a cultural purpose beyond swimming. You get a guided visit, an aperitif, and free time for the water.

The stop is scheduled for about 20 minutes, so do not expect a long historical tour. Think of it as a compact introduction to the islet, with enough time to look around and take a swim if conditions suit your group.

This is one place where the private format helps. If your group is more interested in a quick look at the monastery than a long stop, you can keep moving. If you want a little more time to enjoy the calm, you can ask.

Preko brings food, swimming, and island life

The boat then reaches Preko, on the island of Ugljan. The name means across, fitting its position opposite Zadar. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and combines free time, a guided look around, swimming, snorkeling, local food, and a chance to step ashore.

Preko is useful as a change of pace. The trip is not only a series of offshore swims. You can pause here, walk a little, have an ice cream, or take in the island setting before returning to the boat.

This is also one of the best moments for the food tasting. Goran serves drinks such as water, cola, beer, and wine, along with local snacks. Depending on the day, you may have bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, sardines, or anchovies with homemade olive oil.

The anchovies are a defining part of the outing. They are marinated or salted, and the oil comes from Goran’s own production. If you are unsure about anchovies, this is still worth trying. The food is simple, local, and tied to the sea around you. It feels more personal than a standard packaged lunch.

The 40-minute schedule is fairly tight. You will need to choose between swimming, walking, eating, and looking around. That is not a flaw, but it is useful to know before booking. If your priority is a long lunch or a slow island stroll, the schedule may feel short.

Ošljak is made for a quiet swim

After a short sightseeing cruise, the boat reaches Ošljak, the smallest inhabited island in the Adriatic. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you the most generous stretch of free time on land and in the water.

Ošljak is known here for small coves and beaches that are good for swimming and snorkeling. The water around Zadar can be remarkably clear, and the supplied snorkeling equipment lets you look for fish without bringing your own gear.

The appeal of Ošljak is its scale. You are not trying to cover a large island. You can walk a little, find a calm place by the water, or stay near the boat and swim. Families can use the time at their own pace, while adults may prefer to settle into the quiet and enjoy a drink.

The island stop includes local snacks, and Goran continues to provide drinks through the trip. Several groups have described the food and hospitality as a highlight, especially the anchovies and bread served in a relaxed setting.

Do not expect a major beach resort or a long list of facilities. Ošljak suits you best if you value quiet coves and simple swimming time. Bring your own towel, swimwear, hat, and sunglasses, since the boat and island stops are built around time outdoors.

Kostanj Beach is the sandy finale

The last main stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a cove that cannot be reached by car. That makes it a useful contrast to the rocky shore and small coves found elsewhere along the route.

You get about 50 minutes here for photos, swimming, and snorkeling. The sand is the main reason to save this stop for last. Many parts of the Croatian coast are rocky, so a sandy beach gives you a different way to enter the water and relax.

The stop is long enough for a proper swim, but not for an all-afternoon beach stay. If your group prefers sandy shores, tell Goran early so he can help balance the time at the other stops.

After Kostanj, the boat returns to Port Foša on a 25-minute cruise. That final ride gives you time to dry off, enjoy the remaining drinks, and watch Zadar come back into view.

What the food and drinks add

This is not a food tour, but the refreshments are more than a minor extra. Goran’s homemade olive oil and fish give the trip a local character that you will not get from a bottle of water and a factory-made snack.

The food can include:

• Marinated and salted anchovies
• Sardines or tuna
• Homemade olive oil
• Bread
• Tomatoes
• Cheese and ham
• Beer, wine, cola, and water

The exact selection may vary, but the pattern is clear: simple island food, served informally on the boat. I like this because it connects the meal to the place. You are tasting fish, oil, bread, and produce while moving among the islands that shape this part of Dalmatia.

If you dislike fish, you should not book this mainly for the food. You can still enjoy the drinks and swimming, but the anchovies are one of the outing’s signature touches. If you like seafood, allow time to try them slowly with bread and olive oil.

Why the private format matters

The strongest reason to choose this trip is control over your time. Captain Goran has adjusted start times for groups and allowed them to shape the day around swimming, island visits, and quiet stops.

That flexibility is especially useful for families. Children can spend more time in the water when they are enjoying themselves, rather than being pulled out because a large boat is leaving. One family with children aged six and nine found the swimming and boat time manageable, and another family said a child did not want the trip to end.

It also works well for friends. You can connect music to the speaker, share food and drinks, and avoid the fixed social rhythm of a crowded excursion boat. For a birthday, the operator can organize a smaller celebration, with one group arranging cake and champagne.

The boat is not a party boat in the loud, all-night sense. It is better for a small celebration, an easy afternoon, or a family occasion with swimming and snacks.

Timing, comfort, and practical limits

The total duration is four hours. The published schedule includes roughly:

• 20 minutes cruising to Galevac
• 20 minutes at Galevac
• 40 minutes at Preko
• 10 minutes cruising
• 1 hour at Ošljak
• 15 minutes cruising
• 50 minutes at Kostanj Beach
• 25 minutes back to Zadar

The times are a guide, since this is a private trip and Goran can respond to your preferences. Still, you should not assume every stop can be extended. Four hours passes quickly once you include the boat rides, getting in and out of the water, and eating.

The boat has been described as comfortable for groups of four, which is close to the five-person limit. If you are booking five adults, expect a friendly, close setting rather than a spacious deck with room to spread out.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel. Snorkeling equipment and food and drinks are included. Bikes are not allowed, and the outing is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy.

Weather can affect the day. Goran has contacted groups ahead of time when conditions looked uncertain and stayed in touch as the forecast changed. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Zadar boat trip?

I would choose this trip for a group of two to five people who want a private, flexible afternoon rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. It suits couples, families, and friends who want to swim, snack, and make simple decisions as they go.

It is also a good choice if you want local contact. Goran is not just steering the boat. He explains the islands, points out places along the route, prepares food, and helps set a relaxed rhythm.

You may want a different outing if you need step-free access, dislike boats, want a full-day island tour, or prefer a tightly scripted historical program. The heritage element at Galevac is brief, while most of the time goes to swimming, snorkeling, scenery, and food.

The perfect weather for this trip is warm and calm, but the experience is still built around outdoor conditions. Bring sun protection and be ready for a little saltwater, wet towels, and a boat that feels close to the sea.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of a small boat, clear water, homemade fish, and flexible island stops sounds better than spending the afternoon with dozens of other people. The $282 group price is strongest when shared by four or five people.

The best feature is not one single beach. It is the combination of Goran’s personal hosting, three island stops, sandy Kostanj Beach, snorkeling gear, and food made with his own olive oil. You get a compact taste of the Zadar archipelago without giving up control of your afternoon.

If you want the longest possible beach stay, book a longer outing. If you want an easy, personal introduction to the islands close to Zadar, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

The meeting point is Port Foša in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

How long does the tour last?

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

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to five people.

Which islands and beaches are included?

The route includes Galevac, Preko on Ugljan, Ošljak, and Kostanj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

Food and drinks are included. The selection can include homemade olive oil, marinated or salted anchovies, sardines, tuna, bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, beer, wine, cola, and water.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy. Bikes are also not allowed.