Snorkel hours, island breezes, your own pace. This private sail with Antares Sailing lets you cruise the Zadar coast from the water, then slow down near Ošljak for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the small-group feel, since it is up to 7 people and you are not squeezed into a crowd. I also like that you get real time on the islands, about an hour snorkeling on Ošljak plus two hours on Ugljan.

One consideration is weather. This experience requires good weather, so plan for the day to be flexible if the sea is too rough.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Private boat, group size capped at 7, so your pacing and photo stops are easier to manage
• Snorkeling is built in with equipment provided, plus time to swim more than once
• Ošljak to Ugljan island hop gives you scenery changes without a full day commitment
• Longer island pause on Ugljan, where you can sightseeing and arrange lunch if you want
• English-speaking skipper and hosts like Laura, who handle communication and guide you on the day
• Meals and alcohol are not included, so decide ahead if you want to budget for lunch

Setting Sail From Bregdetti: The Real Meaning of 4 Hours

You start at Bregdetti ul. 42, 23000, Zadar, and you end back at the same meeting point. The tour runs about 4 hours, which is perfect if you want sea time without turning your whole day into logistics.

The itinerary is structured but not frantic. You get sailing time, then swimming and snorkeling stops, then a longer stretch on the green, pine-and-olive Ugljan side before heading back.

Because it is a private tour, you are not just buying a route. You are buying control. You can typically ask questions, linger at a swim spot a bit longer, and take photos without worrying about holding up a huge group.

Cruising Zadar Coastline: Breeze, Sea Views, and a Fun Sea Organ Moment

From the meeting point, the day kicks off with about 30 minutes of sailing toward Island Ošljak. This is when the coast looks different, because you are higher than a dock viewpoint and your horizon is open.

You are also likely to catch a memorable Zadar moment at the end. One review notes the sail past the Sea Organ after the return leg toward Zadar, which is one of those city sights that feels extra cool from the water.

This part is valuable even if you are not a hardcore “boat person.” It sets the mood fast. You get breeze, you get moving scenery, and you get that Adriatic feeling before you even put on snorkeling gear.

Island Ošljak (Calugerà): A Quiet Base for an Hour of Swimming and Snorkeling

Ošljak is small, but it has identity. It is also known as Calugerà, and it sits just off the Dalmatian coast between Zadar and Ugljan. The island is home to just one village on the western shore, with a tiny population listed at 29 inhabitants and a highest point called Lazaret at 90 m.

For you, that translates to a simple, calm stop. After roughly 30 minutes of sailing and sightseeing, the tour makes a swimming and snorkeling stop for about 1 hour. Admission tickets for stops are listed as free, so you are paying for time on the water, not site fees.

Why this stop works: you get an island break without feeling like you need to race through a checklist. If you like water time, this is your main hit. If you prefer just relaxing with a view, the hour gives you enough room to do that too.

Ugljan’s Green Island Time: Pines, Olives, Fig Trees, and a Lunch Option

After Ošljak, you continue to Ugljan, another island in the Zadar archipelago. Ugljan is called the green island because of its dense Mediterranean vegetation: pine trees, olive and fig trees, vineyards, and other bushy growth.

Ugljan also brings deeper time than you might expect. It has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and the caves there are said to include even older remains. The island’s long connection to the sea shows up in its fishing tradition and a stated 2000-year olive growing tradition.

Your tour stop here is longer at about 2 hours. You get sightseeing and swimming, and there is a practical option: if you want, you can have lunch. The listing does not include lunch, so treat this as time you can use however you like, rather than a meal guarantee.

The drawback of Ugljan time is also simple. Two hours sounds easy, but it can feel short if your group wants to do a lot of walking. If you want lots of beach time, this stop still works well. If you want big hikes, you might find the schedule too tight.

Snorkeling Gear Included: How to Make the Most of Your Water Breaks

You are provided with snorkeling equipment, which is a major value point. It means you do not have to track down rental gear in Zadar or worry about whether you grabbed the right size. It also keeps the day smoother, because there is less preplanning.

The tour is designed around swim moments. The highlights call out snorkeling and exploring the seabed, plus time for swimming. In practice, reviews also suggest multiple swim sessions and easygoing flexibility, which matters because water conditions can change and you may want one extra moment in the shallows.

One more practical tip: aim to feel comfortable getting in and out of the water. A review specifically highlights the captain’s help for someone who needed assistance entering and exiting the boat, which tells you that the crew thinks about real needs, not just a flawless plan.

What You Actually Get Included, and What You Pay For

Here is the included package:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Skipper
• Fuel cost
• All fees and taxes

And here is what is not included:

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Alcoholic beverages

That not-included list is important for budgeting. If you are hoping for a fully catered half-day, this is more of a guided boat day than a meal tour. You can still have lunch on Ugljan if you want, but you should plan to cover it yourself.

One interesting detail from the experience notes in the reviews: some hosts bring small extras like drinks and snacks, and a review mentions a home brewed spirit and fresh fruit. Since the listing does not promise these items, think of them as nice surprises rather than something you must plan around.

Price and Value: $278.16 per Group Makes a Difference

The price is $278.16 per group, up to 7 people, for about 4 hours. That is not cheap on a per-person basis if you are traveling solo or as a couple, but it becomes reasonable fast once you split it.

Here is the quick math:

• If you fill all 7 spots, you are effectively paying about $39.74 per person.
• If you go as a smaller group of 4, it becomes about $69.54 per person.
• For 2 people, it becomes about $139.08 per person.

So the value sweet spot is clear: families, small groups of friends, or anyone who can share costs. The other reason this price feels fair is the private aspect. You get your own group time on a boat, with a skipper, fuel, and snorkeling gear handled.

English on Board: Communication That Keeps the Day Relaxed

The tour is offered in English, and that matters more than it sounds. When you understand what you are seeing, time on the water feels less like waiting and more like exploring.

Reviews also name the hosts and captains. You may meet Laura for communication and guidance, and the skipper is described as Ton(i) or Tonci. When your host is easy to talk to, the trip becomes a conversation, not just a route.

That is especially useful at the island stops, where “what you are looking at” can change minute to minute with the light and the shoreline.

Who Should Book This Private Sailing Day, and Who Might Skip It

This tour makes the most sense if you want a relaxed half-day with:

• real sailing time
• snorkeling gear provided
• two island stops (Ošljak for water time and Ugljan for sightseeing time)
• a private group of up to 7

It is also a good fit for families who like leisurely pacing. Reviews describe it as enjoyable for families with swim breaks and a calm day on the water.

If you are the type who needs a guaranteed, included meal and lots of structured land time, you might feel slightly underfed or underoccupied. Lunch and alcohol are not included, and Ugljan time is sightseeing plus optional lunch, not a full guided tour.

Finally, remember the weather factor. If the day gets canceled due to poor conditions, you will need to choose another date or take a full refund, since the experience requires good weather.

Should You Book Antares Sailing in the Zadar Archipelago?

If your idea of a great day is sailing first, then swimming, then island sightseeing without rushing, I think this is an easy yes. The private boat with up to 7, snorkeling equipment included, and the Ošljak plus Ugljan mix are the kind of combination that feels like you got more than a standard sightseeing outing.

Book it when:

• you can share the group cost to get better per-person value
• you want time in the water and not just views from land
• you prefer flexible pacing with a skipper and English guidance

Consider skipping or rethinking if:

• you expect lunch or alcohol to be included
• you are booking for a day where you cannot handle a weather-based change

If you want one practical strategy, pick this tour earlier in your Zadar trip window. That way, if weather pushes things, you have more options to adjust your schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour from Zadar?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

What is the group size for this private tour?

The group size is up to 7 people per private tour.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Bregdetti ul. 42, 23000, Zadar, Croatia, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $278.16 per group.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I need good weather for this experience?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there a cancellation deadline?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time.