A few hours, three islands, zero rush. This private boat trip around the Zadar archipelago lets you swim in clear Adriatic water, hop between quiet coves, and spend time on islands that feel lived in. I love how the day is customizable with your skipper, and I also love that you get snorkel equipment so you can focus on the water, not the logistics. The main tradeoff is that the schedule is tight, with about an hour at each stop, and there’s an extra fuel surcharge.

This is built for small groups, up to 8 people, with a local, experienced skipper in English. You’ll start and end at Zadar Boat Tours, and you’ll be back in Zadar after roughly 4 hours, with comfort touches like bottled water, sun protection cream, and even motion-sickness tablets.

Key things to know before you go

• Private, small-group feel (up to 8), so you can move at your pace and preferences.
• Snorkeling gear included, plus options for walking instead of swimming.
• Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko in one half-day, so you see more than just one “pretty beach.”
• Comfort extras on board, like bottled water and sun protection, plus motion-sickness tablets.
• Guides who tailor the route, and often steer you toward calmer swimming spots.
• Admission at the stops is free, so your time goes to the scenery, not ticket lines.

Why this Zadar island boat trip feels worth it

If you only have half a day in Zadar, this is a smart way to get out to the islands without spending your time figuring out ferries. The route keeps you close to Zadar’s coast while still giving you that island contrast, sea air, and quiet-water swimming that big tours often skip.

What makes this tour different is the personal control. You’re not stuck with a one-size-fits-all plan. I’d treat it like a day charter where you pick what matters most: more time swimming, more time walking, or a mix. The feedback from real guests consistently points to skippers who explain what you’re seeing and then adjust based on what you want to do next.

The boat ride itself is part of the experience. These are islands you understand faster from the water. You’ll see olive groves, fishing ports, and small bays from the angle they’re meant to be seen from, and you’ll get short, well-timed breaks rather than one long slog.

Meeting point and what happens on board

You’ll meet at Zadar Boat Tours, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, in Zadar. The tour ends back at the same place, which keeps things simple at the end of your sea time.

On board, you can expect comfort and basic essentials. Bottled water is included, and sun protection cream is included too, which matters on an Adriatic day when you’re out in the open. Snorkel equipment is included, and motion-sickness tablets are also provided for comfort.

The tour is offered in English, and it’s described as suitable for most travelers. That usually means you can tailor between swimming and walking depending on how confident you feel in the water. In practice, the best days are the ones where you tell your skipper what you want, right up front.

Stop 1 on Ugljan: Kostanj beach time and easy swimming

Ugljan is the first island stop, with time at a sandy beach area in the Kostanj area. This is your “get in the water quickly” moment. The vibe here is beachy and relaxed, with time to swim and sunbathe while you’re already on the water and in the mood for it.

Why I like this start: it lets you ease into the day. You’re not committing to a long walk right away. If you want to snorkel, you can go for it. If you’re more of a sit-and-swim person, you can keep it simple and enjoy the calm rhythm of a sandy shoreline.

A practical consideration is the time limit. You’ll have about an hour here, so it’s best to plan what you want before you step off the boat. If your priority is swimming, don’t spend the whole hour finding the perfect spot. Ask your skipper where the water is clearest at that moment and go from there.

Stop 2 on Ošljak: tiny island, lighthouse views, and a 2 km walk option

Ošljak is small, quiet, and historically rooted. It’s described as the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Adriatic, with 29 inhabitants and an area of 0.39 km2. It sits about half a nautical mile from Preko, which helps explain why this island feels so close to the everyday life of the area.

Here’s what you’ll be able to do during your stop, and why it’s a great match for a half-day tour:

• You can walk a trail that’s about 2 km long.
• The hike passes a lighthouse.
• You’ll also see remains of windmills, dating to the 16th century.
• Ošljak has a Church of St. Mary that dates back to the 6th century.
• In 1985, the island was declared a forest park.

This is a nice pause between swimming moments. Ošljak offers the kind of scenery that feels real, not staged: old fishing-port surroundings, traditional Mediterranean architecture, and a pace that’s slow by design.

One caution: with only about an hour, you’ll need to choose your level of walking. If you want the full circuit, keep your pace steady. If you want photos and a gentle walk, focus on the lighthouse area and the points that interest you most.

Stop 3 in Preko: bays, olive country, and an easy local lunch plan

Preko is on the island of Ugljan, opposite Zadar across the Zadar canal. It’s one of the main settlements on the island’s eastern side, along with places like Ugljan, Kali, and Kukljica.

What makes Preko special is how the island’s identity shows up in daily life. The island is described as evergreen, covered with olive groves, with idyllic bays and fishing ports. It’s also tied to seafaring and fishing, and the olive cultivation story runs for more than 2,000 years, leaving behind thousands of olive trees that produce exceptional oil.

During your stop, you’ll have time to enjoy the harbor area and look out over the coast. This is also where lunch fits naturally. Lunch isn’t included, but the tour does set you up to grab something local without turning your day into a hunt.

A helpful tip from experience: if you want the most satisfying meal, ask your skipper for a recommendation as you’re approaching Preko. Several guides highlighted local snack stops and ordered fish for their passengers. When your skipper knows the places, you usually end up with food that matches the mood of the island: simple, fresh, and tied to the coast.

As with the other stops, time is limited to about an hour, so keep your expectations realistic. Plan to eat and enjoy, not to linger through multiple long courses.

Snorkeling setup: what you’re really buying

This tour includes snorkeling equipment, which is a big value point. Renting gear can easily add cost and hassle on your own, and on a half-day trip, time wasted is real time lost.

But the bigger win is peace of mind. You don’t have to figure out what to pack for water comfort or whether the gear is even available. You also have options. Some skippers give you the choice between snorkeling and walking, depending on weather, comfort, and your interests.

If you’re new to snorkeling, do what works for most people:

• Tell your skipper you want gentle, beginner-friendly spots.
• Spend a few minutes getting used to breathing and buoyancy before you swim far.
• Keep an eye on the boat position so you’re never separated from your “home base.”

If you’re an experienced swimmer, this still works, because you’ll be guided to quality swimming areas rather than just dropping you somewhere random. That’s how you end up with the calm, clear-water feel that people come for in the first place.

Finally, bring the basics: your swimwear, and ideally a towel you’re comfortable using on a boat setting. You’ll get sun protection cream, but you still need a plan for shade and comfort.

Price and value, plus the one extra cost to budget

The price is listed at $409.63 per group, up to 8 people, for about 4 hours. On paper, that sounds like a lot until you think about what you’re actually getting: a private skipper, a boat outing to multiple islands, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and sun protection cream. For a group of friends or a small family, it can work out like good value compared with cobbling together separate tickets and rentals.

The tradeoff is an extra fuel surcharge of €80. That’s per booking, not per person, so the math improves as your group fills up. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, you’ll pay the surcharge just like everyone else, and the per-person cost can feel steeper.

Still, the experience is designed to be personal. If you care about swimming spots, timing, and local guidance, that skipper-led flexibility can be worth more than a cheaper fixed-route boat.

Getting the most out of the tour day

The best way to make this day feel “tailor-made” is to communicate early. When you board, share what you want most:

• more swimming or more walking
• snorkeling intensity (easy and close by versus more adventurous)
• what kind of photos you want, beach time, harbor scenes, or the lighthouse area

Also, be ready to follow the skipper’s call. These captains know where the water looks good at that moment. If conditions change, the whole plan can adjust. That’s usually why guests come away feeling it was worth the money.

A smart pacing strategy: plan for a strong start at Ugljan (swim and settle in), then choose at Ošljak whether you want the walk or more time near the water. At Preko, plan your meal timing so you’re not rushing right at the end.

Weather and comfort: the practical part that matters

This experience requires good weather. In Croatia, sea conditions can change quickly, and boat tours will generally adapt through the day’s limits. That’s why it’s worth booking when you have at least some flexibility in your schedule.

Comfort items included help with common issues on the water. Bottled water keeps you hydrated. Motion-sickness tablets help if you’re sensitive to boats. Sun protection cream is a real kindness, because even a short outing can leave you sunburned if you’re not paying attention.

Should you book this Ugljan, Ošljak and Preko tour?

Book it if you want:

• a private, small-group feel out on the water
• included snorkeling gear without rental hassles
• a simple half-day that hits three island stops
• a skipper who will steer the day based on your preferences

Skip it or consider a different style of tour if:

• you need long, slow time on shore, since each stop is about an hour
• you’re on a very tight budget and feel €80 fuel plus the base price is too much
• you’re expecting a big, guided history lecture. The appeal here is sea time, views, and island life, not a museum-style presentation

FAQ

How long is the private tour to Islands Ugljan, Ošljak and Preko from Zadar?

The tour is about 4 hours.

What group size is this private tour for?

It’s a private tour/activity, and the group size is up to 8 people.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Zadar Boat Tours, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000, Zadar, Croatia.

What stops are included on the route?

The tour includes stops in Ugljan (Kostanj beach), Ošljak, and Preko.

Is snorkeling included, and is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What else is included for comfort?

The tour includes bottled water, sun protection cream, and motion sickness tablets for comfort (as noted in the tour highlights).

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is there an extra fee besides the listed price?

Yes. There is a fuel surcharge of €80.00 per booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is described as suitable for most travelers, and it’s private, so your group participates only. Options during the day can include snorkeling or walking based on preferences.