Four islands in one fast, salty day. This Zadar speedboat tour packs Sakarun Beach and a shipwreck stop into a tight 8-hour loop. I like that you get proper beach time, then warm up with a traditional Dalmatian lunch on Sestrunj Island.

The other big win is the human touch, with guide Šime steering the story in English or Italian and skipper Tome getting you to each stop on schedule. Just know the day is weather-dependent, and it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness since you are on a speedboat for most of the route.

Key things I’d plan around

• Small group of up to 10 keeps the experience calmer, especially at the beaches
• Sakarun Beach gets a guided window, so you know where to go and what to look for
• Sunken Ship Michelle means real water time, with snorkeling options (gear matters)
• Lighthouse Veli Rat gives you a classic Dugi Otok viewpoint, with a quick, focused stop
• Lunch on Sestrunj is served at a local tavern, and the chef Goran uses fish he caught the night before
• Molat and Ugljan swimming stops balance famous spots with quieter stretches of shoreline

Speedboat Tour From Zadar, With a Tight But Fair Pace

You start at the harbor area in Zadar, meeting your group at Poljana Zemaljskog odbora 1, just across the bridge from the old town side on the left. The setup is simple: you spot Šime and skipper Tome, get organized, and then you’re on the water.

This tour is built for travelers who want variety without spending days hopping between islands. Speedboats are the whole point here. You cover a lot of coast in a day, which means you trade some slow sightseeing for more time in the sun, swimming, and shoreline walking. That works well if you’re the type who likes a plan but still wants the freedom to stretch your legs at beaches.

The day runs about 8 hours total, and it’s in a small group limited to 10 participants. That matters more than it sounds. On busy islands, smaller groups make it easier to keep track of meeting points and not feel like you’re being rushed through everything.

One practical heads-up: you are on open water, so if you get motion sickness easily, this one is not a good fit. The tour is also subject to weather, so if conditions are rough, it may be rescheduled or canceled.

Sakarun Beach: White Sand, Clear Water, and a Guided Start

Your first major land-and-water stop is Sakarun Beach. You get about 1 hour there with a guided component. That guided time is helpful. It gives you a quick orientation so you can spend your limited time actually enjoying the water instead of doing trial-and-error searching.

Sakarun is famous for a reason. You’ll see that white sand look right away, and the water is clear enough that you can judge where to wade in. If you want a simpler day, this is the stop to lean on, because it gives you a straightforward beach experience before the schedule moves on.

A small strategy: treat your first beach stop like your warm-up. Swim, take photos, and then decide where you want to return energy later in the day. Once you move on to shipwreck water time and more beaches, the “best spot” idea changes based on your comfort and how you feel in the water.

Shipwreck Time at Sunken Ship Michelle, Plus Snorkel-Friendly Water

One of the tour’s signature moments is Sunken Ship Michelle. The top of the wreck shows above the sea surface, which makes the location easier to find. The appeal here is obvious: you get an underwater peek at a real shipwreck, not just a coastline stop.

How much you get out of it depends on your setup. The tour notes that you should bring your own snorkeling gear if you wish to swim around the shipwreck. That tells you the wreck time is more active than a simple look from the boat. Even if you’re not a hardcore snorkeler, having your own mask and snorkel usually makes the difference between a quick look and a satisfying swim.

Also, keep your expectations realistic. This is a speedboat day with multiple stops, so you are not spending hours in one spot. You are getting a focused window to do something special underwater, then moving on.

If you’re a beginner, aim to keep it simple: put your feet in, breathe calmly through your snorkel, and check the area near the visible portion first. If you’re experienced, you can use the wreck’s visible top as a reference point while you explore nearby sandy areas.

Dugi Otok’s Veli Rat Lighthouse, an Active Landmark Stop

After the water time, you head to the Lighthouse Veli Rat on the western cape of Dugi Otok. Your visit here is shorter, about 10 minutes, so think of it as a classic “arrive, look, photos, move” moment.

What makes this stop worthwhile is that it adds variety beyond beaches and snorkeling. A working lighthouse changes the vibe of the day. It’s a clear marker of the geography here, and it gives you a viewpoint you can’t easily get from the boat while you’re moving.

With only ten minutes, your best move is to come prepared for quick decisions. If your goal is photos, pick your angles fast. If your goal is scenery and fresh air, use the time to step away from the water and take in the cliffs and coastline shape.

Sestrunj Lunch: Chef Goran’s Fish and a Real Local Tav er n

Then comes one of the most practical, value-heavy parts of the day: lunch on Sestrunj Island. You get about 1 hour here, with time built in for a break, photos, and eating.

The lunch is served at a local tavern in privacy, and it includes 1 drink. You’ll have a menu with fresh caught fish and meat, plus a vegetarian menu. That mix is a big deal for groups. It reduces stress if not everyone eats the same way.

The chef, Goran, is a fisherman by profession. The tour info says he serves fish he caught the night before. Even if you don’t analyze every detail, that’s the kind of working connection that makes the meal feel more real than a pre-packaged tour lunch.

For your day planning, this lunch stop does two jobs:

1) It gives you real food at a time you actually need it, not just snacks between swims.

2) It anchors the itinerary with a land-based break, which helps your body reset before the next water stretch.

Molat’s Pješčana Uvala: A Beach Window Made for Swimming

After lunch, you move to Molat for free time at Pješčana Uvala. You get about 1 hour here, with swimming and snorkeling time.

Molat is one of those places where the coastline feels calmer than the more crowded mainland-adjacent spots. The tour highlights it as pristine, and that tracks with the experience of getting a sandy cove where you can actually relax. It’s not about running to five different viewpoints. It’s about settling in, getting comfortable, and letting the water time do the work.

One reason this stop matters: by the time you reach Molat, you’ve already used energy on the first beach and the shipwreck water window. This is a good opportunity to choose your pace. If you want to snorkel, go for it. If you just want to float and cool down, you can do that too.

Ugljan’s Frnaža Beach: Quick Swim, Clear Payoff

Your last named swim stop is Uvala Frnaza on Ugljan. Expect about 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling.

This stop is short by design, so you’ll want to be efficient. Bring your energy level down to a sustainable pace. Put your feet in quickly, swim while conditions feel good, and then take photos if you still have time and daylight.

It’s a smart ending. After a full day of moving, a short final water window prevents the last stop from dragging. You get that final “this was worth it” moment without losing the feeling of momentum.

Price and Value: What $125 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)

At $125 per person for an 8-hour small-group speedboat tour, you’re paying for transportation plus multiple island stops in one day. The inclusion list is clear: the speedboat covers the title locations, and lunch includes 1 drink plus a menu with fish, meat, and vegetarian options.

So where is the value? You’re buying time. Getting to these islands efficiently by speedboat is the hard part, and you’re not driving yourself between spots. You also get a structured day with a guide, which saves you from trying to coordinate beach transfers on your own.

What it does not include: hotel pickup and drop-off. You need to get yourself to Poljana Zemaljskog odbora 1. If you’re staying in or near the old town area, that’s usually manageable, but it is still something to plan around.

Also, the tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. That’s not a small note. If you know you’re sensitive to waves, the value disappears fast, even with great stops.

What to Bring for a Smooth Day at Sea

Pack like you’re going to spend the day in and out of water. The tour’s bring list is practical, and following it keeps you from dealing with shortages mid-day:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Hat, sunscreen, and water
• Snacks (helpful if you arrive hungry or want extra energy between swimming windows)
• Camera for Sakarun and the lighthouse viewpoints
• Snorkeling gear, especially if you want to spend time near the shipwreck

One small reality check: even if the day has snorkeling opportunities at more than one stop, your comfort depends on your gear. Borrowing or improvising can waste precious minutes. Your own mask and snorkel usually makes the water time far more enjoyable.

Should You Book This Zadar Best of 4 Islands Tour?

If your dream day in Zadar includes beach time, a shipwreck experience, and a proper lunch all without juggling ferries and schedules, this tour makes strong sense. The small group size, the included Sestrunj lunch with a real local fisherman-chef story, and the mix of beaches plus Veli Rat Lighthouse give you a lot for one ticket.

I’d skip it if you get seasick. The speedboat is part of the package, and the tour is explicitly not suited to people prone to motion sickness. I’d also plan for weather changes, since the tour can be rescheduled or canceled in bad conditions.

If you’re okay with a faster pace and you want to see multiple islands in one day, I think you’ll like how the itinerary flows from beach to wreck to lighthouse to lunch to more swimming.

FAQ

How long is the Best of 4 Islands speedboat tour from Zadar?

The tour duration is 8 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where do I meet for the tour in Zadar?

Meet at Poljana Zemaljskog odbora 1, just across the bridge from the old town side on the left. You will see your guide Šime and skipper Tome there.

What is included in lunch on Sestrunj Island?

Lunch is served at a tavern on Sestrunj Island and includes 1 drink. The menu includes fresh caught fish and meat options, plus a vegetarian menu.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear for the shipwreck?

You can bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to swim around the shipwreck area. The tour also includes snorkeling time at certain stops.

Is the tour suitable for people who get seasick?

No. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour starts and ends at the meeting point in Zadar.