Private Speedboat tour “Zadar Islands – Off the Beaten Path”

The best beaches are often the hardest to reach. This private speedboat trip leaves Zadar behind for quiet bays around Dugi otok, Iž, and Ugljan. I like the chance to shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, a village lunch, or simply sitting under olive trees. I also like that the boat is private, so you are not locked into a large group schedule.

The main catch is cost clarity. The advertised price is $162.03 per person, but there is also a €160 fuel surcharge per booking, plus lunch and any cruise-terminal pickup fee. I would confirm every extra before paying, especially if you are traveling with a family or a full boat.

Five details worth knowing before you book

• Three very different island stops: You visit a secret sandy bay near Dugi otok, a swimming area near Iž, and a shallow sandy cove on Ugljan.
• A private boat for your group: The experience is not shared with unrelated passengers, giving you more say over the pace and stops.
• A full day on the water: The trip begins at 9:00 am and lasts about 7 to 8 hours, with the stated minimum at six hours.
• Snorkeling equipment is supplied: Masks and life jackets are included, along with bottled water.
• Lunch is flexible but extra: Bring food and drinks, or eat at a local restaurant in Mali Iž. Bring euros if you choose the restaurant option.
• The fuel charge matters: The €160 surcharge is per booking, not per person, but it can change the value calculation for small groups.

Leaving Zadar at 9:00 am by speedboat

The meeting point is Speed Boat Zadar at Ul. Ivana Meštrovića 3. The tour returns to this same location, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in Zadar and removes the need to arrange a second ride home.

At 9:00 am, the boat heads through the Zadar Channel and between Ugljan and Pašman. The ride itself is part of the experience. You see the archipelago from the water, with islands appearing and disappearing as the boat cuts between them.

This is not a short beach transfer. You spend much of the day moving across open water, so the boat ride suits you if you enjoy the journey as much as the stops. If you prefer a slow, land-based island outing, this may feel too active and exposed to the sun.

The private format is useful here. You can tell the skipper if you want more swimming time, a longer lunch, or a quicker return. The trip is described as customizable around your interests and schedule, though the actual day still depends on weather, boat condition, and the distance between islands.

Dugi otok and the quiet sandy bay

The first island break takes place on Dugi otok. The idea is to pause for coffee, ice cream, or a cold drink and adjust to the slower rhythm of island life. This stop gives you a useful breather after the initial boat ride.

The real prize comes afterward, at a small island near Dugi otok. The bay is kept unnamed, and the appeal is its privacy. You can expect a small sandy beach surrounded by wild vegetation, turquoise water, and very little activity around you.

Sandy beaches are not the default along much of the Croatian coast, where rocky shores and pebbles are common. That makes this first swimming stop especially appealing if you want soft sand and shallow water rather than a standard stone beach.

You can camp beneath the olive trees, according to the tour description, or remain on the boat beneath its canopy. The canopy matters on a long sunny day. You can swim, sit in the shade, or simply enjoy the quiet without needing to fill every minute with activity.

The word secret should not make you expect a guaranteed deserted beach. Conditions change, and the operator cannot control who else arrives. Still, this stop is designed around quiet and natural surroundings rather than facilities, crowds, or organized beach entertainment. Bring anything you need for comfort because this is not presented as a developed beach club.

The island views between Dugi otok and Iž

After the first bay, the boat continues toward Iž. This is one of the longer scenic stretches, passing the islands of Rava, Ugljan, Žut, and Sit. The archipelago opens up from this angle, and the boat lets you see how the islands fit together in a way that is difficult to understand from shore.

I like this middle section because it gives the day a sense of place. You are not simply being dropped at three unrelated swimming spots. You are crossing the channels and seeing several islands along the way.

The ride also has a practical tradeoff. More distance means less time at each beach if your group wants to keep the full schedule. Tell the skipper early if swimming is your top priority. If you want a relaxed lunch and plenty of time in the water, the private setup gives you a better chance of adjusting the plan.

Iž for swimming, snorkeling, and village life

The second main stop is a secluded bay on Iž. Here, you swim from the boat and use the provided masks for snorkeling. The surrounding pine trees and the sound system create a more informal, laid-back stop than the first sandy beach.

Set your expectations correctly about snorkeling. The equipment is included, but the trip is not presented as a specialist marine-life excursion. One family found the water refreshing but felt the underwater fish life was limited. If you mainly want to float, swim, and look around near the boat, the stop should work well. If you expect coral, dramatic sea life, or a guided underwater tour, you may find it modest.

The music is another matter of taste. Some people will enjoy having music on while they swim. Others will prefer the natural sounds of the pine forest and quiet water. Since this is a private trip, you should be able to discuss the sound level with the skipper.

The visit to Mali Iž adds something a beach-hopping trip often lacks. This is described as a traditional Croatian island village, and you can choose to eat at a local restaurant there. The restaurant mentioned by name in the feedback is Mandrac, where lunch was praised as a highlight of the day.

Plan your budget carefully. Lunch is not included, and the restaurant may require cash in euros. A fish platter for two was reported at €65, with side dishes costing another €5 to €6 each. A practical estimate is €25 to €35 per person, though your final bill depends on what you order.

Bring euros rather than relying on a card or a nearby cash machine. Upcharged ATMs were a frustration for one group, and a restaurant that does not accept cards can turn a pleasant lunch into a scramble. If you prefer to control spending, pack your own meal and drinks.

Ugljan’s final sandy cove

The last stop is on the uninhabited side of Ugljan Island. It is another sandy bay, with shallow water and white sand. This makes it a good final stop for relaxed swimming, simple games, or a quiet hour before returning to Zadar.

The phrase three grains of sand tour refers to the day’s focus on rare sandy beaches. That theme gives the itinerary a clear identity. You are not trying to see every major sight in the Zadar archipelago. You are seeking small coves and a softer shoreline.

You can sit in the olive gardens or under the pine trees. The appeal is less about organized activity and more about having room to slow down. Families may appreciate shallow water, while couples or small groups may prefer the quiet setting.

The final stop also acts as a useful buffer. If you spend longer at lunch or encounter a delay earlier in the day, this is the place most likely to be shortened. That happened to one family after a boat problem at lunchtime, leaving them without enough time for the third stop. Ask about the timing during the day if returning to a cruise ship or catching an onward connection.

The private format and guide experience

A private tour is valuable when your group has different priorities. One person can snorkel while another rests beneath the canopy. You can ask for more time at a sandy bay, shorten a swimming stop, or choose lunch at Mali Iž instead of eating on the boat.

The skipper names connected with positive feedback include Rocco and Marko. Rocco was praised for taking a group to excellent swimming spots, while Marko was singled out for making the day enjoyable around the larger and smaller parts of Iž. The operator also lists Lisa and Ivan as contacts involved in arranging tours.

Guide quality can shape this trip. The route has plenty of natural scenery, but the experience is not built around formal historical commentary. One disappointed family felt the skipper offered too little information about the islands and treated the day mainly as transport to swimming areas.

I would ask before departure what level of guiding you want. If you want island facts, local history, and explanations along the way, say so clearly. If you mainly want a boat, beaches, swimming, and freedom, the format may suit you very well.

The boat, gear, and comfort level

The package includes the skipper, boat rental, snorkeling masks, life jackets, and bottled water. You need to provide lunch unless you arrange the restaurant stop, and you should bring any other drinks or snacks you want.

A speedboat makes the distant islands possible within a single day. It also means more wind, sun, spray, and movement than a slow excursion boat. Wear practical swimwear, protect yourself from the sun, and use the boat canopy when you need shade.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is important because a day built around small bays and long crossings is much less enjoyable in rough conditions.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation. Since this is a boat trip with multiple swimming stops, you should still consider your own comfort with boarding, sitting on a moving boat, and getting in and out of the water.

The real price: $162.03 plus €160

At $162.03 per person, the headline price can look reasonable for a private full-day boat. The value improves when several people share the boat, because the €160 fuel charge is per booking rather than charged separately to each passenger.

For one or two people, that surcharge changes the calculation substantially. For a larger group, the fixed charge is easier to spread across the party. Lunch, drinks, and any special pickup add to the total.

Cruise passengers need special care. A pickup from the cruise terminal was described as costing €40, while the €160 charge applied to fuel. A previous communication mix-up also caused a delayed pickup, and the group had to rush back to the terminal. The operator offered a €50 discount afterward, but a cruise schedule leaves little room for disruption.

Before booking, ask for written confirmation of:

• The total fuel surcharge
• Any pickup fee
• The exact meeting point and start time
• Whether lunch will be at a restaurant or brought aboard
• The expected return time

The supplier says the fuel charge is shown in the booking information and may be sent again with skipper details before the tour. Even so, I would not rely on memory or assume the base price covers everything.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want a private day on the sea and care more about quiet coves than famous sights. It suits small groups, families who want control over the pace, and friends who enjoy swimming, sun, and an occasional village meal.

It is also a good choice if sandy beaches matter to you. Croatia is famous for clear water, but many shorelines are pebbly or rocky. This itinerary deliberately seeks several sandy bays, which gives it a sharper focus than a general island cruise.

You may want a different outing if you need a strong history component, guaranteed marine life, or a low-cost all-inclusive price. The snorkeling is recreational, the guiding may vary, and the extras can add up quickly.

The current score is 4.6 out of 5 from 21 ratings, which suggests a strong overall experience but not a perfect one. The most consistent positives are the beautiful swimming places, the fun boat ride, the freedom of a private group, and the lunch stop at Mandrac.

Practical booking advice for Zadar

The tour is offered in English and provides a mobile ticket. Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within seven days of departure, confirmation may arrive within 48 hours and depends on availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and cancellations inside the same period are not refunded.

I would book at least several days ahead, especially in summer. The average booking point is about 10 days before departure, a useful sign that this is not always a last-minute activity.

Pack a towel, sun protection, swimwear, euros, and food if you do not want a restaurant lunch. Bottled water is supplied, but extra drinks are not listed among the inclusions. Keep your schedule flexible enough to allow for sea conditions or a mechanical delay.

Should you book the Zadar Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if your ideal day means three quiet bays, a fast ride through the archipelago, swimming from the boat, and a local lunch in Mali Iž. The private format and sandy beaches are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if the €160 fuel fee strains your budget, if you need a highly structured guide, or if you are returning to a cruise ship with no spare time. If you do book, confirm all charges, request clear pickup details, and tell the skipper whether you value swimming, village time, or island information most. With those points settled, this can be a memorable and pleasantly unhurried way to see the less-visited side of Zadar’s islands.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Speed Boat Zadar, Ul. Ivana Meštrovića 3, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. The stated minimum duration is six hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands does the route visit?

The route includes stops around Dugi otok, Iž, and Ugljan. The boat ride also passes views of Rava, Žut, and Sit.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Diving masks and life jackets are provided. Bottled water is also included.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks, or choose to eat at a restaurant in Mali Iž.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €160 fuel surcharge applies per booking. Lunch and some pickup arrangements may also cost extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.