Zadar: Island-Hopping, Swimming & Snorkeling SpeedBoat Tour

Clear water and small islands make this a fine half-day escape. I especially like the chance to swim and snorkel at several different stops, and I like that the route includes Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island, plus a walk around Galevac. The small boat carries no more than 11 people, so this feels more personal than a large sightseeing cruise.

The main consideration is the pace. You will spend much of the four hours moving between stops, getting in the water, or walking in the sun. This is not a slow boat ride, and the tour is not suited to children under 10, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with low fitness levels, or anyone over 55.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Four hours, several island stops: You visit Ugljan, Ošljak, Galevac, and extra swimming spots when weather allows.
• Swimming is central to the experience: Expect repeated chances to swim, snorkel, watch marine life, and cool off in the Adriatic.
• Ošljak offers a quiet change of pace: Its pine, cypress, holm oak, olive, and Mediterranean scrub give the tiny island a strong sense of place.
• Galevac combines a walk with beach time: You can stroll around the island, learn about Dalmatia, or swim near its shallow sandy shores.
• A small group keeps the boat social: The speedboat takes up to 11 people and includes a skipper and English-speaking guide.
• Bring cash for the extra fee: Berthing, anchorage, and protected areas cost €5 per person, paid in cash at check-in.

Starting at Obala kneza Branimira 20A

Your meeting point is at the INA gas station on Obala kneza Branimira 20A in Zadar. The speedboat arrives about 15 minutes before departure, but do not cut it close. The boat can wait only a limited time.

This is a useful departure point for a short outing because you do not spend half the morning reaching the islands. After boarding, you receive the safety equipment and settle into a modern speedboat built for quick island transfers rather than a long, leisurely cruise.

The boat carries up to 11 participants. That number matters. You can usually hear the guide without a microphone, ask questions, and get a more direct feel for the route. It also means the boat may feel lively when everyone is climbing in and out of the water, so pack light and keep your belongings organized.

The boat includes WiFi, a Bluetooth music speaker, an ice box with water and beer, fuel, passenger insurance, and a GoPro underwater camera. Snorkeling equipment and safety gear are also provided. You will still want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a secure way to carry your phone.

The First Speedboat Run to Ugljan’s Waters

The first ride lasts about 15 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the open-air ride without turning the transfer into the main event.

The initial swimming stop is described as a natural attraction or quiet local spot, with about 45 minutes for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and watching fish and other marine life. The exact place can change with conditions, which is useful rather than frustrating. The skipper can adjust the route if wind or sea conditions make another cove a better choice.

You will also receive welcome refreshments here. Since the tour includes several water stops, this first break gives you a chance to test the provided mask and snorkel before the schedule gets busier.

The water is the star of this part of the outing. Expect turquoise, clear sea and time to look below the surface. The description does not promise a particular species of fish or a full wildlife program, so think of this as a relaxed look at the Adriatic underwater world rather than a specialist snorkeling trip.

Ošljak, Croatia’s Smallest Inhabited Island

After another 15-minute boat ride, you reach Ošljak. The island is described as the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, and that fact gives the stop a distinct character. It is not simply another beach break.

Ošljak is covered by a park-forest of pines, cypresses, holm oaks, olive trees, and Mediterranean scrub. Those plants create shade and scent, while the compact setting gives you a sense of how closely village life and nature meet on small Dalmatian islands.

You have around 45 minutes here for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The stop is short, so you will need to choose your priority. If you want the best chance to swim, get changed and ready before the boat arrives. If you prefer the island’s character, use part of the time to look around rather than staying in the water the whole time.

This is one of the tour’s more interesting stops because it adds context to the sea views. You are not only moving from one pretty swimming place to another. You are also seeing a small inhabited island shaped by Mediterranean vegetation and centuries of local life.

Galevac and the Village of Preko

The next boat ride takes about 10 minutes and brings you toward Preko and Galevac. Here, you get the longest stop of the day, about one hour.

Galevac is surrounded by shallow sandy beaches, which makes it a pleasant place to spend more time near the shore. You can walk around the small island, take photographs, smell the Mediterranean herbs, and hear about the history of Dalmatia from your guide. Or you can make the hour mostly about swimming and snorkeling.

I like this part of the route because it gives you a choice. The tour is active, but it does not force every person to spend every minute in the sea. One person can take the island walk while another swims. In a small group, that flexibility is valuable.

The guide names associated with the company include Marin and Petar. Marin has been praised for being friendly, prepared, and good at explaining the area. Petar is also described as easygoing and fun to spend time with. Since the experience is conducted in English, you should be comfortable listening to English explanations during the walk and boat rides.

The one-hour stop can pass quickly. If you want both the walk and a swim, keep an eye on the time. Galevac is the place to make your own balance between culture and water.

A Final Secret Stop Before Zadar

After Galevac, the boat runs for about 10 minutes to another swimming location. This final stop lasts about 20 minutes and includes photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

The stop may change according to weather and sea conditions. That means the exact route is not fixed, but the purpose remains clear: one last chance to get in the water before returning to Zadar.

Twenty minutes is enough for a quick swim and a few photographs, but not enough for a long session. Have your mask and snorkel ready before arrival. The less time you spend searching through bags, the more time you have in the sea.

The skipper may also include additional natural attractions or quiet local spots when conditions permit. This flexibility is one of the better features of the trip. A fixed plan can look tidy on paper, but a local skipper who adjusts for weather can often give you a safer and more pleasant day.

Returning Past the Greeting to the Sun

The final speedboat ride takes about 10 minutes. Before returning to the starting point, the boat makes a short stop at Zadar’s Greeting to the Sun, a well-known waterfront installation.

You get about five minutes for photographs and sightseeing. That is brief, so do not expect a full visit or a long explanation. It works as a quick closing view of Zadar after several hours among the islands.

The tour then returns to Obala kneza Branimira 20A. With four hours total, the timing is compact: several short boat rides, three longer activity stops, one quick final swim, and the waterfront stop in Zadar.

What the $51 Price Really Covers

At $51 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want active time on the water rather than a formal cultural excursion. The price includes the boat, skipper and guide, fuel, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, passenger insurance, WiFi, refreshments, and use of the underwater GoPro camera.

The included boat fuel matters because speedboat tours can add costs through fuel or equipment charges. Here, those basics are included. Water and beer from the ice box are also provided, though you should not treat that as a full meal. Bring anything else you need for four active hours.

There is one extra charge to plan for: €5 per person for berthing, anchorage, and protected areas, paid in cash at check-in. Since the base price is listed in dollars and the extra fee is collected in euros, have small euro notes ready.

The value is strongest when you make use of the swimming and snorkeling equipment and enjoy the full island route. If you mainly want to sit on a boat and look at the coast, a slower sightseeing cruise may suit you better. This tour charges for movement and activity, not luxury seating or a long onboard meal.

The Pace, Boat Ride, and Weather Factor

The tour includes speedboat rides of 15, 15, 10, 10, and 10 minutes, along with several stops. This gives you variety, but it also creates a tight schedule. You will be boarding, disembarking, swimming, drying off, and moving again.

The speedboat is useful because it reaches several islands within half a day. You see more than you could by choosing one beach and staying there. The tradeoff is that the ride can feel brisk, and the boat may not offer the same level of comfort as a larger vessel.

Weather plays a real role. The route can be changed to make the experience safer and better, and extra natural attractions may be added if conditions permit. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

This flexibility is worth accepting. On the Adriatic, the prettiest plan is not always the best plan once wind and waves arrive. The skipper’s ability to alter the stops is a practical advantage.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would recommend this outing to an active adult who wants a compact taste of the Zadar archipelago. It works especially well if you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, short walks, photographs, and informal time with a small group.

You should have an intermediate activity level. The tour description specifically advises against booking if you have a low fitness level, back or heart problems, or if you are pregnant. Children under 10 and people over 55 are also listed as unsuitable for this experience.

Those limits are stricter than you may expect for a four-hour boat ride. Take them seriously. The repeated water stops and constant movement are the reason for the restrictions.

This is also a good choice if you value a guide who adapts the route. Marin has been praised for friendly explanations and good preparation, while Petar is known for a relaxed manner. The company’s strongest praise centers on the guides, clear communication, and the ability to show pleasant places based on the weather.

Practical Tips for a Better Morning or Afternoon

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes. You will have several opportunities to swim, and changing between stops could use up much of your limited time.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The supplied equipment covers snorkeling and safety, but the information does not state that towels or sun protection are provided.

Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or another secure case. You will have a GoPro underwater camera available, but you may still want your own phone for photographs at Ošljak, Galevac, and the Zadar waterfront.

Bring cash for the €5 fee at check-in. Also, arrive at the INA gas station before the scheduled departure because the speedboat has limited waiting time.

Finally, leave some room in your plan for weather changes. Do not schedule an important appointment immediately after the tour. The advertised length is four hours, but an adaptable sea route is best enjoyed without rushing away at the end.

Should You Book the Zadar Speedboat Tour?

Book it if you want clear Adriatic water, several island stops, and a busy half-day outdoors. The combination of Ugljan waters, tiny Ošljak, the walkable Galevac, snorkeling gear, refreshments, and a small group gives you a lot for $51, even after allowing for the €5 cash fee.

Skip it if you want a calm cruise, a long lunch, or a gentle sightseeing trip with little physical effort. The tour earns its value through activity, not relaxation.

For the right person, this is a smart way to meet the islands around Zadar without giving up a full day. Just arrive early, pack for the water, and be ready to follow the skipper’s weather-based plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is at the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 20A in Zadar.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts four hours, including boat rides, island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and the brief visit near the Greeting to the Sun.

How many people can join?

The small-group speedboat is limited to 11 participants.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and all required safety equipment are included.

Are refreshments included?

Yes. The boat has an ice box with water and beers, and welcome refreshments are provided during the tour.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. Fuel is included.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. Berthing, anchorage, and protected areas cost €5 per person, payable in cash at check-in.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The itinerary may be changed for safety and comfort. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should not book this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with low fitness levels, or people over 55.