Zadar: Three Islands Private Boat Tour

Leave the crowded boats behind. This four-hour private cruise from Zadar gives you a relaxed way to reach Galevac, Ošljak, and Ugljan, with time for swimming, snorkeling, island walks, and a taste of homemade anchovies in local olive oil. Captain Goran keeps the mood informal and adjusts the pace to suit your group.

I like the privacy and the freedom to decide where to linger. I also like the personal food touch: bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, and marinated or salted fish served with Goran’s own olive oil. The main consideration is that this is a compact four-hour outing, so you will see several places without having hours to explore any one island in depth.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to five people: The price is $282 per group, not per person, making it especially appealing for a family or small group.
• Galevac begins the island experience: You can see the 15th-century monastery of St. Paul and take a short, peaceful walk.
• Ošljak is the best stop for quiet coves: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, and a little unhurried island time.
• Kostanj adds a sandy beach: This beach cannot be reached by car, giving the final stop a more secluded feel.
• Captain Goran sets a friendly tone: He provides drinks, local snacks, island stories, and a flexible schedule.
• Bring your own beach basics: Sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel are specifically recommended.

Why this private Zadar cruise works so well

The great strength of this trip is its size. A private group of up to five people can avoid the fixed rhythm of a large excursion boat. You are not being moved from one stop to the next with dozens of other passengers, and you can tell Goran if you want more swimming, more time ashore, or a shorter stop.

That flexibility comes through clearly in the way the trip is run. Groups have arranged different starting times, and Goran has adapted the day to suit birthdays, family needs, and preferred swimming stops. One group even had a birthday cake and champagne organized, and smaller birthday parties can be arranged in advance.

You also get a real local connection. Goran is from the island area, and his stories come from personal familiarity rather than a script read over a loudspeaker. He points out places around the islands, explains what you are seeing, and lets you set the mood.

The boat trip carries a 5 out of 5 rating from 80 reviews, with repeated praise for Goran’s kindness, flexibility, food, and care. That does not mean every sea day will have perfect conditions, but it does suggest a steady level of service.

Leaving Port Foša and crossing toward the islands

The meeting point is Port Foša in Zadar, given as Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. From here, the boat begins with about 20 minutes of sightseeing on the water.

This opening stretch gives you a useful change of view. Zadar is best understood from the sea, where the old city and nearby islands begin to make sense as one connected setting. The trip is not only about getting from one beach to another. The short crossings give you time to sit back, watch the coastline, and enjoy the breeze.

The route can be affected by weather, so keep some flexibility in your day. Goran has contacted groups ahead of time when conditions looked uncertain and stayed in touch while deciding whether the trip could proceed. That sort of communication matters on a small boat, where wind and waves can affect comfort more quickly than they do on a large vessel.

Galevac and the St. Paul monastery

The first island stop is Galevac, also called Galovac or Školji in the itinerary. The crossing from Zadar is short, and the island feels calm almost immediately.

The key sight here is the 15th-century monastery of St. Paul. You have time for a guided visit, an aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling, with about 20 minutes allocated for the stop. That is enough to get a feel for the place, but it is not a long historical tour.

I would treat Galevac as a gentle opening stop rather than the main beach session. The monastery gives the cruise a cultural element, while the surrounding water offers a first chance to cool off. If your group is more interested in swimming than walking, tell Goran early. The private format lets him give more attention to your priorities.

The island is described as an oasis of peace, and that is the point. You are not coming here for a packed schedule of monuments. You are coming to slow down, look around, and enjoy a quiet island setting close to Zadar.

Preko on Ugljan: local food and flexible swimming time

The next stop is Preko on Ugljan, with about 40 minutes for a break, a guided look around, swimming, snorkeling, and food tasting. Preko also works as a hop-on, hop-off point in the route, though the exact use of that stop depends on the group and the day.

This is where the trip becomes more personal. Goran serves drinks and island food, including marinated and salted anchovies prepared with his own olive oil. Several groups specifically enjoyed the fish with bread, and some were surprised by how good the anchovies tasted even if they usually avoid them.

The food is simple, not a formal meal. Expect the kind of tasting that suits a boat: bread, fish, olive oil, tomatoes, and sometimes cheese or ham, along with drinks such as water, soft drinks, beer, wine, or cola. It is a small detail, but it changes the feel of the outing. You are not simply stopping at a beach and being sent back to the boat. You are getting a taste of what the islands produce.

The 40-minute stop will pass quickly if you want both food and swimming. I would not expect enough time for a full exploration of Preko. Think of it as a short island pause with a local snack, not a town tour.

Ošljak and its quiet coves

Ošljak is the longest island stop, with about one hour for walking, swimming, snorkeling, local snacks, and a guided introduction. This is likely to be the most satisfying stop if you want a mix of shore time and water time.

Ošljak has several small beaches and coves suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The appeal is not a long checklist of sights. It is the chance to find a calm place, get into clear water, and enjoy an hour without the pressure of a large-group schedule.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. Still, pack swimwear and a towel, and bring sunglasses and a sun hat for the time spent above water. The boat provides the gear, but your personal comfort items remain your responsibility.

Families have found the trip workable for children, including children as young as six, while older children and teenagers can enjoy the freedom to swim and snorkel. The boat has also suited a family of four with children aged 11 and 16. As with any boat outing, you should judge your own group’s comfort around open water, especially if someone is not a confident swimmer.

Kostanj, the sandy beach at the end

The final stop is Kostanj, a sandy beach in a cove that cannot be reached by car. You get about 50 minutes here for photographs, swimming, and snorkeling.

After the short island visits, this is the place to settle in. The sandy beach gives the tour a different texture from the rocky Croatian shorelines you may have seen elsewhere. If your group wants a straightforward beach break, Kostanj is likely to be the easiest stop to enjoy without much planning.

The 50-minute slot is long enough for a proper swim and some time on shore, but it is not an entire beach afternoon. You will need to keep an eye on the return time. The boat still has to make the final crossing back to Zadar, which takes about 25 minutes.

That final ride is part of the experience. You return after seeing several small islands, rather than spending the full four hours in one bay. The tradeoff is clear: this tour gives you variety and movement, while a longer beach charter would give you more time in one place.

Food, drinks, and the local touch

The homemade anchovies are one of the most distinctive parts of the trip. Goran serves marinated and salted fish in his own olive oil, usually with bread and other simple local foods. Some groups also enjoyed tomatoes, cheese, ham, sardines, and tuna.

This is not a polished food tour, and that is a good thing. The meal feels like a generous snack prepared by the person running the boat. It fits the setting and gives you something memorable to talk about after the swimming stops.

Drinks are included. Depending on the group, these have included beer, wine, cola, water, and other soft drinks. If you prefer a nonalcoholic outing, there are suitable choices. You can also connect your own music to the boat speaker, which adds a useful personal touch for a birthday, family afternoon, or relaxed group outing.

The food is not the reason to book the tour by itself. If you dislike fish, there may still be bread and other snacks, but anchovies are clearly part of the experience. I would consider this a bonus for anyone interested in local flavors, not a substitute for a full lunch.

How the timing feels over four hours

The route includes roughly:

• 20 minutes of sightseeing from Zadar
• 20 minutes at Galevac
• 40 minutes at Preko
• 10 minutes of cruising
• 1 hour at Ošljak
• 15 minutes of cruising
• 50 minutes at Kostanj
• 25 minutes back to Zadar

The schedule adds up to a busy but manageable half-day. You spend enough time at each place to swim or look around, but not enough to lose track of the route.

I like this balance for a first taste of the islands near Zadar. You see different types of shore: a monastery island, small coves, a settled island stop, and a sandy beach. If you prefer slow travel, you may find the number of stops a little brisk. If you want to maximize your time on the water, the variety is a major advantage.

The private setup helps soften the tight schedule. Goran has allowed groups to change the start time and shape the outing around their interests. Do not assume every stop can be extended indefinitely, but do speak up about what matters most to you.

Price and who gets the best value

At $282 per group of up to five, the price works out to about $56 per person for five people. For a full private boat, four hours of cruising, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and a guide, that is strong value for a small group.

For two people, the per-person cost is much higher. You are paying for privacy, not the cheapest seat on the water. I would choose it for a family, two couples, or a group of friends who want control over the pace and do not want to join a 50-person boat.

The price also makes more sense when you count the extras. Drinks are included, the equipment is provided, and you receive homemade local food rather than having to arrange every snack yourself. The boat is described as comfortable, and the small size allows Goran to give direct attention to your group.

This is not the right choice if your main goal is a long historical tour or a full day on one island. It is best for people who want a private coastal outing with several swim stops and a local host.

Practical details and limitations

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel. You should also consider a dry bag for phones and small valuables, though one is not listed as included.

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. Bikes are not allowed, so do not plan to bring bicycles aboard. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with epilepsy.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

The boat returns to the same Zadar location at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6. Since the tour starts and ends at Port Foša, it is practical for anyone already spending time in central Zadar.

Should you book the Zadar Three Islands Private Boat Tour?

I would book this tour if you have up to five people and want a relaxed half-day on the Adriatic without giving up control of your time. The best parts are Captain Goran’s warm service, the homemade anchovies and olive oil, the quiet coves around Ošljak, and the chance to swim at a sandy beach that cars cannot reach.

I would hesitate only if you want long visits on land, a formal history tour, or the lowest possible per-person price. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced Zadar outing that combines island scenery, swimming, snorkeling, simple local food, and the pleasure of having a small boat to yourselves.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Port Foša in Zadar, at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the sightseeing cruises and island stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to five people.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Galevac, Ošljak, and Ugljan, with time at Preko on Ugljan.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included, including local fish, bread, olive oil, and drinks such as water, soft drinks, beer, or wine.

What food can I expect?

The tour includes marinated and salted anchovies in homemade olive oil. Other food mentioned includes bread, tomatoes, cheese, ham, sardines, and tuna.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is offered at Galevac, Preko, Ošljak, and Kostanj, depending on conditions and the route.

Can the tour schedule be adjusted?

The private format allows the group to discuss preferences with the captain. Starting times have also been arranged flexibly, subject to availability.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I bring a bicycle?

No. Bikes are not allowed on the boat.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.