Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić Islands Private Boat Tour

Three islands, four hours, and plenty of sea time. This private boat trip from Zadar makes a fine escape from the city, especially if you want swimming, snorkeling, and small-island scenery without joining a large group. I like the mix of quiet beaches and simple local sights, including Ošljak’s old olive press, small church, and 19th-century windmills. I also like that the boat takes you to three islands in one outing, with time for a village snack on Ugljan.

The main catch is the clock. Four hours pass quickly, and the islands offer more than you can reasonably see in a half-day. One booking enjoyed four snorkeling stops but still wished for more variety, while another guest said the trip went so fast they wished they had booked a full-day tour. Bring a towel, water, sunscreen, and sensible footwear, then let the skipper handle the route.

Key points to know before you book

• A private speedboat keeps the outing flexible: You travel with your own group, rather than waiting for a large crowd to board or move between stops.
• Ošljak is car-free and very small: Its quiet lanes, pine shade, old olive press, windmills, and historic church give the first stop a calm village feel.
• Three separate swimming areas add variety: You can swim and snorkel around Ošljak, Školjić, and Ugljan, with coves and shallow water included in the plan.
• Ugljan adds a local food stop: A village fisherman’s restaurant offers an optional snack and local wine, though the meal is not included.
• Afternoon departures can include sunset views: Morning and midday departures suit swimmers, while the afternoon option adds a pleasant finish from the boat.
• The trip is best for active, mobile visitors: Children age three and older can join, but the boat and shore stops are not suitable for people with back or mobility problems.

Leaving Zadar from Marina Tankerkomerc

You meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar. This is a practical departure point because the marina puts you straight beside the water, with no long transfer before the boat ride begins.

The first run by speedboat takes about 25 minutes. That is enough time to feel the city fade behind you, but not so long that the crossing becomes tiring. The boat is described as clean and fast, and fuel, insurance, lifejackets, masks, and the skipper are included in the price.

A private boat matters here. You are not simply being carried to one fixed beach and back. The route links several small islands, and the skipper can show you different places for swimming and snorkeling during the three-hour island portion. The exact balance of stops can vary, so think of this as a flexible island outing rather than a rigid sightseeing cruise.

The ride can be brisk. If you have back trouble, this is not the right way to reach the islands. The same is true if you have limited mobility, since boat access, beaches, and village walks can require steady movement.

Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island

Ošljak is the first major reason to book this trip. It is car-free and sparsely populated, so the pace changes as soon as you step ashore. Instead of streets filled with traffic, you get a small settlement, pine shade, and paths leading toward the island’s old features.

Your guide explains the history of the settlement, then you have time to walk and explore. One unusual sight is a small church said to date from the fifth or sixth century. The wording matters: this is a traditional date connected with the church, not a promise of a large, fully restored monument. The appeal is its age and setting, not a long indoor tour.

You can also look for 19th-century windmills and an old olive oil press tucked among the olive groves. These details help you picture how island life once worked. They are modest sights, but that is part of Ošljak’s charm. You are not ticking off grand attractions. You are seeing the remains of a working island community.

The island also offers time for a secluded beach stop. Pine trees provide shade, while the water gives you a chance to snorkel and look for marine life. Bring your own mask if you have a favorite fit, but diving masks are included with the trip.

Ošljak may be the most rewarding stop for anyone who likes quiet places and small details. It may feel too brief if you want a long walk or a serious history visit. Four hours must cover three islands, so your time on shore is designed for a short wander, a swim, or both.

Školjić and the Franciscan monastery

The boat then continues to the smaller island of Školjić. The ride between stops is part of the pleasure, but it also uses some of your limited time. The listed return ride takes about 35 minutes, so the route is built around a few carefully chosen island stops rather than a full circuit of every corner.

Školjić gives the trip a different mood. You can stroll to a Franciscan monastery and visit its museum, which contains a copy of the Holy Bible from the 15th century. This is the most clearly cultural stop on the outing, although you should not expect a large museum complex.

After the monastery, you can relax near the pier or head to a sandy beach. The shallow, clear water makes this stop especially appealing for a gentle swim. It may also work well for families with children age three and above, provided everyone is comfortable with the boat ride and shore access.

The contrast with Ošljak is useful. Ošljak offers old island features, olive groves, and a small settlement. Školjić brings a monastery, museum, pier, and sandy beach. Together, they make the trip feel like more than a series of identical swim stops.

Still, keep your expectations in check. The tour includes the monastery and museum as part of the visit, but the supplied details do not promise a long guided museum tour or extended time inside. The main focus remains the sea, the islands, and time outside.

Ugljan combines swimming with village life

Ugljan is the largest island stop on this route and gives the outing its widest range of activities. You can walk through a village, swim, snorkel, watch marine life, take photographs, and stop for food. The itinerary allows about three hours around Ugljan and the nearby islands, so this is where the day’s rhythm takes shape.

The best part is the choice. You might prefer a quiet cove and several swims. You might want to stroll through the village and see how the local setting feels away from Zadar. Or you might spend less time in the water and more time over a snack at a fisherman’s restaurant.

Food is optional and not included in the tour price. That gives you control over spending, but you should bring your own drinks and snacks in case you prefer not to stop for a meal or need something between swims. If you do eat at the restaurant, local wine adds a distinctly Dalmatian touch.

The village stop is valuable because it adds ordinary island life to a boat trip that could otherwise become one long beach break. You get a chance to sit, taste something local, and walk around without a timetable built entirely around swimming.

The tradeoff is that food takes time. If you want four snorkeling stops, a beach break, a village walk, and a restaurant meal, you may feel rushed. A past booking managed four snorkeling stops and still wanted more different locations. That is a useful warning: decide before departure if your priority is water time, island sights, or lunch.

What swimming and snorkeling are really like

This trip is made for getting into the sea. You stop at three islands, with secluded beaches, coves, a pier area, and shallow water all part of the plan. The boat carries masks, so you can look for marine life without arranging separate equipment.

I would pack swimwear, a beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Waterproof shoes are also a smart choice, since rocky or uneven access can be uncomfortable in bare feet. The tour information specifically asks you to bring drinks and snacks, so do not assume a café will be available at every stop.

Water conditions can change. One booking noted that it was very cold, which is a reminder that the sea may not feel warm simply because the calendar says summer. The tour can still be enjoyable if you like boat scenery and short shore walks, but cold-sensitive swimmers should plan accordingly.

The boat itself is part of the attraction. A fast, clean vessel gets you across the channels quickly, leaving more of the four-hour window for island time. It also gives you open-water views that a slow ferry does not provide. The downside is a firmer ride, especially for anyone with back problems.

Morning, midday, or afternoon?

You can choose a morning, midday, or afternoon departure, depending on availability. Each timing suits a different kind of day.

A morning trip is a good pick if you want to make swimming the main event and still have the rest of the day in Zadar. You can visit the islands before the strongest afternoon heat and have dinner back in town.

A midday departure gives you a classic half-day outing. It breaks up a city sightseeing schedule and leaves room for a relaxed evening. Pack more water and sun protection for this slot, since you may spend the brightest hours on the boat or beach.

The afternoon option has one special advantage: you can watch the sunset from the boat. That can make the ride back feel less like a transfer and more like the final scene of the trip. If sunset matters to you, confirm the departure time when you book, since the seasonal timing is not stated.

The boat returns to Marina Tankerkomerc after about four hours. Because the route includes a 25-minute outbound crossing and a 35-minute return crossing, you should think of the tour as a compact coastal sampler. It is not a full island day.

Is $294 good value for two people?

The listed price is $294 per group of up to two people. That is a meaningful amount for a four-hour outing, but the right comparison is not simply the cost of a standard ticket. You are paying for a private group, a speedboat, a professional skipper, fuel, insurance, lifejackets, and snorkeling masks.

For two people who value privacy, the price can make sense. You can avoid a crowded boat, choose how much time to spend swimming, and receive a more personal route around three islands. The cost is less compelling if you mainly want transportation to one beach or do not plan to swim.

The optional restaurant stop is another cost to plan. Lunch or a snack is not included, and local wine is extra. Bring your own food if you want to keep the budget controlled.

The score of 4.8 from 44 ratings, along with an 86 percent perfect score for the transport, points to a strong record for the boat and overall outing. The praise centers on a clean, fast boat, friendly skippers, and attractive swimming stops. The clearest limitation is not poor service. It is the short duration and the number of possible stops competing for your time.

Who will enjoy this private island tour?

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and small families who want an active break from Zadar. It suits you if you like swimming, short walks, small historic sights, and the freedom of a private boat.

Children age three and older are allowed, but parents should consider the speedboat ride, sun exposure, and shore access. The shallow water at Školjić is a useful feature, though the tour is still not designed as a fully accessible beach outing.

This is also a good choice for anyone who dislikes large group excursions. The private format lets your group enjoy a quieter pace, although the four-hour limit still places a natural boundary on how much you can see.

You may want a different tour if you prefer a long lunch, extensive museum time, or a full day on the water. The person who wants one beach and several hours of lounging may find the island hopping too active. The person who wants four separate snorkeling stops may find the route too short.

Skipper Toni has been praised for being friendly and showing beautiful places, while another skipper was appreciated for being pleasant and discreet. Staff can change, but the comments suggest that the human side of the trip is one of its strengths.

Practical packing and comfort advice

Pack light, but bring the items that make a hot boat day easier:

• Swimwear and a beach towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Waterproof shoes
• Your own drinks and snacks
• A phone or camera with protection from spray

Lifejackets are provided, and insurance is included. Snorkeling masks are also supplied. The tour is conducted in English, so you should be comfortable following instructions and explanations in that language.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zadar plans are still shifting. These policies are useful, but the bigger planning question is weather and sea comfort. A speedboat trip is best enjoyed when you are ready for sun, wind, and a lively ride.

Should you book the Ugljan, Ošljak, and Školjić tour?

Book it if you want a private, active half-day on the Adriatic. The route gives you three islands, several chances to swim and snorkel, a car-free village setting, a monastery, old island features, and an optional local food stop. That is a lot of variety in four hours.

I would book the afternoon departure for sunset, or the morning departure if swimming is your main goal. I would also decide in advance how you want to use your time. Tell the skipper if you care most about snorkeling, beach time, village food, or island sights.

Skip it if you need a gentle, accessible outing or if four hours will feel too short. If your schedule and budget allow, a full-day trip may suit you better. For everyone else, this is a lively and personal way to see the islands just offshore from Zadar without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

The meeting point is in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours. The speedboat ride to the islands takes around 25 minutes, and the return ride takes around 35 minutes.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Ugljan, Ošljak, and Školjić.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience, with the listed price covering a group of up to two people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch or a snack at a local fisherman’s restaurant is optional and costs extra. You can also bring your own drinks and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Diving masks are included. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and waterproof shoes.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and above can join. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.