Island Adventure – Ugljan by Speedboat

Ugljan and Ošljak give you a quick taste of island life without asking you to spend a full day at sea. You race out from Zadar, stop for swims in clear coves, and spend time in Preko, where you can walk, eat, or simply order an ice cream. I especially like the small group of up to 10 and the chance to shape the outing with skipper Mario. The main thing to consider is that a speedboat ride can be lively and bumpy, so it is not a good match for people with back problems.

I also like the easy half-day timing. At $45 per person, the trip includes fuel, port fees, snorkeling gear, and drinks, which makes it a useful choice when you want sea time without paying for a long private charter. The tradeoff is limited time on land, so this is a sampler of Ugljan rather than a full island visit.

Key points at a glance

• Two island stops: See Ugljan and the smaller island of Ošljak during one four-hour outing.
• Swim and snorkel time: Recent trips included two swimming stops in clear water with rocky seabeds.
• Preko break: Use your time for a short walk, a meal, a swim, or an ice cream.
• Friendly skipper Mario: He combines local information with a relaxed, careful approach.
• Small-group setting: The boat holds no more than 10 participants, leaving room for a more personal pace.
• Useful inclusions: Fuel, port fees, snorkeling equipment, water, and drinks are part of the price.

Leaving Zadar for Ugljan by speedboat

The trip starts from Zadar’s harbor, with the departure point described as being just behind the gas station near the Old Town. If you come by bus, the Mala Posta stop is a useful landmark. That detail matters because Zadar’s waterfront can feel confusing when you are trying to find a boat among ferries, excursion vessels, and private craft.

Once aboard, you follow a professional skipper across the channel toward Ugljan. The speedboat makes the crossing quickly, giving you broad views of Zadar’s shoreline and the surrounding Adriatic water. You should expect wind and spray, especially if you sit at the front, so bring sun protection and keep anything sensitive to water secure.

The boat is not simply a taxi to the island. The ride itself is part of the experience, with changing views of the coast and islands. At the same time, speedboats are less gentle than ferries. If you have back problems, this trip is specifically listed as unsuitable, and even healthy passengers may prefer a seat with good support.

Preko, Ugljan’s easy first stop

Preko sits on the northern shore of Ugljan, directly across from Zadar. It is the island’s main port village, with stone buildings, narrow streets, beaches, and the practical services you need for a short break.

You will not have hours to cover every corner of Preko. Instead, the stop works well as a pause between boat rides and swimming. You can stretch your legs, look around the waterfront, buy an ice cream, or stop for food if the timing allows. One family used its time here for ice cream, while others have used the stop for a swim.

That flexibility is one of the better features of this outing. You are not forced into a formal walking tour or a fixed meal. If you want a little village time, Preko gives you that. If the water is calling, you can spend more of the break swimming.

The limit is simple: a four-hour trip cannot offer a deep visit to both Preko and the wider island. Think of Preko as a pleasant taste of Ugljan’s coastal life, not a complete cultural tour.

Swimming in Ugljan’s clear coves

The strongest part of the experience is likely to be the swimming. Recent outings included two swim stops in quiet coves, with clear water and rocky underwater areas that suit casual snorkeling.

The supplied equipment means you do not need to pack a mask and snorkel to take part. The water is described as turquoise and exceptionally clear, though the coves can still have other boats nearby during the busy summer months. You may not have a completely private bay, but the small boat and short stops allow you to reach places that feel more removed than Zadar’s main beaches.

Expect rocky seabeds rather than a broad, soft beach at every stop. Water shoes may be useful if you have sensitive feet, though they are not listed as an included item. The boat gives you access to the water, but you should be comfortable entering and climbing out of it.

Swimming time can also be affected by the group. With no more than 10 people, the boat remains manageable, but the skipper still needs to balance different wishes. Some people will want to snorkel, some will want to float, and others may prefer to stay aboard.

This is where the flexible style helps. Mario has been described as calm and careful, with an unhurried approach. The outing is not built around rushing from one photo stop to another. You get time to enjoy the water before moving on.

Ugljan’s beaches, stone villages, and olive groves

Ugljan is both the name of the island and one of its settlements. The island has a relaxed feel, traditional stone houses, seafront views, and a long connection with olive growing.

The beaches around the town include pebble and sandy stretches. Jadrtovac and Lučišće are noted as local beach areas, though the exact stop on your trip may vary because the outing is designed to remain flexible. You may see the coast from the water rather than spend time at each named beach.

The olive groves add a different side to the island. Ugljan’s Mediterranean climate supports olive cultivation, and local producers make olive oil. An olive oil tasting is mentioned as something you can do on the island, but it is not listed as an included part of this speedboat trip. Do not book this excursion expecting a formal tasting unless the skipper confirms it.

That distinction is important. The trip gives you a quick look at Ugljan’s natural and cultural character, but it does not promise a long inland walk, a farm visit, or a scheduled food experience. You get the island at a light, coastal pace.

St. Michael and the island’s high views

The Church of St. Michael sits on a hill above Ugljan, and the nearby Fortress of St. Michael offers views across the Zadar archipelago. These sites give the island more substance than a simple beach stop.

The church reflects Ugljan’s religious heritage, while the medieval fortress points to the island’s defensive past. Both are useful landmarks for understanding why the high ground mattered here. From above, you can look back toward Zadar and across the nearby islands.

There is an important practical catch: the four-hour speedboat schedule does not promise a full visit to the church or fortress. Reaching hilltop sites takes time, and the exact route depends on the skipper and group. If these places are your main reason for visiting Ugljan, you should plan a separate island visit.

If your goal is a pleasant first look, the sites still add context. You can see the island’s older character from the boat or during a short stop, rather than spending the entire outing on beaches.

Ošljak adds a smaller island feel

Ošljak is included alongside Ugljan, giving you a second island setting within the same half-day. It is a useful contrast to Preko, which functions as a port village with more services and activity.

The experience around Ošljak is best understood as a short island encounter rather than a detailed tour. You can expect the skipper to show you attractive coastal areas and explain something about where you are, but the supplied information does not promise a set walking route or a specific monument.

That lack of a rigid schedule is useful when sea conditions, swimming preferences, or the group’s mood call for a change. It also means you should not book this as a checklist tour with a guaranteed number of minutes at every point.

Mario’s guiding style matters

Skipper Mario is a major part of the outing. He is described as warm, funny, careful, and happy to share facts about the places you visit. His manner appears to suit a relaxed trip more than a formal sightseeing cruise.

One especially memorable family detail is that children were allowed to briefly take the wheel under supervision. That is not something you should assume is guaranteed, but it shows the personal tone of the trip. Another outing included water and local beer from a can, both useful touches on a warm day.

Safety also receives clear emphasis. Mario has been described as avoiding unnecessary risks and keeping the pace calm. A clean boat and well-kept equipment were also specifically noted. These details matter more than fancy extras on a short sea trip, because comfort and trust shape the whole outing.

The language of the tour is Croatian and English. That makes the experience workable for English-speaking visitors who want information along the way rather than a silent boat transfer.

Why the $45 price can be good value

At $45 per person, this is priced as an affordable half-day island outing rather than a private charter. The cost includes the skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, port fees, and drinks. Those included items reduce the small add-on costs that can make boat trips feel more expensive once you are underway.

The value is strongest if you want several things in one package: a fast crossing, island views, swim stops, snorkeling, and time in Preko. Booking separate transport and beach access would give you more control, but probably less guidance and less time in the water.

The price is less compelling if you want extensive sightseeing on land. Four hours passes quickly, and you will not have time for a detailed visit to every beach, olive grove, church, and fortress. For that, a full-day island plan would suit you better.

A small group also gives the price more weight. The boat is limited to 10 people, and the skipper can respond to the group instead of handling a large crowd. It is not a private tour, but it should feel more personal than a large excursion boat.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you have one free half-day in Zadar and want to get on the water without giving up an entire day. It fits couples, small groups of friends, and families who enjoy swimming and a flexible schedule.

Families should note that children aged 7 and 1.5 took part in one outing and were reported to have enjoyed the experience. That does not replace checking your own children’s comfort with a speedboat, but it provides useful context. The boat ride, boarding, and water access still require ordinary care.

This is also a good fit if you like a little local character with your swimming. Preko offers village life, while Ugljan brings beaches, stone houses, olive groves, and historic viewpoints.

I would hesitate if you dislike fast boat rides, need a very smooth crossing, or have back problems. I would also hesitate if you want guaranteed solitude. The coves can have other boats, especially in summer, even though the outing reaches quieter areas than the city waterfront.

Timing, flexibility, and what to bring

The total duration is four hours, with departure times depending on availability. That makes it easy to fit around a morning walk through Zadar or an evening meal, though you should leave enough room for the boat schedule rather than plan another tight appointment immediately afterward.

The route can be adapted to the group. You may spend more time swimming, take a longer pause in Preko, or focus on views and island stops. The exact order and length of each stop are not fixed in the information provided, so treat the outline as a guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone from spray. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, water, and drinks. If you plan to explore rocky shores, water shoes could make the experience more comfortable, though they are not included.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Zadar plans depend on weather or changing arrival times.

Should you book Island Adventure, Ugljan by Speedboat?

Book it if you want a friendly, flexible boat trip with swimming, snorkeling, island views, and a short stop in Preko. Mario’s calm style, the small group, and the included equipment make this a strong value at $45.

Skip it if your priority is a long historical visit, a formal olive oil tasting, or a completely smooth ride. For everyone else, this is an efficient way to trade Zadar’s streets for clear water and a few hours of island air without committing to a full-day excursion.

FAQ

How long is the Island Adventure, Ugljan by Speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

Where does the speedboat leave from?

It departs from Zadar’s harbor, near the Old Town. The meeting point is described as being directly behind the gas station, and the Mala Posta bus stop is nearby.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The experience includes Ugljan and Ošljak.

Is Preko included?

Yes. The route includes time in Preko, the main port village on Ugljan.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The trip includes swimming stops, and recent outings included two stops for swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

What drinks are included?

Drinks are included. The trip information also specifies water and mentions local beer being served on outings.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks Croatian and English.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. People with back problems should not take this tour because of the speedboat ride.

What is included in the $45 price?

The price includes the professional skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, port fees, and drinks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.