Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić Islands Private Boat Tour

The smallest inhabited island in Croatia is the star of this trip. From Zadar, you speed across to car-free Ošljak, where pine shade, clear water, old windmills and a tiny church make a fine break from the city. You then add Školjić and Ugljan, three islands in one compact outing.

I like the private boat and the generous swim time. You are not tied to a large group, and the skipper can stop at several coves rather than simply ferrying you from one port to another. I also like the mix of sea time and village life, including an optional snack at a local fishing restaurant.

The main drawback is the clock. Four hours passes quickly, and you may wish for more than the roughly three hours shared among the islands. Bring a towel, water, sunscreen and waterproof shoes, and remember that this is not a good fit if you have back or mobility problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Ošljak is car-free and very small: Expect a quiet walk, pine shade, old olive groves, 19th-century windmills and a church said to date from the fifth or sixth century.
• Three islands are packed into four hours: You get swimming and snorkeling at Ošljak, Školjić and Ugljan, but this is a highlights trip rather than a slow island stay.
• A private group changes the feel: The boat is reserved for your group of up to two at the listed price of $294.
• Ugljan adds local flavor: Finish with an optional snack and local wine at a fishing-village restaurant.
• Afternoon trips add sunset views: Morning, midday and afternoon departures are available, with the late trip offering sunset watching from the boat.
• Skipper Toni has earned warm praise: His friendly, discreet manner and clean, fast boat helped make one recent outing especially enjoyable.

Why this short island trip works from Zadar

Zadar is already a good base for the northern Dalmatian islands, but reaching them independently can take planning. This tour keeps things simple: meet at Marina Tankerkomerc, board a speedboat, and let the skipper handle the route, fuel and return trip.

You spend about 25 minutes crossing to the islands and about 35 minutes coming back. That leaves roughly three hours for stops, walks, swimming, snorkeling and the village visit. The boat ride is not just transport. It gives you a brisk view of the Adriatic and lets you cover more ground than a walking tour based in Zadar.

The private format is the big value point. At $294 for a group of up to two, the cost works out to $147 per person if two people share it. That is not a budget outing, but you are paying for a private boat rather than a seat on a crowded shared excursion. You also have a skipper, English-speaking guide, fuel, lifejackets, masks and insurance included.

The best comparison is not simply the ticket price. Ask yourself how much you value privacy, speed and several island stops. If you want a full day at one beach, this is too short. If you have only half a day in Zadar and want a taste of island life without arranging ferries, it makes more sense.

Starting at Marina Tankerkomerc

You meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar. This is a practical starting point because you do not need to travel out to a distant island ferry terminal.

Once aboard, you should expect the movement and open-air feel of a speedboat, not the stillness of a large passenger vessel. The boat is described as fast and clean, with lifejackets provided. Masks are included for snorkeling, but you need to bring your own swimwear, towel, drinks and snacks.

Pack lightly. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and waterproof shoes will make the day easier. Waterproof shoes are particularly useful when moving between the boat, rocky edges and beaches, though the supplied information does not promise that every stop has a sandy shoreline.

The tour is available in the morning, around midday or in the afternoon. Choose the morning if you want to start fresh and keep the rest of the day open. The afternoon trip is the most atmospheric choice because you can watch the sunset from the boat, but late-day light also means less flexibility if you want long swims at every stop.

Ošljak: a small island with old details

Ošljak gives the tour its strongest sense of place. It is car-free and sparsely populated, so the visit is less about checking off sights and more about slowing down for a short walk through a quiet settlement.

Your guide explains the island’s history while you look around. The scale matters here. Ošljak is not a large destination with a long list of attractions. Its appeal comes from small details: pine trees beside the water, old olive groves, a little church, and the remains of an olive oil press.

You can also see 19th-century windmills. These details help you picture the island as a working community rather than just a swimming stop. The church is said to date from the fifth or sixth century, which gives the island an unusually old thread for such a brief visit.

The beach time is just as important. You can find a shaded place beneath the pines, relax by the water, or use the included mask to look for marine life. The swimming conditions described for the tour include clear water, though water temperature can vary. One May outing was described as quite cold, so pack a towel and do not assume every season will feel warm.

Ošljak is also where the tour’s pace becomes clear. You may get a stop for a swim, a short walk and a look at the historic details, but you will not have time to linger over every corner. One four-hour outing managed four snorkeling stops, yet the group still wished it had seen more different places. That is useful information: the skipper can fit in several pauses, but you will have to choose between longer swims and more stops.

Školjić: a calm pause by the monastery

The smaller island of Školjić adds a different mood. Instead of focusing only on beaches, you walk toward a Franciscan monastery and can visit its museum.

The museum contains a copy of the Holy Bible from the 15th century. That is a specific and worthwhile detail, especially if you enjoy small religious and cultural sites more than a day made entirely of sunbathing. The visit also gives the boat trip some variety. After time on the water, a short walk and a historic building help break up the afternoon.

You can also relax near the pier or at a sandy beach with shallow, clear water. Shallow water is useful for families and less confident swimmers, and the tour is suitable for children aged three and above. Still, parents should remember that this is an active boat outing. Children need to be watched around the water and while boarding, even with lifejackets available.

Školjić will not suit you if you expect a long museum visit or a full historical tour. The four-hour schedule leaves room for a brief stop, not an extended cultural program. Think of it as a quiet island interlude paired with a swim.

Ugljan: swimming, snorkeling and a fishing village

Ugljan is the larger island in the group and gives the outing room to spread out. The schedule allows about three hours for the island portion of the trip, including sightseeing, walking, swimming, snorkeling and marine-life viewing across the stops.

This is where you are most likely to shape the experience around your own interests. If you want to spend more time in the water, bring your mask and take advantage of the included snorkeling gear. If you prefer land, use the time for a village walk, a look at the shoreline or a relaxed stop in the shade.

The final food stop is one of the tour’s most appealing touches. You head to one of Ugljan’s villages and can eat at a local fisherman’s restaurant. Lunch is optional and not included, so bring money if you want to order food. Local wine is also available to try, giving you a simple way to connect the boat trip with the island’s everyday life.

Do not expect a formal food tour. The supplied details promise a snack at a typical fishing restaurant, not a set menu or tasting course. That is part of the appeal if you prefer an informal stop, but it also means you should bring your own drinks and snacks in case you want something between swims or choose not to eat at the restaurant.

What the private boat adds

A private group of up to two is a strong choice for couples or friends who want the boat to themselves. You avoid the fixed rhythm of a large group and can focus on swimming, walking or taking photos.

The skipper and guide provide the route and local background, while the private setup gives the outing a more personal feel. Skipper Toni is specifically praised for being friendly and discreet, and the boat was described as fast and clean. Those qualities matter on a short trip because a poor boat or an overbearing host can take up too much of your limited time.

At the same time, private does not mean unlimited flexibility. The tour still has a four-hour duration and a planned return to Zadar. You can expect the skipper to balance several stops, the crossing times and the village visit. If you want a completely custom day with long stays at one island, ask about a longer option rather than assuming this half-day trip can be stretched.

The boat’s speed is useful because it gives you three islands in one outing. The tradeoff is that speedboats can feel bumpy, particularly for anyone with back trouble. People with mobility impairments or back problems are advised not to take this activity.

Swimming, snorkeling and what to pack

Water time is central to the experience, so pack for the beach rather than treating this as a sightseeing cruise. You should bring:

• Swimsuit and beach towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Waterproof shoes
• Your own drinks and snacks
• A waterproof container for small personal items, if you have one

Lifejackets and diving masks are supplied. You do not need to bring your own snorkeling mask unless you prefer a personal fit. The tour includes marine-life viewing, but it does not promise a particular species or special underwater site.

The three-island format gives you several chances to swim. Ošljak offers secluded beach time and pine shade. Školjić offers shallow water near the pier and a sandy beach. Ugljan adds more time for swimming and snorkeling as part of the longer island section.

Water conditions are not guaranteed to feel warm. A May trip was described as cold, so the season matters. In cooler weather, the boat ride back may feel chilly after a swim. A dry layer or extra towel is a sensible addition, even though only swimwear is formally listed as essential.

Who should book this four-hour outing

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends and small families who want a private taste of the islands without committing to a full day. It is especially useful if you are staying in Zadar and want to combine fast transport, swimming and a little local history.

It also suits you if you like variety. In four hours, you can see a car-free island, an old church, windmills, an olive press, a monastery, a museum, several beaches and a fishing village. You will not study each place in detail, but you will get a broad sample of island life.

Families with children aged three and above can book, provided they are comfortable with a speedboat and active beach stops. The shallow water at Školjić is a plus, while the optional food stop gives you a chance to pause on land.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, have back problems, need step-free access, or want a slow beach day. I would also think twice if the $294 group price feels high for four hours. The value depends on filling the private boat with two people and making good use of the stops.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book the Ugljan island boat tour?

Book it if you want three islands, several swims and a private boat in a single half-day. The old details on Ošljak, the monastery on Školjić and the fishing-village stop on Ugljan give the trip more character than a simple coastal cruise.

Skip it if you need a full day, guaranteed warm water or a detailed historical tour. Four hours is enough for a lively sample, not enough for a thorough visit to all three islands. For two people who value privacy and convenience, the $294 price can be fair. For solo visitors or anyone mainly seeking a cheap swim, it is harder to justify.

The afternoon departure is the most appealing choice if you want sunset views from the boat. For the best balance of swimming and sightseeing, choose a time that leaves you comfortable with the pace and bring everything you need before leaving Marina Tankerkomerc.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet 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 outward speedboat ride takes about 25 minutes, and the return ride takes about 35 minutes.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The tour visits Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group activity for up to two people at the listed group price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Diving masks are included, along with the boat, skipper, guide, lifejackets, insurance and fuel.

Is food included?

No. Lunch or a snack at a local fisherman’s restaurant is optional and must be paid for separately. You should also bring your own drinks and snacks.

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.