Zadar Islands: Private Hidden Treasures Speedboat Tour

The best part of this private Zadar boat tour is the freedom to shape the day around the sea. Your skipper takes you through the Zadar archipelago toward Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan, with time for quiet bays, snorkeling, and long swims instead of a fixed parade of sightseeing stops.

I like the personal service, especially when the skipper is Marija, Lovre, or Roko, and I like the mix of wild coast and real island villages. The main catch is the extra €160 fuel charge per group, paid in cash, plus the chance of a choppy ride if the wind picks up.

Key points

• Private boat for up to two people: You are not sharing the day with a large sightseeing group.
• Three island areas: The route includes Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan, with views toward Rava, Žut, and Sit.
• Swimming drives the schedule: You can stop several times in clear water, including sandy bays and a sheltered cove near Iž.
• Village time adds local flavor: Pause for coffee, ice cream, a cold drink, or lunch in Iž.
• Seven hours on the water: The tour includes roughly one hour out, five hours among the islands, and one hour back.
• Budget carefully: The listed price is $329 for a group of up to two, but fuel costs another €160 in cash.

A private day across the Zadar archipelago

This is not mainly a history tour or a fast checklist of monuments. It is a day built around the Adriatic itself: clear water, small sandy coves, olive trees, pine shade, and the pleasure of moving between islands by speedboat.

You meet at the supplier’s office at Marina Tankerkomerc, Ivana Meštrovića 3, in Zadar. From there, your skipper takes you out through the Zadar channel and around Ugljan toward the more distant islands.

The route covers about seven hours. The published timing allows roughly one hour in each direction and about five hours for swimming, walking, snorkeling, village visits, and photo stops. Since the boat is private, you can spend more time in the places that suit you and less time in those that do not.

That flexibility matters. If you want a long swim, you can ask for it. If you prefer a coffee stop in an island village, you have room for that too. The tour can last beyond six hours at no extra charge if the day and schedule allow, although you should plan on a full seven-hour outing.

Speeding past Ugljan toward Dugi Otok

The first hour is the transport portion, but it is also one of the most scenic stretches. You pass through the Zadar channel and around Ugljan, with open views across the island chain.

A speedboat is a practical choice here. It lets you cover more water than a slower boat and reach bays that would be difficult to include on a short island trip. You spend less of the day simply getting from one place to another.

There is a tradeoff. Speedboats can feel lively, particularly when the wind rises. One couple found the return journey more jolting in windy conditions, though it did not spoil the day. If you are sensitive to motion, bring the basics that help you stay comfortable and ask your skipper about sea conditions at the start.

The boat has a canopy, which gives you a place to get out of direct sun. Still, this is an exposed day on the water. Wear a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and bring a beach towel and water shoes.

Dugi Otok and the sandy bay under olive trees

Dugi Otok is the first major pause. You get a short break to experience the slower pace of island life, with the option of an ice cream, coffee, or cold drink.

The stop is useful because it breaks up the boat ride. Rather than rushing from one swimming spot to another, you get a little time on land and a taste of the island rhythm. Keep expectations modest: this is a brief village pause, not a long cultural tour.

Afterward, the boat heads to a small sandy bay near Dugi Otok. The setting is simple and appealing, with wild vegetation, turquoise water, and olive trees along the shore. You can rest beneath the trees, sit under the boat’s canopy, or swim from the beach and boat.

Sandy bays are a welcome change from the rocky shore found in much of the Adriatic. The shallow water makes this stop good for relaxed swimming and casual beach time. It also gives you a chance to use the snorkeling equipment supplied with the tour.

The word private needs a little context. The tour is private, but the coast itself is not guaranteed to be empty. Conditions, weather, and other boats can affect how secluded a bay feels. Still, traveling with only your own group gives you a far better chance of enjoying a quiet stop than a large, fixed excursion would.

Island views on the way to Iž

The crossing toward Iž is part of the pleasure of the trip. You see the scattered islands of the Zadar archipelago, including Rava, Ugljan, Žut, and Sit.

These views make the route feel like more than a transfer between swimming stops. You get a sense of how many islands fill this stretch of the Adriatic, and how different the experience can be from the mainland city only a short boat ride away.

Your skipper is an important part of this section. Lovre, for example, was praised for explaining local life, culture, and food. Roko was appreciated for finding a good balance between privacy and local information. Marija was described as especially friendly and kind, with a talent for finding attractive places to swim and eat.

The exact skipper depends on availability, so you should not assume you will have one particular person. The experience works best when you use the private format to ask questions, request a longer swim, or adjust the pace.

Swimming and snorkeling off Iž

Near Iž, the boat stops in a secluded bay where you can swim and snorkel directly from the boat. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing if your main goal is time in the water.

The supplied snorkeling equipment means you do not need to bring a mask and fins, though bringing your own is fine if you prefer a particular fit. Lifejackets are included as well. You can look for marine life below the surface, then climb back aboard for shade and a rest.

The boat also has a sound system, which can add a relaxed holiday feel during a quiet cove stop. Use it with consideration for anyone else nearby. One advantage of a private boat is that you can choose the mood instead of following a group leader’s schedule.

Swimming here is from the boat rather than necessarily from a wide beach. That gives you clear access to the water but may not suit someone who wants an easy, gradual entry. For children, the tour is listed as suitable from age three, and lifejackets are included. Parents should still decide if a full day on a speedboat and repeated boat-to-water access fits their child.

A break in Iž village

Iž village offers a change of scene from the coves. It is presented as a traditional Croatian island village, and it gives you a chance to walk, have a drink, or stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

This is where the tour gains some local character. You are not only looking at the islands from offshore. You can step into an inhabited community and see the quieter side of Croatian island life.

Lunch is optional and costs extra. This is important because the price does not include food or drinks. Bring your own snacks and beverages, as advised, even if you plan to eat at the restaurant.

The lunch stop deserves a little caution. A past visit involved a restaurant recommendation where the available choices did not match the menu and only expensive beef or fish dishes were offered. The meal was considered good, but the diners felt overcharged. I would ask your skipper about the current menu and prices before ordering, then choose freely.

That issue does not cancel out the value of the village stop. It simply means you should treat lunch as an optional purchase, not an automatic part of the tour. If you want tighter control over spending, pack your own food and order only a coffee or drink.

Ugljan’s shallow white-sand bay

The final stop is on the uninhabited side of Ugljan Island. Here, the attraction is shallow water, pale sand, and space for simple beach games.

This stop works well late in the day because it is easygoing. You can swim without making the whole visit about snorkeling, sit under pine trees, or rest in the olive gardens before heading back to Zadar.

The combination of sand and shallow water may be especially welcome for families. It is also a good place to dry off and slow down after several hours of boat travel. You should still bring water shoes because shorelines and seabeds can vary, even at sandy beaches.

The word uninhabited refers to this side of the island, not to a promise that nobody else will ever be there. The appeal is the natural setting and lack of a village at the stop, not a guaranteed private island.

What the $329 price really means

The listed price is $329 per group of up to two people. For a couple, that works out to about $164.50 each before the fuel charge. The additional €160 fuel surcharge, payable in cash per group, changes the calculation significantly.

Together, the listed price and fuel charge make this a higher-cost day than a standard shared boat trip. You are paying for privacy, a private skipper, flexible stops, a longer route, snorkeling gear, bottled water, insurance, and the ability to avoid a large group.

For two people who want a quiet day and value control over the schedule, the cost can make sense. You can spend more time swimming, choose your own pace, and include both island villages and natural bays. A private boat is also useful if you do not want to follow a fixed route.

For a solo visitor, the price is harder to justify because the charge is per group rather than per seat. With more than two people, confirm the group limit before booking, since the stated rate covers up to two people.

You should also budget for lunch, coffee, ice cream, drinks, and snacks. Bring cash for the fuel surcharge, and do not assume that bottled water means all refreshments are supplied. Your own drinks and food are recommended.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this tour if you want swimming to be the main event but still want a little island culture along the way. It suits couples, friends, and small families who prefer a private boat to a crowded excursion.

It is also a strong choice if you enjoy variety. The day includes open-water cruising, sandy beaches, rocky island scenery, snorkeling, village time, and a restaurant option. You are not stuck on one beach for seven hours.

You may want a different experience if your priority is a detailed historical tour, a structured cultural program, or guaranteed calm water. The guide can share local insight, but the focus remains on the sea and the islands.

This is also not the right pick if you dislike speedboat movement or strong sun. The canopy helps, but you should expect to spend most of the day outdoors. Wind can make the return trip rougher, and the boat ride is part of the experience rather than a minor transfer.

What to bring for seven hours outside

Pack a sun hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and water shoes. Bring your own drinks and snacks, even if you plan to stop for food.

Bottled water, snorkeling gear, and lifejackets are included. The boat also has a canopy, but shade is limited compared with a building or large covered vessel.

Keep your packing simple and secure. You will move between boat and shore, so a small bag is easier to manage than bulky luggage. Cash is essential for the €160 fuel surcharge, and you may also need it for village purchases or lunch.

The tour is conducted in English, and the guide acts as both skipper and local host. The exact person may be Marija, Lovre, Roko, or another member of the operator’s team.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Zadar schedule.

The meeting point is the supplier’s office at Marina Tankerkomerc, Ivana Meštrovića 3. Check the available start time when booking because departure times vary.

The activity is listed as seven hours, with a minimum duration of six hours and the possibility of staying out longer at no extra cost. The actual timing depends on the route, sea conditions, and how long you choose to spend at each stop.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 27 reviews, with transport receiving a 92 percent perfect score. The strongest praise centers on the skippers, the clear water, the private feel, and the chance to reach quiet swimming spots that are harder to visit on a standard group boat.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, water-focused day and are happy to pay for flexibility. The best reasons are the several swimming stops, the route through Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan, and the chance to mix natural coves with a traditional island village.

Before booking, add the €160 fuel charge to your budget, bring your own food and sun protection, and ask about lunch prices before ordering. If wind and boat movement concern you, check the forecast and speak with the operator.

For a couple seeking clear water, quiet bays, and a personal skipper, this is a strong way to see more of the Zadar islands in one day. For anyone mainly seeking monuments or a low-cost boat ride, the price and sea time may not be the best fit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the supplier’s office at Marina Tankerkomerc, Ivana Meštrovića 3, in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is scheduled for seven hours. It has a minimum duration of six hours and can last longer for your enjoyment at no extra cost.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed price is for a private group of up to two people.

Which islands are included?

The route travels through the Zadar channel toward Dugi Otok and includes stops around Dugi Otok, Iž, and Ugljan. You also see islands including Rava, Žut, and Sit along the way.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swimming is a central part of the tour, with several possible stops in clear water, including sandy bays and a secluded bay near Iž.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and lifejackets are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch, drinks, snacks, ice cream, and coffee are not included. You can bring your own food and drinks or choose to eat at a local restaurant in Iž.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €160 fuel surcharge applies per group and must be paid in cash.