From Zadar: Ugljan Beach and Villages Private Sailboat Tour

The best part of this private sailing day is the freedom to shape it as you go. You can spend more time swimming in a quiet bay, head ashore for a village walk, or linger over lunch instead of following a rigid sightseeing schedule. The trip also includes snorkeling and fishing gear, so the water is not just something you look at from the deck.

I like two things in particular: the small private group of up to eight and the calm, capable approach of skippers such as Sascha and Dario. You get a full day on the water without paying per person, and the captain can adjust the route to suit your group. The main drawback is that food and drinks are not included, so you need to budget for lunch and bring water for the boat.

At a glance: what makes this sailing day worthwhile

• A private boat for up to eight people: The $397 group price makes the most sense for families or friends traveling together.
• Real flexibility on Ugljan: You can focus on swimming, snorkeling, fishing, village walks, lunch, or a mix of all five.
• A choice of island stops: The plan may include Ošljak or local villages on Ugljan, depending on your preferences.
• A skipper who shapes the day: Sascha and Dario are praised for being friendly, relaxed, and good at timing the outing.
• A scenic finish: The return includes broad views of the islands, Zadar’s old town, and a complimentary drink during the sunset period.

Leaving Zadar at 9:00

Your day begins at 9:00 at the pier beside the gas station at Obala Kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar. This is a practical meeting point near the waterfront, but give yourself enough time to find the exact pier and arrive ready to board. You will have a short welcome meeting before setting off.

The first crossing takes you across the Zadar Channel toward Ugljan. The trip is as much about being on the water as reaching the island. From the boat, you get changing views of the coast and the islands, with Zadar gradually becoming part of the wider panorama behind you.

This is not a quick transfer followed by a few hours at the beach. The boat remains the center of the day, and the route is designed to leave room for pauses. By around midday, you reach the calmer bays of Ugljan, where the main activities begin.

Ugljan’s bays are the heart of the day

Ugljan is a good match for a relaxed boat outing because the schedule does not force you to rush between several distant sights. The bays give you time to swim, snorkel, fish, or simply sit on deck and enjoy the water.

I like this open-ended part of the trip because it lets each group set its own rhythm. If your family wants a long swim, you can make that the main event. If your group prefers to stay active, snorkeling and fishing equipment are provided. If you have mixed interests, some people can remain on the boat while others explore the water.

The supplied equipment covers snorkeling and fishing, but you should bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included, so do not assume the boat has a full meal service. Bring what you need for the crossing, then decide if you want to eat ashore later.

The bays are described as calm and clear, but conditions on the day can affect how much time you spend in the water. The skipper has room to adjust the plan, which is useful when your group has different comfort levels or priorities.

Ošljak or a village stop on Ugljan

After time in the bays, the route can continue to the small island of Ošljak or to one of the charming villages on Ugljan. This choice is one of the tour’s strongest features because it gives you some control over the shore portion of the day.

Ošljak offers a compact island stop, while the villages on Ugljan give you a chance to walk around and see a more local side of island life. The available information does not promise one fixed village or a specific shore attraction, so you should treat this as a flexible island visit rather than a checklist of named sights.

That flexibility also means the experience may differ from one group to another. You might spend more time in a village with coffee and a walk, or remain near the water if swimming is the priority. Ask the skipper early in the day how much time is realistic for each option.

The walking portion is likely to be modest rather than a demanding hike, but the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding a boat, moving around the deck, and stepping ashore can all require steady footing.

Lunch is your choice, not part of the price

Around midday or early afternoon, you get time for lunch, coffee, or a leisurely walk. Meals are not included, which keeps the private tour price clear but means you must pay for food and drinks separately.

One useful detail comes from the experience of groups who followed the skipper’s restaurant advice. Sascha recommended a fish restaurant that was described as excellent, even by people initially worried about ending up in a tourist trap. That does not make a restaurant meal guaranteed, and you should still ask about prices and the menu, but it suggests the skipper can be a valuable local guide when it comes to choosing where to eat.

The $397 price covers the whole group, not each person. For eight people, that works out to about $50 per person before lunch and drinks. For four people, it is about $99 per person, and for two people it becomes a much more expensive private outing.

That makes this tour best value when you can fill most of the eight available places. You are paying for privacy, a full day, fuel, port fees, equipment, and a professional skipper. Compared with a basic shared boat trip, the appeal is not simply the boat itself. It is the ability to set the pace and avoid spending the day with a large group.

The skipper makes or breaks a private day

A private boat trip needs more than a scenic route. You want a skipper who can manage the timing, explain the islands, and give you space without leaving you wondering what happens next.

The strongest praise here goes to Sascha, also written as Sasha or Sascha in the supplied comments, and to Dario. They are described as friendly, relaxed, competent, and willing to explain more about the islands while still allowing the group to enjoy the day at its own pace.

That balance matters. A skipper who talks constantly can make a private tour tiring. A skipper who says too little can make the day feel like a boat rental without support. The feedback points to a middle ground: useful information when wanted, plus plenty of unhurried time for swimming, snorkeling, food, and views.

Timing also receives positive attention. The published schedule gives you a clear framework: meet at 9:00, reach the Ugljan area around midday, and return to the marina by 17:00. Inside that framework, the exact stops can change to suit your group.

The tour is offered in Croatian and English. If your group needs another language, this experience may not be the right fit because only those two languages are specified.

The return to Zadar brings the best views

The afternoon return is not treated as a simple trip back to the marina. You sail with views of the surrounding islands and a wide look toward Zadar’s old town.

This is a particularly good time to stay on deck. After swimming and walking, the slower return gives you a chance to dry off, relax, and watch the coastline change. The excursion also includes a complimentary drink on deck while you take in the sunset colors.

The exact sunset effect depends on the season and the day’s conditions, so do not book this as a guaranteed dramatic sunset cruise. The return to the meeting point is scheduled for 17:00, which gives the outing a firm end time rather than extending late into the evening.

That timing works well if you have dinner plans in Zadar or need to arrange transport afterward. It also makes the tour easier to fit into a longer Dalmatian itinerary.

What to bring and what to budget

Pack for an active day beside and on the water. The essentials are simple:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear

You should also plan for food and drinks, since they are not included. You can bring what you need for the boat and decide whether to purchase lunch, coffee, or a meal during the island stop.

Fuel and port fees are included, so you should not face a separate charge for the boat’s basic running costs. Snorkeling and fishing equipment are also supplied, which saves you from carrying your own gear.

The meeting and return point is the pier next to the gas station at Obala Kneza Branimira 27. The activity ends at that same meeting point. Since the tour involves a boat and shore stops, it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Zadar plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the final booking conditions before paying.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this for a family, couple, or group of friends who want a private day with options. It suits people who prefer swimming and sun to a packed sightseeing schedule, and it works especially well when the group has enough people to share the $397 price.

It is also a good choice if you want local guidance without a scripted group program. The skipper can point out island details, suggest a place for lunch, and adjust the day when your group decides it would rather stay in a bay than hurry to another stop.

You may want a different experience if you prefer a fixed route with guaranteed named sights, an included meal, or a late evening on the water. The route is flexible, which is a strength for some people and a source of uncertainty for others.

I would also think carefully if your main goal is serious fishing or specialist snorkeling. Fishing and snorkeling are included as activities with equipment, but the description does not promise a particular catch, reef, or marine-life encounter.

Should you book the Ugljan sailing tour?

Book it if you value privacy, choice, and a full day at sea more than a tightly scripted itinerary. The strongest reasons are the group price for up to eight, the relaxed skipper style associated with Sascha and Dario, and the chance to combine swimming, snorkeling, fishing, villages, lunch, and Zadar views in one outing.

For a full group, the price is reasonable for a private day that includes fuel, port fees, equipment, and a skipper. For only two people, the cost is harder to justify unless having a private boat is central to your plans.

I would book this for a group that can agree on a loose plan and is happy to pay separately for lunch and drinks. You get the most from it when you treat the schedule as a framework, not a promise of a fixed list of stops.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour starts at the pier next to the gas station at Obala Kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

What time does the tour begin?

The welcome meeting starts at 9:00.

When does the activity end?

The boat returns to the meeting point in Zadar at about 17:00.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one group of up to eight people.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you must pay separately for lunch, coffee, and other refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and fishing equipment are included.

Which languages are available?

The tour is available in Croatian and English.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.