Half-day speedboat trip from Zadar with drinks

Zadar’s waterfront is your launch point for a fast, easy escape to two small island stops. This four-hour speedboat trip combines a brisk ride with unhurried time in Preko and Ošljak, so you get sea views without giving up most of your day.

I like the practical mix of swimming and a village visit, and I like that drinks, snorkeling gear, fuel, and a professional skipper are included. The main catch is the extra €10 port fee per person, which makes the true cost higher than the advertised $30.

Key points at a glance

• 45-minute speedboat ride from Zadar: The first crossing gives you a quick taste of open-water travel without committing to a full-day cruise.
• 75 minutes in Preko: You have time for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling on Ugljan Island.
• One hour at Ošljak: This stop focuses on swimming and snorkeling in a quieter island setting.
• Drinks and snorkeling included: Ice tea, beer, and masks are provided, with fruit available during the trip.
• English and Croatian guide service: A professional skipper leads the outing and can adjust the experience to your wishes when conditions allow.
• Budget-friendly, with one extra charge: The $30 price is appealing, but add the €10 port fee before comparing it with other boat trips.

Leaving Zadar from the INA pier

The meeting point is the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. That detail matters because Zadar has several waterfront piers, and arriving at the right one will save you a hurried walk along the harbor.

The boat leaves Zadar in the morning, although you need to check the available date for the exact starting time. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the pier and settle in before departure. The tour returns to this same meeting point, which makes the outing simple to fit around other plans in the old town.

A speedboat changes the mood from the start. You are not spending hours on a large ferry with a fixed route and little flexibility. Instead, the ride is part transportation and part attraction, carrying you quickly away from the city toward the islands.

You should expect a more open, exposed ride than you would get on a larger boat. On a sunny day, that is part of the fun. It also means you will want sun protection and a secure place for small belongings, though the provided information does not specify the boat’s shade or storage arrangements.

The first 45 minutes on the water

The first leg takes about 45 minutes. It is long enough to enjoy the coast and nearby islands, but short enough that the day does not become mostly transit.

The route leads toward Preko on Ugljan Island. The appeal here is the change of pace: Zadar’s urban waterfront gives way to open water, island scenery, and a smaller coastal settlement. You get a scenic transfer without needing to organize a ferry schedule or arrange separate transport once you arrive.

Drinks help make this crossing more comfortable. Ice tea and beer are included, and fruit is available on board according to the trip description. You may want to choose a nonalcoholic drink during the ride and save the swimming stop for later, especially if the boat is moving quickly or the sea is lively.

Fuel is included, so there is no surprise fuel supplement at the end. A professional skipper handles the boat, and the tour is offered in English and Croatian. No guide name is provided, but the skipper is described as friendly, accommodating, and willing to shape the day around your wishes when possible.

Preko: 75 minutes for coffee and a swim

Preko is the main stop and gives you the most varied block of free time. The planned stay is about 75 minutes, with time for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling.

That combination makes Preko the best stop for anyone who wants more than a simple beach break. You can get a feel for the village, pause for a drink, then use the remaining time near the water. The schedule is short, so do not expect a long island exploration. Think of it as a pleasant introduction rather than a full visit to Ugljan Island.

I would begin with a short walk and coffee, then keep enough time for swimming. If you spend the entire stop at a café, you will miss the water time that gives this trip its main appeal. If swimming is your priority, head toward the shore soon after arrival and fit the village stroll around it.

Snorkeling masks are included. That is useful because you do not need to bring your own equipment for a quick look beneath the surface. Still, the outing does not promise a particular reef, marine-life site, or guided snorkeling session. The experience is best understood as casual swimming and snorkeling from the island, not as a specialist marine tour.

Preko also gives you a small taste of local island life without the commitment of spending a full day there. You can enjoy a slower pace, take in the shore, and return to the boat before the stop begins to feel repetitive. The 75-minute limit keeps the trip moving, but it also means you should watch the time.

The 20-minute ride to Ošljak

After Preko, the speedboat travels for about 20 minutes to Ošljak. This is a short hop, and it breaks up the day nicely after the village stop.

The trip description presents Ošljak mainly as a swimming and snorkeling stop. Compared with Preko, there is less emphasis on coffee or walking and more on getting into the water. That makes the two stops work well together: Preko gives you a little village time, while Ošljak provides a simpler pause by the sea.

You have about one hour at Ošljak. That is enough for a relaxed swim and some snorkeling, particularly if you are already wearing swim clothes and have your belongings organized. It is not a long beach day, so do not book this trip expecting hours on one island.

The appeal of Ošljak is its calm, uncomplicated rhythm. You are not being rushed through several landmarks or asked to follow a long walking route. You can focus on the water, the sun, and the island setting before boarding for Zadar.

As with Preko, the exact character of the swimming area can depend on sea and weather conditions. The supplied information does not specify a sandy beach, changing rooms, showers, or toilets. Pack accordingly and avoid assuming that every beach comfort will be available.

Returning to Zadar after four hours

The return ride brings you back to Obala kneza Branimira 27. With a 45-minute outbound crossing, 75 minutes in Preko, a 20-minute transfer, and one hour at Ošljak, the listed stops account for nearly the full four-hour schedule.

That timing gives you a clear sense of the tour’s rhythm. You spend about half the outing moving between places and half stopped for island time. For some people, that is ideal: the boat rides provide views and excitement, while the stops leave room to swim. If you prefer long, lazy hours at one beach, the schedule may feel too divided.

The return to the original pier is convenient if you are staying in Zadar or planning another activity nearby. You are not left at a different island port or asked to make your own way back. The trip ends where it begins.

What the $30 price really covers

At $30 per person, this is an attractive price for a half-day boat outing. You are paying for the boat, fuel, skipper, island transfers, swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, and listed drinks rather than only for transport.

The price becomes more realistic once you add the €10 port fee per person. That charge is not included, so a pair of passengers must add €20 in total. You may also want to budget separately for coffee or any other purchase in Preko, since only the listed onboard drinks and fruit are included.

Even with the port fee, the trip can offer good value if you want several elements in one package. Hiring a private boat or arranging separate transport to both islands would normally require more planning and could cost more. Here, the route, skipper, fuel, and basic refreshments are bundled together.

The value is strongest for people who want a compact outing. You get water time, two island stops, and a return to Zadar within four hours. The value is weaker if you plan to spend most of your time on land or want a long guided tour with detailed cultural commentary.

The skipper and the feel of the outing

The skipper is the key person on a small boat trip. A professional who speaks English and Croatian handles the route and helps keep the day practical. The available feedback describes the guide as friendly, accommodating, and willing to tailor the outing to the group’s wishes.

That flexibility is worth noting. A small speedboat experience can feel more personal than a fixed large-boat cruise, especially when the skipper can respond to what you want to do. You might get more swimming time if that is your priority, or spend more time walking in Preko if the group prefers the village.

Still, flexibility is not the same as a guaranteed private tour. The information does not state the boat’s maximum capacity, whether the trip is private, or how much the schedule can change. You should treat the published route and stop lengths as the working plan.

The strongest praise focuses on the skipper’s friendly attitude and willingness to accommodate. That is especially useful for a mixed group, such as people who want both sightseeing and swimming. It can make the difference between a rigid transport run and a more enjoyable half-day on the water.

Drinks, snorkeling, and what to bring

The included refreshments are simple but well chosen for a warm boat trip. Ice tea and beer are listed, and fruit is available during the journey. These extras save you from having to carry every drink yourself, though you should not confuse them with a full meal.

Snorkeling equipment is included, with masks specifically mentioned. You can therefore enjoy a spontaneous swim without buying or renting a mask before departure. The information does not state whether fins are provided, so do not count on having them.

For a more comfortable outing, bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A secure bag for valuables
• Water if you prefer a drink other than the listed options
• Cash or another accepted payment method for the €10 port fee

The tour description does not give details about lockers, changing facilities, shade, or onboard toilets. You should arrive ready to swim rather than expecting a fully equipped beach club.

Who will enjoy this speedboat trip?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a short break from Zadar with a good balance of boat time and island time. It suits couples, friends, and families who can enjoy a little movement between stops and do not need a full day at one beach.

It is also a good match if you want to try snorkeling without making it the entire focus of your holiday. The included mask makes it easy to take a look in the water at both stops, while Preko adds a village visit and coffee option.

The trip may not suit you if you dislike fast boat rides, need extensive facilities, or want detailed historical guiding. The supplied description focuses on scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and free time, not on a long cultural lecture or a formal walking tour.

People who want a completely private schedule should also check the booking details carefully. The information confirms a professional skipper and some flexibility, but it does not confirm a private boat or a specific group size.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Zadar plans depend on weather or changing arrival times.

The tour lasts four hours, but the exact departure time depends on availability. Morning departure is indicated, so check the selected date rather than assuming a particular hour.

English and Croatian are the available tour languages. The activity begins and ends at the pier in front of the INA gas station on Obala kneza Branimira 27.

Should you book this island outing?

Book it if you want an affordable, active half-day with a fast boat ride, two island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and basic drinks included. The combination of Preko’s coffee-and-walk option with Ošljak’s quieter water stop gives the trip more variety than a simple beach transfer.

Before booking, add the €10 port fee per person to your budget and check the departure time. I would choose this tour for a relaxed introduction to Ugljan Island, especially if the skipper’s friendly, flexible approach matters to you.

Skip it if you want a full-day island visit, extensive cultural guiding, or a guaranteed private boat. For everyone else, the compact route and low starting price make this a sensible way to get out on the Dalmatian water without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts four hours. The exact starting time depends on availability for your chosen date.

Where does the trip start?

The meeting point is the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 27.

Which places does the boat visit?

The trip visits Preko on Ugljan Island and Ošljak. It includes speedboat rides between Zadar, Preko, and Ošljak.

How much time is spent at each island stop?

You have about 75 minutes in Preko for coffee, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling. You have about one hour at Ošljak for swimming and snorkeling.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The listed inclusions are ice tea, beer, fuel, a professional skipper, and snorkeling. Masks are also stated as included, and fruit is available during the journey.

Is the port fee included in the price?

No. The port fee is €10 per person and must be paid separately.