Private Island Hopping Boat tour around Zadar with Drinks

Zadar’s coast is best seen from the water, and this private boat trip gives you room to set the pace. You can swim from the boat, use the onboard snorkeling gear, walk through Ugljan, or simply sit back with a drink while your skipper chooses scenic spots. I especially like the private group format and the chance to reach quieter places away from the busiest shore stops.

I also like the easygoing route. You get two island stops, a local skipper, and time for a swim rather than a tightly packed sightseeing program. The main drawback is the extra €20 docking fee per boat, paid in cash before departure, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Quick reasons to consider this boat trip

• Private boat for up to seven: Your group does not share the vessel with strangers, and the skipper can respond to your wishes.
• Two island stops: The route includes a swimming and snorkeling stop, followed by time on Ugljan.
• Flexible four-hour schedule: You can request more active time in the water or more time walking and taking photos.
• Marino may be your skipper: He is specifically praised for being friendly, talkative, and interesting when explaining the islands.
• Drinks and snorkeling gear onboard: You can bring your own food and swimming equipment, though snorkeling gear is included.
• Simple meeting point: Meet behind Restaurant Foša, by the Tornado sign, 10 minutes before departure.

Leaving Foša by traditional boat

You meet behind Restaurant Foša in Zadar, beside the Tornado sign. Arrive 10 minutes early, since the departure point is at the back of the restaurant rather than at a prominent front entrance.

From there, the boat takes you out along the Zadar coast. The appeal is not speed or a long list of monuments. It is the change of view: Zadar’s waterfront gives way to open water, island shores, small coves, and clear swimming places. The boat ride itself takes about 30 minutes in the stated schedule, giving you enough time to settle in without losing too much of the four-hour outing.

This is a private tour, not a large excursion boat. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends and want to talk, play music, carry your own snacks, or decide how active the day should be. You can bring food, swimming gear, and other personal items with you.

The boat has life jackets available. Ask the skipper if you need one, especially if you are not a confident swimmer or are bringing children. The skipper also supervises jumps from the boat, so you can enjoy that extra bit of fun with some basic safety guidance.

The first island stop is built around the water

The first major stop lasts about 80 minutes and combines a swimming break, snorkeling, a short guided visit, and welcome refreshments. The exact place is described as a quieter stop rather than a named town, which is part of its appeal. You are not being hurried from one famous point to another.

This is likely the best part of the tour for anyone who wants time in the Adriatic. You can get into the water from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment onboard, and look around at the coast below the surface. Conditions can change with wind and sea conditions, so the skipper’s choice of stop matters.

I would treat this stop as flexible rather than expecting a formal beach visit. You may be swimming from the boat instead of walking onto a broad sandy shore. That is good news if you enjoy open-water swimming, but less ideal if you need an easy, shallow entry or prefer a conventional beach.

Refreshments are available onboard, and welcome drinks are included in the experience. Food is not included, so bring a sandwich, fruit, or other snacks if you want more than drinks during the four hours. Keeping food and water in a small, secure bag is practical on any open boat.

Ugljan gives the trip a change of pace

After another boat ride, you reach Ugljan, one of the Zadar islands. This stop lasts about an hour and a half, making it much more than a quick photo pause. You have time for a walk, a guided look around, photographs, and possibly another swim.

The small town of Preko is a particularly useful detail for planning. It has an authentic, low-key feel and gives you a chance to walk on land after spending much of the day on the water. You can see a little of island life, take photos from scenic viewpoints, and enjoy a slower break before returning to the boat.

I like this balance. A boat trip made up only of swimming can feel repetitive, while a sightseeing cruise with no water time misses the point of the Adriatic. Here, the first stop focuses on the sea and Ugljan gives you a walk, local views, and a town atmosphere.

Do not expect a long cultural tour of Ugljan. The stop is guided, but the experience is still casual and outdoors. Wear shoes you can comfortably walk in, and remember that the schedule can shift according to your group’s wishes and the skipper’s judgment.

A route shaped by your group

The skipper is the key to this experience. The tour has no strict sightseeing script, and the route can be adjusted to suit your group. You can ask for more swimming, a stop on Ugljan, time for photos, or a jump from the boat if conditions allow.

Several details in the feedback point to the same strength: the skippers are friendly, responsive, and good company. Marino is named as a skipper who talked easily and shared interesting information about the islands. Another booking described the captain as particularly good at adjusting the plan to the group’s wishes.

That does not mean every request can be guaranteed. Weather, sea conditions, docking access, and time limit the route. Still, a private boat gives you a better chance of adapting the day than a fixed group cruise.

The flexible setup can also work well for families. One person may want to swim, another may prefer photos, and someone else may simply want to sit in the shade with a drink. The skipper can help keep the outing balanced rather than making everyone follow one activity at once.

Why the private price can make sense

The price is $235 for a group of up to seven people. At full capacity, that works out to about $34 per person before the docking charge, though the exact amount depends on your payment method and exchange rate. For a couple or a small family, the per-person cost is much higher.

The value improves if you fill the boat. Seven friends or a larger family can share the fixed group price while enjoying a private vessel, local skipper, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a custom route. You are paying for control over the day as much as for transport between islands.

Remember the extra €20 docking fee per boat. It is paid in cash upon arrival before the tour and applies to all stops. This is a small cost for a full group, but it is worth budgeting for because it is not included in the advertised price.

Food is also extra. You can bring your own, which keeps the cost down and lets you pack exactly what you like. If you are comparing this with a cheaper shared excursion, ask yourself what matters more: the lowest headline price or the ability to shape the route with your own group.

What to bring for four hours on the water

Pack as you would for a beach day, but keep your luggage compact and secure.

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable walking shoes for Ugljan
• Snacks or a packed lunch
• A waterproof case for your phone
• Cash for the €20 docking fee
• Any personal swimming gear you prefer

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and life jackets are available onboard. You can bring your own mask or fins if you prefer a particular fit, but you do not need to bring snorkeling gear to take part.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. The combination of boat boarding, swimming, jumping from the boat, and walking on an island makes this a better fit for people who can manage those movements without assistance.

Timing, weather, and the shape of the day

The advertised duration is four hours, with starting times available according to the schedule. The route includes boat travel, an approximately 80-minute swimming and snorkeling stop, and roughly 90 minutes on Ugljan. Since the tour is flexible, the exact balance can change.

One booking described a route that included excellent photo spots and even a sunset view. That kind of timing may be possible on a suitable departure, but you should not assume every start time will include sunset. Check the available departure time if that is important to you.

The sea and weather will also affect the outing. The skipper decides where to stop and may adjust the plan for safety or comfort. A flexible route is useful here, since it allows the day to respond to conditions rather than forcing the boat into one fixed sequence.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the skipper recommends and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. The information provided does not specify the boat model or whether shaded seating is available, so ask Alice Travel if those details matter to you.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a relaxed day with several options. It fits friends who want to swim and take photos, families who prefer a private boat, and couples who want a quieter route around the islands.

It is also a good choice if you dislike large group excursions. You can speak directly with the skipper, ask questions, and avoid spending the day waiting for a large party to board or disembark.

The tour is less suitable if you want a formal historical program, a guaranteed beach with shallow water, or the lowest possible price. It is also not the right fit for wheelchair users, and anyone who needs a highly predictable schedule should remember that the route is intentionally flexible.

English is the listed tour language. The skipper provides the local guidance, and the experience depends partly on how much you want to ask and how you want to use your time.

Practical details before you book

The experience is operated by Alice Travel. Meet behind Restaurant Foša by the Tornado sign, 10 minutes before departure.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the tour lasts four hours and the preferred schedule may not be offered every day.

The tour received a top rating from six verified bookings, with repeated praise for the skipper, the comfortable planning, the snorkeling opportunities, and the beauty of Preko. The strongest pattern is personal service: the skipper’s attitude can make the difference between a simple boat transfer and a memorable half-day on the water.

Should you book the Zadar island boat tour?

Book it if you can share the $235 cost with a group and want a private, flexible outing rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. The combination of swimming, snorkeling, drinks, Ugljan, and a local skipper gives you a good four-hour snapshot of the coast.

Before booking, plan for the €20 cash docking fee, bring your own food, and confirm the departure time if you hope to catch sunset. If your group values freedom, friendly guidance, and time in the water, this is a strong choice from Zadar. If you prefer a cheap shared boat or a detailed cultural tour, choose something more structured.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

The meeting point is behind Restaurant Foša in Zadar, by the Tornado sign. You should arrive 10 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts four hours. Check availability for the exact starting times.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The trip includes two different Adriatic islands. One stop is for swimming and snorkeling, and the other is Ugljan in Zadar County.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included onboard.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available onboard. Ask the skipper if you need one.

Is food included?

No. Refreshments are available onboard, but food is not included. You may bring your own food and snacks.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. A €20 docking fee per boat is payable in cash upon arrival before the tour.