Zadar: Half-day trip wooden boat with drinks – ALL INCLUSIVE

Zadar’s waterfront quickly gives way to open Adriatic water on this small-group boat trip. You cruise to Ošljak, pause at a quiet cove, and finish in Preko, where you can walk, swim, or sit down with a coffee and an aperitif. It is a good way to see more of the coast without giving up half a day to a large excursion boat.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, plus the practical extras: fuel, a skipper, snorkeling gear, beer, and water are included. The $34 price is also fair for a four-hour outing with several stops. The main caution is communication. One review praised the boat but said the guide gave few explanations, so this suits you best if you want scenery and swimming more than a detailed guided tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Three island stops: Visit Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko, with time for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and sightseeing.
• Small wooden boat: The group is limited to 10 people, giving the trip a more personal feel than a large day boat.
• Drinks included: Beer and water are provided, with an aperitif, cocktail, or coffee listed during the Preko stop.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27.
• English-speaking skipper: The tour operates in English, though detailed commentary may be limited.
• Sunset option: A sunset tour is highlighted, but you should check the available departure time before booking.

Leaving Zadar from Obala kneza Branimira

The trip begins at the pier in front of the INA gas station on Obala kneza Branimira 27. That is a useful detail in Zadar, where several boat operators use different parts of the waterfront. Give yourself enough time to find the correct pier rather than simply heading toward the old town.

Once aboard, the boat heads away from Zadar toward Ugljan County. The trip description calls it a wooden boat, while the route details refer to the travel legs as speedboat rides. Either way, you should expect the boat itself to be part of the fun, with open-water views and a brisk ride between stops.

The first listed ride lasts about 30 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the coast from the water, but short enough that the day does not become mostly transport. Bring sunscreen and something to protect you from the sun if you are sensitive to heat. The tour is built around being outdoors, and shade is not specified.

The group limit of 10 matters here. A small boat is easier for getting in and out of the water, and you are less likely to lose time gathering a large crowd at each stop. It also means the atmosphere may feel more relaxed, though the exact seating and amount of personal space are not provided.

Ugljan: your first hour for swimming and snorkeling

The first main stop is listed in Ugljan, in Zadar County. You get about an hour for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. This is your first chance to settle into the rhythm of the trip: arrive, take in the shoreline, get into the water if you wish, and be ready to leave when the skipper calls the group back.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. The description points to clear Adriatic water and marine life, but it does not promise a particular reef, fish species, or marked snorkeling site. Think of this as an easy swim stop rather than a formal snorkeling excursion with instruction.

I like the balance here. You are not forced into a long stop on land, and you are not kept on the boat all morning. If swimming is your main goal, this hour gives you a useful first session. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the time for views and photos.

The weaker point is the amount of information provided during the trip. The skipper speaks English, but one review specifically noted that communication could have been better and that there were no further explanations about the tour. You may receive practical directions without much background about Ugljan or the surrounding islands.

Ošljak and the quiet side of the Adriatic

After Ugljan, the boat makes a shorter 15-minute run to Ošljak. This island is presented as a peaceful place where the pace slows down. Your hour here is mainly for swimming and snorkeling rather than a long guided walk.

That makes Ošljak a strong stop for anyone who wants a simple coastal break. You can enjoy the water, sit in the sun, and look back toward the nearby coast without a packed schedule of monuments or shops. The appeal is quiet scenery and time outside, not a large menu of organized activities.

The information does not specify the exact beach, facilities, or whether there are changing areas. Plan accordingly. Wear swimwear under your clothes if that is more convenient, and keep your personal items compact. On a boat trip with several water stops, a small bag is easier to manage than a full beach load.

The trip description also refers to secluded beaches and calm surroundings. Treat that as a general description rather than a guarantee of complete solitude. Ošljak is a named island stop, not an undisclosed private beach, and conditions can vary with the departure time and season.

Otrić cove and the value of a short water stop

The overview highlights Otrić cove as another scenic point along the route. The detailed stop list places the main hour-long swimming and snorkeling stop at Ošljak, so the exact treatment of Otrić cove is not fully clear. It may be part of the route or connected with the Ugljan portion of the excursion.

That uncertainty is worth noting when you compare this tour with others. You should expect the advertised island and cove scenery, but do not book it for a specific shore facility or a guaranteed long stop at Otrić unless the operator confirms that detail.

The broader value of the cove is the change of setting. Instead of spending the entire outing at one beach, you see several stretches of the coast from the boat. The rugged shoreline, green hills, and open water create variety even when the activities remain simple.

If you are looking for a history-focused tour, this is not the right format. The trip offers a taste of the islands, not a full cultural explanation of each place. You get more time for water and views than for formal guiding.

Preko: your one-hour taste of island life

After another 15-minute ride, the boat reaches Preko on Ugljan Island. This is the most flexible stop, with about an hour for an aperitif, beer, cocktail, coffee, free time, sightseeing, walking, swimming, snorkeling, and a food market visit.

Preko gives the outing a welcome land-based pause. You can stroll through the village, look at the local shops, or sit with a drink before returning to the boat. The description refers to cobblestone streets, cafés, colorful boutiques, and a food market, though the exact businesses and market opening hours are not specified.

With only an hour, you will need to choose. A coffee and short walk may be realistic, as may a quick swim, but you probably should not expect a full meal, a long shopping session, and extensive sightseeing all at once. This stop works best if you decide in advance what matters most to you.

I like that Preko keeps the outing from being just a series of swim breaks. You get a small look at daily island life, even if the stop is brief. It also gives non-swimmers a more appealing way to spend part of the trip.

The timing can be tight, especially if the boat arrives later than planned. Keep an eye on the meeting time and do not wander far from the waterfront. The excursion ends back at the same Zadar meeting point, with a final ride listed at about 30 minutes.

A four-hour schedule with a timing question

The advertised duration is four hours. The route details list 30 minutes to Ugljan, one hour there, 15 minutes to Ošljak, one hour there, 15 minutes to Preko, one hour there, and 30 minutes back to Zadar.

Those blocks add up to four and a half hours if every segment is exact. That does not necessarily mean the trip lasts longer, since listed times can be approximate or may overlap with the way stops are described. Still, I would check the departure and expected return time before booking, especially if you have dinner plans, a transfer, or another timed activity.

The route includes enough movement to make the coast feel varied, but not so much that you spend the entire outing speeding between islands. You receive three main island or shoreline experiences, with roughly three hours assigned to stops and about 90 minutes on the water according to the listed schedule.

A sunset departure could improve the atmosphere, particularly on the return toward Zadar. The sunset option is highlighted, but not every starting time is necessarily a sunset departure. Check availability rather than assuming the trip will finish at sunset.

Drinks, equipment, and the $34 value

At $34 per person, this is priced as an accessible half-day outing rather than a luxury charter. The cost includes fuel, a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment, beer, and water. Those inclusions make a difference because you are not paying separately for the boat’s fuel or renting basic snorkeling gear at the stops.

Beer and water are specifically included. At Preko, the listed options also include an aperitif, cocktail, or coffee, though the information does not explain whether every one of those drinks is included in the base price or simply available during free time. If a particular drink matters to you, ask before departure.

The price is strongest for people who value several short experiences in one outing. You get open-water cruising, two swimming and snorkeling opportunities, a village stop, and a small group. It is less compelling if you want a full meal, extensive island guiding, or a long stay at one beach.

The boat is not presented as a private charter. You share it with up to nine other participants, but that is still a much smaller setting than a large excursion vessel. For $34, the combination of a skipper, fuel, drinks, and equipment gives you solid practical value.

How much guiding should you expect?

The tour is conducted in English, and a professional skipper operates the boat. That tells you the practical side of the trip is covered: getting between the stops, managing the boat, and keeping the route moving.

Do not assume you will receive a detailed lecture about Zadar, Ugljan, Ošljak, or Preko. The available feedback specifically points to limited explanations and communication that could have been clearer. This is the most important weakness to weigh before booking.

I would choose this experience for its route and water time, not for expert interpretation. If you want quiet cruising, swimming, and a drink in Preko, limited narration may not bother you. If you want names, dates, local stories, and detailed directions at every stop, a more explicitly guided island tour may suit you better.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 12 reviews, which suggests a strong response so far, but the sample is small. The clearest praise concerns the speedboat experience itself. That fits the tour’s main appeal: a compact coastal outing with several stops and a lively ride between them.

Who should book this boat trip?

This outing fits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want to see the islands without committing to a full-day cruise. It is also a good pick if you enjoy swimming but want a village stop to break up the time on the water.

Families may like the short transfers and included equipment, but the data does not specify age limits, child pricing, or accessibility details. Ask the operator directly if those points affect your plans.

You should also consider how comfortable you are with a sun-focused boat day. Shade, meal service, changing rooms, and a detailed onboard commentary are not specified. The safest plan is to bring sun protection, keep your belongings compact, and treat food as something to arrange during the Preko stop rather than as a promised onboard meal.

Cancellation is flexible enough for changing plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather or your Zadar schedule is still unsettled.

Should you book the Ošljak and Preko trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, small-group way to combine swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, drinks, and a short visit to Preko. The route has enough variety to feel like more than a simple beach transfer, and the included fuel, skipper, equipment, beer, and water make $34 a reasonable price.

Skip it if detailed guiding is central to your plans, or if you need a fully confirmed four-hour schedule with no timing ambiguity. The limited commentary and the mismatch between the stated duration and the listed time blocks deserve a quick check before you pay.

For the right visitor, this is a practical taste of the Zadar archipelago: a wooden boat, clear water, three coastal stops, and just enough time ashore to see more than the city waterfront.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

It begins at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27 in Zadar.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Obala kneza Branimira 27.

How long is the excursion?

The advertised duration is four hours. Check the available departure details before booking because the listed route segments may add up to more than four hours if each time is exact.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko on Ugljan Island. Otrić cove is also highlighted in the trip description.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Beer and water are included. An aperitif, beer, cocktail, or coffee is listed during the Preko stop, but the exact drink arrangements should be confirmed if important to you.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is this a sunset tour?

A sunset tour is highlighted among the experience options. You need to check availability to see which starting times are offered.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.