REVIEW · ZADAR
Zadar: Private SpeedBoat Tour to Islands – Drinks Included
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Zadar Boat Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Fast boats change your view fast. This private Zadar speedboat ride turns the coast into a moving slideshow, with swim and snorkeling stops in clear water plus plenty of drinks included. You’ll cruise from Foša harbor on a newer luxury speedboat and spend most of the 4 hours actually out on the water, not waiting around.
What I like most is how the tour mixes big scenery with short, useful breaks—Kostanj Bay for swimming and photos, then the surreal stop at Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island. The second big plus is the atmosphere: the skipper keeps things relaxed, and the reviews call out drinks that really do keep flowing.
One thing to consider: this isn’t a calm, lay-on-a-raft day. The speedboat bounces, and it’s not suitable for non-swimmers or people with certain medical limits (heart/back problems, pregnancy). If you get easily uncomfortable in choppy water, plan accordingly.
In This Review
- Key highlights I’d book for
- Private SpeedBoat Tours from Zadar: the “less waiting, more coastline” approach
- Cruise toward Ugljan and Kostanj Bay: panoramas plus real swim time
- What Kostanj Bay time feels like
- The drinks component works better than you’d expect
- Ošljak: Croatia’s smallest inhabited island, reached the fun way
- Why Ošljak is a standout
- Water time here is part of the plot
- Preko and the Jaz beach break: land time that doesn’t waste your momentum
- Jaz beach and the Preko village feel
- Trade-off to know
- Drinks included, plus snorkeling gear: what that changes for you
- Why including drinks and gear is real value
- The speedboat pace: fun, but it’s not for everyone
- Price for $470 per group (up to 10): how to judge the value
- Getting in: meeting near Zadar Boat Tours and choosing pickup
- Who should book this speedboat tour (and who shouldn’t)
- Should you book the Zadar private speedboat to Ošljak and Preko?
- FAQ
- What’s the duration of this private speedboat tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Where do we meet the tour?
- Is the tour private?
- Is snorkeling included and do we need our own gear?
- Who can’t join this tour?
Key highlights I’d book for
- Kostanj Bay swim time with a sandy beach vibe at Ugljan’s coast
- Ošljak, the smallest inhabited island in Croatia for sightseeing and water time
- Snorkeling gear included so you can just go without extra shopping
- A private 4-hour format for up to 10 people, with an English-speaking guide
- Drinks and fuel included (soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine, and liquor)
Private SpeedBoat Tours from Zadar: the “less waiting, more coastline” approach
This tour is built for people who want sea views with less downtime. You meet up near Zadar Boat Tours and then head out from Foša harbor. From there, the day runs like a sequence of short travel hops followed by time in the water or on land.
Because it’s private, you control the vibe. You’re not squeezed into a large group where the best photo spots go to whoever is fastest to disembark. You also get the kind of attention that matters on a speedboat day: the skipper can adjust timing around your pace, and you can ask for tweaks to match your interests.
And yes, it’s a speedboat. Even with breaks planned, you’re still getting that satisfying speed feeling—one review describes the ride as thrilling with bouncing on waves. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes motion and sound, this delivers.
Cruise toward Ugljan and Kostanj Bay: panoramas plus real swim time
The first leg is quick—about 15 minutes on the speedboat—then you get your first real stop. This is where the tour starts to feel like a best-of Zadar coast sampler.
You’ll head along the Zadar waterfront panorama as you cruise toward Ugljan, specifically the Kostanj Bay area. The time here is generous enough to matter: about an hour of break time that includes photo stops, sightseeing, and time in the water with snorkeling.
What Kostanj Bay time feels like
This stop is designed around comfort and fun:
- You can take a refreshing dip in clear water.
- You can snorkel using gear provided on the tour.
- You get photo moments and sightseeing viewpoints while you’re near the action.
The drinks component works better than you’d expect
This isn’t just a walk-and-stare sightseeing block. Drinks are part of the rhythm. The reviews specifically call out wine, beer, water, and soft drinks being included and flowing during the stop. That matters because it turns “we’re taking a break” into “we’re enjoying the coast right now.”
The only downside is common to all speedboat experiences: sun and spray are real. If you burn easily, plan for sun exposure, and if you dislike water mist, expect some.
Ošljak: Croatia’s smallest inhabited island, reached the fun way
After the next short speedboat hop (another 15 minutes), you’re set up for the most unique land stop of the day: Ošljak. This is the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, and the tour format is exactly why it’s memorable. You don’t just read about it—you arrive by boat, which makes the scale click instantly.
You get about 50 minutes here for sightseeing plus swimming and snorkeling time, along with time to pass by relevant coastal areas and view marine life. It’s also built with “on-the-water” sightseeing in mind, so even if the island itself is small, you still get plenty to look at.
Why Ošljak is a standout
The value of Ošljak isn’t only that it’s small. It’s that it’s inhabited, which gives the island a living feel rather than a postcard stop. From a travel perspective, that’s the kind of detail that makes a trip feel human.
Also, the tour doesn’t treat this as a quick photo grab. You have time to actually enjoy the place and then switch back to water time. That keeps the day from feeling like a checklist.
Water time here is part of the plot
Snorkeling shows up again at Ošljak, with gear included. If you enjoy trying to spot marine life, this is a good segment to lean into—one review highlights marine life viewing as part of the experience.
Preko and the Jaz beach break: land time that doesn’t waste your momentum
After Ošljak, there’s another short speedboat section (15 minutes) and then you arrive at Preko, on the Ugljan side. This stop is longer than the others: about 1.5 hours of break time with photo stops, sightseeing, free time, walking, and swimming.
This is the segment that balances the day. Up to now, you’ve been cruising and swimming. Here, you get actual village time.
Jaz beach and the Preko village feel
The tour focuses on a sandy beach area called Jaz in the Preko village region. That’s where the land time becomes useful: you can slow down, walk a bit, and refuel with typical small-coast amenities.
The tour description includes cozy cafés, souvenir shops, and fresh seafood restaurants around the area. Even if you don’t spend a lot, having the option changes how you experience this stop. You’re not trapped on a boat; you can decide how much you want to explore.
Trade-off to know
Because the day is time-efficient, Preko is not set up like a multi-hour beach vacation. You’ll have enough time for a walk, a swim, and a browse. If you want long, lazy beach hours, you may wish you had more time—but for a 4-hour private tour, the pacing makes sense.
Drinks included, plus snorkeling gear: what that changes for you
The tour includes the stuff that usually adds hassle:
- Snorkeling gear
- Bottled water
- Drinks such as beer, wine, soft drinks, and liquor (fuel and drinks are included)
One review even specifically mentions ice tea along with wine/beer/water. So you’re not limited to one beverage type.
Why including drinks and gear is real value
In Croatia, add-ons add up fast—snorkel rental, bottled water, and drinks at the wrong time can turn a “good deal” into an average one. Here, you’re buying a package where you can get into the water quickly and spend your mental energy on the coast instead of logistics.
It also changes the social tone. Multiple reviews mention drinks being part of the fun, and that makes sense: when you’re taking breaks in scenic spots, having refreshments ready makes the experience feel like a full outing, not a rushed tour.
The speedboat pace: fun, but it’s not for everyone
This is where I’d be honest with you.
The speedboat experience comes with movement. Reviews describe a “speedboat feeling” and bouncing on waves. That’s part of why it’s exciting—but it also explains why the tour doesn’t fit everyone.
It’s not suitable for:
- Children under 2 years
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with heart problems
- Wheelchair users
- Non-swimmers
- Pets are not allowed
If you’re in good health and you’re comfortable in moving boats and open water, this should feel like a thrilling way to see the islands. If any of the listed limits apply, I’d skip this style of tour and pick a calmer option.
Price for $470 per group (up to 10): how to judge the value
The price is $470 per group, for up to 10 people, and the tour runs 4 hours. To judge value, don’t just look at the number—look at the math and what’s bundled.
If you fill the group, that’s roughly $47 per person (using 10 people as the benchmark). Even if you don’t reach 10, you’ll likely compare favorably against paying separately for:
- a private speedboat outing
- drinks
- bottled water
- snorkeling gear
Also, this is not a slow ferry day. You get speedboat cruising between stops plus multiple water moments. That’s a different experience than a standard “island hopping” route where time gets lost in transit.
For couples or small groups, it’s still worth considering if your priority is privacy and a real cruising/splash day. For larger groups, it’s one of the more efficient ways to do it without slicing time into multiple tickets or schedules.
Getting in: meeting near Zadar Boat Tours and choosing pickup
You’ll usually meet at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000, Zadar near Zadar Boat Tours. The tour can also pick you up at any place in the area where the boat can dock.
This matters because it reduces the friction of getting everyone lined up in one exact spot. If you’re staying near the harbor zone, this style of pickup can save time and stress.
Who should book this speedboat tour (and who shouldn’t)
This is a great fit if you:
- want private time on the coast
- like speedboat cruising and don’t mind motion
- plan to swim or snorkel multiple times during the day
- enjoy having drinks included while you take breaks
It’s a weaker fit if you:
- are prone to seasickness or dislike bumpy rides
- need a wheelchair-accessible option (this isn’t suitable for wheelchair users)
- can’t meet the swim/safety expectations (non-swimmers aren’t included)
- have medical limitations listed for back/heart issues or pregnancy
Should you book the Zadar private speedboat to Ošljak and Preko?
I’d book it if you want a fast, fun 4-hour coastal outing where the day’s structure actually serves your interests: swimming, snorkeling, and island sightseeing with a private skipper and drinks included.
If you’re dreaming of a super-slow beach day or you don’t want any movement at all, look for something calmer. But if you want Zadar and the islands to feel close, exciting, and easy—this is the kind of trip that sticks.
FAQ
What’s the duration of this private speedboat tour?
It lasts 4 hours.
What’s included in the price?
Snorkeling gear is included, along with bottled water and drinks such as beer and wine (plus other drinks mentioned in the tour details).
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $470 per group, up to 10 people.
Where do we meet the tour?
You usually meet at Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 6, 23000, Zadar. Pickup may be possible at other places in the area where the boat can dock.
Is the tour private?
Yes. It’s a private group experience.
Is snorkeling included and do we need our own gear?
Snorkeling gear is included, so you don’t need to bring or rent it.
Who can’t join this tour?
It’s not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and non-swimmers. Pets aren’t allowed.
