Zadar Islands: Private Speedboat Tour with Flexible Stops

Summary

Private speedboat from Zadar to Ugljan Ošljak Školjić swim snorkel relax

You’ll ride a private speedboat from Zadar with your own skipper, exploring Ugljan, Ošljak & Školjić at your pace. Swim in quiet coves, try snorkeling with provided gear, and hear local stories along the way. Expect laughter, salty air, and space to breathe—plus bottled water and no crowded beaches.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Zadar's nearby islands by speedboat

• Depart from Zadar harbor
• Visit Ugljan Island
• Explore Ošljak Island
• Discover Školjić Island
• Enjoy uncrowded beaches and island atmosphere
• Return to Zadar harbor

Top questions

How long is the private speedboat tour from Zadar?

The tour lasts about 4 hours but can be adjusted depending on your schedule.

Which islands are included in this day trip from Zadar?

The tour visits Ugljan, Ošljak, and Školjić islands near Zadar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this tour?

Yes, snorkeling masks are included for use during swimming stops.

Are there set stops or is the itinerary flexible?

The itinerary is flexible—you can choose how much time to spend at each island.

Is this private speedboat tour suitable for families?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed onboard.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from Zadar harbor.

Are food or drinks included during the tour?

Bottled water is included; food is not provided but you may bring snacks.

Can people with limited mobility join this boat tour?

The tour allows service animals and strollers but may not be suitable for those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes a private speedboat ride with an experienced skipper who shares local stories along the way. All fuel costs are covered plus snorkeling equipment like diving masks and life jackets are provided for swimming stops. Bottled water comes along too—and you’ll get unlimited attention since it’s just your group with no fixed schedule or tourist traps involved.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to see the ‘real’ islands?” our skipper Toni asked, grinning as he tossed me a life jacket. I laughed because honestly, I didn’t know what I wanted—just something quieter than Zadar’s old town crowds. The boat was smaller than I pictured, but in a good way; we could actually talk over the engine. As we pulled away from the harbor, I caught a whiff of sunscreen and seaweed (not unpleasant), and the city faded behind us pretty fast.

The first stop was Ugljan. Toni pointed out some olive groves up on the hill—he said his aunt still presses oil there every autumn. We didn’t dock at a big marina or anything; just drifted up to this little cove where two kids were skipping stones. The water was cold at first but clear enough that you could see your toes even if you’re bad at swimming (like me). He handed us snorkeling masks and told us where to look for tiny orange fish near the rocks. I tried saying “Ošljak” like he did—failed completely. He just laughed and said most Croatians mess it up too.

We zipped over to Ošljak next, which is tiny—like, blink-and-you-miss-it tiny. There’s this sleepy smell of pine needles and grilled fish drifting from someone’s backyard grill. Didn’t expect that part, but it made me hungry in a weirdly comforting way. We sat on warm stone steps for a bit while Toni told us how his grandfather used to row between these islands before there were any speedboats at all. The sun bounced off the water so hard I had to squint; still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Školjić was last—a quick swim stop really—but nobody rushed us. Toni said we could stay longer if we wanted; “It’s your day,” he shrugged, which felt nice after so many tours with tight schedules. On the way back toward Zadar, my hair full of salt and my skin sticky with sunblock, I realized we hadn’t seen another tourist group all afternoon. Not sure if that’s normal or if we just got lucky.