Zadar Islands: Speedboat Tour with Drinks & Snorkeling

Summary

Speed across Zadar’s islands for swimming, laughter, and local flavor

You’ll feel the wind as you zip between Zadar’s islands by speedboat with a local skipper guiding you to hidden bays for swimming or snorkeling. Enjoy unlimited drinks on board, relax under the awning or wander through quiet villages—this tour lets you choose your pace. Expect laughter, salty air, and small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water around Zadar to be that clear — almost glassy blue-green, like someone turned up the color dial. The speedboat ride was louder than I thought at first (I had to grip my hat), but then you get used to it and just start grinning at the wind. Our skipper, Marko, greeted us with this lopsided smile and a joke about his “bad English,” which was actually better than my Croatian by miles. He handed out iced tea and water before we even left the harbor.

The first stop was a quiet bay on Ugljan island. Some people jumped straight in — I hesitated because honestly, cold water isn’t my thing. But then I dipped my toes in and it wasn’t bad at all; salty and fresh at once. There was this faint pine smell from somewhere up the hill. A couple from Germany stayed on the boat sunbathing under the awning, just chatting away while music played softly in the background. Marko pointed out little fish darting under our feet when we finally got in with snorkels (gear’s included, so no need to bring your own).

After that, we stopped somewhere else — Marko picked based on wind and crowds. I liked that it wasn’t set in stone; felt more relaxed that way. One spot ended up being a tiny fishing village where an old man waved at us from his doorstep (he looked like he’d seen a thousand boats come and go). The last stop was Preko town, which surprised me because you could either swim over to Galevac island or just sit at a café with an espresso watching kids play on the sand. I did both, badly pronouncing “kava” when ordering coffee — Marko laughed and tried to teach me again but I probably still butchered it.

Honestly, I still think about how easy everything felt — no pressure to do anything fancy or keep moving if you didn’t want to. Just sun-warmed skin, salt drying on your arms, unlimited iced tea whenever you wanted it (and yes, I drank way too much). It’s not a luxury cruise or anything; it’s just… real summer in Croatia.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Island-hopping speedboat tour from Zadar

• Arrive early at meeting point
• Check tickets with manager
• Boat anchors at hidden bay for swimming
• Swim or relax on boat with drinks
• Visit second stop chosen by weather
• Explore fishing village or swim in bay
• Final stop at Preko town
• Swim, explore Galevac island, or rest

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Zadar island-hopping speedboat tour?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you meet at the marked starting point in Zadar.

What drinks are provided during the tour?

Unlimited water and iced tea are included throughout the day.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel) is included for all guests.

How physically demanding is this speedboat tour?

The tour isn’t demanding but you must be able to get in and out of the boat independently.

Are there toilets available at the meeting point?

No public toilets are available near the starting location.

Can children join this group speedboat tour?

The tour is suitable for families; children can join as long as they can safely board the boat.

Will we visit specific islands every time?

The exact stops depend on weather and sea conditions; locations may vary each trip.

Is lunch included during the island-hopping tour?

No lunch is provided but there are shops and cafés at some stops where you can buy food.

What’s included

Your day includes a friendly local skipper guiding your group by speedboat from Zadar across several islands with all fuel covered; unlimited water and iced tea served onboard; use of snorkeling equipment if you want it; plus plenty of chances to swim or relax in bays or small towns before returning later that afternoon.