Boat tour from Zadar: Preko – Hidden Bay – Ošljak

The best part of this four-hour trip is the change of pace. You leave Zadar’s waterfront behind, cross to Ugljan Island, swim in a quiet bay reached only by boat, then walk around tiny Ošljak. I like the mix of local island life and open-water time, and I like that the skipper can adjust the day to suit your group. The clean, comfortable boat and friendly service have also earned strong praise.

The main thing to check before booking is the boat arrangement. Some tour information mentions the option to rent with or without a skipper, while the detailed package described here includes a professional skipper and fuel. Ask which version and price apply to your booking. The four-hour schedule also gives you a pleasant taste of the islands, not a full-day outing.

Key points at a glance

• Preko is more than a photo stop: You get time for a waterfront coffee, a walk, swimming, snorkeling, or an optional trip toward St. Michael’s Fortress.
• The swimming bay is reachable only by boat: This is the quietest part of the trip, with clear turquoise water and time to relax away from the city.
• Ošljak is tiny and peaceful: Pine trees, olive groves, stone houses, and views back toward Zadar make this a gentle final stop.
• A skipper handles the route: The described package includes a professional skipper, with English and Croatian spoken.
• The boat time matters: The ride itself takes you away from the city and links three very different settings in four hours.
• The package includes useful extras: Fuel, drinks, and snorkeling masks are included in the detailed tour information.

Leaving Zadar for a short island escape

The meeting point is at the pier in front of the INA gas station on Obala kneza Branimira 27. That is a useful detail because Zadar has several waterfront departure points, and you do not want to be searching along the harbor at the last minute.

Once aboard, you head out by speedboat. The listed schedule includes a 45-minute boat ride at the start, followed by the island stops and a 20-minute ride between Preko and Ošljak. The timing makes this more than a quick harbor cruise. You spend enough time on the water to feel that you have left Zadar, but you still return within half a day.

I like this format for a hot summer morning or afternoon. You get sun, sea air, and island scenery without giving up an entire day. It also works well if Zadar is one stop on a longer Croatian trip and you want an outing that fits around other plans.

The boat is described as clean and comfortable, and the skipper provides information about the places along the way. The exact boat size and group capacity are not given, so ask about the setup if personal space matters to you. A speedboat can make the trip feel lively and efficient, but it can also be less gentle than a larger, slower boat when the sea is choppy.

Preko, where island life feels close to Zadar

Preko sits on Ugljan Island, only about 20 minutes from Zadar by boat under the tour description. It is close enough for an easy crossing, yet the waterfront feels removed from the city.

You have roughly 75 minutes here for a mix of activities. You can stroll along the promenade, sit down for a coffee by the sea, swim, or use a snorkeling mask. That flexibility is important. You are not pushed into one fixed activity, so one person can take a walk while another stays near the water.

Preko gives the tour its most ordinary, lived-in stop. The appeal is not a long list of grand sights. It is the simple Dalmatian rhythm of a waterfront village, small boats, stone buildings, and time spent outdoors. If you want a taste of island life rather than only a sequence of swimming stops, this is where the tour earns its keep.

You can also request a short trip to St. Michael’s Fortress, a hilltop site with broad views across the Zadar archipelago. The wording matters: this visit is on request, and the available time is limited. You should ask the skipper about it at the start rather than assume it is part of the standard stop.

The fortress option may appeal to you if you want a viewpoint and a little history in the middle of your boat day. If swimming is your priority, you may prefer to use the full Preko stop by the waterfront. With only 75 minutes, you probably cannot treat this as a long island exploration and a relaxed swim at the same time.

A boat-only bay for clear water and quiet time

After Preko, the route moves to a secluded bay accessible only by boat. This is the most restful section of the outing. There are no streets to wander and no café stop to organize. You simply get into the water, lie in the sun, or sit aboard and enjoy the cove.

The water is described as crystal clear and turquoise. Snorkeling masks are available, and drinks are included, so the practical work is light. You do not need to plan a separate equipment rental for a quick look below the surface.

I would treat this as a swimming and rest stop rather than a major snorkeling expedition. The tour information promises masks, but it does not describe a reef, marine wildlife, or a guided underwater visit. Bring your expectations down to a pleasant look through clear coastal water, then enjoy the setting for what it is.

This stop is also where the weather matters most. The tour is built around warm Mediterranean sun and swimming, so a bright day will make a big difference. If clouds or wind arrive, the swimming portion may feel less appealing. The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, which is useful when you are watching the forecast.

You should also bring the usual swim-day basics: a swimsuit, sun protection, and something dry for the boat ride back. Those items are practical suggestions, not stated inclusions. The tour provides drinks and masks, but the supplied details do not list towels or other personal equipment.

Ošljak, a tiny island with time to slow down

The final stop is Ošljak, described as Croatia’s smallest inhabited island. Its small scale is the attraction. You are not arriving for a packed sightseeing program. You come for a short walk, quiet time, swimming, snorkeling, and views back toward Zadar.

Ošljak is covered with pine trees and olive groves, with stone houses adding to its old island character. The setting should suit you if you enjoy places where the main pleasure is walking slowly and noticing small details. The tour information says time seems to stand still here, and that is a fair way to understand the stop: it is a pause, not a checklist.

The schedule allows about one hour on Ošljak. That is enough for a modest walk and a swim, but not enough for a long island circuit. Since this is the last stop, you may find it especially easy to relax. The main city sights are behind you, and the return to Zadar is the final boat leg.

The views toward Zadar from the sea are a useful bonus. You see the city from a different angle, with the waterfront set against the islands. If you have already spent time walking Zadar’s streets, this gives you a fresh sense of its position on the Adriatic.

What the skipper adds to the day

The detailed tour package includes a professional skipper, with live guidance in English or Croatian. That changes the experience from a simple boat rental into a guided outing. You can focus on the scenery and swimming while someone else handles the route.

The strongest praise in the supplied feedback centers on the skipper’s friendly, professional approach and useful information about the places visited. One booking also describes the skipper adjusting the trip to suit the group and trying to make the day work well. No skipper name is provided, so you should not expect to request a particular person.

Flexibility is valuable on a short tour. You may want more time in Preko, a longer swim, or a quieter stop at Ošljak. The route still has a set shape, but the skipper may be able to make small adjustments. Do not assume every change is possible, especially if sea conditions or timing affect the return.

The tour information needs a little clarification about self-drive rental. One part mentions renting with or without a skipper and says fuel is not included, while the detailed inclusion list says fuel and a professional skipper are included. Those are materially different products. If you are booking the guided boat tour described here, confirm that fuel and the skipper are included in your specific reservation.

Is $49 a fair price?

At $49 per person, this is a reasonable price if you want a guided half-day on the water rather than a basic transfer. You are paying for the boat route, the skipper, fuel in the detailed package, three separate stops, drinks, snorkeling masks, and four hours of your holiday.

The value comes from variety. A direct boat ride to Preko would not offer the same combination of village time, a boat-only swimming bay, and a tiny island. You also avoid arranging transport between the stops yourself.

The price is less compelling if you only want a long beach session. The four-hour trip divides its time among travel and three locations, so each stop has limits. You will not spend the whole day at the secluded bay, and you will not have hours to explore Preko or Ošljak.

For a family, the value may depend on how much everyone likes boats and swimming. One booking specifically describes the outing as a good experience with children, but the supplied information does not give age limits, child prices, or safety equipment details. Ask the provider about those points if you are booking for young children.

The reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your schedule is still moving. You can hold a place without paying immediately, and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure is listed for a full refund. Check the current terms at booking, since the boat version and inclusions should also be confirmed there.

Who will enjoy this speedboat outing?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a short escape from Zadar with a balance of swimming, island scenery, and light sightseeing. It suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather be on the water than spend another day in town.

It is also a good choice for anyone who likes some freedom within a guided plan. Preko gives you options, and the skipper may be able to respond to the group’s wishes. You are not locked into a lecture or a long inland walk.

You may want something else if you need a very slow, quiet boat ride, extensive historical touring, or a full-day island trip. The speedboat is built to cover ground, and the itinerary is compact. The tour gives you samples of three places instead of a long stay in one.

The swimming stops make the outing weather dependent. On a hot, calm day, the plan makes sense from beginning to end. On a cool or rough day, the water-based sections may not deliver the same pleasure, even though you still get the boat ride and island views.

Practical details before you reserve

Meet at the pier in front of the INA gas station at Obala kneza Branimira 27. The activity lasts four hours, but starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

English and Croatian are the listed tour languages. Drinks and snorkeling masks are included in the detailed information, along with fuel and a professional skipper. Because another part of the description presents a possible boat rental without a skipper and without fuel, confirm the exact package before paying.

The route begins with a speedboat ride, continues to Preko, then reaches the swimming bay and Ošljak before returning to the same Zadar meeting point. The listed timing includes about 75 minutes at Preko and one hour at Ošljak, with boat travel between the stops.

The activity has a rating of 4.7 from 11 reviews. The most consistent positive points are the skipper’s friendly manner, the clean and comfortable boat, the careful route, the clear water, and the ability to keep away from crowds. That is the heart of the experience.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want to turn half a day in Zadar into a compact island adventure. The combination of Preko, a quiet swimming bay, and Ošljak gives you more range than a simple beach cruise, while the skipper, fuel, drinks, and masks keep the outing easy.

Skip it if your priority is a long stay on one beach, a full historical tour, or a guaranteed private boat setup. Before booking, confirm whether your reservation includes the skipper and fuel, since the supplied descriptions give conflicting information on that point. For a sunny day and a fair price of $49, this is a practical way to see the Zadar archipelago from the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts four hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Preko on Ugljan Island, a secluded bay for swimming, and Ošljak, described as Croatia’s smallest inhabited island.

Is a skipper included?

The detailed tour information includes a professional skipper. Another description mentions the option to rent with or without a skipper, so confirm the exact option when booking.

Is fuel included?

The detailed inclusion list says fuel is included. Another part of the information says fuel is not included for a rental option, so check which package you are reserving.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English and Croatian.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are listed as included, and you can use them at Preko and Ošljak as well as at the swimming bay.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included in the detailed tour information.

Can I visit St. Michael’s Fortress?

A short trip to St. Michael’s Fortress can be requested from Preko. It is not described as a standard guaranteed part of the route.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the stated cancellation terms.