Private Sailing Tours in Zadar Archipelago

The best part of this private Zadar boat trip is the freedom to shape the day around the sea. You sail out from Bregdetti Street, stop at Ošljak for swimming and snorkeling, then spend longer on green Ugljan Island, where you can explore, eat lunch, or simply sit by the water.

I like the small private group, capped at seven, and the personal touch from Laura and Tony, also called Tonci in some arrangements. I also like that snorkeling gear, fuel, the skipper, and all fees are included. The main consideration is time: four hours passes quickly, and lunch is extra, so you will need to choose between a long meal and more time in the water.

Key things to know before you book

• Ošljak is the first swim stop: You get about an hour for snorkeling and a look around this tiny inhabited island.
• Ugljan gets the most time: The two-hour stop allows room for swimming, sightseeing, and an optional lunch.
• The tour is private: Your own group uses the boat, with a maximum of seven people.
• Tony and Laura add local personality: Guests describe easy communication, flexible planning, photo help, drinks, fruit, and useful conversation about the area.
• The boat returns to Zadar: The trip begins and ends at Bregdetti ul. 42, with about 30 minutes of sailing each way.
• Weather matters: You can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead, but poor weather may also cause the operator to reschedule or refund the trip.

Setting out from Zadar for a short Adriatic escape

This tour gives you a quick way to leave city streets behind without committing to a full-day cruise. From the meeting point at Bregdetti ul. 42, you board the boat and head toward the nearby islands, with roughly 30 minutes of sailing before reaching Ošljak.

That opening ride matters. You are not simply being driven to a swimming platform. You see Zadar from the water, with the coast opening up behind you as the boat moves away from the harbor. The fresh breeze and broad sea views make the journey part of the experience.

The boat is private, so you are not working around a large group’s schedule. If your party wants to swim longer, stop for photographs, or spend more time ashore, you have a better chance of making the outing feel personal. The skipper controls the route, but the plan is designed to move at your pace.

The stated price is $278.16 for the whole group of up to seven. For seven people, that works out to about $40 per person before any lunch or drinks you buy. For a couple, the cost per person is much higher, but the privacy and flexibility may still make sense if you dislike crowded group boats. You are paying for a private skipper, fuel, equipment, and a half-day on the water rather than a basic transfer.

Ošljak, a tiny island with a useful first stop

After the first half-hour of sailing, the boat reaches Ošljak. This small island lies between Zadar and Ugljan, just off the Dalmatian coast. Its only village has a permanent population of 29, and the island’s highest point reaches about 90 meters.

Ošljak works well as the first stop because it gives you time to get into the water before the longer Ugljan visit. You have about an hour here for swimming and snorkeling. The included equipment means you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, though you will still want swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes.

The island has an old summer-residence story tied to the Calogerà family, which once owned the property and gardens there. Its former Italian name was Calugerà. You should not expect a large sightseeing program or a string of attractions. Ošljak is small, quiet, and best appreciated as a scenic island stop with time to swim.

The seabed is a major reason to get in the water. The tour description emphasizes snorkeling and the clear Adriatic, while the supplied guest accounts describe two or more swim stops and beautiful water. Conditions can change with wind and sea movement, so the exact quality of visibility is never guaranteed, but this is plainly a water-focused outing.

If you prefer to stay dry, the boat ride and island views still give you something to enjoy. However, swimmers will get more from the tour. The schedule is built around getting into the sea, not around a long guided walk.

Ugljan Island, pine trees, figs, and an optional lunch

Ugljan is the main stop, with about two hours set aside for sightseeing, swimming, and lunch if you want it. That longer pause gives the trip a better balance than a simple boat ride with brief photo stops.

Ugljan is often called the green island because of its pine trees, olive groves, fig trees, vineyards, and dense Mediterranean bush. The scent of those plants is part of the appeal. You get a different view of the Zadar archipelago here, one shaped by small villages, fishing, olive growing, and long ties to the sea.

The populated northeastern side includes places such as Preko, Ugljan, Kali, and Kukljica. The opposite side is mostly steep and uninhabited. Your exact stop and shore time can depend on the skipper’s plan and the conditions, but the schedule allows enough time for more than a quick look.

Lunch is not included. That is important to plan around because two hours can disappear quickly if you sit down for a full meal. Guests have enjoyed lunch in Kali, and one account describes a particularly good meal there. Still, the cost of food is your responsibility, and choosing lunch means giving up some time for swimming or walking.

I would decide before boarding what matters most to your group. If you want a relaxed meal and a taste of island life, Ugljan gives you room for it. If swimming is your priority, bring a snack and keep the shore stop lighter. Breakfast, dinner, lunch, and alcoholic drinks are all excluded from the price.

A flexible private boat rather than a fixed group cruise

The strongest feature here is the private format. Only your group participates, with space for up to seven people. That setup suits families, couples traveling with friends, and small celebrations that need more control than a public excursion allows.

One bachelorette group used the day for swimming, island visits, photographs, and extra time. The guide adjusted the outing to suit the group and took photos along the way. Another group of five adults found the boat a good fit and swam twice before having lunch.

The supplied details also point to a friendly, personal style from the Antares Sailing team. Laura handles communication and may meet you at the boat, while Tony or Tonci serves as captain and guide. The names appear in different forms, but the useful point is that you should expect direct contact with a small local operation rather than an impersonal cruise company.

Tony has spoken with guests about local culture and housing costs, which suggests the conversation can go beyond a basic safety briefing. Laura has also been praised for local suggestions and for helping the outing feel tailored. These details matter if you enjoy asking questions and getting a sense of daily life in the area.

Some extras have appeared on individual trips, including drinks, snacks, fresh fruit, and a homemade spirit. They are pleasant surprises, but they are not listed as guaranteed inclusions. Plan on bringing your own refreshments unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Sailing time, swimming time, and the pace of the day

The advertised duration is about four hours. The basic structure is roughly:

• 30 minutes from Zadar to Ošljak
• 1 hour at Ošljak
• 2 hours around Ugljan
• 30 minutes sailing back to Zadar

That leaves little spare time in the formal schedule. The boat may visit several spots, and one group reported visiting five or six places to swim and walk around, while another had extra time added. You should treat that flexibility as possible rather than guaranteed.

The return sail is not dead time. You can watch the islands recede and enjoy the breeze as the boat heads back toward Zadar. One memorable detail from the trip is passing the Sea Organ at the end, a fitting finish because the Sea Organ is best understood from the waterfront and heard as you move along the shore.

For cruise passengers, timing deserves extra care. One group visiting Zadar for a single port day used the four-hour trip successfully, and another group was dropped at its ship by the captain. That transfer help is not stated as a standard feature, so you should confirm it before relying on it. The listed end point is the original meeting point.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The tour covers the main operating costs:

• Skipper
• Fuel
• Snorkeling equipment
• All fees and taxes

You will need to arrange lunch and any other meals or alcoholic drinks yourself. The supplied information does not promise bottled water, snacks, or fruit, even though these have been provided on some outings. Bring what you need, or ask in advance.

The boat has been described as clean and comfortable, and one guide helped a passenger who needed assistance getting on and off. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, boat access can be different from stepping onto a flat beach, so anyone with mobility concerns should contact Antares Sailing before booking and discuss the boarding point and planned stops.

Public transportation is nearby, but the meeting point is specific: Bregdetti ul. 42, 23000 Zadar, Croatia. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the activity returns to that same meeting point unless another arrangement is confirmed directly.

Who will enjoy this Zadar sailing tour most

I would recommend this outing to people who want a private, easygoing day with plenty of sea time. It is especially suitable for:

• Families who want a boat to themselves
• Small groups of friends
• Couples willing to pay more for privacy
• Cruise passengers with a well-planned port day
• Swimmers and snorkelers who value clear water over a packed sightseeing schedule
• Visitors who enjoy informal conversation with a local skipper

It is less suitable if you want a large historical tour, a guaranteed sailing yacht experience, or a full meal included in the price. The focus is swimming, island scenery, and flexible time on the water. The itinerary also depends on good weather, so it is not the best choice for a fixed, all-purpose shore excursion with no room for change.

The tour is offered in English. The skipper and host can explain the area, answer questions, and help shape the day, but this is not presented as a formal lecture-heavy history tour.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. I would avoid scheduling this as the final possible activity of a short visit if getting on the water is your main goal. A little flexibility gives you a better chance of enjoying the islands in calm conditions.

This experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of 51 days in advance. That is useful to know if your dates are fixed, especially during the busy summer season.

Should you book the Antares Sailing trip?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the Adriatic, with two island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and room for a flexible plan. The price is fair for a full group of seven because fuel, equipment, the skipper, and fees are already covered. The personal service from Laura and Tony adds value, particularly if you like local conversation, help with photographs, and a relaxed pace.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed lunch, a detailed walking tour, or a schedule built around dry-land sightseeing. For most small groups who want to get out of Zadar and into the sea without spending a full day aboard, this is a strong choice. Pack swimwear, plan your lunch decision, confirm any special transfer or accessibility needs, and let the islands do the rest.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including the sailing time from Zadar to Ošljak, the stops at Ošljak and Ugljan, and the return to Zadar.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Bregdetti ul. 42, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Zadar.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private activity is available for a group of up to seven people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can choose to have lunch during the Ugljan stop, but you pay for it separately.

Are fuel and the skipper included?

Yes. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling equipment, and all fees and taxes are included.

What islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Ošljak Island and Ugljan Island, with sailing from and back to Zadar.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.