Zadar: Ugljan, Ošljak and Školjić Islands Private Boat Tour

The smallest inhabited island in Croatia makes a fine escape from Zadar’s busy waterfront. On this private speedboat trip, you’ll reach car-free Ošljak, swim and snorkel around three islands, then have time for a village stop on Ugljan. I love the mix of clear water and small historical sights, especially the old olive press, 19th-century windmills, and little church said to date from the 5th or 6th century. I also like the privacy: your group does not share the boat with a large crowd.

The main drawback is the clock. Four hours sounds generous, but boat travel takes about an hour total, leaving roughly three hours for island stops. That is enough for swimming, walking, and a snack, but not for a slow, full exploration of every island. The optional restaurant food also costs extra, and you should bring your own drinks and snacks.

Key points to know before booking

• Ošljak is car-free and lightly settled: Walk quiet paths, find pine shade, and see old island features without road traffic.
• Three swim and snorkel areas: Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, and waterproof shoes.
• A private boat changes the pace: You travel with your own group, skipper, and English-speaking guide.
• Ugljan adds local flavor: Stop at a fishing village for an optional snack, local wine, or a short walk.
• Afternoon departures include sunset views: Morning and midday trips give you more conventional daylight for swimming.
• The tour costs $294 for up to two people: That is a high price for a short outing, but reasonable if you value a private boat and flexible island time.

Leaving Zadar from Marina Tankerkomerc

You meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar. This is a practical starting point for a short sea trip, since you can get from the city to the marina without a long transfer.

The boat ride out takes about 25 minutes. A speedboat gets you to the islands quickly, which matters on a four-hour schedule. You spend less time plowing slowly across the water and more time near beaches, villages, and swimming spots.

The boat includes fuel, insurance, lifejackets, and diving masks. The word diving here refers to the supplied masks, not a scuba excursion. You should still bring your own towel, drinks, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat. Waterproof shoes are useful around rocky shorelines and piers.

A private group also gives you some breathing room. You are not packed onto a large excursion boat with a fixed crowd. The skipper and English-speaking guide can explain the places you visit, though the exact balance between walking, swimming, and sightseeing may depend on the sea conditions and your group’s interests.

Ošljak, Croatia’s smallest inhabited island

Ošljak is the most distinctive stop because it feels small in every sense. It is car-free, sparsely populated, and easy to explore on foot. You can leave the pier and quickly reach quiet paths, pine trees, olive groves, and shoreline spots suited to a swim.

The island’s size gives the visit a simple rhythm. You are not trying to cover a large area or chase a long list of sights. Instead, you can take a short walk, pause in the shade, look out over the water, and return to the sea when the heat rises.

There are several small historical details to look for. The island has 19th-century windmills, an old olive oil press, and a small church traditionally said to date to the 5th or 6th century. None of these sights is presented as a grand monument. Their value is in the glimpse they offer of old island life, when olive growing, fishing, and simple local settlements shaped the day.

The olive groves are especially worthwhile if you want more than a beach stop. You might find the old press tucked into the walking route, giving the island a working connection to its past. The church adds another layer, though you should expect a modest site rather than a major museum or formal historic complex.

Three hours around Ugljan, Ošljak, and Školjić

The central island section lasts about three hours. That is where the tour earns its appeal, but it is also where you need to manage expectations. You can swim and snorkel at several locations, walk through a village, visit a monastery, and stop for food, but you cannot linger everywhere.

The water is the main attraction. The route includes three different islands and several swimming stops, so you can spend time looking at marine life through a mask or simply cool off near a quiet beach. The supplied masks make snorkeling easy to add without renting extra equipment.

The beaches are not all the same. One stop may offer pine shade and a more secluded feel, while another has a sandy shoreline and shallow, clear water. That variety helps families and mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while children or less confident swimmers can stay near the shallows.

You should not assume every stop has soft sand. Dalmatian island shores often include rock and uneven footing, which is why waterproof shoes are on the recommended packing list. Bring a towel as well, since the tour does not include one.

A quiet visit to Školjić and its monastery

Školjić is the smaller island stop, with a Franciscan monastery as its main point of interest. You can walk to the monastery and visit its museum, which contains a copy of a 15th-century Holy Bible.

This stop gives the outing a different feel from the beach breaks. Instead of only swimming and sunbathing, you get a compact cultural visit tied to the island’s religious history. The museum is not likely to take a large part of your day, but it adds purpose to the stop and gives you something to see even if the water is too cool.

Afterward, you can relax near the pier or head to a sandy beach with shallow water. That makes Školjić a practical stop for groups with different priorities. One person can enjoy the monastery and museum while another settles by the water.

Keep an eye on the time. The overall island visit is three hours, and that period has to cover Ošljak, Školjić, swimming, snorkeling, and Ugljan. If you stop for a long meal, you will have less time for the beaches and walking paths.

Ugljan’s fishing-village stop

The Ugljan portion brings you closer to everyday island life. You head to one of the island’s villages for an optional snack in a local fisherman’s restaurant. You can also try local wine or walk through the village to take in its atmosphere.

The meal is not included, so treat it as an extra rather than part of the fixed tour cost. If you are watching your spending, bring your own food and drinks as advised. If you want the most local part of the day, the restaurant stop may be worth paying for, especially if you prefer a simple fishing-village meal to a packed lunch on the boat.

You should also think about timing. A restaurant visit takes a larger bite out of a four-hour outing than a quick snack by the shore. I would choose the village meal if food and local life matter more to you than fitting in another swim. If the sea is your priority, keep the stop short and use the supplied snorkeling gear.

The village walk is a good option for anyone who wants a little context without signing up for a full city tour. You are not spending the day inside museums or historic buildings. You are seeing a small settlement as part of an island route, with time to notice the streets, waterfront, and local pace.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the best departure time

Morning, midday, and afternoon departures are available, depending on the schedule. Your choice should match the kind of day you want.

A morning trip gives you a clean start and leaves the rest of the day open in Zadar. Midday works well if you want to combine the boat with a slower morning in town. The afternoon option finishes with sunset views from the boat, adding a pleasant final scene after the swimming stops.

The sunset option can be particularly appealing for couples or anyone who likes a scenic return rather than a practical one. The tradeoff is that you have less bright daylight toward the end of the trip. If your priority is snorkeling and seeing marine life, check the start time carefully and choose a departure that leaves plenty of light for the water.

One piece of feedback is worth taking seriously: the sea may feel cold, especially outside the warmest part of summer. Bring a towel and a dry layer for the return ride. A speedboat can feel breezy even on a sunny day.

The tour is suitable for children aged three and above, but the operator does not recommend it for people with back problems or mobility impairments. A speedboat ride, uneven island paths, piers, and beach access can be hard on anyone who needs smooth, level footing.

Is $294 good value for two?

The listed price is $294 per group of up to two people. That is not a cheap half-day outing, especially when lunch is extra. You are paying for privacy, the boat, fuel, a skipper, a guide, safety equipment, snorkeling masks, and the ability to avoid a large group schedule.

For two people, the cost works best if you care about having your own boat and want a more personal day on the water. The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a quick swim, since Zadar and the nearby coast offer other ways to reach the sea.

The value improves if you use the four hours well. Plan ahead about your priorities. A strong version of the day might include one longer swim, two shorter water stops, a walk on Ošljak, the monastery on Školjić, and a brief village snack on Ugljan. Trying to spend equal time everywhere could leave you feeling rushed.

The private format is also useful for couples, families, or a small group that does not want to adjust to strangers. The boat was described as clean and fast, and skipper Toni has been singled out for being friendly and discreet. If Toni is operating your trip, you may appreciate that low-key style. Still, the exact skipper and route details can vary, so do not book this expecting a named guide unless the operator confirms it.

What to pack for this island route

Pack for a day at the water, not a formal sightseeing tour. You need swimwear, sunglasses, a beach towel, sunscreen, a hat, and waterproof shoes. Bring drinks and snacks because the restaurant stop is optional and food is not included.

A small dry bag would be sensible for phones and wallets, although it is not listed as included equipment. Keep your packing light. You will move between a speedboat, piers, beaches, and walking paths, so bulky luggage will only get in the way.

Lifejackets and diving masks are included. Fuel and insurance are also covered, so you do not need to budget for those separately. Lunch, wine, and any restaurant snack are the main likely extras named for the trip.

Who should book this four-hour trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a private sea outing with more character than a simple beach transfer. It suits people who like to mix water time with small cultural sights, village walking, and local food.

It is also a good fit for a couple celebrating a special day, a family with children aged three or older, or anyone who wants to set the pace within a private group. The afternoon departure is a natural pick if sunset views matter to you.

I would hesitate if you need a fully accessible route, have back problems, or want a long, relaxed day on the islands. Four hours passes quickly, and the return boat ride leaves only a limited amount of time for each stop. I would also choose another option if a full restaurant meal is central to your plans, since the food stop is optional and not included.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private speedboat, clear swimming water, and small island history in one compact outing. Ošljak’s car-free paths, Školjić’s monastery, and Ugljan’s fishing-village stop give the day more variety than a simple cruise.

Skip it if you want a cheap beach day, a long meal, or a slow island visit with no clock. At $294 for two, the value depends on using the private boat and making the most of the three island stops. For the right group, it is an efficient and appealing way to see a quieter side of the Zadar coast.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

Meet in front of the reception building and café at Marina Tankerkomerc in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours. The listed route includes roughly 25 minutes by speedboat at the start and about 35 minutes on the return.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ugljan, Ošljak, and Školjić.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group experience.

Is lunch included?

No. A snack at a local fisherman’s restaurant is optional and costs extra. You should bring your own drinks and snacks.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, a beach towel, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof shoes, and your own drinks and snacks.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is suitable for children aged three and above. It is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.