Croatia

5 of the Best Zadar Boat Tours

by Paul Joseph  |  Published July 29, 2022

Renowned for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town, the waters off of the Croatian city of Zadar are also popular with boat tours.

(Photo: GetYourGuide)

Home to ancient landmarks, fantastic beaches and islands, and a buzzing nightlife scene, Zadar may be a touch off the radar of most tourists compared with many of its Croatian counterparts, but it remains an enticing destination. If you’d like to visit Zadar and its surroundings by boat, then check out our list below of 5 of the best Zadar boat tours currently on the market.

Boat Tour to the Nearby Islands

Discover the beauty of the islands of Ugljan, Ošljak and Galevac with a local skipper on this  half-day boat tour from Zadar. During the trip, you’ll get to enjoy a refreshing swim at a beach, learn about the history of the islands, explore charming fishing villages, and access areas that are hard to reach with larger tourist cruise liners. Other highlights include a visit to Galevac, a small island with a 15th-century Franciscan monastery that’s only accessible by paddle boat. From €66 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide

Zadar Islands: Private Hidden Treasures Speedboat Tour

(Photo: GetYourGuide)

Explore secluded beaches in the Zadar archipelago with the wind in your hair on this thrilling private speedboat tour. As part of a select group of family or friends and with a customized itinerary based on your preferences, the full-day adventure will see you propelled across the water on a comfortable speedboat helmed by a professional skipper and knowledgeable guide, stopping for swims, snorkeling and beach time as little or as often as you please. You’ll get to see all the beauty of the area and discover the numerous islands of the archipelago on your horizon, before hitting the delightfully secluded bay on Iž island, where you’ll also get to wander around the traditional Croatian village and stop for lunch in a local restaurant before continuing your journey. This tour lasts a minimum of seven hours. From €399 per group (max 2 people).

Book at GetYourGuide

Full day sailing tour in Zadar archipelago

Cut out the tourist crowds and kick back on a small-group tour around the Zadar archipelago. Aboard a boat with no more than six people, you’ll cruise past scenic bays, and stop to swim, snorkel, or fish along the route during the all-day trip. How much you see is up to you; your skipper can customise the route to include stops at Ošljak or Ugljan, among other local highlights. All you need to do is relax and leave the boat work and route to your helmsman. There’ll also be a stop off to hear the amazing sounds created by the Sea Organ, one of the region’s most unique attractions. From €77 per person. 

Book at Viator

Sunset Boat Tour

(Photo: GetYourGuide)

Soak up the beauty of the sunset from the water on this 1-hour boat tour from Zadar. During the trip, you’ll learn about the history of Zadar from your local guide, marvel at the oldest university in Croatia, and explore the 16th-century old Zadar Walls, which are an official UNESCO World Heritage site, from your unique vantage point. Cruising along the coast, you’ll also reach the distinctive tones of the Sea Organs – incredible architectural sound art objects which play music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps – before your return to Zadar. From €41 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide

Private Gourmet Boat tour to island of Love

Combine a memorable boat trip with a culinary odyssey on this full-day gourmet tour. Departing at 9am from Zadar, you’ll traverse the region’s waters while savouring some of the best local food and drink sourced from local producers. As you go, you can look out and enjoy notable regional landmarks and places of interest including Zadar Cathedral and, further out, beautiful bays, villages and islands including  Kostanj beach on Ugljan, Galešnjak and Dobropoljana, before your return journey to dry land on Zadar. From €103 per person. 

Book at Viator