Private Sailing Tours in Zadar Archipelago

The best part of this private Zadar sailing trip is the freedom to make the Adriatic your swimming pool for an afternoon. You sail from the city toward Ošljak Island, stop for snorkeling, then continue to green Ugljan for more swimming, sightseeing, or lunch.

I like the small-group setup, which gives you room to shape the pace, and I like that snorkeling equipment, fuel, and the skipper are included. The main drawback is simple: four hours passes quickly, and lunch, drinks, and other food cost extra. This works best when you want a relaxed outing, not a packed sightseeing schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to seven: Your group gets the boat to itself, so you do not have to match the pace of strangers.
• Two island stops: Ošljak is the main swimming and snorkeling stop, while Ugljan offers more time for shore exploration and lunch.
• Local hosts Laura and Toni: The Antares Sailing team may include Laura and Toni or Tonci, with a friendly, personal approach.
• Snorkeling gear included: You can get into the water without bringing your own mask and snorkel.
• Four hours on the Adriatic: The trip includes roughly 30 minutes out, one hour at Ošljak, two hours at Ugljan, and 30 minutes back.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations by you are free up to 24 hours before departure.

Setting out from Bregdetti Street in Zadar

The tour begins at Bregdetti ul. 42 in Zadar and returns to the same meeting point. You meet the boat there, and the outing starts with about 30 minutes of sailing toward Ošljak.

That first stretch is not wasted transport. From the water, Zadar looks different. You get an open view of the coast, a fresh breeze, and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the boat before the swimming begins.

The private format matters here. On a shared excursion, the captain has to follow a fixed routine for a larger crowd. With a group of up to seven, you can talk with the skipper, ask about the islands, and make better use of the time for your own interests.

The crew connected with Antares Sailing includes Laura and Toni, also referred to as Tonci in the tour details. Laura has handled communication and guiding on some outings, while Toni has captained others. The exact crew arrangement can vary, but the experience is built around direct contact with the people running the boat rather than a large commercial operation.

A practical note: the boat leaves from a specific address, not from a broad city-center meeting area. Check the meeting instructions carefully before setting out, especially if you are visiting Zadar from a cruise ship or fitting this into a short port call.

Ošljak, a small island made for a swim

After roughly half an hour, the boat reaches Ošljak. This is a tiny island between Zadar and Ugljan, with a single village and a permanent population of only 29 people recorded in the 2011 census.

Ošljak is not the place for a long list of sights. Its appeal is its quiet scale. You come here to swim, snorkel, look below the surface, and enjoy a slower Adriatic setting away from the city.

The stop lasts about one hour. That is enough time for a good swim and a look at the seabed, but not enough for a leisurely island walk, an extended meal, and a full beach afternoon. Bring your expectations in line with the clock.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes this stop easier for casual swimmers. You do not need to pack a complete set of gear for a single outing. The water and seabed are the focus, so this is the point where you will likely spend the most time in the sea.

The island also has a bit of character beyond its beaches. Ošljak was once called Calugerà, a name linked to the noble Calogerà family, which owned the island and built a summer residence and gardens there. You may hear some of this local background during the trip, though the tour is more about being on the water than receiving a formal history lecture.

If you are not keen on snorkeling, you can simply swim or remain on the boat. The stop is flexible enough for different comfort levels, but everyone should be ready for a boat-based outing where entering and leaving the water are part of the experience.

Ugljan gives you the longest stop

From Ošljak, the boat continues to Ugljan, the largest and more developed stop on this short route. The planned visit lasts about two hours, making it the main part of the island time.

Ugljan is known as the green island because of its pine trees, olive trees, fig trees, vineyards, thick Mediterranean shrubs, and other plant life. That fragrant mix is one of the pleasures of being here. The island feels more substantial than tiny Ošljak, yet the tour still gives you only a short sample.

You can spend the time sightseeing, swimming, or having lunch. Lunch is not included, so you pay separately for anything you order. If eating on the island is important to you, tell the skipper early so the stop can work around your plans.

Ugljan has a long connection with the sea. Fishing remains part of its identity, and olive growing has a history of about 2,000 years. The inhabited northeastern side includes places such as Preko, Kali, Ugljan, and Kukljica. The opposite side is largely steep and uninhabited, which helps explain why a boat trip is such a useful way to see it.

Kali is especially relevant to this outing because one account describes stopping there for lunch. Do not treat that as a fixed promise of a particular restaurant or village, but the captain can help you make the most of the available shore time.

The two-hour stop is where the private format earns its keep. You might want a long swim, while someone else in your group wants lunch or a walk. The skipper can respond to your priorities more easily than a large group excursion can. Still, flexibility has limits. The total tour remains about four hours, and the return sailing needs to happen on schedule.

The return to Zadar by the Sea Organ

The boat leaves Ugljan for about 30 minutes of sailing back to Zadar. This final leg gives you another look at the islands and coast from the water, with the sea breeze replacing the noise and traffic of the city.

One especially enjoyable possibility is passing the Zadar Sea Organ from the water near the end of the tour. The Sea Organ is one of the city’s best-known waterfront features, and seeing it from a boat gives the return route a pleasant finish.

The timing also helps you judge this tour correctly. Half of the four-hour schedule is spent sailing to and from the islands. That is not a flaw if you enjoy being on a boat and watching the coast slide past. It may disappoint you if you want four full hours at beaches or snorkeling spots.

Some outings have included several swimming points and short shore stops beyond the basic Ošljak and Ugljan plan. The exact pattern can change with the captain, weather, and the group’s wishes. Think of the published route as the framework, with some room to adjust rather than a guarantee of a particular number of swim stops.

What the private price really buys you

The listed price is $278.16 for the whole group, with up to seven people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $40 per person for four hours. For a couple or a small family, the per-person cost is higher, but you are paying for exclusive use of the boat rather than individual seats on a crowded cruise.

Fuel, taxes, the skipper, and snorkeling equipment are included. Those inclusions make the price easier to understand because you are not adding a fuel surcharge or a separate equipment fee later.

Food and drinks are not included. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and alcoholic drinks are all outside the price. Some outings have included drinks, snacks, fruit, or a homemade spirit as personal extras from the hosts, but you should not count on those. Bring or buy what you need, and budget separately for lunch on Ugljan.

The value is strongest for families, friends, and small groups that would otherwise book several seats on a larger boat. It is also useful for cruise passengers who want a private half-day on the water during a short stay in Zadar. One group was even dropped at its ship afterward, but that should be requested and confirmed rather than assumed.

The crew and the feel on board

The strongest feature of this trip is the personal contact with the Antares Sailing team. Laura has been described as warm and helpful in arranging the trip, while Toni or Tonci has served as captain and local host. Conversations can range from island life and local culture to practical questions such as housing costs.

That kind of informal exchange is valuable because you are not just being moved from one stop to another. You can ask what you see, learn more about the coast, and shape the day around your group.

The boat has been described as clean and comfortable, with space for five adults fitting well. The tour can suit a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration. One bachelorette group used the outing for swimming, island exploring, photos, and extra time, with the captain adapting to their plans.

You should still remember that this is a boat, not a resort. Space is limited, and the day depends on good weather. If someone in your group needs help getting on or off, tell the operator before departure. Assistance has been provided to a passenger who needed help, but boat access is not the same as step-free access.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The trip is offered in English, and the confirmation arrives at booking.

Who will enjoy this Zadar sailing trip

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A private outing with your own family or friends
• Swimming and snorkeling without organizing boat hire yourself
• A flexible day where lunch and shore time can be discussed with the skipper
• A gentle introduction to Ošljak and Ugljan
• A four-hour activity that fits into a short stay or cruise port visit
• A chance to ask local questions and spend time with a small crew

I would look elsewhere if you want a full-day island cruise, a formal guided history tour, guaranteed restaurant arrangements, or a large amount of time at each beach. The schedule is short, and the ride itself is a major part of the experience.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Since lunch is optional and excluded, carry a card or cash suitable for your own meal plans. The tour includes snorkeling gear, but you may still prefer to bring personal equipment if you have a favorite mask.

The water portion is the star, so this outing suits people who are comfortable around boats and want to swim. If your group includes non-swimmers, they can enjoy the views and remain on board, but make sure everyone understands that the main stops are built around time in the sea.

Weather, cancellation, and timing

The tour needs good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel your own booking for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Zadar time.

A four-hour tour can be easy to fit into a day, but give yourself breathing room around the start and end. The listed plan returns to the original meeting point, and the boat may sometimes help with a ship transfer, but that extra arrangement needs confirmation.

Should you book Antares Sailing?

Book it if your ideal Zadar afternoon means clear water, a small boat, two island stops, and an easygoing captain. The private price makes the most sense for a group of five to seven, though couples may still prefer it for the privacy and flexibility.

The most convincing reasons to choose it are the included snorkeling gear, the ability to shape the stop on Ugljan, and the friendly connection with Laura, Toni, or Tonci. Just remember that food is extra, the trip depends on weather, and four hours includes an hour of sailing time.

For a personal Adriatic outing with room to swim, ask questions, and slow down, this is a strong choice in Zadar. For an intensive island tour, book something longer.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including about 30 minutes sailing from Zadar to Ošljak, one hour on Ošljak, two hours on Ugljan, and 30 minutes sailing back to Zadar.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Zadar.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private tour is for one 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, but you can choose to have lunch during the Ugljan stop.

Are fuel and the skipper included?

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

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.