Private Sailing Tours in Zadar Archipelago

The best part of this private sailing trip is the freedom to spend your time in the water or ashore instead of following a crowded sightseeing schedule. You sail from Zadar to Ošljak Island for swimming and snorkeling, then continue to Ugljan for more time by the sea and an optional lunch.

I like the personal service from Tony and Laura, who can adjust the outing to your group and may provide drinks, fruit, snacks, or local touches such as homemade spirits. I also like the small-group setup: up to seven people share the boat, so the day feels more like a family outing than a standard excursion.

The main thing to consider is the short duration. Four hours gives you a pleasant taste of the archipelago, but not a full island day. Lunch is extra, and the plan depends on good weather, so this works best when you want an easy half-day on the water rather than a packed coastal tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Two island stops: Swim and snorkel at Ošljak, then spend longer on Ugljan for sightseeing, swimming, and optional lunch.
• Private boat for up to seven: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
• Flexible local guiding: Tony and Laura can shape the pace around swimming, food, sightseeing, and your group’s interests.
• Snorkeling gear included: You do not need to bring your own mask and equipment.
• A scenic return to Zadar: The final half-hour gives you open-water views, sea air, and a chance to see the coast from a new angle.
• Good value for a full group: At $278.16 per group, the per-person cost drops to about $40 when seven people join.

Leaving Zadar for the Ošljak coast

The trip begins at Bregdetti ul. 42 in Zadar. You meet the boat there, settle in, and spend about 30 minutes sailing toward Ošljak.

That first leg is not just transport. From the water, Zadar looks different. You get a broad view of the coast rather than the close-up streets and waterfront promenade you see on land. The sea breeze also makes this a welcome break during a hot day.

The boat is skippered by Tony or Laura, depending on the departure. Their role goes beyond steering. They can answer questions about the area, talk about local life, and adjust the outing to suit your group. One especially useful detail is the relaxed communication style. If you want more time swimming, a slower sightseeing pace, or a stop for food, you can ask.

The boat accommodates groups of up to seven people. That is a good size for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration. It is also worth keeping expectations realistic: this is a private sailing outing, not a large yacht cruise with extensive onboard facilities or a formal meal service.

Ošljak Island: a quiet first swim

After about 30 minutes, the boat reaches Ošljak. The island sits between the Dalmatian coast and Ugljan, just off Zadar. It is tiny, with one village and a permanent population of 29 people recorded in the 2011 census.

Ošljak has a calm, residential feel. Its older Italian name, Calugerà, comes from the Calogerà family, which once owned the island and built a summer residence and gardens there. You do not need a long history lesson to enjoy the place, but that background helps explain why this small island has more character than its size suggests.

The stop lasts about an hour and is focused on swimming and snorkeling. The included snorkeling equipment makes this easy. You can step into the water, explore the seabed, and cool off without spending time arranging extra gear.

The water is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. Several groups have enjoyed swimming in clear water at more than one location, and the boat can help you reach spots away from the main Zadar waterfront. Still, the exact swimming conditions depend on wind, sea state, and the captain’s judgment on the day.

Ošljak is not the place to expect a long list of sights or a major town to explore. Its appeal is the pause: a small island, open water, and time to swim. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry bag if you have one. The supplied details confirm snorkeling equipment, but they do not specify what other personal items are available onboard.

Ugljan Island: two hours for lunch and a swim

From Ošljak, the trip continues to Ugljan, the larger island in the Zadar archipelago. The schedule allows about two hours here, making it the main stop of the day.

Ugljan is known as the green island because of its pine trees, olive trees, fig trees, vineyards, and thick Mediterranean brush. That plant life changes the mood of the tour. You are not only looking at open sea. You also get the scent of pines and figs, along with the softer, greener feel of an island shaped by farming and fishing.

The inhabited side includes Preko, Ugljan, Kali, and Kukljica. The other side is mostly steep and uninhabited. Your exact time ashore depends on how you and the skipper shape the stop, but you can use it for sightseeing, swimming, or lunch.

Lunch is not included, so plan for that cost. You may choose to eat on Ugljan, and the trip’s flexible format lets you make that part of the day rather than treating food as an afterthought. One group enjoyed lunch in Kali, while another stopped for a meal after swimming. The supplied information does not name a specific restaurant, so I would ask Tony or Laura for the current recommendation rather than choosing blindly.

The two-hour stop is a useful balance. It is long enough to eat and look around without turning the tour into a full island excursion. If your group would rather swim than sightsee, you can use the time that way. If you are traveling with mixed interests, Ugljan gives non-swimmers a chance to spend time ashore while others enjoy the water.

Ugljan also has strong links to the sea. Fishing has long been part of local life, and olive growing has a tradition reaching back 2,000 years. Those details make the island feel connected to its setting. You are seeing a lived-in Adriatic community, not just a swimming stop.

What the private format changes

A private tour matters most when your group has different ideas about a good day. One person may want to swim, another may want lunch, and someone else may prefer to sit back and take photographs. With only your own group onboard, the captain can respond to those wishes more easily than a large excursion can.

This flexibility appears in the way the outing has been handled. Tony has taken groups to several swimming and walking spots, helped with photographs, answered questions about local housing costs and culture, and even added an extra hour for one group. Another group was dropped at its cruise ship, avoiding a taxi ride. Those arrangements are examples of personal service, not guaranteed features, so ask in advance if you need a specific pickup or drop-off plan.

The guides also add a human side to the trip. Laura has handled communication before arrival and has guided groups herself. Tony has served as captain and local host. Drinks and snacks have appeared onboard for some groups, along with fresh fruit and a homemade spirit. These extras are not listed as included, so treat them as possible hospitality rather than something to book the tour for.

One practical benefit is that the boat has been described as clean and comfortable. A captain also helped one person who needed assistance getting on and off the boat. That is encouraging, but the details do not establish full accessibility. If anyone in your group needs specific support, contact the operator before booking and explain the situation clearly.

The return to Zadar by sea

The final 30 minutes take you back from Ugljan to the original meeting point in Zadar. This is a gentle way to finish. You can watch the islands recede, feel the breeze, and see the city approach from offshore.

The return is also a good time for photographs. One group especially enjoyed sailing past Zadar’s Sea Organ at the end. The tour information does not promise that exact route every time, but the boat’s return toward the city can provide a fresh view of Zadar’s waterfront.

You return to Bregdetti ul. 42, where the activity ends. Because the tour is about four hours, check the timing carefully if you are visiting from a cruise ship or have another reservation afterward. The outing has worked well for a day in port, but you should leave a sensible buffer for weather or delays.

Price, group size, and what you get

The price is $278.16 per private group of up to seven. For a full group, that works out to roughly $40 per person before lunch. For two people, the per-person price is much higher, but the private format may still make sense if you value control over the pace and do not want to share a boat.

The fee includes the skipper, fuel, taxes, and snorkeling equipment. Those inclusions matter because fuel and boat costs can add up quickly on a private Adriatic trip. You do not need to budget separately for the basic sailing and swimming setup.

Food and drinks are not formally included. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and alcoholic drinks are excluded, although personal hospitality such as snacks, fruit, or drinks may sometimes be offered. Plan to pay for lunch yourself and do not rely on onboard refreshments unless you confirm them ahead of time.

This is a good-value choice for a family or friend group that will use the private boat fully. It is less compelling for a solo visitor or couple focused mainly on the lowest possible price. In that case, a shared boat may cost less, though it would not offer the same control.

Who will enjoy this half-day sailing trip

I would choose this outing if you want a relaxed break from Zadar’s streets and a few hours of real sea time. It suits families, couples, and friend groups who like swimming, light snorkeling, island scenery, and an unhurried lunch.

It is also a strong fit for a cruise stop. The half-day length leaves room for time in Zadar, and the private setup can reduce the stress of coordinating a large group. If you need a return to your ship instead of the listed meeting point, ask before departure. That kind of help has been provided, but it should not be assumed.

You should think twice if you want a full-day sailing adventure, serious snorkeling instruction, or a detailed historical tour of every island. The focus here is simple: sail, swim, look around, eat if you wish, and sail back.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation comes at booking, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The booking information says most people can participate, though anyone with mobility concerns should discuss boat access in advance.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and bad weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book Antares Sailing?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day with two island stops and plenty of time for swimming. The strongest reasons are the small group, included snorkeling gear, local attention from Tony or Laura, and the chance to shape the day around your own pace.

The main limitation is that four hours passes quickly. You will not see all of Ugljan or explore the wider archipelago in depth. But if your ideal Croatian outing includes clear water, pine and fig-scented air, a relaxed lunch, and a pleasant boat ride back to Zadar, this is a sound choice, especially for a group of five to seven.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Bregdetti ul. 42, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Zadar.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including the sailing time to the islands and back.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to seven people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Ošljak Island and Ugljan Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you pay separately if you choose to eat on Ugljan.

Are the skipper, fuel, and taxes included?

Yes. The skipper, fuel cost, all fees, and taxes are included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of bad weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.