Experience the Islands Near Zadar on a Boat Tour
Dec 15, 2025Zadar is not only a coastal city but the natural center of a dense and diverse Zadar archipelago. For centuries, the sea connected the city with nearby islands, shaping trade routes, food supply, and daily movement.
Today, this same geography makes Zadar an ideal base for a modern boat tour, where multiple islands can be explored within a single outing. Thanks to our fast Lolivul 9 vessels , distances that once defined island life are now covered in minutes, making island hopping both efficient and meaningful for visitors.
Zadar archipelago boat tour routes and travel times
The islands closest to Zadar are positioned so that travel time by speedboat is remarkably short. Ugljan lies directly opposite the city and can be reached in approximately 10 minutes.
Ošljak is even closer, often visible during the crossing, and is reached in under 15 minutes. Iž and Rava, which feel more remote, are typically reached within 30 to 40 minutes, while Dugi Otok, the outermost island on many routes, takes around 60 minutes depending on sea conditions.
Using a fast boat such as the Lolivul 9 allows a boat tour to include several islands without feeling rushed. Instead of spending most of the day in transit, visitors spend their time swimming, walking, snorkeling, or observing island life. This efficiency is one of the main reasons why exploring the Zadar archipelago by boat is a smart choice on a limited holiday schedule.
Ugljan island as the gateway island
Ugljan is the closest island to Zadar and functions as the gateway to the rest of the archipelago. Its western coast faces the city, creating a strong visual and cultural connection. The island’s unique selling point lies in its variety within a small area. Hidden bays, quiet beaches, the village of Preko, and St. Michael’s Fort all exist within short distances of each other.
Ugljan offers a balance between accessibility and depth, making it an ideal first stop that introduces visitors to island geography, local settlements, and historical landmarks without requiring long travel time.
Ošljak island and minimal island life
Just minutes from Ugljan lies Ošljak, the smallest inhabited island in the Adriatic. Its proximity to Zadar and Preko means travel time is often less than 15 minutes, yet the atmosphere is entirely different. Ošljak has no roads and only a handful of houses, which makes its simplicity its main attraction.
The unique appeal of Ošljak is scale. It shows how island life can exist in its most reduced form. On a boat tour, Ošljak is often observed rather than explored in depth, offering a visual and cultural contrast to larger islands.
Iž Island and traditional island identity
Iž lies further southeast and marks a transition into the inner Zadar archipelago. Reached in roughly 30 to 35 minutes by speedboat, it feels noticeably more distant from the mainland. Iž is known for its fishing heritage, and calm village centers.
Tourists are drawn to Iž because it maintains a strong local identity without being isolated. Its clear waters, walking paths, and relaxed pace make it appealing for travelers seeking authenticity. On a boat tour, reaching Iž highlights how quickly one can move from urban influence to a more self-contained island environment.
Rava island and quiet agricultural landscapes
Rava is located close to Iž and shares similar travel times, often around 35 to 40 minutes from Zadar. Its defining characteristic is its low-profile landscape and dispersed settlement. There are no large villages, and the island’s rhythm is shaped by agriculture and seasonal movement.
The unique selling point of Rava is tranquility. It attracts visitors who value open space, silence, and a visible connection between land and sea. Seen from a boat tour, Rava represents the understated side of the Zadar archipelago, where modest geography supports long-standing island life without intensive development.
Dugi Otok island and dramatic contrasts
Dugi Otok is the largest island in the Zadar archipelago and typically the furthest point on many tours, reached in about an hour by fast boat. Its size and shape create strong contrasts, with steep cliffs facing the open Adriatic and calm bays on the inner side.
Dugi Otok’s main appeal lies in this dual character. Locations such as Telašćica Nature Park and the outer cliffs offer a sense of scale that smaller islands cannot. Visiting Dugi Otok by boat tour makes particular sense, as its defining features are oriented toward the sea and best understood from the water.
Why a boat tour is the best way to experience the Zadar archipelago
Exploring the Zadar archipelago by boat tour is both practical and revealing. Fast travel times mean multiple islands can be experienced in a single day without logistical complexity. There is no need to coordinate ferry schedules, return times, or overnight stays unless desired.
More importantly, boat travel follows the original logic of the region. The sea connects the islands, and moving across it reveals how distance, isolation, and proximity have shaped each island differently.
A boat tour transforms these islands from separate destinations into a connected experience. It allows travellers to understand not only where they are going, but why Zadar has always been the natural center of these islands and the entirety of the region.
