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Marina Zadar (ex. Tankerkomerc)
16
boats available · live
€500 – €200,000
€500€200k
1 – 42 guests
142
0 – 42 berths
042
14.76 – 56 m(48–184 ft)
14.76 m56 m
2000 – 2027
20002027
0 – 20 toilets
020
5 – 7,296 hp(3.7–5436 kW)
5 hp7,296 hp
Why charter a yacht in Marina Zadar (ex. Tankerkomerc)?
Marina Zadar, the former Tankerkomerc commercial harbour, has become the central Adriatic's most practical motorboat departure point. With 250+ berths, deep-water access, and immediate proximity to Zadar Old Town, it offers the combination of infrastructure and accessibility that defines smart motor-cruising bases. From here, motorboat charters reach everything from quick afternoon cruises to the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installations, to full-week itineraries spanning Ugljan, Pašman, and Telašćica National Park's sheltered anchorages — all without a sailing license and at a pace governed entirely by fuel and whim rather than wind.
Motorboats from Marina Zadar appeal to families, business groups, and non-sailing crews seeking maximum flexibility. No weather-dependent anchoring negotiations, no wind-dependent timing, no sailing experience required. You point the boat at Ugljan (30 minutes away), arrive on schedule, anchor in your chosen cove, and spend the afternoon swimming and exploring. It is straightforward Mediterranean cruising, accessible to anyone confident around boats.
Motorboat Advantages from Marina Zadar
A motorboat's primary advantage is independence from wind. The Maestral may arrive weak or late; a motorboat follows your itinerary regardless. Trips to Ugljan and Pašman islands (3–5 nautical miles) that would take 2–3 hours under sail reach their destination in 45 minutes under power, leaving you five extra hours to explore. The Zadar-to-Telašćica run (15 nautical miles) achieves predictable 3-hour transit, allowing flexible scheduling and confident meal planning.
Motorboats also reach anchorages and mooring sites where wind-dependent sailing becomes risky. Tight passages between islands, narrow channels, and the manoeuvring required at crowded anchorages become trivial under pure engine control. Docking at restaurants built directly on the water — rare luxuries in purely sailing-dependent cruising — become ordinary stops rather than lucky breaks.
Day Cruises: Sea Organ, Ugljan, and Sunset Returns
The Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun
Zadar Old Town's waterfront is home to two unique installations. The Sea Organ, built into the stone Riva promenade, produces harmonic tones as waves pass through submerged pipes — a haunting, meditative sound best experienced from a boat anchored offshore. The Greeting to the Sun, a circular solar panel installation adjacent to the Sea Organ, creates light patterns at sunset (visible only when the sun is above the horizon during summer months). A motorboat departure from Marina Zadar allows you to motor to these sites, anchor in clear view, and experience them at sunset without the crowds of the shoreline.
The passage from the marina to the Sea Organ takes roughly 10–15 minutes. Anchor in 4–5 metres of water 50–100 metres offshore, set the radio to a quiet local station, and let the water and stone create music. The experience is brief (30 minutes of genuine organ sounds, perhaps) but peculiar enough that most who visit remember it months later.
Ugljan Island: Beaches, Konobas, and Swimming
Ugljan, the closest inhabited island to Marina Zadar (roughly 3–5 nautical miles), offers multiple anchorage choices suitable for motorboats. Preko, the main town on Ugljan's western shore, features a sheltered waterfront with several konobas serving fresh fish, octopus salad (hobotnica na prženju), and local Pošip wine. The anchorage depths (3–6 metres) suit motorboats perfectly, and holding ground (sand and weed) is secure for lunch stops.
The passage takes approximately 45 minutes from Marina Zadar — short enough to depart after breakfast and have an afternoon swim at one of Ugljan's numerous coves, most of them accessible only by water. Beaches at Brbinj and Galovnjik remain uncrowded even in summer, and small restaurants on Ugljan's eastern shore serve aperitifs and grilled fish without the formality of larger establishments. Most day-charter motorboats allocate 4–6 hours at Ugljan before returning to Marina Zadar for dinner ashore.
Pašman Island: Quiet Anchor Spots and Velji Rat Lighthouse
Pašman island, the eastern neighbour to Ugljan (5–7 nautical miles from Marina Zadar), provides a slightly quieter alternative. The island's eastern coast hosts a working lighthouse (Velji Rat) and several small coves suitable for motorboat anchoring. Depth here typically runs 4–6 metres; the holding ground (sand, occasional weed) is adequate for lunch or afternoon swims. The island interior offers narrow walking trails and minimal tourist infrastructure — a quieter experience than Ugljan.
A motorboat day trip to Pašman and back occupies roughly 6–8 hours, leaving time for two-cove visits and a leisurely afternoon swim. The passage is straightforward — open water with no significant hazards — and the return to Marina Zadar can be timed for sunset, giving crews a full-day experience without overnight commitment.
Week-Long Motorboat Itineraries from Marina Zadar
The Shallow-Water Loop: Telašćica and Protected Anchorages
A week-long motorboat itinerary typically emphasises protected anchorages over long open-water transits. Day one or two focuses on nearby Ugljan and Pašman islands, allowing crew acclimation and leisurely pace. Days three and four motor south to Telašćica National Park (15 nautical miles), a journey of approximately 3–4 hours under steady power. Telašćica's protected inner harbour holds 15+ distinct anchorages; motorboats favour Saline (northern anchorage), Mirna (eastern), and Tiha Pego (southern) — all offering 4–6 metres of mud-based holding suitable for multi-day anchoring.
Telašćica's defining feature — a natural harbour ringed by 160-metre limestone cliffs — creates a dramatic backdrop and genuine shelter even when coastal winds strengthen. The park restaurant at Saline junction serves Dalmatian peka and local Pošip wine. Most motorboat charters spend two full days anchored at Telašćica, returning to Zadar islands (or pushing north toward Dugi Otok) for the final two nights before returning to Marina Zadar.
Extended North to Pašman and Trogir
Experienced motorboat charterers with seven full days often extend the itinerary northward. After visits to nearby Ugljan and Pašman, motoring north toward Trogir (approximately 25 nautical miles from Marina Zadar, roughly 5–6 hours transit) places you in a different sailing area entirely. Trogir is a UNESCO-listed Old Town with a natural harbour and restaurants renowned for seafood. This extended itinerary suits groups wanting variety and a taste of multiple cruising zones within one week.
The northbound route from Marina Zadar navigates relatively open water — good conditions for motorboat cruising. Overnight anchorages include Trogir's harbour itself (anchored amid ferries and commercial traffic, not ideal but viable), nearby island coves (Ciovo island has quiet anchorages), or the option to return south and overnight again at Telašćica, creating a loop rather than a linear itinerary.
Motorboat Fleet and Specifications
Motorboats from Marina Zadar range 25–45 feet (Beneteau, Azimut, Sunseeker makes). Fuel consumption averages 1–1.5 litres per nautical mile at economical speed (8–10 knots). Cabin layouts split sleeping between forward cabins, mid-cabin convertible sleepers, and occasional aft master staterooms. Fuel tank capacity typically runs 300–500 litres, adequate for 4–5 days of cruising before Marina Zadar's fuel dock top-up becomes necessary.
Practical Essentials: Refuelling, Provisioning, and Seasons
Marina Zadar's fuel dock provides diesel (the standard for modern charter motorboats) at competitive central Adriatic rates — roughly 1.20–1.40 euros per litre depending on current market. Most charter agreements include an assumption of returning the boat with a full tank; calculate fuel costs accordingly. A week's motorboating averaging 6–8 hours daily typically requires 150–200 litres, costing roughly 180–280 euros in fuel.
Provisioning occurs at Zadar's Narodni Trg market (15-minute walk from the marina) or nearby supermarkets (Konzum, Lidl). The waterfront offers fish, local vegetables, Pag cheese, and prepared foods. Many charter companies provide provisioning lists and can pre-arrange shopping; ask about this service when booking.
Motorboat charter from Marina Zadar costs roughly 1,200–2,600 euros per week depending on vessel size and season. Peak season (July–August) commands premium pricing; shoulder months (May, June, September) offer 15–25% discounts. Fuel, provisioning, and park entrance fees (if visiting Telašćica or Kornati) are typically additional.
Cruising season peaks May through October. June and September offer ideal conditions: reliable wind, moderate sea states, and manageable anchorage density. July and August guarantee stable weather but bring crowds and premium pricing. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) charters suit crews flexible on weather and price-conscious on budgets.
FAQ
Do I need a boating license to charter a motorboat from Marina Zadar?
Most charter companies require a powerboat license (national boating certificate) or equivalent. However, many offer "skippered" charters where a professional captain handles all navigation and docking — no license required for crew members. Check with your operator; bareboat options vary by company.
How much does fuel cost for a week's motorboat charter from Marina Zadar?
Motorboat fuel consumption averages 1–1.5 litres per nautical mile depending on engine size and cruising speed. A week averaging 50–60 nautical miles daily requires roughly 150–200 litres, costing 180–280 euros at current Adriatic fuel prices (approximately 1.20–1.40 euros per litre).
Can I visit Telašćica National Park with a motorboat?
Yes. Park entry requires a fee (approximately 13–20 euros per vessel per day). Telašćica is ideal for motorboats; the protected anchorages suit vessels of all types, and the 3–4 hour transit from Marina Zadar is straightforward. Most anchoring choices (Saline, Mirna, Tiha Pego) accommodate motorboats comfortably at 4–6 metres depth.
What is the fastest motorboat available from Marina Zadar?
High-performance motorboats (Sunseeker, Azimut 45+ models) can cruise at 15–20 knots, reducing transit times significantly — Telašćica becomes a 1.5-hour passage instead of 3 hours. However, fuel consumption at high speed doubles or triples; most economical cruising occurs at 8–10 knots.
Is it possible to rent a motorboat for just a day from Marina Zadar?
Yes. Day rentals (typically 6–8 hours) are available from most charter companies, though minimum rental periods are sometimes enforced during peak season. Day rates average 400–800 euros depending on boat size; fuel and park fees are usually extra. Ask your operator about day-rental availability and pricing.
What local dishes should I try while motorboating from Marina Zadar?
Pag cheese (aged in salt caves) is iconic. Try octopus salad (hobotnica na prženju), Dalmatian pešticada (slow-braised beef with plums), and peka (roasted meat and vegetables). Pošip (local white wine) and Maraschino liqueur (made from local cherries) pair perfectly with waterfront meals.
Begin Your Motorboat Charter from Marina Zadar
A motorboat from Marina Zadar delivers the Mediterranean freedom that unpredictable wind-dependent sailing cannot. Reach Ugljan for lunch, anchor at Telašćica for sunset, time your day trips by desire rather than wind forecasts. Marina Zadar's protected harbour, deep-water berths, and immediate proximity to Zadar Old Town make it the logical base for motorboat charters seeking maximum flexibility and minimum logistical complexity. Browse available motorboats departing from Marina Zadar on Boat4You to compare sizes and pricing. Consider our catamaran options for families, or Split-based motorboat fleet for southern Adriatic routes. Review how our booking works and check our FAQ section for fuel cost estimates. Week-long island tours and daily cruises both run smoothly from Marina Zadar — the Adriatic becomes the open road.
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