Split becomes your personal boat day.

This private custom speedboat tour lets you head out from Split at 9:00am and choose how you want the day to feel, from fast island stops to relaxed swim breaks, with classic stops in Bol (Brac), the Blue Lagoon/Krknjasi Bay, UNESCO Trogir, Maslinica on Šolta, and Hvar. I love the freedom of driving your own speed boat (if you’re licensed), and I also love that snorkeling gear is included, so your swim time can turn into an underwater look without any extra shopping.

One big consideration: the day can add up once you’re on the water. The base price doesn’t include the skipper surcharge (if you want one) or the fuel cost paid at the end, and if conditions get rough, you’ll feel it more on a speedboat.

Key highlights worth zeroing in on

• Drive-with-confidence option: you can hire a skipper or (if you’re licensed) steer the boat yourself
• Snorkel equipment included so your swim stops are more than just a dip
• Early water time is the smart play, especially for the Blue Lagoon/Krknjasi Bay
• UNESCO Trogir for a proper old-town walk between sea breaks
• Maslinica on Šolta for a calmer village stop with solid food options

Private speedboat day from Split: drive, skipper, and control the route

A private boat tour from Split has one main advantage: you’re not negotiating with a busier schedule. You’re choosing the tempo. On this kind of boat day, that freedom matters because the coast between mainland and islands is made for quick changes—one cove looks perfect, then you pass another and suddenly you want to stop again.

You also get a real choice of how you want to run the day. If you’re comfortable boating and you have the proper license, you can drive without a skipper. If not, hire a skipper and treat them like your navigation brain and local shortcut machine. Either way, you’re in English with a mobile ticket, which is helpful when the day runs on sea-time, not paperwork.

If you’re leaning toward a skipper, there’s a clear payoff. The most common praise isn’t just about convenience—it’s about confidence and practical routing. A good skipper can read the water, keep the ride safer, and steer you toward beaches and quieter swim corners instead of just following the fastest line on a map.

A quick reality check about what you can’t do

This tour uses boats that cannot visit Blue Cave. If Blue Cave is the headline on your Croatia plan, you’ll need a different type of tour. Don’t book hoping for a workaround; just decide up front.

How the day flows: 9:00am departures and five island blocks

This experience runs about 5 to 9 hours depending on how long you actually spend at each stop and how the sea behaves. It starts at 9:00am and ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not stuck thinking about a separate drop-off plan.

You’ll feel the day as five blocks of water-and-walk time, each about one hour on the ground (plus travel time). That’s short enough to keep the energy high, but long enough to do something meaningful—swim, snorkel, grab lunch, and take an actual stroll.

Here’s the pattern you should expect:

• One early beach stop to settle in
• One flagship swim/snorkel stop where timing matters
• One old-town walk that’s more about wandering than ticking boxes
• One village port stop that slows the pace
• One island town finale that’s good for a relaxed end-of-day wander

That structure is ideal for couples and small groups who want variety without doing a full-day marathon of transit.

Stop 1: Bol on Brac—your first beach break has real payoff

Bol is a popular name for a reason. Even with just about an hour, this is the kind of place where you can feel the island shift right away—lighter air, more shoreline rhythm, and fewer mainland interruptions.

What makes Bol a smart first stop is that it gives you time to reset before the more swim-heavy parts of the day. You can arrive, get oriented fast, and choose how you want to spend that hour:

• quick walk along the waterfront
• longer linger with a swim if conditions are good
• coffee and shade-hunting before heading back onto the boat

Potential downside

Because the total schedule is tight, Bol can feel like a taste rather than a full explore if you’re the type who wants to wander for hours. If you’re the get-me-lost-in-the-streets type, you’ll still enjoy Bol—but you’ll likely want a second trip to do it properly.

Stop 2: Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay—snorkeling time and the importance of going early

This is the stop that most people remember. It’s built for swimming, and it’s where having snorkeling equipment included really changes the experience. Instead of just enjoying the surface view, you can look underwater for a closer feel of the sea life and textures near the shore.

It also helps that the stop is set up with options for food on site, including time for lunch at a restaurant and bar called Skhoy. That’s practical. One hour is often too short to both snorkel and hunt for a meal, so having food nearby makes the clock work for you.

My practical tip: hit the water early when you can

If you want the best chance of a calmer-feeling swim and clear water conditions, treat the early timing as part of the strategy. One of the most praised ideas with this style of tour is to go to the Blue Lagoon stop early rather than letting it slide later in the day. You’ll feel the difference.

The one thing to keep in mind

Your snorkeling time depends on weather and sea conditions. This experience needs good weather, and speedboats can become less comfortable if waves pick up. If you’re sensitive to motion, plan for a slower, more cautious approach during the swim portion.

Stop 3: Trogir—UNESCO old town between sea breaks

Trogir is the culture brake on a day that otherwise runs on water and views. In just an hour, you’re not trying to master history—you’re doing something more valuable: walking until the place clicks.

UNESCO-protected old town Trogir is packed enough that even a short stop can give you:

• a quick feel for the architecture
• lots of café and bar options to recharge
• photo spots without needing a long commute

This is also a smart psychological reset. After swimming and boat time, the old town lanes give you a different kind of movement—slow strolling, looking up, and people-watching with a drink in hand.

Watch-outs

If you’re traveling with kids or older adults, note that getting to viewpoints and cobblestones can be uneven. This isn’t described as a strenuous climb, but it’s still old-town walking, not a flat boardwalk.

Stop 4: Maslinica on Šolta—calmer village vibes and a practical lunch moment

Maslinica is the kind of village stop that balances the day. You’re not just landing somewhere for a photo—you get a real port village feel with time to walk, browse the waterfront atmosphere, and eat.

This stop is about an hour and it’s often where the day turns from sightseeing into comfort. That matters because food and hydration aren’t built into the ticket price. You’ll be glad to have a village where you can get a meal without hunting for it.

What I like about Maslinica in this kind of tour

It’s a good middle act. After the big-name swim and the old town walk, Maslinica offers something calmer. If you like quiet coves and slow breaks, this stop usually delivers.

Stop 5: Hvar—end on an island town with real energy

Hvar is a fitting finale. By the time you reach Hvar town, you’ve already had your sea time, your snorkeling, and your walking. Now you can switch gears and enjoy the island feel with a more relaxed plan.

In about an hour, you’ll typically do the essentials:

• walk around the town core
• soak up the atmosphere
• grab a last drink or snack if you still feel energized

Hvar is also a good place to stand back for a moment and watch the water activity around the harbor. The boat day that started with driving from Split ends with you feeling like you actually earned your finale.

A realistic limitation

One hour isn’t long. If Hvar is your top priority, you’ll want a separate land-based day later. For this tour, think of it as a satisfying landing, not a full island vacation.

Costs and surprises: what your base price doesn’t cover

The listed price is $518.93 per group (up to 4). That’s the group price, not per person, which is how private boat tours can become reasonable—especially when you split costs among friends or a family bubble.

But you should plan for additional expenses:

• Skipper surcharge: €100 per booking, plus the skipper’s food (paid at check-in, direct to the skipper in cash)
• Fuel surcharge: paid at the end of the day
• Tips: optional, based on your decision
• If you drive the boat yourself: you need a boat license and you’ll pay a damage deposit at check-in
• Normal boat: €1000
• Big boat: €1500

The most practical way to think about the value is this: if you hire a skipper, you’re paying extra for safety, routing, and local judgment. If you drive yourself, you’re paying with responsibility plus the deposit. Either way, you’re buying control. Just go in with your budget clear so there are no end-of-day surprises.

Safety, comfort, and who should consider this (or skip it)

This experience comes with an honest note: moderate physical fitness is recommended. That usually means normal mobility for boarding, getting in and out, and handling short walks at stops—nothing extreme, but it’s not a fully flat sightseeing circuit.

Also, speedboats can be less forgiving when the sea gets choppy. One review-style caution here is that ocean conditions can be rough. So if your group includes:

• very young kids
• older adults who don’t handle waves well
• anyone who gets motion sickness

…you’ll want to evaluate the day carefully. Your best defense is choosing a calm-weather day and holding realistic expectations for comfort.

Finally, remember this is weather-dependent. If conditions aren’t good, the experience can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What to pack and how to get more out of the swim stops

I’d treat this day like a water-focused half-day with city breaks, not like a museum day.

Practical packing ideas:

• swimwear you can actually move in
• towel or quick-dry option
• sunscreen and a hat (shade is never guaranteed on boats)
• water shoes if you like secure footing
• a dry bag for phone and small essentials
• a light layer for the boat ride, since wind can cool you fast

Also, plan your priorities. If you care most about snorkeling, spend less time walking and more time in the water at the Blue Lagoon/Krknjasi Bay stop. If your priority is photos and town streets, don’t let your first beach stop overstay its welcome—because you’ll want energy for Trogir and the finish in Hvar.

Should you book this private speedboat tour?

If you want a small-group, private experience from Split that mixes beaches, snorkeling, and old towns without long transfers, this is a strong choice. The best reason to book is the way it gives you control: you can tailor the day with a skipper (or drive yourself if you’re licensed), and you get real variety in a single outing.

I’d especially book if:

• you’re tired of crowded group boats
• you want one standout swim/snorkel stop plus historic walking breaks
• you’re traveling with up to 4 people and can split costs

I’d think twice if:

• Blue Cave is non-negotiable for you (this boat type can’t do it)
• your group needs maximum comfort in rough water
• you dislike extra on-the-day payments and you haven’t budgeted for fuel and skipper costs

If you’re flexible, budget the extra fees, and choose weather wisely, you’re set up for a day that feels like Croatia, not like a checklist.

FAQ

How many people is the boat tour for?

It’s priced per group for up to 4 people.

How long does the tour last?

The tour runs for about 5 to 9 hours.

What time does the tour start from Split?

The start time is 9:00am, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What stops are included during the day?

You’ll visit Bol, Blue Lagoon/Krknjasi Bay, Trogir, Maslinica, and Hvar.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I drive the speed boat without a skipper?

You can drive without a skipper only if you have a boat license. A damage deposit is required at check-in (1000 Eur for a normal boat, 1500 Eur for a big boat).

Is Blue Cave included on this tour?

No. With these boats, it is not possible to visit Blue cave.

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