A speedboat day beats any bus tour. You start from Split and shape your own route across the Adriatic, with swim stops, island villages, and snorkeling gear along the way. This is a private setup for up to 4 people, so it feels like you hired a boat for your friends instead of joining a rolling cattle chute.

I love the flexibility: you can opt for a skipper (strongly recommended) or drive yourself if you have the license. I also like that you get snorkeling equipment and real time in the water, not just a quick photo stop.

One heads-up: the ride can be rough if the sea is up, and the day involves getting on/off the boat and walking a bit in town.

Key things to know before you go

• Drive your own speedboat (license required) if you skip the skipper and you’ll need a damage deposit.
• Skipper is the smart default with a surcharge, since safe boat handling matters when you’re hopping coves.
• Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay is the swim anchor of the day, with time to swim and snorkel.
• Old town Trogir and Hvar feel quick but fun when you only have a few hours on land.
• Maslinica on Šolta is a calmer lunch bet compared with the bigger, busier ports.
• Blue Cave is off the table with these boats, so plan your expectations accordingly.

Why This Split Speedboat Day Feels Like Your Vacation, Not a Schedule

This tour is built around one simple idea: you don’t want to spend your day stuck behind other people’s swim preferences. In Split, you get on a speedboat and then you’re free to spend your time where you actually want it—beaches, bays, and island towns—while the sea does what it does best.

The private part matters more than you’d think. On shared boat tours, the pace is set by the slowest group, the crowd at the next stop, and the operator’s timing. Here, your group is the group. If you want more swim time, or you want to hop off and grab a coffee without racing back, you’ll usually have room to make that happen.

You’ll also like how the day mixes water time with quick culture stops. It’s not a pure beach day, and it’s not a nonstop sightseeing crawl either. You get about an hour per land stop, plus travel time between islands and bays—long enough to feel the place, short enough to stay energized.

Price and Logistics: What the Main Cost Covers (and What Comes Later)

The headline price is $518.93 per group (up to 4) for a 5 to 9 hour private boat outing starting at 9:00 am. On paper, that can sound like a bargain. On the Adriatic, speedboats are never just fuel and sunshine—so you need to understand the extras.

Here’s how the money typically breaks down:

• Skipper choice
• If you hire a skipper, there’s a €100 skipper surcharge per booking plus food.
• You pay the skipper surcharge at check-in, in cash, directly to the skipper.
• Fuel surcharge
• Fuel is not included and gets paid at the end of the day.
• One piece of feedback noted fuel costs around €240, so plan for something in that range, depending on your route and the day’s conditions.
• If you drive the boat yourself
• You need a boat license.
• You’ll also pay a damage deposit at check-in:
• Normal boat: €1000
• Big boat: €1500

The value here is that you’re buying time and control. If you’re staying in Split and want to see Brac, Trogir, Šolta, and Hvar without burning a whole day on transfers, this can be a smart move. Just don’t be surprised by the end-of-day payments—this is the kind of trip where you budget for fuel and, if you don’t want to drive, for the skipper.

Choosing Skipper vs. Self-Drive: How to Pick What Fits Your Day

I’d make this decision based on confidence and comfort, not pride.

If you hire a skipper, you’re paying for three things:

• Safety and handling, especially when the sea gets chop-prone between stops
• Local navigation, so you can reach the best swimming coves
• Better pacing, since the skipper can judge when to move on and where to anchor for the best time

Feedback on this trip repeatedly points to the skipper as a big part of why the day feels stress-free, including the kind of route suggestions that get you away from crowds.

If you drive yourself, you get freedom—but only if you’re truly comfortable. The tour requires you to have a boat license, and you’ll have that damage deposit hanging over your day. Also, if the sea is rough, focus goes from sightseeing to control of the boat pretty quickly.

My practical take: if you’re even slightly unsure, hire the skipper. You’ll still get plenty of control over where you go; the skipper just removes a lot of pressure from the equation.

Your 9:00 am Start From Split: Why Timing Can Make or Break the Day

Starting at 9:00 am is a gift. Early water time often means fewer boats near the best swim spots, and the light is usually better for photos and visibility in the water.

One smart tactic is to prioritize your first swim stop. The day includes Bol, then Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay, but you can ask for flexibility if your captain’s route planning allows it. If conditions and timing line up, getting to the Blue Lagoon early can help you find calmer water and less boat traffic.

Because your stops are short—about 1 hour each on land—you’ll want to show up ready:

• water shoes or secure sandals (rocky entries can happen in coves)
• sunscreen you can reapply
• a towel or quick-dry option
• a bag that can handle splashes

Bol on Brac: Beach Time With Island Flavor

Bol is on the island of Brac, and it’s a classic stop for a reason. You get about an hour to roam and soak up the beach-island rhythm. The point here isn’t deep museum time; it’s getting that Brac feel—sea air, laid-back waterfront, and a break from the constant boat motion.

What you should expect:

• enough time to walk around, find a beach spot, and reset
• a chance to grab a drink or snack if you don’t want to wait for later
• that nice shift from moving by speedboat to moving at island pace

The tradeoff is obvious: one hour passes fast. If you’re the type who wants long beach lounging, you’ll still get time, but you’ll need to pick where you’ll spend it.

Also, Bol sets the mood. It’s a good place to decide if you want the rest of the day to be more swimming-focused or more town-focused.

Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay: The Swim and Snorkel Payoff

This is the stop that turns the trip from a nice boat ride into an actual water day.

You’ll spend about an hour around the Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay, with time for swimming and using the snorkeling equipment included. If the sea conditions are decent, this is where you’ll feel the value of bringing a private boat instead of just hopping around by bus.

How to make it worth it:

• Go in once you’re set—don’t wait until the hour is half gone.
• Snorkel slowly. Take a few breaths, get used to the water, and then check what’s around you.
• Keep an eye on the shoreline and your boat. In these coves, it can be easy to drift into a different spot.

There’s one big expectation check: this tour is not possible for the Blue Cave. So if Blue Cave is your main obsession, you’ll need a different kind of boat route or a different excursion. Here, the plan is more about swimming and island-bay time.

Trogir (UNESCO Old Town): Quick Streets, Easy Photos, Real Atmosphere

After the water, you land in Trogir, a UNESCO-protected old town. You get around an hour, which is enough for the essentials: a stroll through historic streets, a few good photo angles, and time to pop into bars and restaurants.

This stop works best as a palate cleanser:

• you’re not in a rush to memorize architecture
• you’re in a rush to enjoy the vibe
• you can sit with a drink and let your legs stop bouncing

The drawback is time compression. One hour means you’ll prioritize. Pick one loop, don’t try to see everything, and you’ll enjoy it more.

Maslinica on Šolta: A Low-Key Village Break That’s Often Better Than Big Ports

If you want a calmer feel, Maslinica on the island of Šolta is your breather. Expect about an hour here, with a village atmosphere that’s more relaxed than the busier ports.

This stop is useful for two reasons:

• it gives you a lunch option without the same level of crowds you might find in larger hubs
• it lets you absorb the island scale—slow streets, harbor views, and the kind of place where time feels less controlled

One reason this stop earns good marks is simple: it’s a practical choice. You can eat, sit, and reset without needing a long transit day.

If you want to keep the day smooth, treat Maslinica as your refueling stop. Eat earlier rather than later, so you’re not hungry when you need energy for the next leg.

Hvar Town: The Big Name, One Hour at a Time

The final land stop is Hvar, with about an hour in and around Hvar Town. Hvar is one of those places where even a short visit feels like you’ve jumped into a postcard.

In an hour, you’re not trying to do everything. Instead, you get:

• a chance to walk through the town and soak up the harbor scene
• an easy way to pick up a drink or snack
• the contrast between island bustle and your morning’s boat rhythm

If the sea has been choppy earlier, this is also where land time helps your body. You can slow down, stand on stable ground, and just enjoy the atmosphere before heading back to the meeting point.

Snorkeling Equipment: How to Use It Without Wasting Your One Hour

This tour includes snorkeling equipment, and that inclusion is one of the strongest value points. A lot of boat experiences say snorkeling is available, but you end up paying extra or bringing your own stuff.

Here, you can focus on the water plan:

• Put it on right when you reach the bay.
• Use the hour like a window. One hour goes fast, especially if you’re exploring and stopping to look around.
• Don’t chase too far from the boat. Stay aware of where you’ll climb back in.

Also remember the physical requirement: the tour suggests moderate physical fitness. That usually means the trip is manageable, but you might need to step carefully on uneven areas and handle boat boarding without drama.

And yes, the ocean can be rough. If you’re sensitive to motion, consider bringing something to steady your stomach, and be ready for that part of the day.

When This Tour Works Best (and When It Doesn’t)

This is ideal if you want:

• a private boat day for up to 4 people
• island hopping without long transfers
• a balance of swimming plus short town visits
• snorkeling gear included

It may not be ideal if:

• you’re traveling with very young kids or adults who struggle with rougher water (the ride can get choppy)
• you want long stays in towns (each land stop is about an hour)
• Blue Cave is non-negotiable for you (these boats can’t do it)

If your group is comfortable with a speedboat day and you plan around the time you’ll spend on the water, you’ll get a lot for your money.

Should You Book This Speedboat Day?

I’d book it if your goal is a practical Adriatic highlight day from Split: fast access to islands, real swim time, and the comfort of being on a private schedule.

Skip it or switch plans if your priority is deep, slow sightseeing or Blue Cave specifically. This experience is about movement, water time, and short, high-impact stops.

If you do book, here’s the best decision you can make: if you’re not confident driving, hire the skipper. The payoff is a smoother day and less mental load when the sea changes.

FAQ

How many people is the boat tour for?

It’s a private tour for up to 4 people per group.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is about 5 to 9 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

If I want to drive without a skipper, do I need a license?

Yes. If you want to drive the boat alone, you need a boat license, and you’ll pay a damage deposit at check-in (1000 EUR for a normal boat or 1500 EUR for a big boat).

Can this tour visit Blue Cave?

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

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you prefer more swimming or more town time, and I’ll suggest a smart way to structure the day around the stops.