Split: Blue Lagoon, Hvar and 5 Islands Small Group Boat Tour

A fast boat turns this into a full day of Adriatic contrasts: stone-built harbor towns, Hvar’s old streets, and clear-water swim stops. The route is designed to fit several island sights into one outing, rather than leaving you to plan ferries and connections yourself.

I like two things in particular: the 12-person limit, which keeps the boat from feeling like a floating bus, and the 90 minutes in Hvar, enough time for a walk, a fortress climb, or a relaxed meal. The boat ride is part of the fun, too, and the crew sets the mood with music.

The trade-off is a packed schedule and a lively ride. A speedboat can be bumpy, and you should not book if you have back problems, limited mobility, are pregnant, are under 10, or are over 65. Lunch is not included in the stated price, so plan for that cost.

At a glance

• A small boat, not a small day: The group is limited to 12, but the trip lasts about 10 hours.
• Hvar gets the longest town stop: You have 1.5 hours to see the Old Town, visit Fortica Fortress, shop, or eat.
• Swim time comes in stages: Pakleni, Šolta, and the Blue Lagoon all include time for swimming, with snorkel gear supplied.
• Milna offers a quieter first stop: Expect a scenic harbor and time to stroll among stone buildings and fishing boats.
• Lunch needs planning: Food and drinks are excluded, although some outings have included pizza. Confirm before you go.
• Conditions can change the day: The trip depends on sea and weather conditions.

Why this speedboat day suits Split

At $130 per person, this tour is a way to see several parts of Dalmatia’s island coast without arranging separate boat transfers. You leave from central Split, travel by speedboat, and return to the same meeting point after roughly 10 hours. Fuel, a licensed skipper, English-speaking staff, safety gear, snorkel equipment, passenger insurance, and a small souvenir are included.

The small-group size makes a practical difference. With space for no more than 12 people, the boat has a more intimate feel than a large excursion vessel, and getting on and off at stops should be less of a production. The crew is also part of the day’s character: music plays on board, and guides David and Maren have led some departures. They are not guaranteed on every trip, but the tour is run by Smile Travel Split.

You cover a lot of ground, so this is a better fit for someone who wants a sample of island life than for someone hoping to spend a whole day on one beach. Stops range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Those windows allow a swim or a short walk, but not a slow, unplanned afternoon in every place.

Leaving Split for Milna on Brač

The meeting point is in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova ul. 5. You can leave luggage you do not want on the boat in storage, but contact the operator ahead of time if you need that service. Once aboard, the first speedboat ride is listed at about 20 minutes.

Milna, on Brač, is the first stop, with 45 minutes to explore. Its harbor, fishing boats, and old stone architecture set a gentler pace after leaving the city. Take a short walk, look around the waterfront, or use the time for a coffee if one is available and you find a spot. The stop is brief, so treat it as a pleasant introduction, not a full visit to Brač.

The short ride is part of the appeal of the route. Instead of spending most of the day on a ferry, you move quickly between stops and have more time on shore or in the water. The flip side is that a speedboat’s pace and motion may not suit everyone. If you are prone to discomfort on boats, or have a back condition, take the tour’s restrictions seriously.

Hvar: 90 minutes for the old town and fortress

After about 30 minutes on the water, you reach Hvar Town, the longest town stop of the day. With 90 minutes free, you can choose your own pace: wander the Old Town, see Venetian palaces, browse for souvenirs, or head uphill to Fortica Fortress for a view over the town and harbor.

The fortress is a strong choice if you are comfortable walking uphill and want to make the most of the stop. Allow time to get there and back, rather than assuming the whole 90 minutes is free for sightseeing. If you would rather keep your feet on level ground, the central streets and waterfront make a good, easier alternative.

Hvar is also the best place on the itinerary to buy a proper meal, but the stop is not long enough for a leisurely lunch and a full sightseeing circuit. Since food and drinks are listed as excluded, bring cash and budget for a meal or snacks. Some people have had pizza on the trip, but that is not part of the stated inclusions. Check with Smile Travel Split before you rely on lunch being provided.

Pakleni Islands: a swim between town stops

A 15-minute ride brings you to the Pakleni Islands, an archipelago stretching about 10 kilometers and made up of 16 islands. The scheduled stop is one hour, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a walk or photo stop. Snorkel gear is supplied, so you do not have to bring your own set.

This is a good change of pace after Hvar’s streets and hills. You can get into the water, relax, or simply take in the island scenery. The description also mentions the well-known Carpe Diem, but the exact balance between a beach-club visit and swimming time may depend on the day’s plan. Don’t assume that a particular venue is included or that you will have time for a long stop there.

The boat then travels for about 45 minutes toward Šolta. That ride is a substantial stretch between swim stops, so keep your hat and water close at hand. With music on board and open views, the journey is designed as part of the outing, not just a transfer.

Šolta and Maslinica: two ways to slow down

The itinerary includes a 45-minute swimming and snorkeling stop at Šolta, followed by an hour in Maslinica, a coastal village on the same island. That distinction is useful when you picture the route: the schedule lists both stops, but they are not two separate islands.

Maslinica is the more settled stop. You have an hour to walk around the harbor and see traditional stone houses, with olive groves and a quieter feel than Hvar. This is a chance to enjoy a village rather than ticking off another swimming spot. It is also a welcome pause in a day built around several boat rides.

The sequence gives you a mix of activity. You can swim at the earlier Šolta stop, then use Maslinica for a stroll and a break. If you prefer to spend all your time in the water, the village stop may feel less exciting than another beach. If you enjoy seeing how a smaller island community looks beyond its shoreline, it adds welcome variety.

Blue Lagoon: the final swim stop

After about 30 minutes on the boat, the tour reaches the Blue Lagoon, scheduled for 90 minutes. It is the longest swim stop on the route, with time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk, and take photos. The clear water is the main attraction, and this is a good place to use the included mask and snorkel.

The name makes it sound like a private patch of coast, but the tour describes a popular Adriatic swimming area. In peak season, you may find other boats and people nearby. The small group keeps your own boat intimate, but it cannot make a public stop secluded.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes for the ride back. You will be out in the sun for much of the day, so sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and drinking water are practical essentials. A phone or camera is useful for the scenery, but keep it secure around the water.

The final ride back to Split is listed at about 45 minutes. The tour returns to Marmontova ul. 5, so you finish where you started. Keep in mind that the route may be adjusted for sea and weather conditions.

What $130 buys, and what it does not

The price covers transport by speedboat and fuel, a licensed skipper, English-speaking staff, snorkel equipment, life jackets and other safety gear, passenger insurance, fees, music, and a small souvenir. Most of the value lies in covering several island stops in one day, with the boat and skipper arranged for you. If you tried to link the same range of destinations by yourself, you would need to plan each transfer and fit the timing around available connections.

The 10-hour length is another part of the calculation. You are paying for a full-day outing with sightseeing and swimming, not simply a ride to Hvar. The small capacity and fast boat add to the experience, though speed and comfort are not the same thing: the ride can be exciting, but it is not a smooth cruise.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks are not included, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Budget separately for food and transport to the meeting point. Reviews of the trip have mentioned pizza, but the listed inclusions exclude meals, so ask the operator directly if you want to know whether lunch is planned for your departure.

Who should book this island circuit?

This tour suits you if you have one day in Split and want to combine a historic town, island villages, and several swims without arranging the route yourself. It is also a good match if you enjoy speedboats, open-air travel, music, and a social group setting. The 12-person cap helps keep the outing personal, while the English-speaking crew can guide the day.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, unhurried beach day or prefer to spend several hours exploring Hvar alone. The itinerary is busy, and the time at each stop is fixed by the day’s schedule. It is also not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems or mobility impairments, or people over 65, according to the activity details.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Those terms are useful, but they do not change the main decision: you need to be comfortable with a long day on a speedboat and with plans that depend on sea and weather conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a lively, efficient taste of the islands around Split, with Hvar, several swim stops, and a small boat that cuts down on transfer time. The standout value is the combination of speed, variety, and a group capped at 12. Just pack for a full day in the sun, bring money for food, and choose another outing if you need a smooth ride or a slower pace.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Where does the boat tour start and end?

Meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova ul. 5 in Split. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the stated price. Some outings have had pizza, so check with the operator rather than assuming a meal will be provided.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety gear, including life jackets, are included.

How many people are on the boat?

The speedboat has room for up to 12 people.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people over 65.