Review · ISLAND HOPPING TOURS FROM SPLIT

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR

★ 5.0 · 25 reviews 9 hours (approx.) Operated by sparusboats · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

A private boat trip from Split lets you fit five very different stops into one day: a UNESCO-listed old town, a swimming cove, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands and a working harbor on Brač. The mix of town time and sea time is the real draw, with room for a skipper to shape the day around your interests.

I like that you get nine hours with your own group, rather than having to follow a large tour party, and that snorkel gear, towels, snacks and drinks are supplied. Skippers Roko and Josko have adjusted routes to suit groups and shared local knowledge, two useful qualities when your day has several possible directions.

The main consideration is the price: $1,445.74 for the boat, not per person, so it makes the most sense if you can share it with a group. The schedule is also full, and lunch is not included, so you will need to budget both time and money for a meal.

  • Five stops, five moods: Trogir’s historic lanes, a bright-water bay, Hvar’s town center, the Pakleni Islands and Milna’s harbor.
  • Private for up to 10: Your group has the boat to itself, with scope to discuss what matters most to you with the skipper.
  • Swimming and snorkeling time: Krknjasi Bay and the Pakleni Islands offer the day’s main chances to get in the water.
  • A full-day outing: The tour lasts about nine hours, starting at 9:00 am and returning to its Split meeting point.
  • Useful onboard supplies: Towels, snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, fruit, a shower and Wi-Fi are included.
  • Plan to pay for lunch: The tour includes snacks, but not a full meal.

Five stops from Split, with room to make the day your own

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - Five stops from Split, with room to make the day your own

This is a long day on the water, not a quick run to one beach. You leave Split at 9:00 am, visit five places across the coast and islands, then return to the same meeting point. The listed time at the stops adds up to seven hours; the remaining time is for the boat journey between them.

Because it is a private tour, you are not sharing the experience with another booking. That can make a real difference: you can talk with your skipper about whether you would rather spend more time swimming, walking through town or stopping for a meal. The itinerary gives a clear outline, but the reports of Roko adjusting the route suggest that a good conversation at the start can help make the day fit your group.

There is a practical tradeoff. Five stops create variety, but each one has a time limit. If you want a slow day in one town or a long stretch on the beach, this route may feel like too much moving around. If you like seeing several corners of the central Dalmatian coast in a single outing, the pace is part of its appeal.

Trogir’s lanes and cathedral view

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - Trogir’s lanes and cathedral view

The first stop is Trogir, a small coastal town built on an island and recognized by UNESCO for its long record of urban continuity. You have an hour and a half to wander its narrow streets, which thread between historic buildings, churches and palaces. The compact setting makes it easy to explore on foot without needing a complicated plan.

If you want a view over the town, climb the cathedral’s bell tower. It offers a chance to take in the island layout from above, though the visit time is short enough that you may need to choose between the tower and a leisurely wander. Admission to the stop is free, but that does not necessarily mean every attraction or activity within town is free.

Trogir is a strong opening stop because it gives the day a dose of history before the beaches and island harbors take over. I would keep an eye on the time: narrow lanes can make a casual stroll stretch longer than expected, especially if you stop for photos or explore the churches and palaces.

More boat trips from Split:

A swim break at Krknjasi Bay

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - A swim break at Krknjasi Bay

The Blue Lagoon, also called Krknjasi Bay, is the day’s clearest invitation to get into the water. The bay is known for bright blue, clear water and is described as a good place to swim and snorkel. You have an hour and a half here, with time to swim, relax by the shore or simply enjoy a pause away from town.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and snorkel. Towels are supplied too, along with a shower on board. The tour also provides drinks and snacks, so you have some provisions for the day, though they are not a substitute for the lunch you will need to arrange separately.

Water conditions and weather can shape how appealing this stop is. The tour requires good weather, and the clear-water promise is best understood as a reason to visit, not a guarantee that every day will look the same. If you are keen to float rather than snorkel, bring a flotation aid: noodles and similar items are not listed as included.

Hvar’s old center and two hours ashore

Hvar gets the longest town stop, at two hours. It is known for centuries-old architecture and for having Europe’s first public theater, built in the center of town. You can use the time to walk through the historic center, see the theater area and find a place to eat or have a drink.

Hvar is also famous for its sunny weather and swimming. That makes it an appealing stop if you want a bit of town life with the option of a seaside pause. Still, two hours goes quickly, especially if you want to explore and sit down for lunch. Since lunch is not part of the tour, ask your skipper how much time you can comfortably set aside before you commit to a restaurant.

Hvar’s popularity with celebrities and yacht owners is part of its modern character, but the older architecture and theater give you more than a glossy resort stop. If you are hoping to spend most of the day on a quiet beach, Hvar’s town visit may feel like a change of pace. If you want a mix of history, a walk and a meal, it gives the day a useful center.

Palmižana and the Pakleni Islands

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - Palmižana and the Pakleni Islands

The Pakleni Islands are a group of 14 islands, with the tour allowing an hour to visit the area and enjoy Palmižana Bay. Pine-covered islands, small beaches and sheltered coves make this one of the day’s most scenic stretches. It is a good place to swim, snorkel or settle in the sun for a while.

An hour is enough for a refreshing stop, but not for an ambitious island exploration. Think of this as time to enjoy one bay, not a chance to see all 14 islands. The best use of the stop depends on your group: bring your swimsuit if you want to get in the water, or take a quieter break on shore if you have already had enough swimming.

The islands are particularly appealing after time in Hvar’s town center. They bring the day back to the water and offer a different setting from Krknjasi Bay. Your skipper can help make the stop work for your group, though the schedule still puts a firm limit on how long you have ashore.

More island-hopping days from Split:

Milna’s harbor and local pace

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - Milna’s harbor and local pace

Milna, on Brač Island, is the final listed stop. Its natural harbor has long made it a favorite with boats, and the town offers a different feel from Hvar’s resort reputation. You have an hour to see the harbor, look for historic sights and Venetian-era work, or sit down at one of its taverns or restaurants.

This is a useful last pause before heading back to Split. Rather than ending with another swim, Milna gives you a chance to slow down and see a harbor town with a more local rhythm. If you want to eat here, remember that lunch is on your own account and your time is limited; check the return schedule with the skipper before settling in.

What the private price buys your group

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - What the private price buys your group

The listed cost is $1,445.74 per group of up to 10. At the full group size, that works out to about $145 per person. With four people, it is about $361 each, so the value depends heavily on how many places you can fill and how much you value privacy and flexibility.

The price includes the boat tour and useful extras: alcoholic drinks, water, soda, snacks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, jackets, a fridge, a shower, towels and Wi-Fi. Those supplies can make a long day more comfortable, especially if you plan to swim more than once. Lunch is excluded, and you should also consider any personal spending during the stops.

The strongest value is not simply the number of included drinks or towels. It is having a private outing for your own group, with a skipper who can help tailor the day. If your party is close to 10, the per-person cost becomes easier to justify. For a couple or a small family, compare it with shared tours and decide whether the privacy and custom pace are worth the premium.

Meeting in Split and preparing for the day

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - Meeting in Split and preparing for the day

The tour starts at Trumbićeva obala 1 in Split at 9:00 am and ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, but the specific pickup details are not provided, so confirm arrangements before you go. If meeting at the listed address, arrive 10 minutes early.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket and is private to your group. Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most participants, but no detailed accessibility information is provided.

Pack swimwear, sun protection and anything you like to use for floating. Towels and snorkel gear are supplied, but bring personal items you rely on rather than assuming the boat has every beach extra. With a nine-hour day and several stops, a light bag is easier to manage than a full beach kit.

Weather matters on a boat trip. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book this private boat tour?

HVAR & 4 Islands PRIVATE BOAT TOUR - Should you book this private boat tour?

Book it if you want to combine historic streets, swimming and island scenery in one day, and if your group can share the cost. The private format, the range of stops and the option to discuss the pace with the skipper are the best reasons to choose it. It is especially appealing for a group that wants to spend time together without adapting to strangers.

Think twice if you prefer a slow day in one place, need a fixed lunch plan included, or are booking for only one or two people and watching your budget. The itinerary is full, and the boat cannot make five stops feel like five unhurried holidays. If you are happy with a busy day and want to see several sides of the coast, this is a practical way to do it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts approximately nine hours. The listed stops total seven hours, with the rest of the day allowing for travel between destinations.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:00 am. You are asked to arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Trumbićeva obala 1 in Split and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a group of up to 10 people. Only your group participates.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Trogir, Blue Lagoon or Krknjasi Bay, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands and Milna.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks, fruit and drinks are included, but lunch is not.

What is included on the boat?

The listed inclusions are alcoholic drinks, bottled water, soda, snacks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, jackets, a fridge, a shower, towels and Wi-Fi.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The listed meeting point is Trumbićeva obala 1 in Split, so confirm pickup details before the tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

More like this

Island Hopping Tours from Split, compared.

The full Island Hopping Tours from Split list →
Blue cave, Mamma Mia and Hvar, 5 islands speedboat tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 7,150 reviews· from $111

Blue cave, Mamma Mia and Hvar, 5 islands speedboat tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Cruise with Lunch from Split
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 5,756 reviews· from $78

Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Cruise with Lunch from Split

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 3,406 reviews· from $70

Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

Read our review →
Blue Cave & 6 Islands Speedboat Tour From Split or Podstrana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,195 reviews· from $130

Blue Cave & 6 Islands Speedboat Tour From Split or Podstrana

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small-Group Speedboat Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,932 reviews· from $84

Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small-Group Speedboat Tour

Read our review →
Blue Cave & 5 Islands with Vis & Hvar Boat Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,947 reviews· from $94

Blue Cave & 5 Islands with Vis & Hvar Boat Tour

Read our review →
Blue Cave, Hvar & 6 Islands Speedboat Trip
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 1,627 reviews· from $135

Blue Cave, Hvar & 6 Islands Speedboat Trip

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Split

Choose a boat, a canyon or a cellar.