Private Full-Day Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon, Hvar & Pakleni Islands

The appeal here is simple: you get a full day on the Adriatic with your own group, not a seat on a boat shared with strangers. The route pairs a swim in the Blue Lagoon with time ashore in Hvar, then leaves room to relax among the Pakleni Islands.

I like two things in particular: snorkeling gear and stand-up paddleboards are provided, so you can make the most of the water without bringing your own kit, and Hvar gives the day a welcome change of pace from boat time. Towels and bottled water are included, too.

One consideration: this is a long day, and the speedboat ride can get wet and rough in wind and waves. The water may also be cold in late May, so bring a dry bag and don’t count on a swim being comfortable in every season.

The day at a glance

• A private boat for your party: The experience is reserved for your group, with the advertised price of $1,153.61 applying to up to eight people.
• A morning stop at Krknjaši Bay: Sheltered by the small islands of Veliki and Mali Krknjaš, the Blue Lagoon is planned for swimming, snorkeling and time in the sun.
• Three hours in Hvar: Walk the old streets, see landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hvar Theatre, and climb to Fortica for a broad view of town and coast.
• Two hours around the Pakleni Islands: Swim, rest, or make time for a seaside meal or drink. Food and drinks are at your own expense.
• Useful gear is included: Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, towels and bottled water are available on board.
• The route may be worth discussing: One family’s day included Trogir instead of the Blue Lagoon. Ask Bonaca in advance whether a different route can be arranged.

A private speedboat day from Split

This tour is built around three distinct stops, with the boat ride between them part of the day’s appeal. You leave from ISLAND DISCOVERY at Trumbićeva obala 2 in Split and return to the same meeting point. The listed duration is about 10 hours, so plan for a full day rather than a quick outing.

The private format matters most if your group has different ideas about how to spend a day. You can share the time with family or friends, and the boat is not filled with other parties. It also gives you a more personal setting for questions and requests, though the supplied details do not promise that the route or stop lengths can be changed on the day.

There is one detail to clarify before paying: the price summary says the $1,153.61 rate covers up to eight people, while another description refers to a maximum of nine passengers. Those figures do not match. Confirm the permitted group size and final price with Bonaca before booking, especially if you have a party of nine. At the eight-person limit, the listed price works out to about $144 per person, before lunch, drinks, and the Fortica admission fee.

For a private day on the water, that figure can make sense if you value having the boat to yourselves and plan to use most of the day. It is less compelling if you only want a short swim or would rather spend the day on land. The tour includes fuel, taxes, fees, boat insurance and safety equipment, which makes the advertised amount more informative than a bare boat price. Still, meals and drinks beyond the bottled water are extra.

Krknjaši Bay: the Blue Lagoon stop

The first planned stop is Krknjaši Bay on Drvenik Veli, often called the Blue Lagoon. Veliki and Mali Krknjaš shelter the bay, and its clear turquoise water is the reason it draws people looking for a swim and a quiet stretch of coast. The plan allows about two hours here, a generous opening stop before the more built-up visit to Hvar.

Snorkeling gear and paddleboards are provided, giving you options beyond sitting aboard. You can swim, look below the surface with a mask, or take a paddleboard out if conditions suit. The bay is described as a place to relax away from crowds, but that should not be read as a promise of solitude. Its name and color have made it a popular stop.

Season matters. In late May, the water was cold enough that one family chose not to swim at all. If you are visiting early in the season, pack a light layer for after a swim and think of the lagoon as a scenic stop even if you stay dry. Towels are provided, but a small dry bag is still a sensible extra for clothes and phones.

A family account also describes a route that went to Trogir instead of the Blue Lagoon. They explored the old town and a 14th-century fort before continuing toward the islands. That suggests a different route has been arranged at least once, but it does not establish that substitutions are routine or guaranteed. If Trogir interests you, ask the operator before the tour rather than assuming the captain can change plans on the day.

Hvar Town: a walk, a climb and a view

The tour gives Hvar about three hours, the longest stop of the day. That is enough to walk the central streets, see several landmarks and make the climb to Fortica, but you will need to choose how to use your time. Hvar is not just a quick photo stop: the town has St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the historic Hvar Theatre, City Lodge and old walls leading toward the fortress.

Fortica is the obvious high point, both in the literal sense and as a way to understand Hvar’s setting. From above, you can see the town and coastline together, a view that makes the uphill walk worthwhile for people who are comfortable with the climb. One family described the approach as steep, with the path rising roughly 288 feet up the hillside. That is a useful warning if anyone in your party has trouble with steep walks or would rather take the stop slowly.

Admission to Tvrdava Fortica is not included. The tour description also does not specify the ticket price, so bring money for the entrance and confirm current details locally if you need to budget closely. Even without entering the fortress, you can use your time to wander the lanes, pause at a café terrace or look for local food.

Three hours can feel short if you want to see every landmark, climb the fortress and linger over lunch. I would decide in advance whether the view or a relaxed town visit matters more to you. If you have children, the old streets and fort climb may make the stop more engaging, but allow for the effort involved and avoid turning the walk into a race.

Pakleni Islands: a slower final stop

After Hvar, the boat heads to the Pakleni Islands, an archipelago of 19 islands and rocky islets just off Hvar Town. The planned stop lasts about two hours. After walking around town, it gives you a chance to return to the water, stretch out in the sun or settle in for a meal beside the sea.

This is the most flexible-feeling part of the itinerary, though the exact options depend on where the boat stops. You can swim in clear water or relax ashore, and the description suggests seaside restaurants for lunch or a drink. Those costs are not included, so account for them separately. One family stopped at Bacchus and recommended grilled octopus, a concrete meal idea if the restaurant is part of your route and available when you visit.

The islands are not a single town with a set list of sights. Think of this stop as time to slow down rather than another major sightseeing session. If you want a busy day of museums and monuments, you may find two hours here too long. If your group would rather swim, eat and enjoy the coast, it is a fitting close.

Boat comfort, weather and what to bring

The tour is aboard a speedboat, which makes it possible to connect Split, the Blue Lagoon, Hvar and the Pakleni Islands in one day. It also means the ride can be exposed to wind and spray. One family described the return journey as salty, windy and wave-battered, but still part of the adventure. That is not a guarantee of rough conditions, but it is a reminder that this is not a sheltered ferry ride.

Bring a small dry bag for spare clothes and anything you do not want splashed. Sun protection and a light layer are sensible additions for a long day outside. The operator provides bottled water and towels, but the supplied details do not list meals, sunscreen or other personal items as included.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For cancellations you make yourself, the stated policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The experience is offered in English, confirmation is provided at booking, and service animals are allowed. The tour information says most people can participate, but that does not remove the practical challenge of boarding a boat, managing a long day and, if you choose, walking up to Fortica. If those are concerns for anyone in your group, ask the operator about the boat and the day’s plan before committing.

Who should book this tour?

This works best for a group that wants a mix of water, sightseeing and free time, and is willing to spend a full day away from Split. Families and friends may appreciate the private format, while the provided snorkel gear and paddleboards make the lagoon and island stops more active. The named captain in one account, Matko, was described as kind and thoughtful, though you should not assume he will captain every departure.

It is a weaker fit if you want a slow, land-based exploration of Hvar. Three hours there is useful, but it is not a full day in town, especially if you want to climb Fortica, visit landmarks and stop for a long meal. It may also disappoint if you expect warm swimming water in spring or a calm ride in every weather condition.

I would book it if your group values privacy, wants several Adriatic stops in one outing and is happy to pay for the convenience of a dedicated boat. Before confirming, settle the eight-versus-nine passenger discrepancy, ask whether any route changes are possible, and check what the forecast means for the crossing. Bring a dry bag, budget for lunch and fortress admission, and treat the Blue Lagoon as a beautiful stop whether you swim or not.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including the boat trip and time at the stops.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2, Split, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the boat private?

Yes. It is a private activity for your group, not a shared tour with other parties.

How many people can join?

The price summary says up to eight people, while another tour description says up to nine passengers. Confirm the maximum with Bonaca before booking.

What equipment and refreshments are included?

Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, towels, bottled water, safety equipment and boat insurance are included. Fuel and taxes, fees and handling charges are also covered.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks at the Pakleni Islands are not included. Bottled water is provided on board.

Is admission to Fortica included?

No. Admission to Tvrdava Fortica is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.