Private Luxury Boat tour for 12 from Split, Brac, Trogir, Hvar

The big draw here is the private speedboat day linking the Blue Cave, Vis, Budikovac, Palmizana, and Hvar in one long sweep. You get your own boat for up to 12 people, with pickup arranged at a location that suits your group.

I like the freedom to shape the route around your interests, and I like that swimming and snorkeling are built into the day rather than treated as an afterthought. Guide Tonka and skipper Emil are named members of the crew, and the trip can work well for families, including children from 7 to 17. The catch is the price: $1,991.26 per group before fuel, lunch, and the Blue Cave entrance fee, so it makes the most sense when shared by a larger party.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Cave is a morning stop: Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and lights the cave blue, but the visit lasts only about 20 minutes and the entrance fee is extra.
• Your group gets the boat to itself: The private format is useful for families and friends who want to adjust swim time, sightseeing, and the pace.
• Vis gives you two different stops: Komiža offers a proper harbor town and fishing culture, while Stiniva gives you a short look at a narrow, cliff-lined cove.
• Budikovac is the main swim break: You can swim from the boat in a sheltered turquoise lagoon and use the supplied snorkeling masks.
• Hvar and Palmizana finish the day: You get two hours in Hvar and one hour at Palmizana Botanical Garden, though the full route involves a lot of time on the water.
• Fuel is not included: This matters when comparing the real cost with other private boat outings.

A full island day from Split

This is not a slow harbor cruise. It is a full-day run across the central Dalmatian islands, lasting about 10 hours. The route covers a lot of ground, which gives you a broad taste of the islands but also means the schedule depends on sea conditions, timing, and the distance between stops.

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of 12 people. That changes the feel of the outing. You are not tied to the preferences of a large mixed party, and the route can be adjusted to suit your interests. A family may want more time for swimming, while a group of adults may prefer more time in Komiža or Hvar.

Pickup is arranged by agreement at a location that works for you. The tour then returns to the meeting point at the end of the day. Bottled water and snorkeling masks are included, but fuel, lunch, and the Blue Cave entrance fee are separate expenses.

The schedule lists about five hours and 20 minutes at the stops. The rest of the 10-hour day is spent moving between islands. That travel time is part of the experience, but you should know what you are buying: this is a broad sampler of the islands, not a relaxed day spent in one bay.

The Blue Cave at Biševo

The first stop is the Blue Cave on the island of Biševo, near Komiža. The cave sits in Balun Bay, and its blue glow comes from sunlight passing through a natural opening below sea level before reflecting off the pale seabed.

The effect is strongest in the morning, when the sun reaches into the cave at the right angle and the sea is often calmer. That timing is one reason the cave appears early in the route. The visit itself lasts about 20 minutes, so think of it as a brief natural spectacle rather than an open-ended cave outing.

There is an important practical point here: the Blue Cave entrance ticket is not included. The supplied information does not state the current fee, so check the cost before departure. The cave also depends on sea and weather conditions. If conditions prevent a visit, the wider tour has a poor-weather policy that offers a different date or a full refund when the operator cancels for that reason.

The cave entrance was created in 1884, while the larger natural opening lies below the water on the south side. That unusual construction helps explain why the visit is handled as a short, controlled stop. You will not simply wander in and stay as long as you like.

Komiža, a fishing town with a strong local feel

Komiža is scheduled for one hour, and I consider this one of the more useful stops for anyone who wants more than swimming and photographs. The town sits in a deep bay on the western side of Vis, with narrow streets, traditional houses, and a harbor shaped by generations of seafaring.

Komiža grew around fishing rather than large areas of farmland. Its Fishermen’s Museum gives that story a physical home, although admission details for the museum are not provided. If the museum interests you, ask how much of the one-hour stop can be spent there before setting off.

The harbor is also a good place to slow the pace after the early Blue Cave visit. You can walk a little, look at the architecture, and get a feel for a working island town. The stop is free according to the tour details, but any museum admission or personal purchases would be your responsibility.

For me, Komiža gives the itinerary some needed substance. The day is filled with famous coves and attractive water, but this is where you get a clearer sense of how people on Vis lived and worked.

Stiniva Cove and its narrow entrance

Stiniva Cove is another short stop, listed at about 20 minutes. The bay is protected as a nature reserve and is framed by high rocky cliffs. Its entrance is about 100 meters wide, while the bay extends roughly 600 meters inland.

The shape of the cove is the main reason to come. From the water, the cliffs create a dramatic frame around the narrow opening. Several old fishing houses sit at the far end, and those buildings are protected as well.

Twenty minutes is enough for a look and perhaps a quick swim if conditions allow, but it is not enough for a long visit. I would treat Stiniva as a scenic pause between the longer stops, not as the main beach portion of the day.

The cove’s protected status also means you should follow the crew’s instructions. The supplied details do not promise a particular amount of time ashore or a specific landing arrangement. Your experience here is likely to focus on the approach, the view, and the water near the cove.

Swimming at Budikovac Island

Budikovac is the itinerary’s clearest swimming stop. The boat pauses for about an hour at a turquoise lagoon in front of the uninhabited island, where natural shelter from wind can make the water feel calm and inviting.

You can swim directly from the boat, and snorkeling masks are included. That is a useful detail for families and mixed-age groups because you do not need to arrange separate equipment for a simple look below the surface.

The island is accessible only by private boats, according to the tour information. That gives this stop a more secluded feel, though it does not mean you should expect complete solitude. The main value is the chance to leave the sightseeing circuit for a while and enjoy the water.

If you are traveling with children, this is the sort of stop that makes the private format worthwhile. The crew can adjust the rhythm around your group, and the boat gives swimmers an easy base. Still, remember that the day includes several other stops, so the one-hour swim break is not an all-day beach visit.

Palmizana Botanical Garden on St. Clement

The next hour is set aside for Palmizana, also spelled Plamizana in the supplied tour information, on St. Clement in the Pakleni Islands. The area is known for Mediterranean plant life, a botanical garden, birds, crickets, and a sandy beach.

This stop changes the mood again. After the open water and rocky coves, you get a chance to walk around a more planted setting. The garden is the reason to explore beyond the dock, while the beach offers another possible break from the boat.

The tour description calls Palmizana a small uninhabited village. That makes the stop sound quieter and more nature-focused than Hvar, though you should keep your expectations practical. The itinerary gives you one hour, so you will have time for a short walk and a look around, but not a long garden visit.

Palmizana is a good fit if your group wants some variety. If everyone mainly wants to swim, you may prefer to keep this stop brief and ask for more water time elsewhere. The private route gives you room to discuss that preference with the crew.

Two hours in Hvar Town

Hvar is the longest stop, with two hours. The town is known for historic architecture, cultural sights, mild weather, and an upscale social scene. It is also the most developed and famous place on this route.

Two hours is enough to walk around and get a taste of the town, but it is not enough for a detailed visit to every sight. You will need to choose between strolling, sitting down for food, shopping, or visiting a cultural attraction. Lunch is not included, so Hvar may be the most convenient point to arrange your own meal, though the tour details do not specify a restaurant or reservation.

Hvar can feel quite different from Komiža. Komiža is tied closely to fishing and its harbor traditions, while Hvar has a more polished, celebrity-friendly reputation. That contrast is useful if you want to compare two sides of island life in one day.

The timing also matters. By the time you reach Hvar, you will already have spent many hours on the boat and made several stops. I would use the two hours for a focused walk and meal rather than trying to cover the entire town at speed.

Is $1,991.26 a fair price?

The listed price is $1,991.26 for the full group of up to 12 people. Divided among 12, that comes to roughly $166 per person before fuel, lunch, and the Blue Cave admission. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

The value comes from the private boat, pickup arrangement, flexible route, and the number of islands included. You are not paying only for a transfer to one swimming spot. You are paying for a full day that combines a natural sight, an island town, protected coves, swimming, a botanical garden, and Hvar.

Fuel being separate is the key cost detail. Ask for the expected fuel charge before you commit, since the advertised price does not show the final total. You should also budget for lunch and the Blue Cave entrance fee.

I see the best value for a family reunion, two families traveling together, or a group of friends that can fill most of the 12 seats. For two or three people, the private arrangement may still be attractive, but it is a premium choice rather than a bargain.

Who will enjoy this private boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups that want control over the day. Families benefit from the private setting, especially when ages range widely. A review of the experience describes a family with children from 7 to 17 enjoying swimming and jumping from the speedboat, with Tonka adjusting the outing around their interests and Emil providing a personable presence at the helm.

That combination is worth noting. The tour is not just a fixed sightseeing transfer. The private setup allows the crew to respond to what your group wants, within the limits of weather, travel time, and the planned route.

You should also enjoy being on a boat for long stretches. If you prefer long walks, museums, or one settled beach, this itinerary may feel rushed. The Blue Cave and Stiniva are short visits, and even the longer stops give you only one or two hours.

The trip is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, the activity is near public transportation, and the information says most people can participate. Because the tour uses a boat and includes swimming, you should still discuss any specific mobility or medical concern with the provider before booking.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

The operating season listed here runs from March 1 through November 30, 2026, with tours scheduled Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The experience lasts about 10 hours, so plan your day around a full morning-to-evening outing rather than a short half-day excursion.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. Pickup details are arranged directly by agreement, so make sure the meeting place and start time are clear before the day arrives.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you have a larger group, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining swimming with several distinct island stops. The private format, pickup option, included water, snorkeling masks, and flexible route are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if your budget is tight, your group is small, or you prefer a slow visit to one island. Fuel, lunch, and the Blue Cave ticket are extra, and the 10-hour route covers a lot of water. For the right group, though, this is an efficient way to see the Blue Cave, Vis, Budikovac, Palmizana, and Hvar without handing your day over to strangers.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour is based in Split, Croatia, and visits sites around Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged at a location that suits your group by agreement with the provider.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is the Blue Cave entrance fee included?

No. The Blue Cave entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is listed as an additional expense.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, specifically snorkeling masks, is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.