Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert

The best part of this private boat trip is control. You can spend the day swimming from the stern, wandering Hvar, eating fresh fish at a waterside restaurant, or skipping the busy stops altogether. Skippers such as Marko, Duje, Toma, and Antonio are praised for adjusting the day to suit each group.

I like the choice of three boats and the way the skipper can turn a loose wish list into a workable day on the water. I also like the small details: snorkeling gear, bottled water, restaurant suggestions, and the chance to reach quiet coves that larger cruise boats cannot reach.

The main drawback is cost clarity. The advertised price is only the starting point. Fuel and the skipper’s fee are extra, and fuel can add several hundred euros on a long route, especially on the larger twin-engine boat. Ask for a route estimate before you set off.

Key things to know before booking

• Three boat sizes: Choose a 22-foot boat for up to six people, a larger speedboat for up to 11, or a 33-foot Saxdor yacht for up to 10.
• A truly private day: Only your group joins, and the route can change around your swimming, sightseeing, and lunch plans.
• Skippers make the difference: Marko, Duje, Toma, Antonio, Marin, Luka, and others are praised for safe driving, local suggestions, and family-friendly service.
• Fuel is not included: Expect roughly €100 to €160 for the medium boat, €150 to €250 for the large boat, and €200 to €400 for the luxury yacht, though actual use depends on distance and conditions.
• Blue Cave is excluded: The operator avoids it because of the long journey and crowds, so do not book this trip expecting a Blue Cave visit.
• Start early and plan sensibly: The stated start is 9:00 a.m., and trying to combine Split, Vis, Hvar, and distant stops can leave little time for swimming or walking ashore.

A private Adriatic day built around your group

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise. It is a private charter from Split or Trogir with a skipper who drives the boat and helps shape the day. You can request islands, coves, a restaurant, a town walk, snorkeling, or simply a slow day close to shore.

That freedom matters in central Dalmatia. The coast is scattered with islands and small bays, but they are not all practical to combine in one day. A good skipper will help you choose between a long run to Hvar or Vis and a more relaxed route around Trogir, Šolta, Brač, and the nearby Blue Lagoon.

The experience is offered for about three to nine hours, with a stated 9:00 a.m. start. In practice, a full day on the water requires careful time management. One group covered roughly 115 nautical miles and still wanted more time. Another had a two-hour delay caused by a booking mix-up. I would treat the published duration as a framework, not a promise that every distant island can fit comfortably.

The strongest part of the service is the personal attention. Skippers have arranged fish lunches, suggested quiet swimming places, helped older passengers board, and altered routes when the sea became choppy. Toma, Marko, Duje, Luka, Marin, Antonio, Ivan, and Jakov are among the named skippers praised for friendly service and flexible planning.

Choosing between the 22-foot boat, speedboat, and Saxdor yacht

The 22-foot mid-sized boat is listed for up to six people. It is the sensible choice for a smaller group that wants to keep fuel costs lower and is happy with a more compact setup. A medium boat can still reach attractive swimming spots and nearby islands, but your comfort depends on how many people are aboard and how far you plan to go.

The 24 to 27-foot speedboat carries up to 11 people and is intended for the mid-Dalmatian islands. It gives a larger group room to spread out, but fuel use rises with boat size, passenger load, speed, and distance. One group of 10 found the boat suitable but was surprised by the final fuel bill after a long day.

The 33-foot Saxdor yacht accommodates up to 10 people. It is the premium option, with a higher skipper fee and a possible fuel bill of €200 to €400. One important booking point: make sure the boat category you select is clear. The experience includes several boat options, and the main image may show the luxury model. Confirm the exact boat, capacity, and price before payment if the boat itself matters to you.

For a family or group with mixed ages, the larger boats may offer a steadier and more comfortable ride. Still, a bigger boat does not remove the effects of wind and waves. Antonio adjusted his route on a choppy day so the group could stay comfortable, while another party with a two-year-old cut its outing short in rough conditions.

What a sample route through Hvar, Brač, and Šolta feels like

The suggested route is only an example, but it shows the range of experiences you can combine.

Hvar for an hour

Hvar gives you a short taste of island town life after time at sea. You can walk its old streets, look across the harbor, or stop for a drink before returning to the boat. With only an hour, you will not see every corner, but that is part of the point. This is a sampler, not a full Hvar visit.

Hvar is also one of the longer choices from Split, depending on your departure point and route. If your priority is beach time, asking for Hvar may reduce the time available for several swim stops. If you want a mix of town, sea, and scenery, it can be worth the trade.

Murvica Beach and Robinson Beach on Brač

The Brač stop is about slowing down. The beach is described as a calm place for swimming, sun, and a break from the busier coastal ports. Pine trees, clear water, and a softer shoreline make it appealing for families and anyone who wants time off the boat.

The sample schedule allows two hours here. That is generous enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop. Bring sun protection, and do not assume every beach stop has extensive facilities. The appeal is the quiet setting, not a full resort setup.

Lunch at Terasa Ciccio

A private boat day works best when lunch is treated as part of the experience, not an afterthought. Terasa Ciccio is presented as a coastal restaurant with Adriatic views and locally inspired food. Other skippers have also recommended fresh-fish restaurants and arranged tables in advance.

You should ask about the planned lunch stop before departure. Restaurant costs are not included in the tour price, and a long lunch can change the number of coves or towns you have time to visit. On the other hand, arriving by boat and stepping ashore for a relaxed meal can be one of the day’s best moments.

Gornja Krušica Beach on Šolta

Šolta offers a quieter finish than Hvar. Gornja Krušica is described as a peaceful cove with clear water, rocky edges, and Mediterranean vegetation. The one-hour stop works well for a final swim or a few minutes floating beside the boat.

A route using Hvar, Brač, and Šolta covers a lot of water. It can be beautiful, but it is not the most leisurely plan. If you want more time in the sea, ask the skipper to reduce the number of islands and focus on two or three strong stops.

The best moments happen away from the ports

The main value here is access. A private speedboat can take you to small coves, lagoons, and swim spots that are difficult to reach on a large group cruise. Past outings have included the Blue Lagoon, Labadusa, quiet inlets near Trogir, a sunken boat for snorkeling, and small coastal towns.

The snorkeling equipment is included. You might see fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, or a starfish in clear water, depending on the location and conditions. One particularly memorable stop involved swimming around a shipwreck. That kind of unplanned discovery is more likely on a flexible private charter than on a strict port-to-port schedule.

Some outings have also included a boat bar that pulled alongside swimmers. That is not a guaranteed feature, but it shows the sort of informal Adriatic fun that can happen between planned stops.

The skipper’s local judgment is important here. Marin handled rougher water after a storm and took a smaller boat into places a large cruise vessel could not reach. Ivan arranged lunch beside the restaurant’s landing point. Jakov made the group feel welcome and adapted the day without fuss. These small choices are what separate a useful private charter from simply renting a boat for a few hours.

The real price: base fare, fuel, and skipper

The listed price is $482.72 per group of up to six. That figure looks attractive when divided among six people, but it does not cover everything. The skipper costs €100 for the medium or large boat and €150 for the Saxdor yacht. The fee is paid in cash on board.

Fuel is the bigger variable. The supplied estimates are:

• Medium boat: approximately €100 to €160
• Large speedboat: approximately €150 to €250
• Saxdor yacht: approximately €200 to €400

These are estimates, not fixed charges. A short route near Split may cost less than a long day reaching Hvar, Brač, Šolta, or Vis. One group reported about €100 in fuel on a medium boat, while another paid around €350 after taking the twin-engine Saxdor to several islands.

I do not consider the fuel arrangement unreasonable for a truly custom route, but it must be part of your budget from the start. Ask three direct questions before booking:

1. What exact boat am I getting?
2. What is the estimated fuel cost for my preferred route?
3. Is the skipper’s fee paid separately, and in what form?

Bottled water and snorkeling equipment are included. Still, the amount of water supplied may feel limited for a large group on a hot day. Bring extra water if permitted, especially if you plan to spend hours in the sun.

Timing, sea conditions, and the Blue Cave decision

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. That is early enough to make good use of the day, but it may not be early enough for every distant attraction. The operator does not visit the Blue Cave because of its distance and crowding. This is a firm planning point, not a small detail.

Some groups have asked to include the Blue Cave and were advised against it because the journey can consume much of the day. If the cave is your main goal, choose a dedicated excursion instead. If you would rather swim, eat well, and see less crowded places, the exclusion makes sense.

Weather also matters. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. Once on the water, the skipper may alter the route for safety. That flexibility is valuable, but it means your exact stops cannot be guaranteed.

I would avoid packing the day too tightly. Choose either a long island run with fewer stops or a closer route with more swimming and time ashore. You will get a better day by accepting that central Dalmatia cannot all be seen from one boat in one morning.

Who will get the most from this private charter

This is a strong choice for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups who do not want to follow a fixed cruise schedule. It also works well for mixed-age groups. One skipper helped a 90-year-old passenger get on and off the boat with little assistance, while other skippers made sure children and adults were comfortable.

You will get the most value if your group can agree on priorities. Do you want old towns, beaches, snorkeling, restaurants, or simply a fast ride through the islands? Tell the skipper early. The more clearly you explain your wishes, the more useful the customization becomes.

It is less suitable if you want a low, all-inclusive price with no decisions to make. The extra fuel and skipper charges can feel uncomfortable if you are comparing the base fare with a standard group cruise. It is also not ideal if your sole goal is the Blue Cave.

The booking record shows a 4.6 rating from 75 reviews, with many top scores focused on the skippers, clean boats, safe driving, flexible routes, swimming places, and lunch suggestions. The lower ratings center on fuel costs, water supply, delayed starts, rough seas, and confusion about the boat selected. Those are not minor concerns, so settle them before the day begins.

Should you book Tamaris Charter?

Book it if you want a private day where the sea, not a checklist, sets the pace. The best version of this outing is a sensible route, a good skipper such as Toma, Duje, Marko, Antonio, or Marin, two or three beautiful swim stops, and a relaxed lunch by the water.

Before paying, confirm the exact boat, group capacity, skipper fee, fuel estimate, start point, and intended route. Keep the Blue Cave off your wish list, and do not try to force every major island into one day. If you budget for the extras and value privacy over a fixed low fare, this can be one of the most memorable ways to see the coast near Split and Trogir.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start?

The experience is offered from Split and Trogir. The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The 22-foot medium boat carries up to six people. The larger 24 to 27-foot speedboat carries up to 11, and the 33-foot Saxdor yacht carries up to 10.

Is the skipper included in the tour price?

No. The skipper costs €100 for the medium or large boat and €150 for the Saxdor yacht. This fee is paid in cash on board.

Is fuel included?

No. Estimated fuel costs are €100 to €160 for the medium boat, €150 to €250 for the large speedboat, and €200 to €400 for the luxury yacht. The actual amount depends on the route and fuel used.

Does the tour visit the Blue Cave?

No. The operator does not visit the Blue Cave because of the distance and crowds. The route is designed around other islands, coves, beaches, and coastal stops.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the tour is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or be offered another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.