Private Customised Boat Tour With Speed Boat

The best part of this Split boat tour is the freedom to shape the day. You can race between islands, stop for a swim when the water looks inviting, linger over lunch in Maslinica, or let a skipper handle the route while you enjoy the ride. Bol, Hvar, and the Blue Lagoon give you a strong mix of beaches, swimming, and island towns.

I like the private format, since your group of up to four does not have to follow a large boatload of strangers. I also like the choice between driving yourself and hiring a skipper. The catch is cost: the advertised price does not include fuel, and a skipper costs another €100 plus food. Rough seas and extra charges deserve attention before you book.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to four: You get the boat to yourselves rather than joining a large group.
• Five listed stops: The route can include Bol, Blue Lagoon or Krknjaši Bay, Trogir, Maslinica, and Hvar.
• Skipper or self-drive: A skipper costs €100 per booking plus food. Driving alone requires a boat licence and a damage deposit.
• Snorkelling equipment included: You can use the supplied gear at the swimming stops.
• Fuel is extra: The final bill includes a fuel surcharge, so ask how this is calculated before departure.
• Not a Blue Cave trip: These boats cannot visit the Blue Cave, so choose another excursion if that is your main goal.

A private day on the Adriatic from Split

This is less a fixed sightseeing cruise than a private island-hopping day. The listed duration is about five to nine hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start and a return to the same meeting point in Split. The exact pace matters. Five hours gives you a brisk taste of the coast, while a longer day lets you swim, eat, and spend proper time in more than one town.

You can take the boat without a skipper if you hold the required boat licence. In that case, you must pay a damage deposit at check-in: €1,000 for the normal boat or €1,500 for the big boat. If you do not have the licence, the skipper option is the practical choice.

A skipper is not just a driver. The right person can help you decide which stop deserves more time, find a quieter swimming cove, and handle the boat if the sea turns rough. One skipper on this trip was praised for safe handling and good navigation, while another took a group to a secluded cove that even he had not visited before. That kind of local judgment is one of the main reasons to consider the extra fee.

What the $518.93 price really buys you

The listed price is $518.93 per group of up to four, not per person. Split four ways, that is about $130 per person before fuel, food, and any skipper charge. For a private full-day boat, that can be fair value, especially if your group wants privacy and control over the route.

Still, you should treat the headline price as a starting point. Fuel is not included and is charged at the end of the day. One party reported paying €240 for fuel, along with the €100 skipper fee. That amount may vary, but it shows why you should ask for a clear explanation of the fuel charge at check-in.

Food and drinks are also on you. A skipper’s food is an additional responsibility, and the skipper fee is paid directly in cash at check-in. A tip is optional, not a required charge. I would arrive ready for these extras and keep enough cash available.

The private setup has real value. You can spend less time waiting for a large group, choose your own lunch stop, and leave a place when it gets crowded. If your main aim is the lowest possible cost, a shared excursion may be cheaper. If you value flexibility, the group price makes more sense when split among four people.

Bol and the long sweep of Brač

Bol is the first listed stop, with about an hour set aside. It is on Brač, one of the best-known islands near Split, and the stop is aimed at beach time rather than a long town visit. Expect a chance to walk, look around, and enjoy the sea before returning to the boat.

An hour goes quickly. You will not have time for a slow island day, and the pace may feel rushed if you want both a proper beach visit and a relaxed meal. Think of Bol as a strong first taste of Brač, not a full exploration of the island.

The order of stops may be worth discussing with your skipper. An early start was recommended by one party, with the Blue Lagoon as the first target to avoid larger crowds. Since this is a private boat, you have some room to adjust the plan, but the skipper remains the person responsible for safe routing and timing.

Blue Lagoon and Krknjaši Bay for swimming

The Blue Lagoon or Krknjaši Bay stop is built around swimming. Snorkelling equipment is included, so you can look below the surface without bringing your own mask and fins. This is one of the most useful inclusions because a swimming stop feels more complete when you can spend time in the water rather than only taking photographs from the boat.

The stop also includes the option of lunch at a restaurant and Bar Skhoy. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan to pay for anything you order. The setting is suited to a casual break, but an hour does not leave much room for an elaborate meal and a long swim.

The Blue Lagoon can be popular, which is why an early start matters. Do not expect the boat to guarantee a quiet bay. The private format helps you avoid being tied to a large group’s timetable, but it cannot remove other boats from a well-known swimming area.

Also note a major limitation: this boat cannot visit the Blue Cave. The names can sound similar to first-time visitors, but they are different stops. If the Blue Cave is the reason you are coming to the Dalmatian coast, this is not the right boat trip.

Trogir, a UNESCO-listed old town

Trogir brings a change of pace. After the open water and swimming stops, you can walk through the old town, which is under UNESCO protection. The tour allows about an hour, enough for a compact look at the historic centre and a drink at one of the bars or restaurants.

Trogir is a good fit if you want some culture in the middle of a sea day. You are not spending every hour on the boat, and the old town gives you a chance to stretch your legs. With only an hour, though, keep your expectations sensible. You will get an introduction, not a detailed museum visit or a long restaurant meal.

The town stop also makes the tour more appealing for companions who are less interested in swimming. One person can enjoy the waterfront and old streets while another takes a break from the sun. The schedule remains tight, so watch the time and follow the skipper’s instructions for returning to the boat.

Maslinica on Šolta for lunch

Maslinica is a village on the island of Šolta, and it may be the most rewarding stop for a relaxed meal. The port setting gives you a chance to sit down, eat, and watch the island activity instead of rushing from one attraction to the next.

Reasonably priced restaurants were singled out as a good reason to stop here. That makes Maslinica useful for managing the day’s costs, especially since food is not part of the tour price. You can choose a simple meal rather than paying for lunch at a more expensive stop.

Again, the listed time is about one hour. That is enough for a quick lunch if service is prompt, but it may feel short if you want a slow meal. Ask your skipper how much time is available and tell them if lunch matters more to you than adding another swim.

Maslinica also shows why a private boat can be better than a rigid sightseeing route. If the village suits your group, you can give it more attention. If you are keen to reach Hvar, you can keep the stop shorter.

Hvar town in a one-hour visit

The Hvar stop includes the island and Hvar Town. Hvar is one of the most famous places on the route, so it is a natural highlight. You can walk through the town, pause for a drink, and take in the waterfront before returning to the boat.

One hour is enough to get a feel for Hvar Town, but it is not enough for a full visit. You will need to choose between a quick walk, a café stop, or a longer look at one particular sight. If Hvar is your priority, tell the skipper early and be prepared to reduce time elsewhere.

The stop works best as part of a varied day. Bol gives you beach time, the Blue Lagoon gives you swimming, Trogir gives you old-town streets, Maslinica gives you lunch, and Hvar adds another famous island town. Trying to experience all five in depth would be unrealistic, but seeing each briefly creates a lively overview of the Split area.

Self-drive freedom versus a €100 skipper

Driving your own speedboat sounds appealing, but it comes with clear obligations. You need a boat licence, and you must leave a substantial damage deposit at check-in. The normal boat requires €1,000, while the big boat requires €1,500.

I would choose self-drive only if the licensed driver is comfortable handling a boat in open water and understands the responsibility involved. The tour can last up to nine hours, and sea conditions may change during the day. You also lose the local route advice that can make a private trip more useful.

The skipper costs €100 per booking, plus food, and is paid in cash at check-in. That fee is easy to underestimate when comparing prices, but it may be worthwhile. A capable skipper can handle navigation, watch the conditions, and help you balance swimming, meals, and sightseeing.

A tip is optional. It should not be confused with the required skipper charge or the fuel surcharge.

Sea conditions, comfort, and who should go

This is an active day on the water, not a smooth sightseeing ride. One account specifically warned that the ocean can be rough and advised against bringing young children or older adults. You should take that seriously, especially if anyone in your group gets seasick or has trouble boarding and moving around a boat.

The operator asks for a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be comfortable with boat access, swimming if you plan to use the snorkelling gear, and walking around the towns. Bring practical sun protection and clothing suited to a long day outdoors, though the supplied information does not specify a packing list.

The experience suits couples, friends, or a small family group with older children who enjoy swimming and short town visits. It is especially useful for people who dislike fixed group schedules. It is less suitable if you need guaranteed calm water, long visits at each site, or an accessible, slow-paced outing.

The tour needs good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can take another date or receive a full refund. If you simply miss the tour because your cruise ship arrives late or fails to arrive, no refund is provided, so do not book it on a tight cruise-day schedule.

Practical booking advice for a smoother day

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience is offered in English, begins at 9:00 a.m., and ends back at the meeting point in Split. It is near public transportation, which helps with reaching the start, but the exact meeting details should be checked after booking.

Ask these questions before you pay at check-in:

• What fuel rate or calculation will be used?
• Is the normal or big boat assigned to your group?
• How much time will be allowed at each stop?
• If using a skipper, what food arrangements are expected?
• Can the route be adjusted for weather or your main priority?

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellation is not refunded. The local cut-off time applies.

Should you book this private Split boat tour?

I would book it if you are a group of up to four people who want a flexible day with swimming, island scenery, and short visits to Trogir and Hvar. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the choice of skipper, included snorkelling equipment, and the chance to find a quieter cove or spend more time at a favourite stop.

I would skip it if you are focused on the Blue Cave, need a very calm ride, or want every cost included in the first price. Ask about fuel before departure, budget for the skipper and meals, and treat the five listed stops as quick visits rather than full excursions.

For most suitable groups, the best choice is a skipper-led trip with an early start. You get the freedom of a private boat without taking on the licence, deposit, and navigation duties yourself.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to nine hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the meeting point in Split.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers one private group of up to four people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I drive the boat myself?

Yes, but you need a valid boat licence. You must also pay a damage deposit at check-in: €1,000 for the normal boat or €1,500 for the big boat.

How much does a skipper cost?

The skipper surcharge is €100 per booking, paid directly to the skipper in cash at check-in. You are also responsible for the skipper’s food. A tip is optional.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is charged separately at the end of the day. Food and drinks are also not included.

Can the boat visit the Blue Cave?

No. These boats cannot visit the Blue Cave. The route can include the Blue Lagoon or Krknjaši Bay instead.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.