Split: Blue Lagoon, Hvar and 5 Islands Small Group Boat Tour

The best part of this 10-hour island-hopping trip is how much coastline you cover without spending your holiday arranging ferries. A fast boat links Split with Milna, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, Šolta, Maslinica, and the Blue Lagoon, giving you old stone towns, swimming stops, and open-water views in one long day.

I like the 12-person boat, which keeps the outing more personal than a large group cruise. I also like the balance between town time and water time: you can climb toward Hvar’s fortress, then spend the next stop swimming with a mask and snorkel. The trade-off is a full schedule and a bumpy ride at times, so this is not the right pick if you want a slow, quiet day or have back problems.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-seat speedboat: You travel quickly and avoid the feel of a large excursion boat.
• Hvar with 90 minutes: You have time for the Old Town, Venetian buildings, shops, food, or the Fortica Fortress.
• Several swimming stops: The Pakleni Islands, Šolta, and Blue Lagoon all bring chances to get in the water.
• Milna and Maslinica: These quieter harbor towns add village life and stone architecture to the day.
• Guides who keep things lively: David and Maren are among the guides praised for friendly service, safety, timing, and good music.
• Useful extras: Snorkeling equipment, safety gear, insurance, fuel, luggage storage, and a small souvenir are included.

What this Split boat tour is really like

This is a day built around movement. You meet at the Smile Travel office on Marmontova Street in central Split, leave unwanted luggage there if arranged ahead of time, and walk to the boat. Then the engine does the work.

The route is designed to show you several different sides of Dalmatia. Milna gives you a calm harbor and old stone buildings. Hvar brings history, shops, restaurants, and a more polished holiday atmosphere. The Pakleni Islands and Blue Lagoon are for swimming and sun. Maslinica on Šolta slows things down again.

That variety is the main reason to book. You are not spending the entire day at one beach or one town. You get short boat rides between stops, free time on land, and several opportunities to swim. The speedboat also means less time lost at sea than on a slower vessel.

The boat holds only 12 people. That matters. The guide can explain the schedule clearly, help with safety, and keep the group moving without shouting across a crowded deck. Music is part of the mood, and the trip has a cheerful, social feel rather than a formal sightseeing-lecture style.

Leaving Split and reaching Milna on Brač

The first ride takes about 20 minutes. That is just long enough to settle in, feel the speed, and start seeing Split from the water before reaching Milna on Brač Island.

Milna is a good opening stop because it is pleasant without demanding too much time. Its harbor is lined with fishing boats, stone buildings, and Mediterranean views. You get about 45 minutes for photos, a walk, and a look around the village.

I would use this stop to get your bearings rather than chase a checklist. Milna is valued for its calm harbor and traditional feel, not for a long list of major sights. The short visit gives you a taste of Brač without taking time away from Hvar and the swimming stops.

Hvar Town, with 90 minutes to choose your priorities

After roughly 30 minutes by boat, you reach Hvar Town. This is the longest town stop, with about an hour and a half of free time.

Hvar can easily fill a full day, so you need to choose. Walk through the Old Town and look at its Venetian palaces. Visit the old theatre, described as the oldest in Europe. Browse for souvenirs, stop for food, or make the uphill walk to Fortica Fortress for views over the town and nearby water.

My advice is to decide before you arrive. If you want the fortress, go there first, since the walk uphill uses part of your 90 minutes. If you prefer a relaxed visit, stay around the square and harbor, where you can enjoy the town without rushing.

The schedule is generous by day-tour standards, but Hvar is popular and can feel busy in the middle of the season. You will not have time to see every corner, shop slowly, and sit over a long meal. That is the price of fitting several islands into one outing.

The town also gives the trip a useful change of pace. After the excitement of the speedboat, you can walk on solid ground and see one of Croatia’s best-known historic ports. Some outings focus only on beaches. This one gives you a proper town stop.

Swimming around the Pakleni Islands

A 15-minute ride takes you toward the Pakleni Islands, an archipelago stretching about 10 kilometers and made up of 16 islands. The stop lasts about an hour and includes swimming, snorkeling, walking, and photos.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day if you like being in the water. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. You can look below the surface in the clear water, then dry off in the sun or spend some time at the well-known Carpe Diem area.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a swimming stop, not a guided marine tour, and the time is shared with the group. The charm comes from the setting and the chance to cool off, not from a long organized underwater session.

Bring a towel, a change of clothes, sun protection, and water. You should also keep your phone and camera secure around the boat. The crew supplies life jackets and safety equipment, but you remain responsible for your own belongings.

Šolta and the quieter side of the route

The next boat ride takes about 45 minutes, followed by roughly 45 minutes around Šolta for swimming, snorkeling, and views from the water. The route then continues to Maslinica, where you have about an hour.

This two-part visit gives Šolta a different role from Hvar. Instead of a famous historic center, you get time for the sea and a less polished island atmosphere. It is a useful pause after Hvar’s activity and before the final Blue Lagoon stop.

Maslinica is a small coastal village with a picturesque harbor, traditional stone houses, and olive groves. You can walk, take photos, relax by the water, or simply enjoy the quieter setting. The one-hour stop is long enough to feel like a real visit rather than a quick photo break.

The route description treats Šolta and Maslinica as separate stops, but they are part of the same island visit. This is worth understanding when you compare the tour with other five-island trips. The named route includes Brač, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta, with the Blue Lagoon as the final coastal highlight.

The Blue Lagoon finale

After Maslinica, the speedboat takes about 30 minutes to the Blue Lagoon. You get around 90 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, photos, walking, and sunbathing before the final 45-minute ride back to Split.

Ending at the Blue Lagoon makes sense. The water is the star, and you have plenty of time to enjoy it after the town visits. If your ideal Croatian day includes clear water, a mask and snorkel, and a place to float under the sun, this is the part you will remember most.

It can also be the busiest-feeling stop, especially in high season. The Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason, so do not expect complete solitude. Still, the long stop gives you time to find a comfortable place, swim, and take photos rather than stepping off the boat for only a few minutes.

You return to Marmontova Street after the ride back. Since the tour ends where it begins, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The speedboat, comfort, and pace

The speedboat is the transport and one of the main attractions. It covers the distances quickly, leaving more time for island visits. Several people who took the trip particularly enjoyed the feeling of speed, comparing it to a fun, high-energy ride while still describing the crew as careful and reassuring.

That said, a speedboat is not a sofa. The ride can be lively, and sea conditions can affect comfort and timing. The tour may change because of weather or the condition of the sea. If you get motion sick, bring whatever remedy you normally use, although no specific medication is included.

The boat has room for only 12 people, but the exact comfort level depends on the day’s conditions and how much gear everyone brings. You should pack light. Unwanted luggage can be stored through the provider, but contact the company ahead of time if you need that service.

The crew speaks English. Guides including David and Maren have been praised for keeping the group organized, helping people feel safe, and creating a friendly atmosphere. Music plays during the day, so this is better suited to people who enjoy a sociable outing than those seeking silent contemplation.

What is included, and what is not

The $130 price covers a lot for a full-day boat trip. Included are:

• Speedboat transport and fuel
• English-speaking staff and a licensed skipper
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets and other safety gear
• Passenger insurance
• Taxes and fees
• Luggage storage when arranged
• A small souvenir
• Music during the trip

Food and drinks are not officially included. However, some organized days have included pizza lunch, and several accounts of the experience describe that as a welcome bonus. Treat lunch as something to confirm when booking rather than something guaranteed by the listed inclusions.

You should bring your own water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, towel, swimwear, a change of clothes, camera, and some cash. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the central meeting point yourself.

Is $130 good value?

For a 10-hour outing with a small boat, fuel, a licensed skipper, snorkeling equipment, and several stops, $130 is a fair price. You are paying not only for the boat but also for the planning that connects places difficult to visit efficiently on your own in one day.

The value is strongest if you want variety. Booking separate ferries or private transfers to reach Hvar, Šolta, the Pakleni Islands, and the Blue Lagoon would take more planning and would not necessarily give you as much swimming time.

The value is weaker if you mainly want Hvar. In that case, a simple ferry and a full day in town may suit you better. It is also less appealing if you dislike fixed schedules, music, speed, or frequent changes of scenery.

Food is the one cost you should plan for. Bring cash and water, and do not assume lunch is part of the deal unless the provider confirms it for your departure.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Split and want a broad taste of the Dalmatian coast. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social group, fast transport, swimming, and a packed schedule.

It is also a good choice if you want both culture and water. Hvar supplies the town and historic sights, while the Pakleni Islands, Šolta, and Blue Lagoon supply the beach time.

The operator says the activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people over 65. Those restrictions matter because of the speedboat, boarding conditions, and length of the day.

The tour is weather-dependent. Check the forecast and keep some flexibility in your schedule. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans around Split are still moving.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon and five-island tour?

Book it if you want to see a lot in one day and like the idea of a fast boat, good music, clear water, and several short visits. The small group, strong timing, and mix of Hvar, villages, swimming areas, and the Blue Lagoon give you more range than a single-island excursion.

Skip it if you want a leisurely Hvar day, need a very gentle boat ride, or dislike organized schedules. For the right kind of visitor, the $130 price is reasonable, and the 12-person format keeps the day from feeling like a mass outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova ul. 5 in Split. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The speedboat has room for up to 12 people, making this a small-group experience.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and other safety gear are included.

Is lunch included?

Food and drinks are not listed as included. Some departures may provide pizza lunch, so confirm this with the provider before you go.

Can I store luggage?

Yes, luggage storage is available. Contact the provider ahead of time if you need to store luggage.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the Smile Travel office in Split, and hotel drop-off is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.