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

Fast boats make a big Dalmatian day possible. This 10-hour trip from Split packs Hvar, Milna, Pakleni, Šolta, and the Blue Lagoon into one lively coastal outing. I like the small 12-person boat, which keeps the day more personal than a large excursion vessel, and I like the mix of town time, swimming, snorkeling, and open-water cruising.

I also appreciate the tour’s simple rhythm: ride, explore, swim, repeat. Guides David and Maren have earned praise for keeping the mood friendly and the schedule on track. The main consideration is comfort. A speedboat can be exhilarating, but it is not the gentle way to cross the Adriatic, and the trip is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back or mobility problems, or people over 65.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-person speedboat: You get a more intimate outing, with less waiting and faster transfers between islands.
• Hvar with 90 minutes: Enough time for the Old Town, Fortica Fortress, shopping, or a meal, but not enough for a leisurely full-day visit.
• Three major swim stops: Pakleni Islands, Šolta, and the Blue Lagoon provide plenty of time in clear water.
• A good value at $130: Fuel, skipper, staff, snorkeling equipment, insurance, and fees are included. Lunch is not clearly included in the formal package, so confirm before booking.
• A full 10-hour schedule: You see a lot in one day, but this is an active outing rather than a slow island escape.
• Weather matters: Sea conditions can change the experience, and the route may be adjusted for safety.

What this Split boat tour is really like

You meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova ul. 5 in Split. The company can store luggage if you contact them in advance, which helps if you are between hotels or checking out that morning.

From there, you walk to the speedboat and settle in for the first crossing. The boat holds only 12 people, a useful limit when the day includes several short stops. You are not waiting for dozens of people to return from a café or beach, and the small group makes it easier to hear instructions and get help from the crew.

The boat is designed for quick transport, not lounging like a traditional sightseeing cruise. Expect wind, spray, music, and a lively ride. Bring a hat that fits securely, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and a dry change of clothes. A towel and swimwear are essential.

The crew includes an English-speaking host and a licensed skipper. Safety equipment and life jackets are supplied, and the tour includes passenger insurance. The music is part of the atmosphere. If you want a quiet, meditative sea crossing, this may not be your ideal day. If you enjoy a fast ride with a social feel, it fits nicely.

Milna on Brač, a calm first stop

The first island stop is Milna on Brač, reached after about 20 minutes by boat. You get roughly 45 minutes here for a walk, photos, and a look around the harbor.

Milna is a good opening stop because it eases you into the day. Its harbor is lined with fishing boats, stone buildings, and Mediterranean views. The setting feels more like a working Dalmatian village than a major resort center, so you can simply stroll and enjoy the waterfront without trying to cram in a long list of sights.

I would use this stop for photographs and a coffee if time allows, not for ambitious sightseeing. Forty-five minutes passes quickly, and the tour has much more ahead. The value here is the change of pace after leaving Split: a quiet harbor, old stone, and a first taste of island life.

Hvar Town, 90 minutes to choose your own route

The boat then takes about 30 minutes to Hvar Town, where you have an hour and a half of free time. This is the most substantial town visit of the day and the stop that requires the most planning.

You can walk through the Old Town, look for Venetian-era palaces, visit the historic theatre described as the oldest in Europe, or climb toward Fortica Fortress for broad views over the harbor and nearby islands. You can also spend your time shopping, eating, or sitting by the water.

With only 90 minutes, I would choose one main goal. If the fortress interests you, head uphill soon after arrival rather than wandering first. The climb gives you the best view, but it also uses a good portion of your free time. If you prefer a relaxed meal and Old Town walk, skip the fortress and keep the visit at street level.

Hvar can feel polished and expensive compared with quieter island stops. That is part of its appeal, but it also means this is not the place to expect a slow, private village experience. The tour gives you a useful introduction, not a full exploration.

One practical point: lunch is not listed among the formal inclusions, though some people on recent departures reported pizza provided during the day. Since the information is inconsistent, bring cash and ask the company to confirm before departure. Do not plan your entire day around a meal being included.

Pakleni Islands, swimming with a little style

After Hvar, the boat reaches the Pakleni Islands in about 15 minutes. This archipelago stretches for around 10 kilometers and includes 16 islands. The stop lasts about an hour and combines photos, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

The exact feel of the stop depends on where the boat anchors and on sea conditions. The tour information refers to the famous Carpe Diem area, so you may see a beach-club side of the islands as well as the natural coastline. The water is the main attraction. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can look below the surface without renting gear separately.

I like this stop because it gives you a proper water break after the Hvar walk. Still, remember that you are sharing a popular island area with other boats, particularly in summer. The small tour group makes your own boat feel manageable, but it does not make the whole archipelago private.

Use the hour sensibly. Put on sunscreen again, keep your belongings secure, and do not expect a long swim followed by a full island hike. This is a compact stop within a tightly timed route.

Šolta and Maslinica, two different sides of one island

The route continues for about 45 minutes to Šolta. There is a 45-minute swimming and snorkeling stop before the longer visit to Maslinica.

This is a clever part of the schedule. First, you get time in the water without needing to make a town visit. Then you get an hour in Maslinica, a coastal village with a picturesque harbor, traditional stone houses, and olive groves. The two stops give you both the sea and the settlement.

Maslinica is well suited to a slower walk. Its appeal is not a long list of grand sights. You come here for the harbor, stone architecture, and quieter mood. You can stretch your legs, take photos, and enjoy a more authentic-feeling island setting after the busier Hvar stop.

The word quiet is important here. If you want a big beach club or lots of shopping, Maslinica may feel too subdued. I see that as a strength on a day that already includes Hvar and the Blue Lagoon. It gives your eyes and feet a break.

The route lists Šolta separately from Maslinica, while Maslinica is the village stop on the island. When the trip is promoted as a five-island outing, the practical experience is a series of named island and coastal stops, with some locations serving mainly for swimming and others for walking.

The Blue Lagoon, a strong final swim

The final major stop is the Blue Lagoon, reached after about 30 minutes from Maslinica. You have around 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, walking, photos, and sunbathing before the return to Split.

Ending here makes sense. After a full day of boat rides and town walks, the Blue Lagoon offers an easy final pause. The water is the star, and the schedule gives you enough time to enjoy it rather than merely step off the boat for a quick photograph.

This is also where you should expect the greatest chance of other boats and visitors. The lagoon is famous for its clear water and attractive setting, so solitude is not the point. The advantage of arriving by speedboat is that you can spend the allocated time swimming and then leave without arranging another transfer.

Bring your camera, but protect it from spray. A waterproof pouch is useful, though one is not listed as included. The light can be excellent for photos, but do not let the perfect picture replace the actual swim. This is one of the day’s best chances to slow down.

The boat ride back to Split takes about 45 minutes, and the tour finishes at Marmontova ul. 5. You return to the same meeting point rather than being dropped at a hotel.

Why the speedboat changes the value

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Split. It is a solid value if you want to cover several places without organizing ferries, checking schedules, hiring transport, and finding your own swimming spots.

The boat’s speed is the key. Several transfers last between 15 and 45 minutes, and quick crossings leave room for Hvar, Milna, Maslinica, two other swimming areas, and the Blue Lagoon in one day. A slower vessel would make the route much harder to fit into 10 hours.

Fuel, transport, a licensed skipper, English-speaking staff, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, passenger insurance, taxes, and fees are included. There is also a small souvenir. Food and drinks are formally excluded, so budget for them unless the provider confirms a pizza arrangement for your departure.

The tour earns its value through access and convenience, not luxury. You are paying to connect many coastal experiences in one day. If you want to spend an entire afternoon on one beach, a ferry and independent planning may suit you better. If you have limited time in Split and want a broad taste of the Dalmatian islands, the price makes more sense.

The pace, comfort, and small-group feel

The schedule is full, but it is not absurdly rushed. You have 45 minutes in Milna, 90 minutes in Hvar, an hour in Pakleni, 45 minutes swimming near Šolta, an hour in Maslinica, and 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon.

That gives you enough time to do something at each stop, but not enough to do everything. You need to make choices. In Hvar, pick the fortress or a relaxed Old Town visit. In the swimming stops, get in the water rather than spending the entire break changing clothes and taking photos.

The small boat is one of the tour’s strongest features. A 12-person limit helps the crew keep the day organized and creates a friendlier setting. David and Maren are specifically praised for making people feel safe, keeping the timing clear, and adding humor. The exact crew can vary, but the service style is clearly meant to be warm rather than formal.

The ride can be bumpy. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or pregnancy, and it has an age restriction excluding people over 65. Those rules may feel strict, but they reflect the physical nature of a fast boat and the need to move around efficiently.

What to pack for a dry, comfortable day

Pack light. The company offers luggage storage if arranged in advance, but you want only day-trip essentials on the boat.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a secure sun hat
• Swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and dry clothes
• Sunscreen and drinking water
• A camera or phone in water-resistant protection
• Cash for food, drinks, or personal purchases

There is music on board, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets. You do not need to rent a mask or snorkel separately. Food and drinks are not formally included, so water and a snack are sensible even if your departure includes pizza.

Sea and weather conditions can affect the outing. A calm day can make the ride thrilling and comfortable. Rougher water may make the same speed feel tiring, especially during repeated crossings. Keep your plans flexible and accept that the skipper may alter the route for safety.

Who should book this island-hopping day?

I would recommend it to you if you have only a short stay in Split and want to see more than one island. It suits active couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy small-group outings, and anyone who prefers swimming and scenery over long museum visits.

It is also a good choice if you want Hvar without arranging your own ferry timetable. You get a taste of Hvar Town, a quieter harbor in Milna, Maslinica’s stone waterfront, the Pakleni Islands, and two well-known swimming areas.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fast boats, need lots of personal space, want a full meal included, or prefer a flexible day with no fixed departure schedule. The tour is social, timed, and physical. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun, wind, and sea spray.

The high rating of 4.9 from 57 ratings fits the tour’s strongest points: friendly staff, good organization, a fun speedboat, clear water, and an impressive amount of scenery in one day. The most memorable departures may even include dolphins near Hvar, but that is a lucky extra, not something you should expect.

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

Book it if your goal is maximum variety in a single day. The combination of fast crossings, a small group, Hvar’s history, quiet island villages, and several swims gives you a strong first look at the Dalmatian coast.

Before paying, confirm two things: the exact lunch arrangement and the expected departure time. Then pack for heat, water, and a bumpy ride. If you can handle that, $130 buys a well-organized day with far less transport hassle than planning the same route yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova ul. 5 in Split.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Marmontova ul. 5.

How long does the tour last?

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

How many people fit on the boat?

The speedboat has room for up to 12 people, creating a small-group setting.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation by speedboat and fuel are included, along with a licensed skipper and English-speaking staff.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Food and drinks are listed as not included. Some departures have included pizza according to trip feedback, so confirm the meal arrangement with Smile Travel before you go.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Milna on Brač, Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands, Šolta, Maslinica, and the Blue Lagoon near Split.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, beachwear, a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, water, a camera, and cash.

Can children join the tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people over 65.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.