REVIEW · SPLIT

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands

★ 4.5 · 3 reviews Operated by Bonaca - Private Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best thing about this private speedboat trip from Split is the freedom. You are not locked into a fixed route or a crowded boat schedule. Tell your skipper what sort of day you want, then spend 10 hours chasing quiet bays, old coastal villages, or a mix of both. I especially like the included snorkeling gear and the chance to visit several Croatian islands in one day. The main drawback is fuel: it is not included, and the boat uses about 30 liters per hour.

I also like the small-group setup, with only your party aboard and room for up to eight people. A skipper handles the boat, so you need no boating experience. Skipper Toni has been praised for being professional, accommodating, and good at shaping the day around swimming, sightseeing, and lunch stops. Just remember that fuel, lunch, and admission to places such as Fortica Fortress and the Blue Cave are extra.

Key points to know before booking

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Key points to know before booking

  • Your route is flexible: Choose among Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, the Pakleni Islands, or a simple day of swimming and snorkeling.
  • A skipper is included: You can relax and enjoy the sea without renting a boat license or handling navigation yourself.
  • Snorkeling gear costs nothing extra: Equipment is included, along with bottled water and safety gear.
  • Fuel can change the final cost: The listed price covers the group, but you must return the boat with a full tank. Fuel use is given as 30 liters per hour.
  • Lunch is your choice: Stop somewhere to eat or bring a picnic for the boat.
  • The boat returns to Split: The meeting point is ISLAND DISCOVERY at Trumbićeva obala 2, and the day ends there.

A private day on the Adriatic, not a fixed boat tour

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - A private day on the Adriatic, not a fixed boat tour

This experience works best if you think of it as a private day at sea rather than a sightseeing cruise with a strict timetable. You meet in Split, board a speedboat, and discuss your priorities with the skipper before setting off.

You might want a calm day in secluded bays. You might prefer island villages and old fortifications. You can also combine the two, using the boat to move between swimming stops and coastal sights without packing and unpacking every few hours.

That flexibility matters. A standard group cruise usually gives you a prearranged route and set stop times. Here, your group can decide what deserves more time. If a bay suits you, you can linger. If a village does not interest you, you can spend more of the day on the water instead.

The tradeoff is that the route is not fully defined in advance. You are paying for access to options, not a guaranteed list of every island. Weather, sea conditions, fuel use, and your own choices will affect how much you can see.

A few more speedboat trips around Split worth a look

Leaving Old Split behind

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Leaving Old Split behind

The listed itinerary begins at Old Split, with departure from Trumbićeva obala 2. This is convenient if you are already in the historic center or along the waterfront. Pickup is offered, but because the stated meeting point is the ISLAND DISCOVERY address, confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book.

The first conversation with your skipper is important. Explain if you care most about swimming, snorkeling, villages, photography, history, or simply a quiet day. You can also mention how much time you want to spend ashore and whether you would rather stop for lunch or eat a picnic on the boat.

The boat is described as comfortable and suited to a full day on the water. Safety equipment and boat insurance are included. Bottled water is also provided, so you do not need to begin the morning carrying every drink you will need.

Brac and a sandy beach option

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Brac and a sandy beach option

Brac is one of the possible island choices. A particularly useful detail for beach lovers is the reference to sandy Lovrecina Bay, which gives your skipper a clear option if you want something softer underfoot than the usual pebbled Croatian shore.

Do not assume Brac is automatically part of your route. This is a private trip, so you choose the direction with your skipper. If your group wants several islands, one Brac stop may be combined with another destination. If you want a slower day, you may spend much longer at one beach.

The benefit of this approach is simple: you can match the stop to your group. Families may prefer time in a sheltered bay. A group of friends may want several swims. You can also use the boat as transport between places instead of treating every stop as a major sightseeing visit.

Solta and Drvenik for a more flexible island day

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Solta and Drvenik for a more flexible island day

Solta and Drvenik are also listed as possible destinations. The information provided does not promise a particular village, beach, or swimming cove on either route, so you should ask the skipper what fits the day’s weather and your interests.

That uncertainty is not necessarily a weakness. The whole point of a private charter is to avoid forcing every group into the same plan. Your skipper can help you decide if Solta or Drvenik makes more sense for a day focused on bays, small coastal communities, or a combination of stops.

I would make your priorities clear early. If you want three islands, say so. If you want two hours in one quiet bay, say that instead. Ten hours sounds long, but island travel takes time, and the speedboat is still subject to sea conditions and the distance between stops.

Vis and the far-reaching option

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Vis and the far-reaching option

Vis is among the possible destinations, but it is best treated as an ambitious option rather than an automatic promise. A day involving Vis may leave less time for several additional islands, while a shorter route can give you more time to swim or explore ashore.

Ask the skipper how the day will work before committing to the farthest destination. You should understand how much of your 10-hour day will be spent moving between islands and how much will be available for shore time.

This is one of the places where a private boat earns its keep. You can decide if reaching a particular island matters more than collecting several shorter stops. The right choice depends on whether your group values distance covered or time spent in each place.

The Pakleni Islands and the big-island option

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - The Pakleni Islands and the big-island option

The magnificent Pakleni Islands are another possible target. They can suit a group that wants island scenery and swimming rather than a long list of formal attractions. As with the other destinations, the exact route is decided with the skipper.

You should not expect every option in one day. Brac, Solta, Vis, Drvenik, and the Pakleni Islands are choices, not guaranteed stops completed in a single circuit. Ask for a realistic plan that leaves time for swimming, meals, and returning to Split.

A good private itinerary is often less about how many names you can mark on a map and more about whether the rhythm suits your group. A day with fewer stops may feel far better if you are not rushing from one place to the next.

Snorkeling, swimming, and time in the bays

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Snorkeling, swimming, and time in the bays

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is a useful saving and removes one small packing problem. You can use the gear during suitable stops, but the listing does not guarantee a particular reef, marine life encounter, or water visibility.

The focus is on enjoying the sea in natural bays. You can spend the day swimming and snorkeling, or use those activities as breaks between visits to coastal villages. If some people in your group want to swim while others prefer to stay aboard, a private boat gives you more room to organize the day around both preferences.

Bring practical beach essentials even though equipment is supplied. A towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes are sensible additions, but the provided information does not specify what personal items are available on board. Bottled water is included, while lunch is not.

Lunch is flexible, but not included

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Lunch is flexible, but not included

Lunch is deliberately left open. You can stop at a place to eat, or bring a picnic and eat on the boat. This is convenient for groups with different budgets or food preferences.

A restaurant stop may add another coastal village or harbor to the day, but it also uses time and adds a separate bill. A picnic gives you more control and can keep the itinerary moving, though you will need to arrange the food yourself.

Discuss lunch with the skipper before the boat leaves. If your group wants a sit-down meal, ask how that fits with the route. If you bring food, keep it simple and easy to manage on a moving boat.

What the skipper adds

No experience is required because a skipper is included. That is more than a basic safety feature. A local skipper can help you decide which destination makes sense for the time available and can adapt the day when conditions or group energy change.

The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on the skipper’s professionalism, flexibility, and ability to take the group to appealing places for swimming, eating, and sightseeing. Toni is specifically named as a skipper who handled the day well and knew the area thoroughly.

That does not mean Toni will necessarily be assigned to your booking. Skipper availability can vary, so treat the named guide as a useful reference rather than a guarantee. The important point is that the trip depends heavily on the person at the helm. Tell the skipper what you want instead of expecting a fixed script.

The real price: group cost plus fuel

The listed rate is $602.53 for a private group of up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $75 per person before fuel, food, and optional admission fees. For a couple, the per-person price is much higher, while a group of six to eight gets the strongest value.

The fuel policy deserves close attention. Fuel is not included, the boat starts with a full tank, and you are required to return it full. The stated consumption is 30 liters per hour. Since the experience lasts about 10 hours, ask how fuel is calculated and what payment method applies before departure.

You may also pay separately for entry to Fortica Fortress or the Blue Cave. Lunch is another extra unless you bring your own picnic. The headline price is therefore not the complete cost of the day, but it can still be fair for a full private boat shared by a large group.

For eight people who want privacy and a custom route, the value is clear. For one or two people, a scheduled shared cruise may cost less, provided you are willing to accept its fixed route and group setting.

Timing, comfort, and practical details

The trip lasts approximately 10 hours and ends back at the Split meeting point. That makes it a full-day plan, not a short morning outing. Leave enough room in your schedule afterward, particularly if you have an evening transfer or a timed reservation.

The activity is private, so only your group participates. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are not staying close to the waterfront.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would recommend this for a group of friends or family members who want control over the day and can share the cost. It is especially useful when everyone agrees on a general style of outing but does not want to follow a fixed cruise timetable.

It also suits people who want several island possibilities in one booking. You can discuss Brac, Solta, Drvenik, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands with the skipper rather than arranging separate ferries and beach transfers.

This is less suitable if you need a fully priced package with no add-ons. Fuel, lunch, and some admissions are extra, and the final route is flexible rather than guaranteed. It is also not ideal if your group wants a short, low-cost excursion.

Should you book the Split private speedboat?

Book it if you value privacy, want a say in the route, and have enough people to divide the cost. The included skipper and snorkeling gear make the day easy to organize, while the 10-hour window gives you time to combine sea stops with island villages.

Before paying, confirm the fuel arrangement, likely route, pickup details, and whether your preferred skipper is available. If the fuel cost fits your budget and your group can agree on priorities, this is a strong way to see more of the Croatian islands without being tied to a crowded boat schedule.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours and ends back at the meeting point in Split.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2, 21000 Split, Croatia, and finishes back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates.

Do I need boating experience?

No. A skipper is included, so you do not need experience operating the speedboat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, boat insurance, bottled water, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. The tank is full at the start, and the renter must return it full. Fuel use is stated as 30 liters per hour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

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