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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Trade crowded boats for your own wake. This private speedboat trip gives you a skipper, room for up to eight people, and the freedom to shape a full day around swimming, snorkeling, island villages, or all three. I especially like the private itinerary and the included snorkeling equipment, since you are not tied to a fixed group schedule or forced to rent basic gear separately.

The main caution is the fuel arrangement. The advertised price is $602.53 per group, but fuel is not included. The tank starts full, and you must return it full, with stated consumption of about 30 liters per hour. That can make the final cost less predictable, especially if you spend the day racing between distant islands.

I also like that no boating experience is needed. Your skipper handles the boat while you choose the mood of the day. The trip lasts about 10 hours, though lunch, Fortica Fortress, and the Blue Cave cost extra, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Key points to know before booking

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

  • Your group controls the plan: Visit Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, the Pakleni Islands, or stay with quiet swimming bays.
  • A skipper is included: You do not need a boating license or previous speedboat experience.
  • Snorkeling gear comes with the trip: Useful for making the most of stops in clear coastal water.
  • Fuel is an extra cost: Consumption is listed at roughly 30 liters per hour, and you return the boat with a full tank.
  • The boat holds up to eight people: The per-person value improves sharply when a full group shares the price.
  • The day begins and ends in Split: Meet at ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2.

Starting at Trumbićeva obala in Split

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Starting at Trumbićeva obala in Split

Your day begins at ISLAND DISCOVERY on Trumbićeva obala 2, near Split’s waterfront. The boat returns to this same meeting point after the day at sea, which keeps the start and finish simple.

The important decision happens before departure. Tell the skipper what you want from the day. You can spend most of the time in natural bays, visit coastal villages and old sites, or mix swimming with island exploration. This is not a sightseeing boat with a fixed parade of stops. It works best when you arrive with a rough wish list rather than expecting a printed schedule.

The private format matters here. With only your group on board, you can spend longer in a place you enjoy or move on if a stop does not suit you. You also avoid the usual problem of a large boat schedule, where everyone must leave a beach just as the water starts to feel inviting.

The pickup option is useful, but the stated meeting point remains the Split waterfront. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book, particularly if you are staying outside central Split.

A few more speedboat days around Split worth a look

Choosing between Brac, Solta, Drvenik, Vis, and Pakleni

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Choosing between Brac, Solta, Drvenik, Vis, and Pakleni

The possible destinations cover a wide stretch of the central Dalmatian coast. You probably cannot give every island equal attention during one 10-hour outing, especially once fuel use and time on the water are considered. Ask the skipper to help you build a sensible route.

Brac is a strong choice if you want a classic island day with swimming and village time. One account of a boat outing described a stop at sandy Lovrecina Bay on Brac, a useful clue for anyone who wants a softer beach rather than only rocky coves. Sandy beaches are not the default along this coast, so mention that preference early.

Solta may suit you if you want a quieter island feel and a slower pace. The trip information allows for coastal villages as well as bays, so Solta can work for a day that mixes a swim with a little local atmosphere. Do not expect the boat to provide a full guided cultural tour. The skipper’s role is mainly to run the boat and shape the route with you.

Drvenik gives you another option for a shorter island outing and time in the water. The benefit of a private speedboat is that you can use a nearby island for a relaxed day instead of spending all your time traveling to a far destination.

Vis is the more ambitious choice. Its distance can make for a long day at sea, and fuel use matters more on a route like this. If reaching Vis is your priority, discuss the timing and any additional costs before departure. The Blue Cave is not included, and admission is extra if it forms part of your plan.

The Pakleni Islands are a natural fit for a day built around bays and swimming. The islands offer the kind of setting this private boat handles well: move between attractive spots, stop for a swim, and avoid committing the entire day to a single beach.

These destinations are possibilities, not guaranteed stops. Weather, sea conditions, time, and your own preferences determine the final route. That flexibility is the central reason to choose this trip.

A 10-hour day built around your priorities

The basic plan is refreshingly open. You board in Split, head in the direction you choose, and work with the skipper to shape the day. You might spend the morning in a bay, visit a coastal settlement later, then finish with another swim before returning to Split.

That sounds simple, but it places some responsibility on you. If you want a calm day, say so. If you want to see several islands, accept that each stop may be shorter. If you want time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and Fortica Fortress, you may need to limit the number of islands.

I would think in terms of one main goal and one secondary goal. For example, choose island beaches as your main focus and a village lunch as the second. Or make the Blue Cave the main target, then use the remaining time for swimming if conditions allow. Trying to collect every possible stop could turn a pleasant boat day into a schedule exercise.

The skipper can help with the route, and one skipper named Toni has been praised for being professional, accommodating, and well informed about places to swim and eat. That kind of local judgment is valuable, especially when you are choosing between another hour on the water and an extra stop on land.

Swimming and snorkeling without packing a full kit

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Swimming and snorkeling without packing a full kit

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is one of the more useful extras in the package. You can bring your own interest in the water without arranging a separate rental at every stop.

The gear does not guarantee a particular underwater site, since the route depends on conditions and the skipper’s plan. Still, it gives you an easy option when the boat reaches a clear bay. If some people in your group want to swim while others prefer to stay aboard, the private setup makes that choice easier than a large scheduled excursion.

Bottled water is also included. Lunch is not. You can bring a picnic to eat on the boat, or stop somewhere for a meal. I like having both choices. A picnic saves time and gives you control over the menu, while a restaurant stop lets the skipper suggest a place along the route.

Bring food if your group has dietary needs or simply wants to maximize time in the water. If lunch is part of the day’s pleasure, tell the skipper at the start so the route can allow for it.

Same water, a different kind of day:

What the speedboat changes

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - What the speedboat changes

A speedboat lets you cover more ground than a slow excursion boat, which is why this experience can connect several islands in one day. That comes with a tradeoff: more distance can mean more fuel and less time at each stop.

The boat itself has been described as good, and the private setup gives your group control over seating, stops, and pace. You are not buying a fully programmed luxury cruise with every cost bundled into one price. You are paying for a private boat, a skipper, safety equipment, and the ability to make decisions as you go.

Expect the boat day to feel active even when the plan is relaxed. The ride between islands is part of the experience, but you should choose this option because you enjoy being on the water, not because you want every minute spent on land.

Safety equipment and boat insurance are included. The skipper is responsible for operating the boat, so you can focus on the route and the scenery without needing boating skills.

Understanding the $602.53 group price

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Understanding the $602.53 group price

The listed price is $602.53 for up to eight people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $75 per person before fuel and any paid admissions. For four people, it is about $151 per person before those extras. For two people, the cost is much harder to justify unless a private boat and custom route are your main priorities.

Fuel is the key financial detail. Consumption is listed at 30 liters per hour, and the renter must return the tank full. A 10-hour day could involve substantial fuel use, though the actual cost depends on how long the engine runs, the route, and the fuel price. Ask for a clear explanation of how fuel is settled before you leave.

This is why comparing the headline price with a standard island cruise can mislead you. A large boat may include fuel and a fixed route, while this experience gives you privacy and control but leaves fuel outside the base price.

For a group of six to eight, the value is much stronger. You are splitting the boat rather than paying eight separate excursion fares. Families and friend groups that care about privacy may find the price reasonable, especially if they use the flexibility well.

Extra costs for Fortica Fortress and the Blue Cave

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Extra costs for Fortica Fortress and the Blue Cave

Fortica Fortress and the Blue Cave are not included in the base price. Admission charges apply if you choose to add them.

That matters when you build the day. A stop at the Blue Cave can become a major part of the outing, while Fortica adds a land-based historic sight. Decide before departure how much of your budget you want to reserve for paid entries, lunch, and fuel.

The private format does not mean every attraction is included. It means you have more say in deciding which extras are worth your time and money.

Who will get the most from this boat day

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Who will get the most from this boat day

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

  • Groups of friends or family who can share the cost
  • People who dislike fixed sightseeing schedules
  • Confident swimmers who want time in bays
  • Visitors who want several island options in one day
  • Anyone who values a private skipper and a flexible plan
  • People comfortable with an extra fuel charge

It may be less suitable if you want a low-cost, all-inclusive excursion. It is also not ideal if you need a precise schedule with every stop guaranteed in advance. The open route is the attraction, but it also means you must make choices.

Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel later than that and the payment is not refunded, while changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

My practical advice before you go

Send your priorities when booking or confirm them at the meeting point. Say clearly if you want a sandy beach, a village, snorkeling, a long lunch, or a particular island.

Ask about fuel before the boat leaves. The tank begins full, and you are responsible for returning it full, so this is not a minor footnote.

Bring a picnic if you want maximum time in the bays. If you prefer a restaurant meal, build that stop into the route rather than treating lunch as an afterthought.

Keep the itinerary realistic. A private boat gives you freedom, not extra hours. Vis, the Pakleni Islands, Brac, Solta, and Drvenik cannot all receive equal attention in one day.

Should you book this Split speedboat experience?

Book it if you want a private day, a skipper who can adjust the route, and the chance to combine swimming, snorkeling, villages, and island scenery at your own pace. The strongest value comes when six to eight people share the boat and agree on the kind of day they want.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget, dislike fuel charges, or want a fully packaged excursion with no planning. For the right group, this is a smart way to turn Split into a base for a personal Adriatic outing. Just confirm the fuel cost, paid admissions, and preferred route before the boat pulls away.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and finish?

It starts at ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2, 21000 Split, Croatia. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately 10 hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to eight people.

Do I need boating experience?

No. A skipper is included, so you do not need previous boating experience to take part.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. The tank starts full, and the renter must return it full. Stated fuel consumption is about 30 liters per hour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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