Reviewed · SPEEDBOAT TOURS

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

★ 4.5 · 3 reviews From $602 Operated by Bonaca - Private Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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What makes this experience click is the simple idea: you get a private speedboat from Split, plus a skipper, so your day is shaped by your group, not by crowds and a fixed schedule. I also like that snorkeling gear is included, so you can jump straight into the water instead of scrambling for rentals. One thing to keep in mind, though: your trip really depends on good weather, since speedboat days can get adjusted or refunded if conditions are poor.

You will start with a relaxed launch from Split and then point the boat toward the islands you care about most. You can lean beach-first, history-first, or do both, with your skipper helping you fine-tune where you swim, stop, and spend time on the water.

If you are traveling with up to 8 people, this format is a strong value play. You split the cost as a group, and you get the kind of access to Croatian coves and islands that is hard to match with regular boats.

Key reasons this private speedboat from Split is worth your time

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Key reasons this private speedboat from Split is worth your time

  • Skipper included, so you do not need experience to enjoy a fast, comfortable day on the water
  • Snorkeling equipment included, plus bottled water, safety gear, and boat insurance
  • Tailor-made island stops, with options that can include Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands
  • Flexible day style, from lounging in bays to exploring coastal villages and history
  • You avoid the crowd rhythm, because it is your group only (up to 8)
  • A private charter feel with pickup offered and a mobile ticket to keep things simple

Private Speedboat Rental From Split, Up To 8 People

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Private Speedboat Rental From Split, Up To 8 People
This is the kind of trip that turns Croatia into a series of personal stops. Instead of booking a crowded tour where you queue, wait, and follow along, you rent a speedboat with your own skipper and you stay in control of the pace.

The math also makes sense if you have a small group. The price is listed as $602.53 per group up to 8, so you are not paying per person for the boat experience the way you would on many day cruises. If you are traveling with friends or family, splitting the total can bring the per-person cost into a sensible range.

And you can feel the difference immediately. When you have a private boat, you can spend more time where you actually want it, whether that means a long swim stop or a slower bay day with minimal moving around.

More speedboat island-hopping from Split:

Meeting at Trumbićeva Obala and Getting Moving

Your day starts at ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2, 21000, Split. This is in the city, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not have to plan a complicated return.

Pickup is offered, which is handy if you are staying a bit outside the center or if you just do not want to hustle with transport on a water day. You also get a mobile ticket, so you can keep everything in your phone.

One practical tip: build your plan around the idea that your skipper will ask what you want. The smoother you can be about your preferences, the easier it is for them to choose a direction and shape the day.

I have seen how helpful good communication can be even when language is not shared. On one trip, the skipper was credited for making the day fun despite a language barrier, and that is exactly the kind of attitude that matters on a private charter.

Choosing Your Direction: Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Choosing Your Direction: Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands
After you launch, the boat heads in the direction you choose. From there, the whole point is flexibility. Your skipper will work with you to pick stops based on what you want most, whether it is bays for swimming or coastal villages for a slower look at island life.

This is where the itinerary becomes more like a menu than a marching order. You might spend more time around Brac, Drvenik, and Solta, where you can string together swim stops and relaxed coastal breaks. Or you can push farther toward Vis for a more adventurous day across the water.

Then there are the Pakleni Islands, which are the kind of place that tends to create a wow moment simply because of how the islands frame the water and give you lots of options for coves and stops.

The best way to plan: decide your top two priorities before you go.

  • If you want maximum water time, go for a route with more bays and shorter hops.
  • If you want more “walk around and look around,” build in time for coastal villages and photo breaks.

Old Split First, Then the Day Gets Personal

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Old Split First, Then the Day Gets Personal
The day starts with a first taste of Split from the water, with Old Split as the opening moment. Even if you do not spend much time on land, starting the charter this way keeps the trip connected to the city you are already visiting.

After that, your day turns into an experience of coastal rhythms. You will be on a comfortable speedboat, moving quickly enough to reach multiple areas in a single day, but without losing the chance to slow down once you find a good bay.

What I like about this approach is that it helps you avoid the all-day boredom trap. A 10-hour private charter can feel like a lot, but when you have the freedom to choose where the time goes, the day stays varied.

Same stretch of the Dalmatian coast, a different kind of day:

Snorkeling Gear Included, Plus Time to Actually Use It

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Snorkeling Gear Included, Plus Time to Actually Use It
One of the best practical perks is that snorkeling equipment is included. That means when you see a promising spot, you can get in without negotiating a rental, paying extra, or spending time tracking down gear.

In real terms, snorkeling gear inclusion changes the experience from optional to automatic. You can plan a day that is partly built around swimming, not just “maybe we will try it.”

Your skipper can also help you time the stops so you get the kind of water conditions that make swimming enjoyable. You are not locked into one big swim window, and that matters when the sea is calm one moment and active the next.

A nice detail: bottled water is included, so you can stay hydrated during the day without adding extra stops for supplies.

If you want to take it even further, you might find extras available depending on the day and the boat setup. On one of the experiences, the group also enjoyed a SUP board, which is the kind of add-on that turns a swim stop into something more active. I would not count on it, but it is worth asking your skipper what is available.

A Relax-and-Explore Day: Bays Versus Coastal Villages

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - A Relax-and-Explore Day: Bays Versus Coastal Villages
The experience is built around choice. You can relax all day in quiet bays, or you can explore older coastal spots with a more history-tinged pace, or you can mix both.

If you go the bay route, you are basically designing your own beach club experience, except you are traveling by speedboat and finding multiple settings. It is a great fit for groups who want downtime, swimmable water, and less time with crowds.

If you go the villages route, you get a different kind of reward. Coastal villages are slower and more human-scale than big cities, and island life tends to feel more straightforward once you get off the main tourist loops. Even short land stops can add texture, especially when your skipper knows where the quieter corners are.

The “combine both” option is often the sweet spot. You get swimming time and still get moments that feel like you are seeing the real island rhythm, not just riding between views.

Lunch on a Boat: What You Should Expect

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Lunch on a Boat: What You Should Expect
Lunch is not included. That sounds like a drawback until you think about how a private day works.

You have two realistic options:

  • Stop somewhere along the way for lunch.
  • Bring a picnic and eat on the boat.

For most groups, a picnic can be the easiest way to keep your schedule in your hands. You avoid spending your best weather time hunting for a meal, and you can eat wherever the day feels right.

If you prefer a restaurant lunch, just know it depends on the route your skipper chooses that day. In a flexible charter, the food plan becomes part of the navigation conversation.

Also, plan snacks for the in-between time. Even with water included, a 10-hour day can involve a lot of sun, salt, and movement, so you will feel happier if you come prepared.

Price and Fuel: The Part That Can Change the Final Cost

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Price and Fuel: The Part That Can Change the Final Cost
The headline price is $602.53 per group (up to 8), which is a strong starting point. But you should budget for the “boat reality” costs too.

Fuel is not included. The note you will want to take seriously is that you are given a full tank and you are obligated to return it full, with 30l/h referenced in the terms. In plain language, this means your final cost can shift depending on how long and how hard you run the engine.

There is also a mention of a fuel surcharge. So even if the base price looks fixed, the fuel piece can be your variable.

In addition, some entry fees are not included, specifically Tvrdava Fortica and Blue Cave. If your plan includes those exact stops, budget for them separately. If you skip them, you keep costs lower.

One more practical thought: when fuel rules exist, your skipper may encourage a route that is efficient rather than chasing every single idea at max speed. That is not a bad thing. It often leads to a better overall day because you get more time where it counts.

Skipper Quality Makes the Day: Dino and Toni as Examples

With a private speedboat, the skipper is not a background detail. They are the person shaping your day, from where you stop to how smoothly you move between islands.

In past experiences, skippers like Dino and Toni were specifically mentioned for being fun, professional, and accommodating. The common thread in those comments is that they take preferences seriously, then translate them into real stops, swims, and pacing.

That matters more than people expect. Croatia’s coastline is full of possible options, but not every option works well in every weather mood or time window. A good skipper helps you avoid the “wrong stop” feeling that can happen on DIY boats or rushed group tours.

If you want your day to feel effortless, be ready with a clear wish list. For example: do you want more swimming time or more exploration time, and do you want a slow day or a faster island-hopping rhythm?

Who This Speedboat Day Trips Suits Best

This trip fits you if you want:

  • A private day for up to 8 people from Split
  • Flexible island hopping, with stops that can include Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands
  • A relaxed plan with snorkeling gear included
  • Less crowd stress and more control over your schedule

It is also a good choice if you hate wasting a vacation day on logistics. Pickup is offered, the ticket is mobile, and the trip ends back where it starts.

You might think twice if you:

  • Are on a tight budget that cannot absorb possible fuel and separate entry fees
  • Prefer a fixed, fully scheduled itinerary with no route choices
  • Are traveling at a time when weather is unpredictable for speedboat days

The weather requirement is real. If conditions are poor, the operator will offer a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book This Private Speedboat From Split?

I would book this if your priority is a personal, water-first Croatia day with real freedom. The value comes from the private format, the skipper handling navigation, and the fact that snorkeling gear and water are already included.

I would pass or consider alternatives if you want everything bundled and predictable. The fuel rules and the fact that entry fees for places like Blue Cave and Tvrdava Fortica are not included can change the final number in your budget.

If you are traveling with a group of up to 8 and you want to hit multiple islands in one day without the crowd rhythm, this is one of the most practical ways to do it from Split. The biggest win is simple: you spend your time where you actually want to be, with the freedom to switch when the water or mood says so.

FAQ

How many people can join this private speedboat rental?

It is listed as a private tour/activity for your group, up to 8 people.

How long is the speedboat experience?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. You can stop for lunch or bring a picnic to eat on the boat.

What is included besides the skipper?

Included items are snorkeling equipment, safety equipment and boat insurance, bottled water, all taxes, fees, and handling charges, and the skipper.

Is fuel included, or is there an extra fuel cost?

Fuel is not included. The tank is full at the start, and you are obligated to return it full, with a reference to 30l/h.

Where do we meet in Split?

The start location is ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2, 21000, Split, Croatia, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

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