Private Luxury Boat tour for 12 from Split, Brac, Trogir, Hvar

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to shape a long day across the Croatian islands. You can start with the Blue Cave, swim at Budikovac, linger in Hvar, or adjust the pace with help from Tonka and Emil, the guide and skipper named in the tour details. It is a big day on the water, but it gives you far more control than a fixed group excursion.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends sharing the cost. I also like the mix of sea time, swimming, a fishing town, a botanical garden, and Hvar’s polished waterfront. The main drawback is cost: $1,991.26 covers the group but not fuel, lunch, or the Blue Cave admission, so this makes the most sense when 8 to 12 people split the bill.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave before the crowds and strongest light: The cave looks best in the morning, when sunlight enters below sea level and turns the water blue.
• A full private boat for up to 12: You travel only with your own group and can request a route suited to your interests.
• Swimming at Budikovac: The uninhabited island offers a protected turquoise lagoon and a natural break from sightseeing.
• Komiža adds real local character: Its narrow streets, harbor, and fishing tradition provide a useful contrast to Hvar.
• Fuel is not included: Add this cost before comparing the tour with other private boat trips.
• Emil and Tonka help personalize the day: A family with children aged 7 to 17 used the flexible format for swimming and jumping from the speedboat.

A 10-hour island day from Split

This is not a short harbor cruise. The day lasts about 10 hours and links several places around Vis, Biševo, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar. You can arrange pickup from a location that suits your group, and the boat returns to the meeting point at the end of the day.

The route covers a lot of water, so your choice comes down to priorities. If you want to see the Blue Cave, swim in clear water, and still have time for Hvar, this schedule works well. If you prefer a slow beach day, six stops may feel busy, even though the private setup lets you adjust the timing.

The boat can be tailored to your interests. That matters when your group includes children, swimmers, photographers, or people who would rather stroll through a town than spend every stop in the water. A family group with children from 7 to 17 enjoyed swimming and jumping from the speedboat, with Tonka adjusting the day and Emil handling the boat.

The Blue Cave and its morning light

The Blue Cave sits in Balun Bay on Biševo, about four nautical miles northwest of Komiža. Its special light comes from a natural opening below sea level. Sunlight enters through that opening, reflects off the pale seabed, and fills the cave with a blue glow.

The artificial entrance, built in 1884, is now used to enter the cave. The natural opening is wider and forms a vault on the southern side, below the waterline. This is a short visit, listed at about 20 minutes, but it is one of the day’s main reasons for going.

Morning timing matters here. The cave is best when the sea is calm and the sun is high enough to send light into the interior. Since this tour starts from Split and reaches Biševo by boat, confirm the departure time and route plan before booking if the cave is your top priority.

Admission is not included. The exact fee is not given in the supplied details, so budget for it separately. Weather and sea conditions can also affect this stop. If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Komiža, a fishing harbor on Vis

Komiža gives you a chance to leave the boat and see a more traditional side of island life. The town sits on the western side of Vis in a sheltered bay, with narrow streets, Mediterranean buildings, and houses gathered around the harbor.

The scheduled stop lasts one hour, long enough for a short walk and a look at the waterfront. Komiža’s connection to fishing and seafaring is central to its identity. If you want to visit the Fishermen’s Museum, check how much of the hour remains after docking and walking into town. The museum is described as one of a kind in Croatia, but an entrance fee is not listed.

I like this stop because it breaks up the day. After the Blue Cave, you get a place with working-town character rather than another swimming cove. It also gives you a better sense of Vis than a purely scenic boat trip would.

Stiniva Cove and its narrow entrance

Stiniva is a protected natural bay on Vis, enclosed by tall, hard-to-reach cliffs. The cove stretches about 600 meters, but its entrance is only about 100 meters wide. Several old fishing houses sit at the far end and are protected as part of the site.

The stop is scheduled for about 20 minutes, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a long beach visit. You may see the cove from the boat and take photographs, but the supplied details do not promise a landing or a long swim here.

This short stop works well after Komiža because it keeps the route moving. The tradeoff is simple: you get several different views in one day, but you should not expect a leisurely hour at every location.

Swimming at Budikovac Island

Budikovac is uninhabited and can be reached only by private boats. Its protected position makes the lagoon a natural place to stop for a swim, and the tour allows about one hour here.

This is likely to be one of the easiest parts of the day for families. You can swim from the boat in the turquoise water, use the provided snorkeling masks, and let the schedule loosen for a while. The details do not promise a beach setup, a restaurant, or changing facilities, so plan to use the boat as your base.

Bring swimwear under your clothes and keep a dry layer handy for the ride afterward. Bottled water is included, which is useful on a long day in the sun. Lunch is not included, so ask about the best place to buy food before leaving Split or during the town stop.

Palmizana’s gardens and sandy beach

Palmizana, also written as Plamizana in the tour details, is a small settlement on St. Clement in the Pakleni Islands. The stop lasts about one hour and focuses on the botanical garden, plant life, birds, crickets, and a sandy beach.

After open-water stops, Palmizana provides a different kind of break. You can walk among the plants, listen to the island sounds, or sit by the beach rather than immediately getting back into the water. The setting is presented as a popular summer oasis, so it may feel more developed and visited than uninhabited Budikovac.

The name can cause minor confusion, since Palmizana and Plamizana both appear in the material. They refer to the same stop in this tour. If you care more about swimming than walking, tell the crew so they can help divide the hour around your group’s interests.

Two hours in Hvar

Hvar is the longest stop, with about two hours available. The town is known for its architecture, cultural heritage, mild climate, and waterfront appeal. It also has a more polished, celebrity-linked reputation than Komiža.

Two hours gives you time to walk through the town, enjoy the harbor, and find a meal at your own expense. It does not give you time to see every part of Hvar Island, and this is a town visit rather than a full island tour. Keep your expectations focused on Hvar town.

I like ending here because the day moves from natural sites to a lively urban setting. You can finish with a stroll and lunch or a drink before returning by boat. The drawback is that Hvar can feel less quiet and local than the smaller stops, especially if your ideal day is all coves and empty beaches.

What the private format changes

A private trip is most valuable when your group has mixed interests. One person may want to swim longer, another may want photographs, and someone else may prefer a walk through Komiža or Hvar. A fixed departure with your own group gives you room to discuss those choices with the crew.

The experience is restricted to your party, with a maximum of 12 people. That makes the price easier to assess. At the full group size, $1,991.26 works out to roughly $166 per person before fuel, lunch, and the Blue Cave fee. With six people, the base price is about $332 per person. The value improves sharply when the boat is nearly full.

Pickup is available from a location arranged by agreement. That is convenient if your group is staying in different parts of Split or has a preferred meeting point, though you should settle the exact pickup place before the day. Bottled water and snorkeling masks are included, while fuel is not.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, but bookings made within 12 hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate.

Who should book this boat trip

I would look closely at this option if you are:

• A family that wants to control swim time and avoid sharing a boat with strangers
• A group of friends who can split the fixed price
• Interested in seeing both the Blue Cave and Hvar in one long day
• Comfortable with a fast-paced schedule and many hours on the water
• Looking for a mix of swimming, scenery, town walks, and a botanical garden

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a couple and do not want to pay a large group rate. I would also think twice if you want a quiet, slow day with one beach and a long lunch. The distance between the stops means the boat ride itself is a substantial part of the experience.

The tour operates from March 1 through November 30, 2026, from Monday through Sunday, with operating hours listed as 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Since the Blue Cave depends on morning light and calm sea conditions, an early start is worth requesting.

What to bring and what to budget

Pack swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a light layer for the return ride. The provided water and snorkeling masks cover two useful basics, but lunch is your responsibility.

Your additional costs are:

• Blue Cave entrance fee
• Fuel
• Lunch or other food and drinks

The fuel charge is the most important point when comparing prices. The amount is not provided, so ask the operator how it is calculated before paying. The fixed group price can be fair for 10 to 12 people, but less attractive for a small party once fuel and other extras are added.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Poor weather is handled differently: the operator offers another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.

Should you book it?

Book this private boat trip if you want a big, flexible island day and have enough people to share the cost. The combination of the Blue Cave, Komiža, Stiniva, Budikovac, Palmizana, and Hvar gives you a broad look at the area, while Tonka and Emil can help shape the pace around your group.

Skip it if the price is too high for your party, if fuel costs are a concern, or if you prefer one relaxed beach stop instead of six distinct places. For a family or full group that values privacy, swimming, and control over the route, this is a strong choice. Just confirm the fuel charge, Blue Cave fee, pickup point, and lunch plan before you commit.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from a location that suits your group by agreement.

Is the Blue Cave entrance fee included?

No. The Blue Cave entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is listed as an extra cost.

Is lunch provided?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should plan and budget for your own food.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.