5 Island Tour from Split

What the 5-island tour from Split actually covers

The classic five-island speedboat tour from Split is not just a marketing label — it is a specific route that has been refined over years of running it. The five islands, in order, are Biševo (for the Blue Cave), Vis (for Stiniva Beach), Budikovac (for the lagoon), Hvar (for lunch in Hvar town), and the Pakleni Islands (for the late-afternoon swim). That order matters because it threads the Blue Cave's narrow lighting window in the late morning while keeping the shortest open-water crossings in the calmest parts of the day.

Most other operators run a four-island variant that skips either Stiniva or Budikovac. We run the genuine five because Stiniva — accessed through a 12-metre cliff passage onto a hidden white-pebble cove — is on every "most beautiful beach in Europe" list, and it would be a strange route to design around skipping it.

Stop 1 · The Blue Cave on Biševo Island

Biševo is a small island off the south coast of Vis, and the Blue Cave is on its eastern side. Entry is via a low arch you have to duck under in a small wooden dinghy, organised by the local cave authority. Inside, the cave is around 24 metres long and lit entirely by sunlight refracting through a submerged opening into the seawater — the result is a glow that genuinely looks unreal.

We aim to be in the cave between 11:00 and 12:30 because that is when the light is at its strongest. The visit itself is about 30 minutes from boarding the dinghy to stepping back onto the speedboat. Tickets are paid separately to the cave authority on the spot (currently about €18 per adult).

Stop 2 · Stiniva Beach on Vis

Stiniva is a tiny crescent of white pebbles tucked at the end of a vertical limestone passage on Vis's south coast. From the sea it looks like the cliffs split open and revealed a hidden beach behind them — because that is essentially what happened, geologically.

Our speedboat anchors just outside the cliff entrance, and you swim or take our tender the last 30 metres into the cove. Allow 45 minutes here: 20 minutes on the beach, 25 minutes for swimming around the cliff entrance, which is some of the most photogenic snorkelling on the whole route.

Stop 3 · Budikovac Lagoon

Budikovac is a small island just off Vis with a shallow turquoise lagoon between it and a smaller offshore islet. The water is sand-bottomed and stays around knee to chest deep across most of the bay — ideal for non-swimmers, families with small kids and anyone who wants a calm sun-warmed swim after the open-sea legs of the morning.

There is a small konoba on the beach if you want a Croatian draft beer or a quick grilled-fish snack. Plan about 40 minutes here.

Stop 4 · Hvar Old Town

Hvar is the cultural high point of the route. The marble piazza is the largest old square in Dalmatia, the 16th-century Španjola Fortress hangs over the harbour, and the backstreets behind the cathedral are lined with family-run trattorias and lavender-soap shops.

We give you 90 minutes here for lunch. We will recommend a specific restaurant based on what you tell us in the morning — Hvar has tourist-trap restaurants and brilliant ones in the same square. Average mains in the old town run €18–€28 for fresh fish, salad and a glass of local Pošip wine.

Stop 5 · Pakleni Islands

The Pakleni Islands are the pine-fringed archipelago directly off Hvar's port. We pick a snorkel stop based on the afternoon wind — Palmižana for calm-water swimming, Stipanska or Vlaka for clearer water in a light westerly. The water here is deep, clear and a little colder than the lagoons; it is the most refreshing swim of the day.

From Pakleni we run straight back to Split at cruising speed. Expected return to the Split Riva: 17:30.

What is included, what is extra

The €119 per person price is genuinely all-in for the boat — fuel, two crew, harbour fees, snorkel gear, windjackets, soft drinks and bottled water, and full boat insurance. The only meaningful add-ons are the Blue Cave entry ticket (~€18 paid on the spot) and lunch in Hvar (€18–€28 mains).

• Licensed Croatian skipper + on-board sailor
• Snorkelling masks for every guest
• Windjackets for the morning legs
• Soft drinks, bottled water, biscuits on board
• Bluetooth audio — bring your own playlist
• WhatsApp support from booking through to return

How to book the 5-island tour from Split

Reservation is a 15% deposit online — the rest is paid in cash or by card on the boat before departure. Free cancellation up to 7 days before the trip; full deposit refund if we cancel for weather. For July and August, book at least 2–3 weeks in advance. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have last-minute availability.

What you genuinely need to bring (and what you can skip)

What you need: swimsuit and a small quick-dry towel, sun cream (SPF 30+), a hat or visor, sunglasses, a light layer for the morning leg (a hoodie or windbreaker — mornings on the open sea are cool until the sun is high), shoes you can slip off easily for the cave dinghy, a small dry-bag for your phone and wallet, and cash for the Blue Cave entry (~€18 per adult).

What you can skip: big beach bags, paperbacks (you won't have time), full-size towels (ours are quick-dry and provided), expensive watches and jewellery (anything we wear in the sea gets photographed), and absolutely any luggage larger than a small backpack. The boat has limited dry storage — keep it light.

One under-appreciated detail: bring an empty reusable water bottle. We provide bottled water free of charge but a 1-litre bottle you can refill from our cooler stays cold and is easier to carry between cave dinghies and the swim ladders. Small thing, makes the day smoother.