Family of 6 Boat Tour from Split: Group or Private?
How to plan a boat tour from Split for a family of 6 — the arithmetic of group vs private, which tour suits mixed ages, and the practical considerations for a larger family group.
By Paolo (Skipper) · 6 min read · Updated 2026-05-23
The arithmetic for a family of 6
Group Blue Cave 5 Island Tour: €119 per person, so €714 total for 6.
Private Blue Cave Tour: €1,300 per boat, so €217 per person.
Difference: €586 total, or €98 per person.
The €586 extra buys the entire boat for your family. Whether that is worth it depends on what you value.
When group is the right call for 6
Budget-conscious families. €586 is real money and a group tour delivers the same route and the same sights.
Families with kids aged 8 to 14 who enjoy meeting other kids on the boat. The shared experience can be a positive.
Families happy with a fixed schedule.
Most families of 6 do fine on the group tour.
When private is worth the difference for 6
Mixed-age families. Grandparents and toddlers need different paces. Private accommodates.
Special occasions — anniversary, milestone birthday, family reunion.
Families with one child who has specific needs (mobility, anxiety, dietary). Private avoids the stress of a shared boat.
Families wanting to focus on photography or specific spots not on the standard route.
Which tour fits a family of 6
Children 8 and up: Blue Cave 5 Island Tour. The full day works for older kids and is the most memorable Croatia experience.
Children 5 to 7: borderline. Sometimes works, sometimes too long. Honest read with the operator before booking.
Children under 5: skip the Blue Cave. Take the Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day instead. Calmer, shorter, easier.
Multi-age families: pick the tour that suits the youngest comfortable child. Stretching the youngest is rarely worth it.
Practical considerations for 6 people
Boats with 12-person capacity handle 6 easily. The group is half-full — comfortable, not crowded.
Six is the maximum for one bench at most Hvar lunch restaurants. Reserve a table in advance to avoid splitting.
On the boat itself, 6 people means everyone has a seat, room to move, and personal space.
For luggage and gear (towels, sunscreen, snacks for kids), bring a single shared bag rather than 6 individual ones.
Sun and heat for kids
UV swim shirts for all children. Not optional.
Hats for everyone. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Set phone reminders.
Water bottles for each person — encourage continuous drinking.
Take advantage of the wind jacket and canopy shade on the boat. Move kids into shade between swim stops.
Snack management for 6
Bring snacks for the boat. Fruit, biscuits, sandwiches, granola bars. Children eat continuously when active and the lunch stop is mid-afternoon.
A small cooler bag is welcome on most boats. Bring it.
Avoid sugary snacks that crash energy. Bananas, nuts, dried fruit, savoury crackers are better.
Lunch in Hvar with 6 people
Reserve in advance. WhatsApp the operator or directly the restaurant.
A 90-minute lunch stop is enough for a sit-down family meal if you order promptly.
Kid-friendly options: pizza places near the harbour, the konobas with pasta and grilled fish (most kids eat these).
Budget €60 to €120 for the family lunch in Hvar depending on choices.
Booking timing for 6
Group tour: book 2 to 4 weeks ahead in shoulder season, 4 to 6 weeks in peak. A group of 6 fills 6 of the 12 seats — you want availability.
Private tour: book 3 to 6 weeks ahead, longer in peak.
For a guaranteed family group on the boat (no strangers), private is the only option.
After the tour
Plan a low-key family dinner. Pizza in Split, casual konoba, room service.
Kids will be tired. Older family members too. An 18:30 return means dinner by 20:00 and bed by 22:00.
A rest morning the next day is welcome before any other major activity.
Further reading: see also our family Blue Cave practical guide, the group-of-8 private math, the Blue Cave with teens read, and the Blue Cave with toddlers honest piece. Cornerstone day at /tours/blue-cave-5-island-tour and the calmer half-day at /tours/blue-lagoon-trogir-tour.
Ready to plan the route?
Compare group and private speedboat tours from Split, or go directly to the route mentioned in this guide.
About the author
Paolo
Skipper · 10 seasons in Split
Skipper with more than 10 years of Adriatic experience. Calm under pressure, methodical about safety, and the captain we trust with the most cautious guests — families with young kids, first-time-on-a-boat travellers, anyone nervous about open water. With Paolo at the wheel the day is smooth on purpose.
Meet the rest of the crew →