What to Pack for a Speedboat Tour from Split: The Honest List

Most tour packing lists say the same five things: sunscreen, hat, swimsuit, water, camera. All true, all obvious. The day-ruiners are the items that do not make those lists — the things you only learn after you have actually spent eight hours on the open Adriatic in a 20-knot wind.

This list is the version a crew member would give a friend. It is opinionated, slightly over-inclusive, and pays attention to small things that matter.

Swimsuit worn under your clothes. The "I will change on the boat" plan never quite works — bathrooms on speedboats are tiny, the changing dance is awkward, and you want to be in the water at the first stop without thinking about it.

High-SPF sunscreen — minimum SPF 30, ideally 50 for fair skin. Croatian sun in June through September is stronger than most northern European visitors expect. The reflective surface of the sea doubles the exposure. Reapply every two hours.

A real hat — wide-brimmed for skin, baseball cap minimum. Eight hours on the water without head protection is a guaranteed burn even on a hazy day.

Polarised sunglasses. Cheap unpolarised ones make the day glare-heavy and tiring. Polarised lenses cut the surface reflection and let you see fish, sea floor, and details that you would otherwise miss.

Water — at least 1.5 litres per person for a full-day tour. Drinks on board are included on quality tours, but you want your own water bottle for sipping continuously, not waiting for service.

Some cash. Around €30 to €50 per person for full-day tours. You need it for the Blue Cave entrance ticket, lunch in Hvar, ice cream, and occasional small purchases. Croatia uses the euro since 2023.

A light long-sleeve layer for the crossing. Even on a 32-degree summer day, the wind chill at 23 knots feels noticeably cool — particularly on the return ride when the sun is lower. A thin technical shirt or light cotton long-sleeve makes a real difference. Wind jackets are on board, but a layer underneath is more comfortable than the jacket alone.

A small dry bag (5 to 10 litres). Cameras, phones, dry clothes for changing, and any electronics ride better in a dry bag than in your day pack. Spray on the open crossings is unavoidable, and water-resistant ≠ waterproof.

Reef-safe sunscreen specifically. Croatian marine reserves (around Bisevo, parts of the Pakleni Islands) are increasingly conscious of sunscreen pollution. Oxybenzone and octinoxate formulations damage marine life. Most major brands now sell a clearly-labelled reef-safe variant.

A second pair of dry underwear/clothes. After a day on the water, the salt-damp clothes you wore home feel grim for the evening. A second set means you can shower, change, and head straight out for dinner without going back to the hotel.

Lip balm with SPF. The lips burn quickly and uncomfortably. SPF 15 lip balm is enough; without it, dinner at sunset feels strange.

Motion sickness pills, even if you "do not get seasick." The Blue Cave crossing is an hour and a half of open Adriatic each way and can be choppy. A single Dramamine or Stugeron taken an hour before departure costs nothing and saves a potentially wretched day. They cause drowsiness in some people — try one at home before the trip if uncertain.

Water shoes are worth bringing for any tour that includes Stiniva, Budikovac, Pakleni Islands, or Zlatni Rat. Most of these beaches are pebble, and the entry into the water can be sharp underfoot. Cheap rubber-soled water shoes are perfectly fine and pack to nothing.

For the boat itself, bare feet or flip-flops. Hard-soled shoes scuff the deck and crews appreciate guests taking them off before boarding.

For a stop in Hvar or Trogir town, you need shoes you can walk on uneven stone in. Flip-flops technically work but cobblestones are no friend to flip-flop soles. Light sneakers or sandals with proper straps work better.

A waterproof case or pouch for your phone is the single best investment for a Croatian boat day. Spray, sweat, the occasional rogue wave at high speed, accidental drops at swim stops — your phone is at risk all day. A €15 floating pouch with neck strap saves you from a much bigger expense.

A separate underwater camera (GoPro or similar) is genuinely worth it if you snorkel. The Blue Cave is too dark for most phones; the visibility around the Šolta wreck or in Budikovac rewards a proper underwater camera. If you do not own one, do not buy one for the trip — phone-in-a-case is fine.

Bring a power bank. Eight hours of photos, music streaming, and possibly GPS will drain a phone fast. A 10,000 mAh bank covers a couple of full top-ups.

Big hard suitcases or roller bags. Boats have limited space — a soft duffel or backpack is far better. The crew will help you stow it, but a wheeled hard case is awkward all day.

Hair products and full make-up. The combination of wind, salt water, and sun makes elaborate hair pointless within 20 minutes. Keep it simple — sunscreen, mascara, lip balm. You can fix everything in the evening.

Glass bottles. Most boats prefer cans or plastic; broken glass on a deck or in a swim area is dangerous and there is no clean-up option mid-tour. If you want a celebratory bottle of wine for sunset, ask the crew first — many will accommodate but want to know.

A full DSLR camera if you do not normally bring one. Salt spray and sand are unkind to camera bodies. A phone in a case captures 95% of what you want and survives the day better.

For children under 12: a UV swim shirt or rashguard. Easier than reapplying sunscreen every two hours and provides better protection. Kids burn faster than adults — the sea reflection and four-plus hours outside are not a fair fight without a long-sleeve UV shirt.

A swim noodle or arm bands for younger swimmers. The Blue Lagoon shallows are forgiving but other stops (Stiniva, Zlatni Rat, around the boat itself) drop off quickly. Even strong child swimmers benefit from a flotation aid in unfamiliar water.

Snacks. Children who eat lightly through the day stay much happier than children who wait for a full meal in Hvar. Bring fruit, biscuits, or sandwiches in a small cooler bag.

A favourite toy for the boat rides. The 90-minute crossings can feel long to a 6-year-old. A familiar small toy or a downloaded show on a tablet (in a case) saves the day.

Before you leave the hotel: passport or ID (rarely needed but the crew may ask for adult names matching the booking), phone fully charged with the operator's contact saved, sunscreen already applied to face and shoulders, cash in waterproof pouch, water bottle filled, hat on head not in bag, motion sickness pill swallowed if needed.

Then: turn back, take the lip balm.

Further reading: for specific scenarios, our what-to-wear by month breakdown, the cash-vs-card on Adriatic boat tours guide, the sea-sickness honest read, and the family Blue Cave practical guide each go a layer deeper. Once packed, the cornerstone day is at /tours/blue-cave-5-island-tour.