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

REVIEW · SPLIT CITY & DAY 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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Private speedboats turn Split into your playground. You get your own skipper plus snorkeling equipment, so you can spend the day actually on the water, not studying timetables. The main thing to factor in is cost beyond the base price, since fuel is not included and weather matters.

What I like most is that this is truly private for your group of up to 8, so you can shape the day around the kind of stops you want. You start from central Split near Old Split, then your skipper sets a route that can include islands like Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands.

One possible drawback: a “pick a direction and go” day means you are dependent on good sea conditions, and you may not always hit every wish-list stop. Still, that trade-off can be worth it because the whole point is flexibility.

Key things that make this speedboat day stand out

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Key things that make this speedboat day stand out

  • Private group up to 8: you are not sharing the boat or the plan with strangers
  • Skipper included: no experience required, they handle navigation and the pace
  • Snorkeling gear rental included: swim stops can happen without extra planning
  • Flexible island mix: Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and Pakleni are all on the table
  • Optional paid sights not included: you would pay separately if you want places like Tvrdava Fortica or Blue Cave

Why a private speedboat from Split feels worth it

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Why a private speedboat from Split feels worth it
This is one of those upgrades that changes the day in a way a bus tour cannot. With a private boat, you can spend more time where you want, and less time waiting, lining up, or getting shuffled to fit someone else’s schedule.

The “own skipper” part matters too. You are not trying to figure out routes or timing with a checklist app while everyone else is trying to get everyone ready. In past experiences, skippers like Dino and Toni have been praised for professionalism, being accommodating, and taking people to places to swim and relax.

You also get real cruise-day essentials handled for you: safety equipment, boat insurance, bottled water, and included snorkeling gear. That lets you focus on the fun parts, and it keeps the day feeling smooth.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Split

How the 10-hour day gets built around your preferences

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - How the 10-hour day gets built around your preferences
The best way to think about this trip is that the itinerary is a menu, not a fixed script. You head out by speedboat, and you tell your skipper what kind of day you want, then they build the route around it.

Your day can lean toward:

  • Full-on relaxation in bays and quiet coastal areas
  • Exploring coastal villages and history-flavored shore stops
  • A blend of both, plus your own ideas

That flexibility is where you get value. If you want swimming more than shopping, you can ask for it. If you want a history stop and a beach stop in the same day, you can do that. If you want a slow pace, you can ask for that too.

One practical note: the tour is listed as approximately 10 hours, so expect a full-day commitment. It is not a quick “two hour on the water” escape. Plan your day in Split around it, not around other must-sees.

Old Split start: leaving the crowds fast and easy

Your meeting point is ISLAND DISCOVERY, Trumbićeva obala 2, 21000 Split. The location puts you in the right part of town to start early without complicated transfers, and pickup is offered as well if it works with your plans.

Starting the day with Old Split nearby is a smart move. It means you can do a short morning walk, grab what you need, then get on the boat without burning hours commuting across town. Then you are immediately out toward the islands, which is the main point of this trip.

The biggest win here is momentum. Instead of spending your morning watching other boats, your morning becomes your boat day, and the rest of the day follows that pace.

Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and Pakleni: choosing the island mix

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and Pakleni: choosing the island mix
The experience lists multiple islands as potential stops: Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands. The exact mix is up to you and your skipper’s choices based on conditions and your preferences.

Here is how to use that flexibility well. When you talk with your skipper, be specific about the balance you want:

  • More time anchored for swimming and snorkeling
  • More time for shore stops and exploring
  • A tighter schedule if you want to see more places in one day

Also, pay attention to what is not included if you decide you want specific paid attractions. The tour does not include entry or admission for Tvrdava Fortica and Blue Cave. If those are on your bucket list, plan to add that cost separately, and ask your skipper when or whether it makes sense in your route.

One small but useful reality check: with multiple island options on the table, you are never guaranteed to hit every favorite spot. You are paying for flexibility, so treat it as a “best available day” plan rather than a promise of a single route.

Snorkeling gear included, so swim time is real time

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Snorkeling gear included, so swim time is real time
This is not a “bring your own snorkel kit” situation. Snorkeling equipment rental is included, and bottled water is included too, so you can go straight from sitting on the boat to being in the water.

That matters because snorkeling is one of those activities where planning delays can kill the vibe. If you already have the gear, you can make the decision fast when your skipper finds a good swim stop.

If you want to maximize your time in the water, do the simple stuff early. Put on what you need right after boarding, then be ready when the first opportunity appears. It will help you get more than just one quick swim moment in a full-day outing.

Also, one past experience mentioned a SUP board being available and used during the day. Since it is not listed in the inclusions, do not assume it will always be there, but if you see the SUP mentioned during your day, it can add an extra layer of fun without changing the main plan.

Price and fuel math for a private group up to 8

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Price and fuel math for a private group up to 8
The price is $602.53 per group, up to 8 people, for an approximately 10-hour trip. Private boat pricing usually only makes sense when you spread it across a group, and this one does that well if you truly have 4 to 8 people.

Here is the practical value math:

  • If you fill closer to 8 people, the per-person cost is much more reasonable.
  • If you are only a couple, you will feel the premium more, but you still get the big advantages of privacy, a skipper, and flexible routing.

What can change your final budget is fuel. Fuel is not included in the price. The tank is started full, and you are obligated to return it full, with an indicated fuel rate of 30 liters per hour. That means you should expect the total trip cost to move based on time, route choices, and how much distance your skipper covers.

So when you compare this to other day tours, compare the whole picture:

  • Base price covers skipper, safety equipment, boat insurance, bottled water, taxes and fees, and snorkeling gear
  • Fuel is the variable cost you need to plan for
  • Lunch is not included, though you can bring a picnic or stop somewhere for lunch

Meeting point, pickup, and what to bring for a smooth day

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Meeting point, pickup, and what to bring for a smooth day
Pickup is offered, but the standard start point is ISLAND DISCOVERY on Trumbićeva obala. The tour uses a mobile ticket, which helps if you are traveling light and want fewer printed documents.

Because this is a speedboat day, think like you are going to be out on the water for most of your day. I would plan for sun and water time as your core needs. If you want to eat, decide early whether you will bring a picnic or rely on a lunch stop, since lunch is not included.

For a faster, calmer day, tell your skipper what you care about at the start:

  • Whether you want swimming time versus shore exploration
  • Whether you prefer a relaxed pace or a more active day
  • Any must-see islands from the list (Brac, Solta, Vis, Pakleni, Drvenik)

That simple conversation is what turns “speedboat rental” into a personalized day.

Skippers and service style: what professional looks like here

Rent a Speed Boat from Split – Discover Hidden Beaches & Islands - Skippers and service style: what professional looks like here
A speedboat day lives or dies by the skipper. This tour includes a skipper, and in the experiences you can find, skippers have been described as professional, accommodating, and focused on showing you places to swim and spend time.

Two names come up in past experiences: Dino and Toni. People describe Dino as friendly and fun, helping the day feel easy even when communication was a little tricky. Toni is described as professional and knowledgeable, and also as someone who adapts to what the group wants to do.

There is also a useful booking clue from one experience: a contact named Ante at Sun Nautics was mentioned as helping arrange the trip, including for a traveler who ran into a language barrier. If you like having support, it is worth asking your booking contact how they will handle communication with the skipper.

In short, the service style you want is clear guidance with room for your choices. The best days here are the ones where you and the skipper get aligned early.

Who should book a Split private speedboat day, and who might not

This tour fits best if you:

  • Want a private day for up to 8 people, without sharing the boat or schedule
  • Like the idea of hitting multiple islands in one day
  • Want snorkeling time without adding extra rental steps
  • Prefer a flexible route that can adjust to your preferences

It may not be the best fit if you:

  • Are planning a highly fixed schedule with other tight reservations, since weather and routing can affect your exact stops
  • Do not want any extra costs beyond the base price, since fuel and optional admissions can add up
  • Prefer long, guided museum-style stops, since this is a boat-driven day with shore stops that depend on your route choices

If you want speed, swim time, and control over where you go, this is the right format.

Should you book this Split private speedboat rental?

I think you should book if you are going to split the cost with other people and you actually care about flexibility. For a group, the base price covers a lot of the “hard parts” of a boat day, like the skipper, safety setup, snorkeling gear, and essential supplies.

I would also book if you want a day that feels personal. The skipper can build the day around relaxation in bays, exploring along the coast, or a blend, and that is exactly what you want in Croatia island hopping.

Just do the budget reality check first. Plan for fuel being extra, and remember paid attractions like Tvrdava Fortica and Blue Cave are not included. If that fits your plans and you are good with a weather-dependent day at sea, this private speedboat rental is a strong choice.

FAQ

Is this trip private, or do I share the boat?

This is a private tour/activity, so only your group participates. The price is per group, up to 8 people.

How long is the speedboat experience from Split?

The duration is listed as approximately 10 hours.

What’s included with the rental?

Snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, boat insurance, bottled water, the skipper, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges are included.

Do I need snorkeling experience or boat experience?

No experience is required because a skipper joins you.

What islands might we visit during the day?

Potential stops include Brac, Drvenik, Solta, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. You can bring a picnic, or the boat can stop somewhere for lunch.

What about fuel and extra costs?

Fuel is not included in the price. The tank is full at the start, and you are required to return it full, with an indicated rate of 30 liters per hour. Entry or admission for Tvrdava Fortica and Blue Cave is also not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.