Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert

Reviewed · TROGIR OLD TOWN TRIPS

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert

4.5 · 75 reviews 3 to 9 hours (approx.) From $482 Operated by Tamaris Charter · Bookable on Viator
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Three islands, one private boat.

A day on the Adriatic here is all about private pacing and a custom itinerary shaped around weather, swimming breaks, and where you want to spend your time. The one thing to plan for is that the base price does not cover fuel and the skipper.

I also like the practical comfort touches: snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water, so you can focus on swimming and sightseeing instead of hauling gear. One more consideration: the exact boat you get depends on which size you book, so it pays to double-check your boat category before you head out.

Key highlights at a glance

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - Key highlights at a glance

  • Choose your boat size (22 ft up to 6, 24–27 ft up to 11, or a 33 ft Saxdor yacht up to 10)
  • Snorkeling gear and bottled water included
  • Skip the crowds when possible with stops picked to avoid bottleneck locations
  • Stops can mix islands, swims, and a proper lunch with sea-view dining options
  • No Blue Cave stop because it’s long-distance and tends to be busy

A private boat day from Split and Trogir, without fixed-tour herd energy

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - A private boat day from Split and Trogir, without fixed-tour herd energy

This is a private tour, which changes the whole mood. Instead of syncing your day to other groups, your skipper can work around wind, sea conditions, and what your group actually wants—swim-heavy, photo stops, a laid-back lunch, or a longer island stretch.

A big part of the appeal is that the tour is flexible in length. The duration can be about 3 to 9 hours, with the start time listed as 9:00am. In the most common full-day setup (from Split), you may be back around the afternoon—one past guest noted a roughly 9:00am to 4:45pm window—so you’ll want to think about what you can realistically cover with travel time.

The value sweet spot here is that you’re paying for local boat time, not a checklist. If you’re the type who hates standing in line for the same three photo angles, this format fits.

Choosing your boat: 22 ft, 24–27 ft speedboat, or 33 ft Saxdor yacht

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - Choosing your boat: 22 ft, 24–27 ft speedboat, or 33 ft Saxdor yacht

You get three clear categories, each with different vibes and group capacity:

  • Mid-sized boat (22 ft), up to 6 people
  • Large speedboat (24–27 ft), up to 11 people

Also said to be suitable for all mid-Dalmatia islands.

  • Luxury Saxdor yacht (33 ft), up to 10 people

Also said to be suitable for all mid-Dalmatia islands.

In practical terms, the boat choice affects how your day feels:

  • A smaller group tends to mean easier movement on board and more elbow room at swim stops.
  • A larger speedboat often suits families or friend groups who want more people and more action.
  • A yacht is the pick if you want the smoothest comfort level and a more “vacation boat” atmosphere.

One thing to keep in mind: there’s at least one complaint about receiving a different boat type than expected. That doesn’t mean it’s the norm, but it is a good reason to confirm your category right after booking—especially if the listing image or your confirmation makes the boat feel more “luxury” than the final allocation.

How the sample route works: Hvar, Brač beach time, lunch on the coast, then Šolta

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - How the sample route works: Hvar, Brač beach time, lunch on the coast, then Šolta

The itinerary is fully customizable, but the sample route gives you a strong idea of the style of day: an island town stop, then stretches of water time for swimming and snorkeling, then a lunch stop with a sea-view dining setup.

Stop in Hvar (about 1 hour)

Hvar is where you get your island-town fix: harbor views, old lanes, and that classic Adriatic “arrive by boat” feeling. In a tight one-hour window, you should treat this as a walk-and-photo stop plus a quick browse, not a deep-dive into museums and long meals.

What this stop is best for:

  • snapping photos from the harbor area
  • a short stroll before you go back to swim mode

Possible drawback:

  • one hour can feel short if you want lunch here or want to wander far inland.

Murvica / Robinson Beach on Brač (about 2 hours)

This is your downtime stop. The idea is soft, relaxed beach time—gentle water and a slower pace than you’ll find near the busiest ports.

What you’ll like about it:

  • plenty of time for a real swim break
  • a natural setting with pines and open sea views

Potential drawback:

  • it’s beach time, so if your group wants nonstop hopping between towns, this slot may feel like a breather rather than a sightseeing push.

Terasa Ciccio (Konoba – Terasa Ciccio) for lunch (about 2 hours)

This is the meal stop that turns the day from “swim and snack” into “proper vacation lunch.” The format here is a terrace with Adriatic views and a locally inspired menu.

What makes this valuable:

  • you’re dining in a coastal setting you’d be hard-pressed to reach comfortably on your own
  • the time window lets you do lunch and slow down afterward

Possible drawback:

  • lunch spots take time. If your group is laser-focused on seeing more islands, you may want to ask your skipper how flexible the lunch timing is for your exact day length.

Gornja Krušica on Šolta (about 1 hour)

Šolta tends to feel calmer than the most famous ports. This stop is about water clarity and a quiet break—good for swimming, sun time, and a change of scenery right before heading back.

What to expect:

  • a compact visit that’s mostly about the shoreline and water

Possible drawback:

  • if you get a windy day, your skipper may adjust where you stop to keep the ride comfortable.

On-board comfort: bottled water, snorkeling gear, and what you’ll actually do at each swim stop

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - On-board comfort: bottled water, snorkeling gear, and what you’ll actually do at each swim stop

This tour includes snorkeling equipment and bottled water, which matters more than it sounds. You avoid that awkward scramble of sharing masks or buying drinks the moment you’re thirsty. It also makes swim breaks feel effortless, which encourages you to actually use the water time.

In reviews, the snorkeling parts often come with real “wow” moments—people reported seeing fish and life under the surface, including a sunken-boat type of stop where snorkels and masks made it memorable. Even without calling out specific sites every time, the pattern is consistent: when conditions allow, you’re set up to look around underwater.

Also, the day isn’t only about swimming. Many skippers build in time for:

  • a quiet cove stop where you can relax
  • a restaurant or wine experience timed with your route
  • short town wandering between water stops

If you’re traveling with kids or multi-generational groups, this is a big plus. One family-focused comment praised how the skipper managed both adults and kids, which usually means swim stops are timed and paced so everyone stays comfortable.

Price and the real budget math: what’s included, what’s not, and why fuel surprises happen

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - Price and the real budget math: what’s included, what’s not, and why fuel surprises happen

The published price is $482.72 per group (up to 6), and bookings average around 37 days in advance. But the true cost depends on your boat category and the actual route length.

Here’s the breakdown you should plan around:

  • Included: snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and the fully customizable itinerary
  • Not included:
  • Fuel surcharge (approximate):
  • medium boat: €100–€160
  • large boat: €150–€250
  • luxury boat: €200–€400
  • Skipper fee (cash on board):
  • medium and large boats: €100 per booking
  • luxury Saxdor yacht: €150 per booking

What I like about this setup is that it’s at least conceptually transparent. What can catch people off guard is that fuel depends on distance and route choices. One past guest described a fuel bill around €100 for a medium boat, while other comments mentioned higher totals when traveling farther or when the route changed.

My practical advice:

  • If you want a “lots of islands” day, expect fuel to climb.
  • If you want shorter hops and more swimming near your start area, fuel will usually be lower.
  • Ask your skipper (or the operator during planning) what an approximate fuel range might be for your preferred island mix—especially if you’re aiming for farther stops.

Logistics that matter: timing, meeting point, and the Blue Cave decision

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - Logistics that matter: timing, meeting point, and the Blue Cave decision

The tour starts at 9:00am, and it ends back at the meeting point. That round-trip structure is important because it affects how much time you can spend on each island. The day length shown as 3 to 9 hours gives flexibility, but you’ll want to choose based on where you want to go.

One key policy point: you do not visit the Blue Cave. The reason given is distance and crowds. This can be a dealbreaker if Blue Cave is your top must-do, so treat it as a planning constraint.

Good news: the “no Blue Cave” choice can actually help your day feel less stressful. People often don’t mind swapping it for:

  • calmer swim coves
  • other coastal stops with similar water charm
  • better timing for snorkeling comfort

Also, if your heart is set on Blue Cave specifically, plan it separately and earlier in the day with a cave-focused tour. Then you can use this private boat day for everything else you want to experience around it.

Skippers are the difference: what the best days have in common

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - Skippers are the difference: what the best days have in common

When the reviews are glowing, it’s usually because the skipper behaves like a real co-pilot, not just a driver. Across the names shared in feedback—Marko, Duje, Marin, Duhe, Antonio, Jakov, Luka, Toma, Ivan, and Andro—the standout qualities show up repeatedly:

  • Safety and calm navigation, even when the sea gets choppy
  • Route flexibility to match your group’s mood
  • Good local instincts for where to swim and where to eat
  • Information with a practical edge, not a script

Some specific examples from past experiences that helped shape a memorable day:

  • A skipper lined up a unique lunch stop in the right place for easy arrival by boat.
  • Someone mentioned a military bunker sight that became a surprise highlight.
  • A few described “quiet swim spots” and clear water moments that felt more peaceful than the postcard areas.

If you care about having a day that feels personal, this is where you’re paying your money—not just for the boat, but for the person behind the wheel.

Reviews: what to watch for, and how to protect your expectations

Bespoke private boat tour from Split & Trogir with a local expert - Reviews: what to watch for, and how to protect your expectations

Most of the feedback is strongly positive, with an overall rating of 4.6 from 75 reviews. Still, there are a couple of issues you should factor in before you book:

  1. Fuel cost can feel like a sting
  • Multiple comments mention it as a surprise or at least an emotional “wait, that much?”
  • The operator states fuel isn’t included, so the practical fix is to plan mentally for it and ask for a reasonable estimate.
  1. Boat category expectations
  • One complaint claims the boat received didn’t match the luxury option pictured or confirmed.
  • I can’t verify what happened from afar, but you can protect yourself by checking your exact boat category and capacity before departure.
  1. Blue Cave expectation
  • If Blue Cave is part of your plan, know that this operator avoids it.
  • You can still have a great day, but you’ll want a different cave plan—or accept swapping it for other coast stops.

Who this tour fits best (and who should choose something else)

This tour is a strong match if:

  • you’re a group of friends or family who wants a custom day rather than a bus-style schedule
  • you care about swimming and snorkeling more than ticking off famous sites
  • you value flexibility when weather changes or you find a cove you want to linger in
  • you’d rather ride to calmer spots than wait in queues

It may not be ideal if:

  • you want a fully fixed itinerary with no route adjustments
  • you’re hoping for a no-surprises all-in price (fuel and skipper costs are part of the deal here)
  • Blue Cave is non-negotiable

Should you book this private boat tour from Split & Trogir?

I’d book it if you’re choosing a private day for the water time and the freedom to shape the day. The included snorkeling gear, the bottled water, and the way skippers build in swim stops and lunch make it feel like a vacation, not a transportation service.

I’d pause and plan carefully if you’re trying to hold costs tightly or your day depends on a specific named stop like Blue Cave. If that’s you, either budget for the extra fuel, ask for an estimate based on the islands you want, and consider pairing this with a separate cave-focused early start.

If your group includes different ages or mixed interests, this is one of the better ways to keep everyone happy: boat ride for the adults, swim time for the kids, and a proper meal stop that doesn’t feel rushed.

FAQ

What boat sizes are available, and how many people can each hold?

You can choose a 22 ft mid-sized boat for up to 6 people, a 24–27 ft large speedboat for up to 11 people, or a 33 ft Saxdor luxury yacht for up to 10 people.

What’s included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included, and the itinerary is fully customizable. You’ll also receive a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.

What extra costs should I expect on the day?

Fuel is not included, with approximate fuel surcharge ranges depending on boat size. The skipper fee is also not included and is paid cash on board (€100 for medium/large, €150 for the Saxdor luxury yacht).

Is Blue Cave included?

No. The operator does not visit the Blue Cave due to distance and crowds.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 3 to 9 hours (approximately).

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at a meeting point and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s the cancellation window?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.