Hvar, Brač & Pakleni Islands cruise from Split: swim and snorkel

Swim at three islands in one morning, then drift through lunch on the boat

An all-day cruise from Split through the Adriatic to the Pakleni Islands, Hvar and Brač, with swimming stops, snorkelling, and a three-course lunch served on deck. You board at 7:30am, choose your meal (beef, tuna or vegetarian burger) at the pier, and return by early evening. The boat carries inflatables, snorkelling equipment and an English-speaking crew; water, juice and wine are included throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise and explore Adriatic islands

• Board boat in Split
• Swim near Pakleni Islands
• Explore Hvar town and Fortica fortress
• Have lunch and drinks on board
• Swim or relax at Brač bay

The Experience

The boat leaves Split Port at 8am sharp—check in by 7:30am at St. Nicola Pier so you have time to pick your lunch option and settle on deck. If you're departing from Trogir instead, pickup is at 6:15am at the North Gate of the Old Town, and the return lands between 7:15pm and 8pm. The first stop is the Pakleni Islands, a small archipelago just offshore from Hvar. This is where most people go straight in the water: swim in the lagoon, try snorkelling if you brought a mask or want to use the boat's equipment, or stay on deck with coffee and doughnuts while the Adriatic spreads out around you.

Next is Hvar itself—the main town sits on a hillside terraced with lavender fields and ringed by Venetian stone. You get free time to walk the streets and squares, climb to the Fortica fortress for a photo that reaches back across the water to Split, or sit in a café and watch the afternoon light move across the harbor. This is the longest stop of the day, so there's room to wander without rushing. Lunch arrives on board while you're exploring or resting, and when you return to the boat it's waiting: your chosen burger with fries, plus wine during the meal and water or juice all day. The crew speaks English and moves through the boat, so questions about what you're seeing get answered as you eat.

The final stop is a bay on Brač, surrounded by clear water and a quiet Mediterranean feel. Swimming and floating take up the last hours before the return to Split. The whole day runs ten hours from departure to dock, which means you're back by early evening—enough time to shower and eat dinner ashore if you want it. Bad weather or rough seas can shift the route or cancel the tour; the captain decides based on conditions, and that decision is final.

What’s included

• Snorkelling equipment and inflatables.
• a three-course lunch (beef, tuna or vegetarian burger with fries).
• coffee and doughnuts in the morning.
• water and juice all day, plus wine during lunch.
• an English-speaking captain and crew.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Gray Line Croatia

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Trogir and want to visit three islands in one day with pickup from your accommodation; if you're staying elsewhere or prefer a different route, check other options.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel at all three islands, or just at the Pakleni Islands?

Snorkelling equipment is available on the boat, and you can use it at any of the swimming stops—the Pakleni Islands, Hvar and Brač all have clear water. The crew will show you how to use the gear if you haven't snorkelled before.

What's the town of Hvar actually like to walk around?

Hvar is known for its lavender fields covering the slopes above the town and for the Fortica fortress, which sits on a hill overlooking the harbor and gives you a view back across the water to the mainland. The main town has streets and squares to explore, cafés to sit in, and the fortress is worth the climb if you want a photograph.

Do I have to decide what to eat before I board?

You choose your lunch option—beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger with fries—at the meeting point on the pier, right before you board. The choice is made then, not in advance, so you can decide once you're there.

Is there a pickup option from Trogir instead of Split?

Yes. Pickup from Trogir is at 6:15am at the North Gate of the Old Town, and the return drop-off is between 7:15pm and 8pm. Pickup and drop-off are free of charge; the departure time from Split is 8am, so the Trogir option means an earlier start and a later return.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather or sea conditions turn rough, the captain has the right to change the route or cancel the tour. The decision is made for the safety of all passengers, and it's final.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and a sun hat. In April, May and October, add warm clothing. Pets are not allowed on the tour.