What does the Five Islands tour from Split include?

Most five-island tours cover the Blue Cave on Biševo, Stiniva Bay on Vis, Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands, and Brač (Zlatni Rat or a swim stop). Tours run 10-11 hours, depart around 7-8am, and cost €50-80 including fuel surcharge. Lunch and drinks are usually extra.

Five island tour from Split: what to expect on the big boat day

The five-island speedboat tour is the most popular organized day trip from Split. Every morning from May through September, dozens of boats leave the Stari Grad terminal before 8am and spend the next 10-11 hours covering the Blue Cave, Stiniva Bay, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, and a stop on or near Brač. It is a long day, an early start, and a lot of open-sea travel — and for many visitors, it turns out to be one of the best days of their trip. For others, the brief stops and constant movement leave them wishing they had spent two days on one island instead.

This guide tells you exactly what the day looks like from departure to return, what is and is not included in the price, and how to decide whether it suits your travel style.

The typical five-island itinerary, stop by stop

There is no single standardized five-island route. Different operators visit slightly different combinations of stops, in slightly different orders. But the majority of full-day tours from Split follow a structure very close to this:

Departure — Split Stari Grad terminal, 7:00-8:00am

Your tour boat collects you at the Stari Grad terminal on Split’s waterfront. Check your confirmation for the exact meeting point — some operators meet you at the dock, others at a nearby landmark. Most boats are open speedboats holding 10-20 passengers. The early departure is not arbitrary: the Blue Cave’s light effect only works between 10am and 1pm, so the boat needs to cover 50km of open sea before then.

Bring a layer for the early morning crossing. Even in July, an open speedboat at 7am on the Adriatic can feel cold before the sun is fully up.

First stop — Blue Cave, Biševo island (approx. 10:00-11:00am)

The crossing to Biševo takes roughly 2-2.5 hours. Your boat will join the queue of tour boats outside the cave’s entrance. When it is your group’s turn, you transfer to a small rowing dinghy guided by the official cave guardian. You spend approximately 5 minutes floating inside the glowing blue interior.

The experience is genuinely impressive if you arrive during the optimal window. The colour of the water under the cave’s blue light is unlike anything else on the Adriatic. The brevity of the visit — 5 minutes is the regulated maximum — surprises many visitors. The cave authority enforces this strictly to protect the cave ecosystem and manage the volume of boats.

A full explanation of the Blue Cave — the science, the practical logistics, and whether it is worth the journey — is in the separate Blue Cave tours guide.

Second stop — Stiniva Bay, Vis (approx. 11:30am-1:00pm)

From Biševo the boat travels to Vis and Stiniva Bay — for many people, the best stop of the day. Stiniva is an enclosed cove accessible through a narrow gap in tall limestone cliffs. The water inside is turquoise and clear, the beach pebble, and the setting dramatic. The gap at the entrance is narrow enough that the speedboat pauses dramatically before sliding through.

You get roughly 45-60 minutes here: enough time to swim, dry off, eat something light if you brought snacks, and take photographs. The cove faces south and gets full sun through most of the day. Be prepared for a moderate hike down from the clifftop if the boat cannot enter — rough sea occasionally requires this approach.

Third stop — Komiža or Vis Town (approx. 1:00-2:00pm)

Most tours include a lunch stop in either Komiža (the fishing village on Vis’s western coast, nearest to Biševo) or Vis Town on the eastern side. Komiža is generally the lunch stop for tours coming from Biševo — it makes geographic sense. You get 45-60 minutes to find food, walk around the harbour, and look at the Venetian tower that dominates the waterfront.

Lunch is not included in the standard tour price. Budget €12-20 per person for a sit-down meal at Komiža. The village has a cluster of restaurants along the harbour — quality varies, but you’re not going to get a bad meal here.

Fourth stop — Hvar Town (approx. 3:00-4:00pm)

The boat continues to Hvar, docking in Hvar Town’s harbour. You typically get 60-90 minutes here. The most rewarding use of this time is the 15-minute climb up to Fortica, the Spanish-built fortress above town, for panoramic views over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands. The alternative is a walk through the Renaissance square, a coffee, and a wander through the old town lanes — pleasant but less memorable.

Hvar Town in summer is busy and the waterfront bars are expensive. Skip the tourist-facing harbour restaurants and walk one street back if you want a drink at a sensible price.

Fifth stop — Pakleni Islands swim (approx. 4:30-5:30pm)

The final stop is a swim off one of the Pakleni Islands — a string of small wooded islands immediately west of Hvar Town. The boat anchors in a bay with clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. This is the unhurried part of the day: 30-45 minutes of swimming and floating with no schedule pressure. For many people, this is their favourite stop of the whole day.

Some tours add a sixth stop — Brač, the Blue Lagoon near Trogir, or Šolta — which is why tours marketed as “five-island” sometimes become “six-island” depending on the operator or the day.

Return to Split — approximately 6:00-7:00pm

The boat heads back to Split via a direct route. The return journey typically takes 45-60 minutes. Most tours are back at the Stari Grad terminal by 6:30-7pm.

From Split: Blue Cave, Hvar, Mamma Mia, 5 Islands Boat Tour

What is and is not included

Typically included: Boat transportation, guide or skipper, Blue Cave entry ticket (usually — confirm when booking), all fuel costs, and any marine national park fees.

Typically not included: Lunch, alcoholic drinks, water taxi or dinghy transfer fees within the cave (sometimes separate), sunscreen, and any souvenirs.

Confirm before booking: The Blue Cave entry fee is €10-15 per person and is sometimes listed separately. Some operators bundle it into the tour price; others charge it on the day. Ask explicitly before you pay.

Which five-island tour to choose

The honest answer is that most reputable operators cover essentially the same ground. A few differentiators worth knowing:

Boat size and group size — Smaller boats (6-10 passengers) move faster and feel less like a factory tour. Larger boats (16-20 passengers) are cheaper per seat. If the social atmosphere matters to you, smaller boats typically feel more enjoyable.

All-inclusive options — Some tours include lunch, wine, and unlimited water. These cost more upfront but can work out better value if you drink wine and dislike managing receipts.

Split: Hvar, Pakleni, Brač & Šolta All-Inclusive Tour

Tours from Trogir — If you are staying near Trogir rather than Split, tours that depart from Trogir cover the same islands but save you the journey into Split. The itinerary is identical; the departure point shifts.

The Blue Lagoon variant — Some tours substitute a Trogir Blue Lagoon stop for the Pakleni swim. The Blue Lagoon is closer to Split, shallower, and popular for the colour of the water — but less dramatic than the Pakleni as a swimming spot. Worth it if you have never seen it; less essential if you are prioritizing the best swimming.

Split: Boat Tour to Blue Cave, Vis, Blue Lagoon, Hvar, Brač

Departure logistics

Where to meet: The Stari Grad terminal (Trajektna luka Split) on the eastern end of the Riva waterfront. It is well-signposted. GPS coordinates are widely available. Do not confuse it with the hydrofoil dock further west.

Arrival time: Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the listed departure. Group tours wait for no one after the designated departure time.

What to bring: Sunscreen (you will be at sea for most of the day), a dry bag for your phone, a light layer for the morning crossing, cash for lunch and drinks, comfortable shoes for walking at the stops, and swimwear you can move freely in. Reef shoes are helpful at Stiniva where the pebble beach is uneven.

Seasickness: The Blue Cave crossing is the most exposed section. If you have any history of motion sickness, take preventative medication the night before and that morning. The boat operates at speed over open sea — not like a ferry. Sitting toward the back of a speedboat rather than the front reduces impact somewhat.

Weather and cancellation policy

Most operators will run the tour in moderate conditions but will not enter the Blue Cave if the sea is too rough at the entrance. In that case, the boat typically continues to all other stops (Stiniva, Vis, Hvar, Pakleni) and you get a partial refund or voucher for the cave entry specifically.

In genuine bad weather — thunderstorms, heavy wind — the tour may be cancelled entirely. Reputable operators offer a rebook or full refund in this case. Check the specific policy before booking and confirm it is in writing.

The Blue Cave can also be closed independently of weather if crowds at the entrance back up significantly. In peak July and August, some boats queue 30-45 minutes before entering. This is the main argument for the early departure: boats that leave Split at 7am typically reach the cave before the queue builds.

Tips for making the most of the long day

Eat before you go. The early departure means you are on the water before most breakfast spots are open. Have something at the hotel or buy food the night before for the morning crossing.

Manage expectations about time on each island. You will not explore any of these islands deeply in 45-90 minutes. The five-island tour is about experiencing the variety of Dalmatia in a single day — not understanding any one place. If you want to know Vis properly, come back for an overnight stay.

Photograph the Pakleni stop, not just the cave. The cave photographs are difficult (dark interior, blue light, small rowboat). The Pakleni Islands in late afternoon light are some of the most photographable conditions of the day.

Bring a hat. The open speedboat provides no shade for hours at a time. Sunstroke is a genuine risk without a hat, especially for the midday Stiniva stop.

Talk to other passengers. The five-island tour is naturally social — you’re spending 10 hours on a small boat together. Most groups end up having conversations that make the day more memorable.

For deeper planning context, see island hopping from Split and which Dalmatian island is right for you. If you’re comparing the five-island tour against doing islands independently by ferry, the ferries and catamarans guide covers the DIY approach.

Frequently asked questions about the five island tour

What is the typical cost of a five-island tour from Split?

Most group tours cost €55-80 per person all-in (including fuel surcharge and Blue Cave entry). All-inclusive versions with lunch and wine start around €90-100. Private boat hire for the same route runs €350-600 for the whole boat depending on size.

Do children go free or at a reduced rate?

Most operators offer reduced prices for children under 12, typically 30-50% off the adult rate. Confirm with the operator at booking. Young children on a 10-hour speedboat day in summer heat is demanding — the long journey to the Blue Cave and back is the most physically taxing element.

Can I book the five-island tour the day before?

In shoulder season (May, June, September), usually yes — some tours still have last-minute availability. In peak July and August, book at least 3-5 days ahead. The most popular departures and smallest boats fill up quickly.

Is the five-island tour worth it if I’ve already been to Hvar?

If you have already explored Hvar independently, the main draw shifts to the Blue Cave, Stiniva Bay, and the Pakleni swim. These three alone make the day worthwhile for most people. Alternatively, look for tours that substitute Hvar for a different stop — Šolta or the Brač coast, for example.

Is the five-island tour suitable for elderly visitors?

It depends on mobility and sea tolerance. The boat itself requires stepping on and off at multiple points, sometimes via wet rocks or small dinghies. Stiniva Bay requires walking on uneven pebble. The long crossing can be rough. For visitors who are mobile but might struggle with rough sea, consider a shorter tour that covers just Hvar and the Pakleni Islands — far less open-sea exposure.

What’s the difference between the five-island and six-island tours?

Usually one additional stop — commonly either the Blue Lagoon near Trogir, Šolta island, or an extra swim stop. The day is marginally longer. Whether the extra stop is worth it depends on the specific stop: the Blue Lagoon is pleasant but not dramatically different from the Pakleni swim; Šolta is genuinely interesting for its honey production and quieter character.

For more detail on specific islands visited during the tour: Blue Cave on Biševo, Vis and Stiniva Bay, Hvar island guide, and the Pakleni Islands. For independent island travel logistics, see the full island hopping from Split guide.