REVIEW · SPLIT
Private day trip to Hvar and Blue lagoon with Snorkeling
Book on Viator →Operated by Absolut Charter · Bookable on Viator
A day at sea beats the usual island hop. This private 8-hour trip strings together Trogir’s old streets, Blue Lagoon snorkeling with provided gear, and Hvar town time, with stops that feel like a mix of sightseeing and pure water time. I like that it’s not a “look, then leave” schedule, and you get real chances to swim, snorkel, and hang out on sheltered coves. One possible drawback: it’s weather-dependent, so you’ll want to be flexible if the day needs to be swapped.
The other thing I really appreciate is the value for a group. You’re looking at one set price for up to 11 people, and the tour includes towels, soft drinks, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and even a SUP board—plus a bottle of wine. The main consideration is that lunch isn’t included, so you’ll either plan your timing around restaurant options at the islands or be ready to buy food when the crew points you toward it.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Setting Off From Split With Trogir First
- Blue Lagoon and Krknjasi Bay: The Snorkeling Portion That Actually Matters
- Hvar Town in Small Doses: Celebrity Views, Fortress Views, and Cocktails
- Pakleni Islands: Where the Day Turns Into Cove Time (and You Can Actually Stay Put)
- Milna on Brač: A Gentle Finish With Coffee and Local Wines
- Price and What You’re Really Buying (Not Just a Ticket)
- Boats, Crew, and the Human Side of a Private Day
- How to Time Your Day So You Don’t Feel Rushed
- Who This Trip Is For (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book This Private Hvar and Blue Lagoon Day?
- FAQ
- How many people are included in the private tour?
- How long is the trip and what time does it start?
- What stops are included during the day?
- Is snorkeling equipment included?
- Is lunch included in the price?
- What should I know about weather?
Key things to know before you go

- Private pace for up to 11: you’re not squeezed into a big, loud crowd.
- Snorkeling gear is included: you can focus on the water, not the shopping list.
- Pakleni Islands cove time: you get a sheltered island-water experience instead of one long “drive-by.”
- SUP included: great for teens and anyone who just wants one more way to play in the sea.
- Wine, towels, and drinks are part of the deal: fewer logistics before you board.
Setting Off From Split With Trogir First

This kind of day works best when you start early and keep your movement simple. Your tour meets at Trumbićeva obala 3 in Split at 9:00 am, then the day begins with a stop in Trogir. Trogir is the classic “easy-to-love” coastal town: narrow lanes, stone buildings close to the water, and a promenade where you can actually slow down and look.
You’ll get about 1 hour for free time here, which is short, but it’s enough to do two useful things: get your bearings and pick one or two highlights. If you like architecture, the Cathedral of St. Lovre is a standout, including Romanesque door carvings attributed to Master Radovan (13th century). If you’d rather keep it casual, you can simply walk the old streets, duck into shaded corners, and take a coffee-and-sun reset on the promenade.
Practical tip: since it’s free time, decide quickly what you want most—cathedral time or promenade time. The rest of the day is built around water, so save your energy for the sea.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Split.
Blue Lagoon and Krknjasi Bay: The Snorkeling Portion That Actually Matters

After Trogir, the schedule shifts into what most people really book for: swimming and snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay area. You get around 1 hour here, and that’s the sweet spot for a private day if you don’t want to feel rushed. There’s time to walk the pebbled shoreline and then go straight into the water using the provided snorkeling equipment and towels.
What I like about this segment is that it’s not just “jump in for a minute.” One hour gives you a chance to warm up, find your rhythm, and still come up for air without worrying you’re burning time. If you’ve never snorkeled before, this is an easy way to try it because the gear comes with the tour and the day is designed around water play.
Possible drawback: snorkeling time is weather-and-sea-condition dependent, and the whole trip requires good weather. If conditions aren’t ideal, you may not get the full “floating over fish” feeling you were hoping for. Still, even if you’re just swimming and sunbathing, the setup is built for that.
Also, don’t ignore the “pebbled shore” detail. Expect more grip for stepping in and out, and bring your attitude: water shoes can help if you’re sensitive, even though the tour doesn’t mention them.
Hvar Town in Small Doses: Celebrity Views, Fortress Views, and Cocktails

Next up is Hvar, with about 2 hours on the schedule. Yes, Hvar is known for yachts and celebrity energy. But the best part of Hvar town time is that it’s more than a photo stop. You’ll get a realistic chunk of time to explore the waterfront, walk the lanes, and decide how you want to spend your attention.
Think of this as your “vacation-mode” segment. You can grab a cocktail at a waterfront bar, then slow-walk toward the hilltop area where the fortress sits above town—the fortress is the symbol you’ll keep seeing from different angles.
The main value of Hvar here is that it balances water time with actual land time. After the morning and early afternoon swim segments, Hvar gives you a change of pace that doesn’t waste your energy.
One small consideration: 2 hours sounds long until you’re standing at a view point and suddenly time disappears. If you want both a quick walk and a relaxed coffee/cocktail moment, set yourself a loose plan—like waterfront first, then one main walk up the hill, then back down.
Pakleni Islands: Where the Day Turns Into Cove Time (and You Can Actually Stay Put)

The Pakleni Islands stop is built for staying still. You’ll get about 1 hour, but it’s described as a haven of secluded inlets and coves—exactly the kind of place where being on a boat helps. This is one of those spots where the scenery is partly “out there” and partly “around you,” since sheltered bays make the water feel calmer and more inviting.
There are two good ways to spend this hour:
- Post up near the pines for views with a picnic-style vibe, with the option of enjoying a bottle of wine.
- Or, if you’re ready to switch from beach-time to sit-down-time, the largest island (St. Klement) has restaurants with seafood-forward menus.
You can also aim for a beach moment at Laganini beach, where you can get a cold drink and enjoy music. The tour time here is short, so I’d treat it as a choose-your-own-pace hour—swim, snorkel, or settle in for food and drinks.
Important detail for your expectations: this is where the day can feel the most “island vacation,” but also where you’ll want to be decisive. If you want the restaurant experience, don’t spend too long wandering. If you want water time, choose your spot and commit, because anchoring opportunities won’t last forever.
Milna on Brač: A Gentle Finish With Coffee and Local Wines

The final on-island stop is Milna on the island of Brač, with about 45 minutes. This is the kind of stop that keeps the day from feeling like nonstop water. Milna is described as a charming seaside village, and it gives you a straightforward option: grab a coffee or taste some local wine.
This portion is short, so it’s best for last-minute shopping or one quick drink with a view. If you’re the type who always wants one final bite before you head back, this is also a good point to decide if you’re hungry or if you’re content with the earlier restaurant options.
Practical tip: by the time you reach Milna, you’ll likely be sun-tired. Plan for a small pause rather than trying to “see everything.”
Price and What You’re Really Buying (Not Just a Ticket)

The price is listed as $1,321.74 per group, up to 11 people, for the full 8-hour outing. That pricing structure is where the value starts making sense. If you’re comparing this kind of experience to individual tickets on bigger boats, private often wins because you spread the cost across a group and still get a flexible day.
What you’re getting included matters:
- Snorkeling equipment and towels
- Soft drinks and bottled water
- Bottle of wine
- A SUP board
- Insurance
Not included:
- Lunch
- Wine tasting (so if you’re expecting a formal tasting, you’ll need to arrange that separately)
So the real question for value is how you handle food. If you’re happy to treat lunch as part of the island experience (restaurant time when it’s offered) or you plan a simple snack strategy, the “base package” feels strong. If you want an all-in meal plan with no decisions, you may feel lunch being missing.
Also, mobile ticket and English are included, which removes a lot of friction. You don’t need to fuss with printed vouchers, and the communication stays clear.
Boats, Crew, and the Human Side of a Private Day

With a private charter day, the crew is not a background detail—it shapes how smooth your day feels. The boat experience is described as clean and tidy, and the skippers are praised for being polite and helpful, including one skipper named Toni, who’s been singled out for safety-minded, fun energy and for adapting the plan to what the group wants.
That adaptability is the secret sauce. The itinerary gives the major anchors—Trogir, Blue Lagoon/Krknjasi Bay, Hvar, Pakleni Islands, Milna—but a private day only feels truly private when the skipper can adjust the balance between walking, snorkeling, and simply hanging out.
One logistics note from real experience: finding the boat in the morning can be confusing if you don’t read the meeting instructions carefully. If you’re the type who likes certainty, arrive a little early at Trumbićeva obala 3 and take a moment to confirm you’re at the right spot before everyone starts boarding.
How to Time Your Day So You Don’t Feel Rushed

This is an 8-hour day with multiple segments, and that means your comfort depends on simple timing choices. Here’s how I’d make it easy on yourself:
- Start with Trogir as a quick “walk and choose” stop. One hour isn’t for a deep dive into museums.
- Treat Blue Lagoon time as a true swim block. Don’t spend half of it debating where to snorkel.
- In Hvar, pick one waterfront coffee/cocktail moment and then commit to one main walk toward viewpoints.
- For Pakleni Islands, decide early if you want to snorkel or to go for the restaurant/beach vibe.
- Save “snack energy” for Milna, since it’s short and you’ll want to finish the day relaxed, not sprinting.
Sun tip: you’ll be on the water a lot, and water reflection can make sun feel stronger than it seems. Bring a hat and consider sunscreen if you’re even slightly prone to burning.
Who This Trip Is For (and Who Might Skip It)
This tour is a great fit if you want:
- A private-group day with snorkeling and multiple island stops
- Real time in the water rather than just photo stops
- A mix of town wandering (Trogir, Hvar) and sheltered cove time (Pakleni Islands)
- Included basics that reduce pre-trip hassles (towels, drinks, snorkeling gear, SUP)
It might be less ideal if:
- You want a full packaged lunch with no decisions
- You hate any weather uncertainty (good weather is required)
- You prefer a slower, fewer-stops pace with more time on land
If you’re traveling with teens, the included SUP can turn “boat time” into active fun, which is a big win for families.
Should You Book This Private Hvar and Blue Lagoon Day?
I’d book it if your dream Croatia day includes both town charm and clear-water time. The strongest reason to choose this one is the way it balances Hvar + Trogir for culture and atmosphere with Blue Lagoon/Krknjasi Bay and Pakleni Islands for swimming and snorkeling—plus the practical extras that make it feel complete without extra spending.
Book it especially if you’re a group of friends or a family and you want to share the cost while still getting a private feel. The included snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, and SUP board make it easier to relax from the first hour.
Skip or switch plans if you’re arriving expecting guaranteed-perfect sea conditions and guaranteed lunch included. But if you can handle some flexibility and you want a day built around actual water time, this is a strong choice.
FAQ
How many people are included in the private tour?
The tour is private for your group and is priced per group up to 11 people.
How long is the trip and what time does it start?
It lasts about 8 hours and starts at 9:00 am.
What stops are included during the day?
You’ll visit Trogir, Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay, Hvar, Pakleni Islands, and Milna.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with towels, soft drinks, bottled water, and a SUP board.
Is lunch included in the price?
No. Lunch is not included.
What should I know about weather?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
























