Croatia’s coastline on the Adriatic sea is dotted with several small islands. Split’s central location makes it a great base for island hopping.
Split is a great base for island hopping in Croatia. There are several islands just off the coast with nice beaches and small seaside towns.
You can get to the islands by ferry or see a few in one day with an island boat tour from Split.
While boat tours can be expensive, I think it’s worth paying for a unique experience. I balanced it out by finding a lot of free things to do in Split.
Tickets for boat tours from Split are easy to find. You can get them online by searching on Tripadvisor or Viator, or in person from sellers along the Riva.
1. 3 Island Boat Tour
I took a 3 Island Boat Tour from Split that went to Blue Lagoon, a shipwreck, and a fishing town called Maslinica. It was a cool way to see different types of Islands in one day.
I’m glad I did a Blue Lagoon tour because it’s absolutely gorgeous. The water is a really vibrant blue. I did a short hike there to get a great view of the Blue Lagoon, and then went snorkeling.
This was one of the best value boat tours I’ve done at €40. Lunch and unlimited wine was included.
2. 5 Island Boat Tour
There’s also a Split 5 Island Boat Tour that goes to the Blue Cave, Hvar, Komiza, Stiniva Cove, and Budikovac Island. This tour was more expensive than the 3 island tour, but the Blue Cave is stunning. It’s also a good way to see Hvar if you don’t have time to go to that island for a full day.
3. Sunset boat tour
I took a sunset boat tour and was able to see Split’s amazing sunset from the water. While this isn’t a full day trip, it was one of my favorite boat trips in Split. Wine was also included. This would be a great activity for couples.
This is also a nice option if you’re on a budget, because it’s less expensive than the full day trips. The sunset boat tour I did was €20.
4. Hvar
Hvar is one of the larger islands near Split, and is known for its architecture, nice beaches, and nightlife. The stone walls and buildings in Old Town are bright white and stunning in the Croatian sunshine. The restaurants and bars are nice too, but more expensive than Split.
I did a Split to Hvar day trip during my visit, and hiked around Šetnica Pokonji Dol to get to Pokonji dol Beach. There were gorgeous views of the sea and nearby islands.
Hvar has even some nicer beaches that you can only get to by boat. I didn’t have time to check those out during my stay, but would love to next time.
5. Trogir
Trogir is a small town near Split. While it is on a small island, it’s also connected to the mainland by bridges. You’ll see Kamerlengo Castle as you walk along the waterfront. Togir’s Old Town is similar to Split, with stone walls and buildings. Trogir also has a long stretch of nice beaches that aren’t too crowded.
6. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes is a must-see during your visit to Croatia. The lakes are so clear and a remarkable bright blue green color. You walk through the park on wood boardwalks that go over the lakes and get up close to some large waterfalls.
I took a guided tour of Plitvice Lakes and recommend having a guide. The park is quite large so with a guide I was able to see all the best spots without worrying about directions. My tour included hiking and a few boat rides. We also learned a lot about how the lakes were formed and why they’re so colorful.
Plitvice Lakes is located about halfway between Split and Zagreb. If you’re taking a Plitvice Lakes tour from Split, you might be able to be dropped off in Zagreb, or vice versa. This can save you a day of traveling, and save some money on transportation. Check with your tour company to see if this is possible.