In Split, the sea is never far away, and neither are the islands you can reach in a single day. Hvar, Brač and Šolta are close enough for a relaxed day trip, while a slightly longer voyage to Vis and Biševo leads to some of the Adriatic's most famous natural sights.
Each route makes for a very different day. On Hvar, it might mean a morning in town and an afternoon among the coves of the Pakleni Islands. On Brač, it's a mix of small villages, wine and swimming. On Šolta, it's a few hours with no particular plan. Vis and Biševo call for more time at sea, where the journey itself becomes the heart of the experience.
A stay in Split is the perfect chance to explore the islands around it. You can spend the day swimming in hidden coves, discovering local heritage or enjoying the authentic flavours of the islands. When the trip is shaped around what you want, the journey becomes just as appealing as the destination.
Why Split: A City Harbour on Your Doorstep and Easy Connections Make Island Trips Simple
Split is a city that naturally links the mainland with the islands. Its coastal location means you can easily spend part of your stay exploring the Central Dalmatian archipelago while still enjoying the comfort and amenities of a city break. After a morning coffee by the sea, a different kind of day opens up before you: one filled with sailing, island landscapes and moments far from everyday routine.
A private boat trip also offers a very different experience from a standard group tour. Instead of following a fixed schedule and the pace of a large group, the focus is on your own experience. For guests of our hotel, this means an island excursion becomes a natural extension of their stay. Everything is arranged through the hotel, from planning the departure to the return, so the whole experience is as effortless as possible. Privacy, flexibility and attention to each guest's wishes are what separate a day of sightseeing from a day devoted entirely to your own enjoyment.
Hvar and the Pakleni Islands
Hvar is an island where Mediterranean elegance meets the easy rhythm of seaside life, with a rich history that is especially visible in Hvar Town itself. Its stone streets, Venetian palaces, historic buildings and lively harbour reveal the town's many faces, while a stroll through the old town is a chance to discover its cultural side.
But Hvar is about more than its town streets. Just offshore lie the Pakleni Islands, a small archipelago known for its clear water and countless coves. Here the bustle of town is left behind, and the day carries on in a calmer setting by the sea.
It's exactly this combination that makes Hvar so appealing for a private excursion. You can spend part of the day exploring the town, its history and its Mediterranean atmosphere, then head by boat to the Pakleni Islands to find a quiet cove for a swim. In one day, you get to know different sides of Hvar without spending the whole trip in a single place.
Brač
Brač has many more faces than the one usually seen on postcards. Beyond its coastline and famous beaches, the island is home to small villages, vineyards and a centuries-old stonemasonry tradition that has left its mark almost everywhere.
Pučišća is especially interesting, recognisable by its houses built of white Brač stone and its long stone-carving tradition. This is where you'll find the Stonemasonry School, one of the few places where stone is still worked by hand with traditional tools. Head inland from the coast and the landscape changes again: among olive groves and vineyards, a quieter, less touristy side of Brač emerges.
Wine is also part of the island's story, so a day on Brač can easily include a visit to a local winery and a tasting of wines made in this very terroir.
The south side of the island offers an entirely different scene, with its best-known spots, Bol and Zlatni Rat. The beach's distinctive tip shifts shape with the wind and currents, so it never looks quite the same from one angle to the next. And however familiar photos of Zlatni Rat may be, arriving from the sea leaves a very different impression.
That makes Brač a great choice when you want your day on the boat to include a taste of island life. You can spend it by the sea, visit one of its villages or stop at a winery, without turning every hour into sightseeing. A private trip to Brač can bring together several experiences: discovering island heritage, savouring local flavours and spending time at one of the Adriatic's most famous beaches. It's ideal for guests who want their day at sea to include both culture and gastronomy, with plenty of room to relax.
Šolta
If you're looking for an island that invites you to slow down, Šolta fits that kind of holiday perfectly. Just a short hop from Split, it gives you a sense of distance from the city bustle without a long journey. Its appeal lies not in big attractions or a hurried pace, but in simple moments. Šolta is known for its olive growing and winemaking, and its authentic character shines through in local produce and tradition. A visit to olive groves or boutique wineries is a chance to get to know the island way of life, with tastings that reveal flavours closely tied to the land.
Its coves are just as inviting. The quieter stretches of coastline make an ideal setting for swimming, resting and enjoying nature. Rather than a list of pre-set activities, a day on Šolta can be shaped around whatever suits you best: more time in the sea, exploring local flavours or simply enjoying the silence.
Thanks to its proximity to Split, Šolta is especially appealing to guests who want an authentic island experience without a long boat ride defining their whole day. It's a place for a gentler pace, a more intimate encounter with Dalmatia, and a break that doesn't need to be packed with activities to be memorable.
Vis i Biševo
Vis and Biševo reveal a side of the Adriatic that draws travellers looking for natural wonders, dramatic landscapes and a sense of being far from everyday life. Vis, one of the more remote inhabited islands of Central Dalmatia, is known for its coastline, vineyards and towns where maritime tradition and local life remain an important part of its identity.
Vis Town and Komiža offer two different views of everyday island life. Their harbours, stone houses and fishing heritage reflect the islanders' deep connection with the sea. A walk through these towns is a chance to discover the island's historical and cultural character, while the surrounding landscapes offer crystal-clear water, rocky shores and terraced vineyards.
Among Vis's best-known natural sights is Stiniva Beach, a cove enclosed by towering rocky cliffs. Its unique shape and narrow opening to the open sea make it one of the most photogenic spots on the Croatian coast. Its beauty lies in the interplay of rock, sea and the untouched setting around it.
Near Vis lies Biševo, an island famous for its Blue Cave. This natural phenomenon draws visitors with its light effect, created when sunlight enters the cave and is reflected through the water. Visits to the Blue Cave depend on weather, sea conditions and access, so they need to be planned around current circumstances.
A trip to Vis and Biševo is especially appealing to travellers who want to see the Adriatic from a different angle. Because of the distance and sailing time, this kind of day requires more careful planning, but it offers the chance to discover landscapes very different from Split's urban coastline.
How to Choose an Island: A Quick Guide
Each of the islands near Split offers a different experience, so your choice depends on the kind of day you want at sea. Rather than going by popularity alone, think about whether you'd like to spend more time swimming, discovering local heritage, enjoying food and wine, or exploring natural wonders.
If you're drawn to elegance, historic streets and hidden lagoons, Hvar and the Pakleni Islands combine a lively island atmosphere with time to unwind by the sea. For those who want to pair cultural heritage, local wines and a swim at an iconic beach, Brač offers a varied island experience. If peace, authenticity and a slower pace are your priority, Šolta offers a restful escape just off Split. And if you dream of dramatic coastal scenery, unspoilt nature and remarkable natural phenomena, Vis and Biševo open the door to a different, more adventurous side of the Adriatic.
When choosing, it's also worth considering sailing time, weather conditions and the pace you want for the day. Some destinations suit a more relaxed trip, while the more distant islands need more time at sea and more careful planning. That's exactly why private boat trips are such a special way to explore the islands around Split. When the destination and the rhythm of the day match your wishes, a day on the Adriatic becomes a personal experience rather than just another item on a sightseeing list.
At Boutique Hotel Venturo, the sea is an invitation to discover Dalmatia from a different perspective. Whether you're drawn to Hvar's lagoons, Brač's heritage, Šolta's tranquillity or the natural beauty of Vis and Biševo, an island excursion can become one of the highlights of your stay in Split.