By Mateus Alves, Boat Rent Split.
Updated 21 October 2026.
Split to Hvar by boat: the three ways across
| Option | Lands at | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car ferry | Stari Grad | about 2 hours | about €6 to €8 per adult |
| Fast catamaran | Hvar town | 50 to 80 minutes | about €6 to €20 |
| Private speedboat | Hvar town or a bay of your choice | about an hour | usually from €500 one way for 4 people |
Times and prices come from Frank About Croatia and change with the season, so check the operator before you travel.
Which port?
The ferry docks in Stari Grad, about 2 km from the town centre, not in Hvar town. The fast catamaran goes to Hvar town, right in the harbour. If your hotel is in Hvar town, take the catamaran, not the car ferry.
Why rent a boat for Split to Hvar
The public boats take you to a port. A rented boat takes you to the day. You leave when you want, swim in a cove before lunch and see the Pakleni Islands that sit right in front of Hvar town. Skippercity names the Pakleni Islands as a favourite for clear water and quiet bays, good for swimming and snorkelling, and the Fortica fortress above Hvar town for its views.
What a private day to Hvar looks like
Two real listings show the range. Prices and details were checked in October 2026 and can change.
- A one-way sailing trip, 10.5 hours. Click&Boat lists a Split to Hvar trip for up to 10 people from €1,139, with an English-speaking skipper. It stops to swim near Čiovo, then about 1.5 hours on in the Milna bays of Brač or the coves of Šolta, then about 20 minutes at Vela Garška on Hvar, and ends at the port of Hvar. Fuel, snorkel gear, drinking water, wine, snacks, a paddleboard and a kayak are included. You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before.
- A private speedboat day, 8 hours. Travelocity lists a private Split boat tour that starts at $564.66 per traveler on a comfort boat for up to 6, and $837.01 per traveler on a larger speedboat for up to 11. You choose the stops, for example Brač, Hvar, Šolta or the Blue Cave on the larger boat. Fuel is not included. The page also says the price is per group in one place and per traveler in another, so confirm which before you pay.
Split the cost by the people on board. At the numbers above, €500 one way for 4 people is about €125 each, and €1,139 for 10 people is about €114 each. A catamaran ticket is cheaper, but it only takes you across. Our quote works the same way as the listings: boat, skipper, fuel and the full price on one page, before you pay.
How far is it by sailboat?
If you go slowly, a sailing itinerary on Yachtbooker puts Split to Milna on Brač at about 12 nautical miles and Milna to Hvar at about 16. A speedboat does the direct crossing in about an hour, and a sailboat spreads it over a day with swim stops.
Which boat for your group
- Only Hvar town, one way: the catamaran is fine and cheaper.
- Hvar and the islands in one day: a speedboat with a skipper.
- Small group, calm day, short hops: a RIB.
- Big group or a celebration: a day yacht.
Do not take a tiny licence-free boat on this crossing. See small boat rental in Split for what those boats can do.
When to go
Split to Hvar by boat is busiest in summer. Skippercity calls June to September peak season and says the marinas are busier in July and August. Book early for those months, and ask for an early start so you reach the Pakleni Islands before the crowds.
Split to Hvar by boat: what to know before you go
- Hvar town harbour is busy in summer. A skipper deals with docking and finds a free buoy at the Pakleni Islands.
- Wind can change the plan. Your skipper checks the sea in the morning and suggests plan B if needed.
- Check what is included: fuel, skipper, drinks and mooring fees.
- No licence is fine. Book with a skipper, see renting a boat with a captain in Split and how it works without a licence.
Want the day, not just the crossing?
Tell us the date and group size on WhatsApp. We send boats that fit with the full price, fuel and skipper written out.