{"id":5742,"date":"2026-07-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/?p=5742"},"modified":"2026-07-23T00:31:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T00:31:59","slug":"best-islands-from-split-ranked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/blog\/best-islands-from-split-ranked\/","title":{"rendered":"The 9 Best Islands to Visit from Split, Ranked by a Skipper"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.de-byline{color:#555;font-size:.95em;margin-bottom:1.2em}.de-tip{border-left:4px solid #0a9396;background:#eef7f7;padding:14px 18px;margin:22px 0;border-radius:4px}.de-tip p{margin:0}.de-table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:18px 0;font-size:.97em}.de-table th,.de-table td{border:1px solid #d9e2e2;padding:9px 12px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}.de-table th{background:#0a9396;color:#fff}.de-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6fafa}.de-sources{margin-top:2em}figure.de-fig{margin:22px 0}figure.de-fig img{max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:6px}figure.de-fig figcaption{font-size:.85em;color:#666;margin-top:6px}<\/style>\n<p class=\"de-byline\"><em>By the Dalmatia Express crew \u2014 skippers running the Split\u2013island routes daily, 24\/7. Updated July 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The best islands from Split aren&#8217;t all the same island wearing different names \u2014 each one below is genuinely best at something different, and this ranking judges them on that, not on likes. Here&#8217;s our honest, opinionated take on the nine best islands near Split: what each is actually best for, how long it takes to get there, and who should bother. Split island hopping rewards a bit of planning \u2014 some of these are a 30-minute hop, others eat most of a day on public transport, and that gap should shape your itinerary more than any top-ten list.<\/p>\n<p>We run these routes daily, in every sea state the Adriatic throws at us. Every entry gets a time estimate by public catamaran\/ferry and by private boat, the honest vibe, who it suits, and one detail we&#8217;ve picked up from actually working these waters.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"de-fig\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Panorama-Hvar-Town-Hvar-Island-Croatia.webp\" alt=\"Hvar Town harbour, the top-ranked island to visit from Split\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"399\"><figcaption>Hvar Town \u2014 our number one of the best islands from Split.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"How_we_ranked_the_best_islands_from_Split\">How we ranked the best islands from Split<\/span><\/h2><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table des mati\u00e8res<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#How_we_ranked_the_best_islands_from_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> How we ranked the best islands from Split<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#1_Hvar_Town_the_best_island_near_Split_full_stop_if_you_want_glamour\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> 1. Hvar Town \u2014 the best island near Split, full stop, if you want glamour<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2_Brac_Bol_and_Zlatni_Rat_the_best_island_near_Split_for_beach_lovers_and_active_days\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> 2. Bra\u010d (Bol and Zlatni Rat) \u2014 the best island near Split for beach lovers and active days<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3_Vis_the_best_island_from_Split_for_getting_away_from_the_crowds\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> 3. Vis \u2014 the best island from Split for getting away from the crowds<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4_Solta_the_best_island_near_Split_for_a_quiet_no-fuss_family_day\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> 4. \u0160olta \u2014 the best island near Split for a quiet, no-fuss family day<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5_Korcula_Town_the_best_island_from_Split_for_history_and_8220little_Dubrovnik8221_charm\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">6<\/span> 5. Kor\u010dula Town \u2014 the best island from Split for history and &#8220;little Dubrovnik&#8221; charm<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6_The_Pakleni_Islands_the_best_islands_near_Split_for_beach_clubs_and_escaping_Hvar8217s_crowds\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">7<\/span> 6. The Pakleni Islands \u2014 the best islands near Split for beach clubs and escaping Hvar&#8217;s crowds<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7_Bisevo_and_the_Blue_Cave_worth_ranking_on_its_own_merits_not_just_as_a_Vis_add-on\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">8<\/span> 7. Bi\u0161evo and the Blue Cave \u2014 worth ranking on its own merits, not just as a Vis add-on<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#8_Trogir_and_Ciovo_the_best_8220island8221_near_Split_if_you_don8217t_want_a_boat_at_all\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">9<\/span> 8. Trogir and \u010ciovo \u2014 the best &#8220;island&#8221; near Split if you don&#8217;t want a boat at all<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#9_Blue_Lagoon_Drvenik_Veli_area_the_best_pick_near_Split_for_swimming_in_properly_turquoise_water\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">10<\/span> 9. Blue Lagoon (Drvenik Veli area) \u2014 the best pick near Split for swimming in properly turquoise water<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Best_islands_from_Split_how_to_actually_choose_between_them\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">11<\/span> Best islands from Split: how to actually choose between them<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Frequently_asked_questions_about_the_best_islands_from_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">12<\/span> Frequently asked questions about the best islands from Split<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#What_is_the_best_island_to_visit_from_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.1<\/span> What is the best island to visit from Split?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_many_islands_can_you_visit_from_Split_in_one_day\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.2<\/span> How many islands can you visit from Split in one day?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Which_island_near_Split_is_closest\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.3<\/span> Which island near Split is closest?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_Hvar_or_Brac_better_to_visit_from_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.4<\/span> Is Hvar or Bra\u010d better to visit from Split?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_do_you_get_to_the_Blue_Cave_from_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.5<\/span> How do you get to the Blue Cave from Split?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_Vis_worth_visiting_from_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.6<\/span> Is Vis worth visiting from Split?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_islands_are_best_for_families_near_Split\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.7<\/span> What islands are best for families near Split?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Do_I_need_a_car_ferry_or_a_catamaran_to_visit_these_islands\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">12.8<\/span> Do I need a car ferry or a catamaran to visit these islands?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Sources_further_reading\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">13<\/span> Sources &amp; further reading<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no single &#8220;best&#8221; island near Split \u2014 there&#8217;s a best island for what you want. We scored these nine on four things: how distinct the destination actually is, how efficiently you can get there and back, how well it fits different traveller types, and whether it holds up against peak-season crowds. Hvar tops the list not for being relaxing \u2014 it isn&#8217;t \u2014 but because nothing else nearby combines glamour, infrastructure, and old-town beauty as completely. From there it&#8217;s beach specialists, wine islands, wild-swimming spots, and one sea cave worth the detour on its own.<\/p>\n<table class=\"de-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Island<\/th>\n<th>Time from Split (public)<\/th>\n<th>Time from Split (private boat)<\/th>\n<th>Best for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Ville de Hvar<\/td>\n<td>~50\u201360 min (catamaran)<\/td>\n<td>~55 min<\/td>\n<td>Nightlife, yachts, old-town glamour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bra\u010d (Bol \/ Zlatni Rat)<\/td>\n<td>~55 min\u20131h15 (catamaran)<\/td>\n<td>~35 min<\/td>\n<td>Windsurfing, the famous beach, active days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Vis<\/td>\n<td>~1h10\u20132h (catamaran, route-dependent)<\/td>\n<td>~65 min<\/td>\n<td>Wild swimming, wine, getting away from crowds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u0160olta<\/td>\n<td>~30 min (catamaran) \/ ~1h (car ferry)<\/td>\n<td>~30 min<\/td>\n<td>Quiet family day trips, no crowds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Kor\u010dula Town<\/td>\n<td>~2h20\u20133h40 (catamaran, route-dependent)<\/td>\n<td>~80 min<\/td>\n<td>History, Marco Polo lore, &#8220;little Dubrovnik&#8221; charm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00celes Pakleni<\/td>\n<td>No direct public link \u2014 via Hvar Town, then 10\u201320 min water taxi<\/td>\n<td>~55 min to Hvar + short hop<\/td>\n<td>Beach clubs, snorkelling, escaping Hvar&#8217;s crowds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bi\u0161evo (Blue Cave)<\/td>\n<td>Tour-boat only (~90 min by speedboat tour)<\/td>\n<td>~65 min to Vis area, then small boat into the cave<\/td>\n<td>The one bucket-list sea cave in the region<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Trogir \/ \u010ciovo<\/td>\n<td>~30 min (bus, road route)<\/td>\n<td>~20\u201325 min by sea<\/td>\n<td>UNESCO old town, easy half-day, no ferry needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Blue Lagoon \/ Drvenik Veli<\/td>\n<td>Tour-boat only (~80\u201390 min by slow boat)<\/td>\n<td>~35\u201345 min<\/td>\n<td>Swimming in turquoise, sheltered water<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>One note on that table: public times vary by operator and by whether the catamaran runs direct or stops at Milna, Hvar, or other ports en route \u2014 check the current timetable close to your date, since schedules thin sharply outside June\u2013September. Private times above are point-to-point, weather-dependent estimates for our fleet running direct.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"1_Hvar_Town_the_best_island_near_Split_full_stop_if_you_want_glamour\">1. Hvar Town \u2014 the best island near Split, full stop, if you want glamour<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hvar tops our ranking of the best islands from Split for one reason: nothing else in reach combines a genuinely beautiful stone old town, a harbour that fills with serious yachts every July and August, and a nightlife scene that&#8217;s earned its &#8220;Croatian St Tropez&#8221; reputation. The main square, the 13th-century theatre, the Spanish Fortress above town \u2014 Hvar looks the part and mostly delivers in person too.<\/p>\n<p>By public catamaran it&#8217;s about 50\u201360 minutes from Split, with up to 18\u201320 sailings a day at summer peak dropping to two or four off-season; the last boat back usually leaves Hvar around 20:00. We cover the full route at <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/split-to-hvar\/\">Split \u00e0 Hvar<\/a>, and if you&#8217;re flying in, our <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/split-airport-to-hvar\/\">Split Airport to Hvar<\/a> transfer skips the drive into the city entirely.<\/p>\n<p>Hvar suits couples wanting a proper night out and anyone who wants a base with restaurants and boat trips on tap \u2014 less so families in peak season, when crowds and prices both spike. If your evening plans don&#8217;t line up with the last sailing, a private transfer runs on your schedule instead of the timetable&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"de-tip\">\n<p><strong>Skipper&#8217;s tip:<\/strong> Everyone fights for a table on the Hvar Town harbourfront \u2014 walk two minutes up any side street off the main square instead. Same kitchens supply half those places, and you&#8217;ll pay less without watching yachts reverse all evening.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><span id=\"2_Brac_Bol_and_Zlatni_Rat_the_best_island_near_Split_for_beach_lovers_and_active_days\">2. Bra\u010d (Bol and Zlatni Rat) \u2014 the best island near Split for beach lovers and active days<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If Hvar is the island you go to be seen, Bra\u010d is the island you go to actually do something. Zlatni Rat, the shape-shifting pebble spit outside Bol, is one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean \u2014 and the same reliable &#8220;maestral&#8221; wind that makes it beautiful also makes it one of Europe&#8217;s best windsurfing spots. Beyond the beach: Vidova Gora (the Adriatic islands&#8217; highest peak) for a hike, plus diving, cycling, and genuinely good harbourside seafood.<\/p>\n<p>Public catamarans from Split to Bol run roughly 55 minutes to an hour and fifteen depending on operator, with up to six daily sailings in season \u2014 see <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/split-to-brac\/\">Split \u00e0 Bra\u010d<\/a> for the full breakdown. It&#8217;s also our shortest private crossing, around 35 minutes door to dock, useful if you&#8217;re carrying windsurf gear or want to land near your accommodation.<\/p>\n<p>Bra\u010d suits active travellers and anyone after one great beach day rather than a town to wander. It&#8217;s less suited to nightlife seekers \u2014 Bol is lively but low-key next to Hvar.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"3_Vis_the_best_island_from_Split_for_getting_away_from_the_crowds\">3. Vis \u2014 the best island from Split for getting away from the crowds<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Vis is the island every &#8220;hidden gem&#8221; list claims to have discovered, and for once it&#8217;s close to earned. Closed as a military zone until 1989, it missed the earliest tourism boom and kept fewer resorts, more local konobas, and beaches like Stiniva \u2014 a white-pebble cove between limestone cliffs, reachable by boat or a proper scramble on foot. Komi\u017ea, the old fishing town on the west side, has kept its unpolished charm, and the island&#8217;s wine and fishing traditions run deep enough that UNESCO made the surrounding waters a geopark in 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Public transport is where Vis loses points: sailing times vary widely by route, from about 1h10 on Krilo&#8217;s fastest direct catamaran up to 2 hours or more on sailings that stop at Milna and Hvar first, and conventional Jadrolinija ferries can take 2\u20133 hours. Frequency drops hard off-season too \u2014 check the current timetable, since winter can mean one daily sailing. Our private run takes about 65 minutes point to point year-round \u2014 see <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/split-to-vis\/\">Diviser en Vis<\/a> for the comparison.<\/p>\n<p>Vis suits travellers who&#8217;ve done Hvar and Bra\u010d already and want quieter, plus anyone serious about wine or wild swimming. It&#8217;s a poor pick for a rushed public-ferry day trip \u2014 the crossing alone can eat half your day, which is why most visitors either stay overnight or book a private transfer instead.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"de-tip\">\n<p><strong>Skipper&#8217;s tip:<\/strong> Set on Stiniva Beach? Go early or go by sea. The clifftop path is steep, hot, and often full by 10am; boats from Komi\u017ea drop you straight on the sand and show you the cove from the better angle first.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><span id=\"4_Solta_the_best_island_near_Split_for_a_quiet_no-fuss_family_day\">4. \u0160olta \u2014 the best island near Split for a quiet, no-fuss family day<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u0160olta doesn&#8217;t try to compete with Hvar or Bra\u010d, and that&#8217;s the point. It&#8217;s the closest island to Split, the least touristy of the main options, and the one most likely to still feel local in August. Expect quiet coves, olive groves (some trees over a thousand years old), and small harbour villages like Maslinica and Stomorska where the view matters more than the wine list.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also the fastest crossing on this list: public catamarans to Roga\u010d run around 30 minutes, the car ferry closer to an hour \u2014 full details at <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/split-to-solta\/\">De Split \u00e0 \u0160olta<\/a>. Our private transfer runs the same 30-minute window, mostly buying flexibility on timing and a landing point nearer your accommodation.<\/p>\n<p>\u0160olta suits families with young kids and anyone wanting a half-day without the crowds \u2014 a weak choice if you&#8217;re after nightlife or a big beach scene, since that&#8217;s not really the point here. For coves worth seeking out, our <a href=\"\/fr\/solta-island-guide-2026\/\">\u0160olta island guide<\/a> goes deeper.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"5_Korcula_Town_the_best_island_from_Split_for_history_and_8220little_Dubrovnik8221_charm\">5. Kor\u010dula Town \u2014 the best island from Split for history and &#8220;little Dubrovnik&#8221; charm<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Kor\u010dula&#8217;s old town earns the &#8220;little Dubrovnik&#8221; nickname honestly: a fishbone street layout built to break the wind, honey-coloured stone, and the house that local tradition (shaky evidence and all) claims as Marco Polo&#8217;s birthplace. It&#8217;s a smaller, cheaper alternative to Dubrovnik itself, with beaches, vineyards, and cycling routes if a few hours on the walls is enough history for one day.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also the longest public crossing here. Fast catamarans run 2h20 on the quickest direct Krilo sailings, up to around 3 hours on others, and Jadrolinija&#8217;s conventional service via Vela Luka can run 3h40 \u2014 full comparison at <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/split-to-korcula\/\">De Split \u00e0 Kor\u010dula<\/a>. This is where a private transfer changes the calculus most: our boats do it in about 80 minutes, turning what&#8217;s realistically an overnight-only public-transport trip into a genuine day option.<\/p>\n<p>Kor\u010dula suits families and history fans, and pairs naturally with our <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/taxi-boat\/hvar-to-dubrovnik\/\">Hvar \u00e0 Dubrovnik<\/a> route if you&#8217;re hopping south rather than looping back to Split.<\/p>\n<p>Need a crossing timed around a specific ferry gap or a group booking? <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/contact\/\">Message the crew<\/a> with your dates and group size and we&#8217;ll quote it properly rather than making you guess from a range.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"6_The_Pakleni_Islands_the_best_islands_near_Split_for_beach_clubs_and_escaping_Hvar8217s_crowds\">6. The Pakleni Islands \u2014 the best islands near Split for beach clubs and escaping Hvar&#8217;s crowds<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Pakleni Islands sit just offshore from Hvar Town \u2014 less a single destination than a small archipelago: Sveti Klement (Palmi\u017eana Bay, beach bars, restaurants), Marinkovac (Stipanska Bay and the famous Carpe Diem beach club), and Jerolim (mostly naturist). None has its own scheduled ferry from Split \u2014 you reach Hvar Town first, then hop across by water taxi, a 10\u201320 minute run leaving every 20\u201330 minutes in season.<\/p>\n<p>That makes the Pakleni Islands less a rival to Hvar than its natural extension \u2014 the beach day you have after the town day. Water taxis generally commit you to one island for the day, since there&#8217;s no hopping between them by taxi, so pick based on your crowd.<\/p>\n<p>They suit anyone doing Hvar who wants a swim away from the harbour crush. For which island in the group suits which traveller, see our <a href=\"\/fr\/pakleni-islands-guide-2026\/\">Pakleni Islands guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"7_Bisevo_and_the_Blue_Cave_worth_ranking_on_its_own_merits_not_just_as_a_Vis_add-on\">7. Bi\u0161evo and the Blue Cave \u2014 worth ranking on its own merits, not just as a Vis add-on<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Blue Cave (Modra \u0160pilja) on Bi\u0161evo, just southwest of Vis, is the one genuinely bucket-list attraction on this whole list \u2014 a sea cave where midday sun refracts through an underwater opening and turns the water an intense glowing blue. It earns its own spot here because plenty of visitors go specifically for the cave and treat the rest of Vis as secondary.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s no scheduled ferry directly there; virtually everyone visits by organised speedboat tour from Split, Trogir, or Hvar, transferring into a small local boat at the cave mouth, since the entrance is barely 1.5 metres high. Figure roughly 90 minutes each way by standard tour speedboat, with entry fees (typically \u20ac12\u201324, paid on-site) usually not included. Go between 11am and 1pm for the best light \u2014 and note the cave closes to boats entirely in rough seas, which is genuinely weather-dependent, not marketing caution.<\/p>\n<p>We run this as a proper excursion rather than a tour boat crammed with forty other people \u2014 see <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/excursions\/bluecave\/\">our Blue Cave excursion<\/a> for timing built around the light, not a fixed slot. It suits anyone who wants the cave without the packed group-tour circus.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"de-tip\">\n<p><strong>Skipper&#8217;s tip:<\/strong> Big group tours reach the cave in a scrum around midday, when the light is best but the queue of boats waiting to squeeze through is longest. A private run timed slightly either side of peak \u2014 say 10:15 or 1:15 \u2014 still gets good light with a fraction of the wait.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><span id=\"8_Trogir_and_Ciovo_the_best_8220island8221_near_Split_if_you_don8217t_want_a_boat_at_all\">8. Trogir and \u010ciovo \u2014 the best &#8220;island&#8221; near Split if you don&#8217;t want a boat at all<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Trogir is technically its own small island, bridge-connected to the mainland and to neighbouring \u010ciovo, which makes it the odd one out here: reachable entirely by road. It&#8217;s a UNESCO World Heritage old town \u2014 a dense maze of Romanesque and Venetian stone streets around the Cathedral of St Lawrence, small enough to cover properly in half a day. \u010ciovo, just across the bridge, adds beach clubs and a quieter feel once you&#8217;re done with the old town.<\/p>\n<p>By bus it&#8217;s about 30 minutes from Split, with up to 35 daily departures \u2014 no ferry timetable required. By sea, it&#8217;s an easy 20\u201325 minute private run if you&#8217;d rather skip the road traffic, which backs up badly in peak season.<\/p>\n<p>Trogir suits anyone short on time who still wants a genuine old-town fix, and families wanting an easy add-on to a Split-based stay rather than a full island trip.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"9_Blue_Lagoon_Drvenik_Veli_area_the_best_pick_near_Split_for_swimming_in_properly_turquoise_water\">9. Blue Lagoon (Drvenik Veli area) \u2014 the best pick near Split for swimming in properly turquoise water<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Blue Lagoon sits in the sheltered channel between Drvenik Veli and the islets of Krknja\u0161 Mali and Krknja\u0161 Veli, and it rounds out our ranking because the water here is genuinely a different colour to almost anywhere else this close to Split \u2014 a bright, shallow turquoise that photographs even better than it looks in person. It&#8217;s a swimming and snorkelling destination rather than a town, usually built into half-day or full-day tour-boat itineraries out of Split or Trogir.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s no scheduled ferry \u2014 access is by tour boat or private charter only. Standard tour boats take around 80\u201390 minutes each way from Split; a private speedboat cuts that to roughly 35\u201345 minutes, and it&#8217;s quicker again from Trogir, where the crossing is closer to 30\u201345 minutes given the shorter distance.<\/p>\n<p>This suits anyone prioritising swimming over sightseeing, and pairs well with Trogir given how close the two are. Weak pick if you want an old town or somewhere to eat \u2014 bring lunch, this is a water day, not a destination town.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Best_islands_from_Split_how_to_actually_choose_between_them\">Best islands from Split: how to actually choose between them<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For a shortlist rather than all nine again: first-timers with three or four days should do Hvar and Bra\u010d, since between them you get the glamour and the beach, and both are efficient however you travel. Anyone staying a week or more should add Vis or Kor\u010dula for a real change of pace, accepting both take genuine time by public catamaran and that a private transfer is the difference between a rushed day and a relaxed one. Families and quieter travellers should lean toward \u0160olta and Trogir over Hvar and the Pakleni Islands. If the Blue Cave or Blue Lagoon are must-dos, book them as their own dedicated excursion rather than tacking them onto an already long day \u2014 both reward unhurried timing.<\/p>\n<p>Weather is the variable most itineraries ignore. Fast public catamarans are the first services cancelled in strong bura (northeasterly) or jugo (southeasterly) wind, which happens often enough in shoulder season to wreck a tightly planned trip. Bigger car ferries handle rough conditions better, and our closed-cabin, radar-equipped boats are often still running when the catamarans have stopped for the day \u2014 which matters if you&#8217;ve got a flight to catch and no slack left in the schedule.<\/p>\n<p>Not sure which islands fit your dates, your group size, or your appetite for early mornings versus late nights? <a href=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/contact\/\">Get in touch with the crew<\/a> and tell us what you&#8217;re after \u2014 we&#8217;ll tell you honestly whether public transport gets you there comfortably or a private run actually saves your trip.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Frequently_asked_questions_about_the_best_islands_from_Split\">Frequently asked questions about the best islands from Split<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"What_is_the_best_island_to_visit_from_Split\">What is the best island to visit from Split?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There&#8217;s no single best island from Split \u2014 it depends what you want. Hvar tops our ranking for old-town beauty, nightlife, and infrastructure, but Bra\u010d suits beach and active days better, Vis suits travellers chasing quiet, and \u0160olta suits families wanting a simple, uncrowded day.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"How_many_islands_can_you_visit_from_Split_in_one_day\">How many islands can you visit from Split in one day?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Realistically one, by public catamaran, if you want more than a couple of rushed hours there \u2014 crossing times and limited sailings eat the day fast. Multi-island speedboat tours pack in several islands but spend most of the day on the water; a private charter gives you more control over how the time splits.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Which_island_near_Split_is_closest\">Which island near Split is closest?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\u0160olta, with a public catamaran crossing to Roga\u010d of around 30 minutes and a similar private transfer time \u2014 the shortest hop on this list.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Is_Hvar_or_Brac_better_to_visit_from_Split\">Is Hvar or Bra\u010d better to visit from Split?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hvar wins for nightlife and old-town atmosphere; Bra\u010d wins for beaches and windsurfing, especially around Zlatni Rat in Bol. Many visitors do both, since neither crossing from Split takes more than about an hour.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"How_do_you_get_to_the_Blue_Cave_from_Split\">How do you get to the Blue Cave from Split?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Almost everyone visits via an organised speedboat tour from Split or Trogir, transferring into a small local boat to enter the cave itself, since the entrance is only around 1.5 metres high. There&#8217;s no scheduled ferry directly to Bi\u0161evo; figure roughly 90 minutes each way by standard tour boat, or a shorter run with a private charter.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Is_Vis_worth_visiting_from_Split\">Is Vis worth visiting from Split?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, particularly if you&#8217;ve already seen Hvar and Bra\u010d and want somewhere quieter. The trade-off is travel time: public catamarans range from about 1h10 on the fastest direct sailing to 2 hours or more on routes that stop en route, so it suits an overnight stay or a private transfer better than a rushed day trip.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"What_islands_are_best_for_families_near_Split\">What islands are best for families near Split?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\u0160olta and Trogir\/\u010ciovo are the calmest options \u2014 short crossings, few crowds, no late nights required. Kor\u010dula also works well for families wanting a bit more history and a longer day out.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Do_I_need_a_car_ferry_or_a_catamaran_to_visit_these_islands\">Do I need a car ferry or a catamaran to visit these islands?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Catamarans (fast, foot-passenger only) are quickest and most frequent for day trips to Hvar, Bra\u010d, \u0160olta, Vis, and Kor\u010dula. Car ferries are slower but necessary with a vehicle, and tend to run more reliably in rough weather. Private water taxis avoid both constraints, running on your schedule rather than a fixed timetable.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"de-fig\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/gw35.jpg\" alt=\"Great White 35 private boat island-hopping from Split across the Adriatic\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"850\"><figcaption>Island-hopping from Split by private boat, direct and on your schedule.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"de-sources\"><span id=\"Sources_further_reading\">Sources &amp; further reading<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jadrolinija.hr\/en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jadrolinija \u2014 official ferry operator<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/krilo.hr\/en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Krilo Fast Ferries \u2014 official schedules<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ferryhopper.com\/en\/ferry-routes\/direct\/split-korcula\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ferryhopper \u2014 Split\u2013Kor\u010dula route schedules 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ferryhopper.com\/en\/ferry-routes\/direct\/split-vis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ferryhopper \u2014 Split\u2013Vis route schedules 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bol.hr\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tourist Office Bol \u2014 Zlatni Rat and Bol information<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/split-airport.hr\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Split Airport \u2014 official transport information<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What is the best island to visit from Split?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"There's no single best island from Split \\u2014 it depends what you want. Hvar tops our ranking for old-town beauty, nightlife, and infrastructure, but Bra\\u010d suits beach and active days better, Vis suits travellers chasing quiet, and \\u0160olta suits families wanting a simple, uncrowded day.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How many islands can you visit from Split in one day?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Realistically one, by public catamaran, if you want more than a couple of rushed hours there \\u2014 crossing times and limited sailings eat the day fast. 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Many visitors do both, since neither crossing from Split takes more than about an hour.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How do you get to the Blue Cave from Split?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Almost everyone visits via an organised speedboat tour from Split or Trogir, transferring into a small local boat to enter the cave itself, since the entrance is only around 1.5 metres high. 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Private water taxis avoid both constraints, running on your schedule rather than a fixed timetable.\"\n            }\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A working skipper ranks the islands off Split for 2026 \u2014 who each one suits, how long it takes, and which pairings make the perfect week.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5742"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5850,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5742\/revisions\/5850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dalmatia-express.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}