Island Hopping from Supetar, Croatia: Guide 2027

01How Island Hopping Works from Supetar

Supetar is the main ferry port of Brač, Croatia's third-largest island, and it faces Split across a channel about 13 km wide. Its harbour handles mostly car ferries and the Split link. The ferries that connect Brač with Hvar and Vis leave from Bol and, on some catamaran routes, Milna. The workable approach is to use Supetar as a base or entry point, then reach other islands through Split or across Brač.

There are three realistic patterns:

1. Via Split: Supetar → Split → Hvar, Vis, Šolta or Čiovo. This is the most flexible and works all year.
2. Via Bol: Supetar → Bol (by road) → Hvar → Vis. This is shorter in summer and avoids returning to the mainland.
3. Private boat: a taxi boat or skippered charter starting in Supetar, Milna or Split. This costs more but gives the most freedom.

02Getting from Supetar to Split

Two services run on this route:

Jadrolinija car ferry (line 631)

about 50 minutes, up to 14 sailings a day in high season, running year-round from early morning to near midnight. A foot passenger pays about €4.50 in low season and €6.50 in high season. A standard car under 5 m costs about €18–€26, and a bicycle about €4–€6.

Krilo fast catamaran

about 20 minutes, foot passengers only, from about €10.

The cheap car ferry suits a solo traveller, and the catamaran saves about 30 minutes. Arrive at the Split port at least 45 minutes before departure in July and August, especially with a vehicle. Foot passengers can usually buy tickets on the day. Cars should be booked ahead in peak weeks.

03Island Hopping Routes by Island

Hvar (Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Jelsa)

Hvar is the standard first stop. From Split, the Jadrolinija catamaran to Hvar Town costs about €5.84–€10 depending on the vessel, and the Split–Stari Grad car ferry is the cheapest way to take a vehicle. Seasonal Split–Jelsa sailings run May to October. From Supetar, the full trip takes 3–4 hours door to door including a change in Split.

The Pakleni Islands, a chain of wooded islets facing Hvar Town, are reachable by water taxi from the Hvar harbour. Plan about €10–€15 return per person for the short crossing to the closest beaches.

Vis

Vis is the farthest inhabited island in the central Dalmatian group and is notably quieter than Hvar. Split–Vis runs year-round, with 1 daily crossing off-season and up to 3 in summer. Tickets start from €7.20 on the conventional ferry, which takes about 2 h 20 min. The catamaran is faster at about 1 h 10 min. Vis needs at least one overnight stay. The Blue Cave on nearby Biševo is run as a separate boat excursion from Vis town, so budget extra for it.

Šolta and Čiovo

Šolta (ferry from Split to Rogač) and Čiovo (road bridge from Trogir) are easy additions for a day. Šolta suits a car or bike. Čiovo does not need a ferry at all.

Bol and the rest of Brač

Bol is itself an island-hopping hub. Zlatni Rat beach is about 1.5 km west of the centre. Split–Bol catamarans take about 55–65 minutes, and Jadrolinija line 9603 charges roughly €10 in peak season (29 May to 27 September in 2026). The Krilo service costs from about €20. If a traveller already has a bed in Supetar, the road trip to Bol is about 40 km and takes 50–70 minutes by bus or car.

04Sample Itineraries

3 days: Brač and Hvar

Day 1

Stay in Supetar. Walk the waterfront promenade and the Petrinović mausoleum on the Glavica peninsula, then swim at the town beaches.

Day 2

Bus or drive to Bol, swim at Zlatni Rat, and take the afternoon catamaran to Hvar Town.

Day 3

Water taxi to the Pakleni Islands, then return by catamaran to Split and the Supetar ferry.

5 days: Brač, Hvar and Vis

Add two nights on Vis after Hvar, via a Split connection. This version works best from June to September, when daily links are most frequent.

05Best Time to Island Hop

June and September offer the best balance. Sea temperatures are warm, schedules are near full-summer frequency, and crowds in Hvar are lower than in July and August. In October the Split–Bol catamaran and many seasonal lines are reduced or stopped, so only the Split-based ferries remain dependable. Winter hopping is possible but limited to a few daily car ferries.

06Costs for a Typical Trip

Prices vary by season and operator, and 2027 fares are normally published in the first months of the year. Treat these figures as planning estimates and check the Jadrolinija or Krilo timetable before travelling.

07Insider Tips

• Consider the Bol route if Hvar is the goal. Going Supetar → Split → Hvar involves a change in Split, while the cross-island road to Bol in summer connects to the Bol–Hvar catamaran.
• Use the early sailings. Jadrolinija's first Supetar–Split departures are around 05:00, which allows a same-morning connection to Hvar or Vis.
• Check the weather before booking non-refundable tickets. Strong bora or jugo winds can cancel fast catamarans while the larger car ferries still run. A private closed-cabin boat can sail in rougher conditions.
• Pack light. Catamarans have limited luggage space, and heavy bags are awkward on the Hvar and Bol quays.
• Do not rely on card-only plans. Small ticket kiosks and water taxis in the outer islands sometimes prefer cash, so carry some euros.

08Is Supetar a Good Base for Island Hopping?

Supetar is a good base for travellers who want cheap, frequent access to Split and a quiet, family-friendly town with pebble beaches and restaurants. It is not the best base for Hvar or Vis. For a trip focused on Hvar, a night or two in Bol or Hvar Town is the better choice. For flexibility with a car, Supetar is the more practical option because its car ferry has the most departures.

09Practical Notes

• Foot passengers buy tickets at the terminal or online on the operator site. Vehicles should be booked in advance for July and August.
• Keep a passport or ID card for all crossings.
• The ferry port is in the centre of Supetar, so most hotels and the promenade are within walking distance.
• Bus services between Supetar and Bol are more frequent in summer and thinner off-season.