Croatia: Split/islands recommendations

[Echobelly]

Right, pinned my DH down to agree on flight times and we have 10 nights staying in Split/area (booking accommodation in next week) - we leave in the morning on our last day. Looking for any advice on area, we think we want to spend some time on islands, some in Split. I'm thinking maybe start with 5 nights on an island (or 3 nights on one, 2 on another), then Split itself for 5 nights. Kids will be 11 and 14, we like history, not sporty but will do active stuff; I can only take beaches for so long, so we're not likely to do lots of that. Interested in how easy it is to get between islands and if there's any people particularly recommend. TIA!

Snap!
We’re flying to Split, too, and I’ve booked a combination of AirBnBs and apartments on Booking.com. We’re staying on Korcula and Hvar and Brac looks interesting. We’re not into beaches either, but I do like the look of paddleboarding and sea kayaking. A friend recommended Solta but we could only do so much. We’ll also visit Dubrovnik. I’ve not booked ferries yet but it looks quite straightforward. We’re going to take a smally wheely case each so it’s easier to get around between places. The Lonely Planet guide (Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast) is good. Very excited, when are you going?

Last week August, coming back first Sunday of September - kids have various camps until 20th, plus I'm starting a new job next month, so wanted to push it out late and go over BH weekend to minimise leave! We'll go for self catering where possible, but might consider an apartment hotel type thing for one-nighters. It's getting trickier now that the kids really need separate rooms.

Paddleboarding/sea kayaking might be our speed. I was thinking Hvar or Brac for island stay, there seem to be lots of boat trips out from them. I spotted a nice but not cheap daytrip that goes from Hvar, takes you to the blue cave and stops off at 3 more islands all between 10.30am-6.30pm.

That will be a great time to go, hopefully not quite as busy as earlier in the summer holidays. I’m finding the same with teenagers, we always look for apartments with 2 bathrooms too, so we don’t have to queue to shower! That trip sounds good. Brac looks a bit more laid back than Hvar, which seems like the glitzier island. Hopefully someone will be along soon to give us some tips 😎

Hvar is fabulous, lovely place. The boat back to Split is awful tho!

Brac is lovely, been many times 🥰

We stayed at Ciovo, it was beautiful and a lovely place to explore from, easy access to Trogir which is nice to visit in itself and also makes it easy to go on day trips to other islands.

We visited Solta and Brac whilst on a road trip across Croatia in June 2019. Couldn't fault any of the places we visited, the country is one huge picture postcard. Not cheap and lots of places were very busy but still highly recommended. We want to return and visit more of the islands.

Thanks, all useful to hear! Is it worth having a car if you're not planning on just lying on the beach? I'm assuming yes.

In what way? A rough crossing? Which ferry company did you use? So many questions!

Yes really rough crossing, we were in a huge catamaran but friends did a speedboat and had the same and I’ve heard it about the ferry too 😬

We saw dolphins on our way back to Solit!

We did the day trip from Split, exploring some beautiful beaches and the blue cave. We all loved it! We've booked Brac for a longer stay this Summer