The 13 Best Half-Day Boat Trips in the World

1.Murano and Burano Half-Day Island Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,489 reviews · 3 - 9.5 hours · from $34Our pick

Take a small-group boat from Venice to Murano and Burano. Watch a glassblowing demonstration, see traditional lacemaking, and enjoy free time among Burano’s colorful houses. Guides such as Flavia, Claudia, and Nicole bring Venetian history to life, though Murano gets more time than some visitors prefer.

“Our guide, Sylvia, was brilliant. Lots of interesting information throughout the tour and the glass blowing demonstration was incredible. Highly recommend, we loved this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Half-Day 3-Island Speedboat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 944 reviews · 270 minutes - 5 hours · from $73

Ria Tours takes you from Split or Trogir to the Blue Lagoon, Maslinica, and a Čiovo beach bar. Expect a small group, swimming, snorkeling, coffee, music, and helpful English-speaking guides such as Ivan, Claudia, Antonio, or Klaudija.

“We enjoyed our trip a lot! Snorkling at Blue Lagoon was a great experience. It was also nice to visit Maslinica and Ciovo Island. Our guides, Klaudija and Ivan, were really friendly and made sure that we had a great time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Three Islands Half-Day Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 804 reviews · 5 hours · from $67

From Kamerlengo Castle, you’ll ride with an English or Croatian-speaking skipper to the Blue Lagoon, Maslinica on Šolta, and Duga Bay on Čiovo. Expect a small-group boat, swimming gear, scenic island views, and guides such as Petar, Ivan, Lujo, and Maja.

“Blue Lagoon was for us the highlight. We found the Island Solta the least of the trip, but overall very nice and we had a pleasant and good skipper Peter.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Delos & Rhenia Islands Half-Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 750 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $101

Spend 6.5 hours sailing from Mykonos to Rhenia and Delos with a friendly family crew. Swim from the boat, eat a BBQ lunch with drinks, then explore Delos independently for about two hours. Crew names linked with the experience include Mola, Mohamed, Michael, and Paola.

“I would highly recommend the boat trip! It was such an amazing experience. From swimming in the crystal blue ocean in Rhenia to the visit of Delos, the fresh food & drinks given by the crew and the wonderful happy ending of the journey with amazing music made the day perfect. Thank you again so much for this amazing day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Private Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 466 reviews · 4.5 hours

Sail from Heraklion to Dia Island on a private boat for up to eight people, with two crew members, drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and paddleboards. You get about two and a half hours in Saint George Gulf, with an optional onboard meal and hotel transfers.

“Amazing half day trip. Skippers Vassilis and Costa were informative and friendly. Such a lovely day. Transport was door to door no waiting and also fab. Totally worth the money! Recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Green Island Half-Day Morning Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 417 reviews · 4 hours · from $77

Take the air-conditioned Reef Rocket catamaran from Cairns to Green Island in about 45 minutes. Choose snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat tour, then spend roughly two hours around the island, with beach time, coral gardens, rainforest, showers, and a pool bar available.

“I liked how efficient the crew were, it was a very smooth and easy drop off and pick up.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Half-Day Afternoon Cruise to Green Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 403 reviews · 4 hours · from $77

Take a catamaran from Cairns to 600-year-old Green Island, then choose between snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat tour. You get about 2 hours and 15 minutes ashore for the beach, rainforest walk, and reef views before returning to Cairns.

“This was a great experience, the boat was not overcrowded and the guides onboard were all so friendly. The beach was absolutely beautiful, definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Half-Day Island-Hopping and Lagoons Cruise with Fruit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 385 reviews · from $35

Join a small-boat cruise from Zadar with guides such as Goran, Leon, Joseph, or Antonio. Swim in lagoons near Rivanj and Ugljan, walk through an island village, use provided snorkeling gear, and enjoy fresh fruit, drinks, and homemade white wine. The route can change with sea conditions.

“Without a doubt the VERY BEST half-day boat trip I’ve ever had, made truly special by Goran!!! Driver, diver, a true fighter and an amazing guide as well, who provided us infos, cold drinks, good music and amazing vibes along the way. He also showed us a wonderful, hidden beach with crystal-clear water where we could swim and dive. Make sure to go for this trip from Zadar, and ask for Goran, if possible!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Half-Day Private Elafiti Island Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 312 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) Top rated

Take a four-hour private speedboat trip from Dubrovnik with Dario, Miho, or Ivan as your skipper. Visit Koločep’s fishing port, enter sea caves, swim into the Blue Cave, see Three Sisters Cave, and relax at sandy Šunj Beach. Drinks, snorkeling gear, dry bags, and an underwater GoPro are included.

“This tour was one of our favourite things that we did on our whole trip. We are so glad that we booked a private tour because it made such a difference. We saw some amazing caves and beautiful islands. We were a little bit worried going at the start of October that it would be cold but it was perfect. No crowds and great water temperature. Dario was an excellent host, super friendly and helpful. Really recommend the tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.From Hervey Bay: Half-Day K’gari Fraser Island Beach Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 307 reviews · 5 hours · from $113

Cruise from Great Sandy Straits Marina to K'gari or Pelican Banks aboard Whalesong Cruises’ low-carbon vessel. Swim, kayak, snorkel, walk, and ride tubes in clear sheltered water, then enjoy a BBQ with steak, prawns, salads, and fresh rolls before returning to Hervey Bay.

“I had a terrific time with the crew from Whalesong Cruises and highly recommend this half-day cruise. We were a group made of friends, families and couples. I travelled solo and met a lovely bunch of friends and we intend on coming back to do their whale watching cruise later on in August-September. Everything from the morning tea to the BBQ lunch was exceptional. The tour was well equipped for beach activities on Fraser Island itself - hours of total fun - from fishing, beach cricket to tubing and lounging around on the beach chairs provided. Money well spent!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 263 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Take a four-hour private ride from Gruz Port on a Quicksilver 675, stopping at Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Lopud’s Sunj Beach. Your skipper, such as Ivan or Joseph, can adjust the pace, route, swimming time, and shore visits. Snorkel gear, drinks, and life jackets are included.

“Really enjoyable trip with my husband. Our guide, Joseph, was super friendly and customized the trip to whatever we wanted. Would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Lobos Island Half-Day Sailing Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 192 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $102

From Corralejo, you sail through El Río to Lobos Island on a catamaran limited to 12 people. Expect a swim stop at Playa de la Concha, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, lunch, refreshments, and alcoholic drinks. Crew member Mark has been praised for attentive service and island knowledge.

“Tutto molto bello, ma la cosa migliore fare snorkeling nell’acqua cristallina dell’isola di Lobos e mangiare della buona padella insieme ad altre persone”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Half-Day Seasation Premium Speedboat Group Island Hopping

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 31 reviews · 3 hours · from $81

Join El Nido Yachting Club for a three-hour speedboat trip from Corong-Corong, with a guide in a red club polo. Depending on the day and weather, visit Big or Small Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Seven Commandos, Helicopter Island, and the club’s private Pasandigan Beach.

“Absolutely fantastic! Mark and Mark our tour guides were professional, friendly and a pleasure to have! I would recommend for sure! Also the food was delicious!”

Check availability →Read our full review