Island hopping · TOUR REVIEWS
Every coastline sells the same promise and prices it four different ways. The 15 below are the island days that earn a whole holiday morning, with what each costs, how many landings you get and how long you are actually in the water.
Take a self-guided ferry trip from New Jersey to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. You’ll see Lady Liberty up close, visit the Statue of Liberty Museum and Immigration Museum, and use audio guides in 12 languages. Allow four to six hours, and note that crown and pedestal access are not included.
“It was so gorgeous on top! Dont think anything needs to be improved!!”
Cruise from Venice to Murano, Torcello, and Burano with multilingual commentary, a glassblowing demonstration, and free time on each island. Expect about 45 minutes per stop, quick walks, and no full island guide once ashore. Bring food if you want lunch.
“We love the glass blowing and the tour of the glass factory! The whole trip was amazing, but this specifically stood out as a highlight for us.”
Sail from Athinios Port on a traditional wooden boat with multilingual commentary. Walk across Nea Kameni’s volcanic slopes, swim toward Palea Kameni’s sulfur springs, stop at Thirassia, and optionally finish with 2 to 3 hours in Oia for sunset.
“The overall activities were great! Being able to follow the tour guide (who spoke great english) and then roam around on my own was fantastic! Starting with checking in, the lovely ladies assisted me in a few troubles to ensure everything was taken care of. One of the ladies was a part of the tour and spoke great Spanish as well. Despite the chaos of tourism, the guides remained professional and courteous. I would love to come back and sail with this team based on the experience I had. Phenomenal crew and great memories created.”
Spend eight hours cruising from Dubrovnik to Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. You’ll get lunch, wine, brandy, soft drinks, swimming time, and free hours ashore. Guides such as Emily and Darko keep the day moving, though the boat can feel lively and crowded.
“Fab day exploring the islands - Emily and the rest of the crew were so attentive - glass never empty and top tips for each stop”
Join a group of 22 or fewer for a five-hour boat trip from central Venice to Murano and Burano. Watch glassblowing, see lace-making, hear local stories from guides such as Silvia, Frankie, and Alice, and enjoy free time on both islands.
“Our guide Frankie was friendly and knowledgeable. The highlight of the tour is the demonstration at the murano glass factory.”
Spend 10 to 12 hours racing from Split or Trogir across the Adriatic with a small group of up to 12. Visit the Blue Cave, Komiža, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac and Hvar, with snorkeling gear included. Expect a thrilling, wet and sometimes bumpy ride, plus extra Blue Cave admission.
“Well, you don't need anything faster as the Speed Boat was a 10/10 thrill ride from start to finish. Driver was excellent, and we felt very safe throughout the adventure. Fun trip through the islands.”
Join a shared or private speedboat tour from Split or Trogir to Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, Hvar, and the Pakleni Islands. You will see the Blue Cave, swim at Stiniva and the Blue Lagoon, and enjoy free time in Komiža and Hvar. Expect a fast, bumpy ride and a full day outdoors.
“We had an excellent time on this trip. Tea and Lovre were fantastic guides and each stop was well worth the visit. We even saw some dolphins on the way back to Trogir!”
Spend about eight hours aboard the Regina Maris, visiting three Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik. Swim at Koločep, eat a fish, chicken, or vegetarian Dalmatian lunch, sample local wine, and reach sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud. Hotel pickup in Dubrovnik is available.
“Island hopping - great experience and very well-organised, with a friendly crew on a great day visiting 3 islands”
Spend about eight hours cruising from Split to Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on Šolta. Swim in clear coves, eat a burger lunch on board, and enjoy wine after the meal. Guides such as Nana and Ivan help keep the day moving, though weather, boat assignment, and crowding can affect the experience.
“Really great day out with our fantastic guide Nana and crew. From the get go Nana looked after our every need keeping us up to date she was the perfect host. The trip itself was stunning the shipwreck and the blue lagoon and then the beautiful island we visited with the best gelato on recommendation of Nana! Met some lovely people on board too totally recommend!”
Spend 7 to 8 hours at sea with breakfast, lunch, unlimited soft drinks, two snorkeling stops, and two hours at Orange Bay. Guides such as Abdul, Ahmed, Nemo, and Arabi are known for helping first-time swimmers. Pickup is optional and costs extra from several resort areas.
“It was great, the staff was helpful and kind, we loved the snorkeling however the orange bay was a bit too much for us because of the crowd.”
Join the Odyssey boat in Kos for a 450-minute island cruise to Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos. You’ll explore Vathi, swim from the boat, enjoy a Greek buffet with vegetarian choices, and look for dolphins near the fish farms. Drinks and cocktails are sold onboard.
“A fantastic day, beautiful boat, not overcrowded, lovely lunch and excellent crew.”
Spend about 10 hours aboard the Calypso, a motorized wooden sailing ship with a five-person crew, visiting Agistri and Aegina plus a swimming stop at Moni or Metopi. Sam, Mo, and Elizabeth help with island tips, while lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and Wi-Fi are included.
“Crew was very nice; ship was old and tired with sun mats that you had to crawl across lots of people to get in and out of. Had to keep removing shoes to go on/ off these. Back of the boat was the smoking section (on a boat? But entire crew smoked) so couldn’t go there. Bathroom ok. It was the end of the season so through no fault of the crew, the islands were completely dead and not worth going to; middle island is uninhabited and they just anchored off it for a swim. Food was very good for lunch and wine was OK. Mediocre experience overall.”
Sail from Marina Grande around Capri with an English or Italian speaking crew, passing the Faraglioni, White and Green Grottos, Casa Malaparte, and Punta Carena Lighthouse. Add the Blue Grotto for €18 on site, or choose a swimming option without the grotto.
“Everything was very nice except the blue cave because we had included this but we couldn't enter because the level of the sea raised and they closed the entrance to the cave”
Spend 10 to 11 hours on a fast-paced island tour from Split or Trogir. You will visit the Blue Cave, Komiza, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac, and Hvar, with swimming stops and time for Fortica Fortress. English-speaking crews have included Carmen, Ante, Maria, and Philip.
“I booked this trip from Trogir as something to do during my time in Trogir. I saw a few of the islands off the Croatian mainland during this trip. The views you get during this trip are stunning. You are given sufficient time at each of the locations. The driver of the boat and guide were friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, during my trip, we were unable to see the blue cave, for safety reasons. In fairness we were brought to see the green cave, which is another cave in the area. This did make up for missing the blue cave. I would highly recommend this trip, if you are staying…”
Visit Chicken Island, Koh Tup, Koh Poda, and Phra Nang Cave Beach on a six-hour longtail boat trip from Krabi. You’ll snorkel, walk a tidal sandbar, eat Thai food on the beach, and swim beneath Railay’s cliffs. Guides such as Toy and Luna are known for warm, lively care.
“This day tour was great, our guide Ida was fun and energetic, she added a lot of positivity to the experience. Each of the island stop are very beautiful and we enjoyed stopping at each one to swim and snorkel.”
By hull, by landing, by how long you want to be out.
