If you want it quick and easy -take the ferry from Split to Stari Grad(1h 40 min) and there are only 15 min drive to Hvar town.

The other alternative is longer drive from Split to Drvenik , 25 min ferry to Sućuraj and than driving over the whole island to the opposite side, first half of the way being narrow. Altogether there are some 180 km more to drive.

The second alternative would have sense if your next goal were Dubrovnik or Mostar, or if you were arriving from south direction-from Dubrovnik.

Isn't there a catamaran from Split right to Hvar town?

Yes, Barry, but Reddevil is with car!

Thanks, Jelsa! So, you'd recommend Split -Srai Grad? We arrive Saturday, August 2nd at 11.15 in Split and I guess we head sraight down to the port and queue up for the ferry? It is Saturday so how long do you see this taking??? If we miss one do you think we'll be able to get the next? (That's why I was asking about driving to Drvenik in case it increased your chances of getting over to Hvar town quicker!)

I think you will easily get to the ferry at 2,30 pm.

The next is at 5 pm. If there will be too many cars, there will be additional ferries.

The ferry may seem little to you, but it has 3 levels for cars.

Once the car in the queue, buy the tickets and check the departure time, you will have maybe enough time to visit Diocletian's palace and a part of the old town, all at walking distance from your ferry.

So, eventual waiting for the ferry will not be waste of time.

From Stari Grad you will have 15 min drive to Hvar town.

Thanks again, Jelsa! Our appartment is one of the milicic ones in Podstine Bay. Are there plenty of beaches to explore by car over the whole island?

Not only beaches, you have to visit the other nice towns Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrboska, villages-Pitve, Vrbanj.

Beaches:

Milna some 4 km from Hvar town-but now in high season they charge 50kuna just for parking in Milna area!

Go by boat to PAKLINSKI OTOCI -islands in front of Hvar-all beaches.

Beach San Antonio-sand - before Stari Grad when coming from Hvar.

Take a whole day to visit Zavala, Ivan Dolac(my favourite)and Sveta Nedjelja -villages with perfect beaches, somewhere pebble and somewhere something in between sand and pebble. You can get there following the direction Jelsa then right through the village Pitve-than the narrow tunnel digged in rock and then-let's the landscape be a surprise for you.

Unfortunately, there are plans to build a direct road to these villages from Hvar town- so go there now, before it gets spoiled.