Pick 2: Vis, Brac, Korcula, Hvar

Be sure to post your entire itinerary because we may have other suggestions. For a day trip, I only consider Hvar and Brac close enough to Split--but both are wonderful!

Thank you for the suggestions - I didn't post the rest of my itinerary because I have those parts all figured out already. This is the only part that I am still deciding on.

Sometimes if traveling from Split to Dubrovnik, it is just as easy to include a stopover on an island. You may also want to check out tourist office offerings, as there might be an organized tour that will maximize your time.
Enjoy!

The ferry from Dubrovnik to Split won't quite be running yet when we are there, so we'll only be able to go to the islands directly from Split. Just looking for advice on which ones people like best.

Brac has some pretty towns and interesting sights (like a monastery--but it can be tough to get to in the off season), but I am sure Hvar would be the favorite for most. In early May, it should not be too crowded.
Here are the boat operators you will need in case you don't have them:
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/
https://www.krilo.hr/en/

Early May, I would stick to the mainland as the islands will be dead.

Vis is too far for a day trip for me. Ditto Korcula, so I would opt for Brac and Hvar if I had to pick 2 of your 4 options.

If you’re travelling as a day trip from Split, I’d agree that Korcula would be a little far to go, although it would be my first pick among those you list (I haven’t been to Vis). Hvar would be a good choice for one of the days. There’s a good hike up to the fortress above Hvar town, and the town itself is good for wandering around. Brac’s main attraction is its beach, but your timing may be too early to take advantage of that. I really enjoyed the tiny town of Pučišća on Brac, but I’m not sure if you can get there easily on public transportation. (Our group arrived by private boat.). I’d like to nominate Trogir as a second day trip from Split. While connected to the mainland just a half hour north of Split, its old town is on an island. It offers enough sites to visit to fill up a day trip, and you don’t have to bother with ferry schedules.

Thanks all for your suggestions! We aren't concerned about the islands being dead - We prefer traveling in shoulder season because of there being fewer people around. Do any of those islands have wineries?

I've only been to Brac and I really liked it. I took a public bus around the island and stopped in a fe places, including Bol, which had a stunning (and overly popular beach called Zlatny Rat).

While not an island, consider Trogir as it's so close to Split and very charming.

I’d do Brac (with a car) and Trogir (I know, not on your list).

There are wineries on Brac and Korcula for sure; I don’t know about the other islands. On Brac, the is a winery at Nerežišća, about midway between Supetar and Bol. On Korcula, I visited one called Toreta, in the town of Blato, between Vela Luka and Korcula town.