From Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

The best part of this half-day trip is the change of pace: one minute you’re skimming across the water, the next you’re swimming in a sheltered bay or walking through Trogir’s old stone streets. I like the mix of swimming and history, and the small-group limit of 12 makes the boat feel more personal than a large excursion.

I also like that the tour links several stops without asking you to arrange ferries or local transport yourself. The trade-off is that five hours goes quickly, and the speedboat ride can be rough. At the Blue Lagoon, access to shore may involve a swim, so ask the crew exactly where the boat will stop and how you’ll get in and out.

The useful details at a glance

• Three distinct stops: Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo, Krknjasi Bay (the Blue Lagoon) near Veli Drvenik, and the historic town of Trogir.
• About an hour at each stop: That leaves the rest of the five-hour outing for travel between places, with limited time to linger.
• A small boat, not a cruise ship: The maximum group size is 12, and the speedboat makes the route quick but can feel bumpy.
• Swimming gear and water are included: Goggles and safety equipment are provided. Food and other drinks are not included.
• Trogir is more than a photo stop: Its old streets and blend of Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque architecture make the town visit a highlight for many.
• Check the practical details before boarding: Confirm the swimming access at the lagoon, where lifejackets are kept, and whether water is available on your departure.

A five-hour island outing from Split

This tour is a compact sampler of the coast, not a full day on any one island. From the meeting point at Marulićeva ul. 4 in Split, you board a speedboat and travel between three stops, with roughly an hour at each. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

That format is useful if you have only a few days in Split or want to spend part of your day on the water without giving up the whole afternoon. It also means you should set expectations: there is time to swim, take a short walk and get a feel for Trogir, but not to explore each place at length.

The itinerary names Beach Bar Borkko, Krknjasi Bay and Trogir. The order may vary, so don’t build a lunch reservation or other tight plans around a particular stop time. The route’s appeal is its variety, not a fixed schedule down to the minute.

The boat holds no more than 12 people, a welcome contrast with large group excursions. Small groups can make it easier to hear the guide and move around the boat, although a full boat still means sharing limited seating and boarding space. The boat itself is a speedboat, not a roomy ferry, so pack light and expect a close-quarters ride.

Čiovo’s Beach Bar Borkko: swim, stretch and take a break

The first listed stop is Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo, an island connected to the mainland near Trogir. Pine trees frame the beach, and the bar gives you an option beyond swimming: sit down for a drink or take a pause in the shade.

You get about an hour here. That is enough for a swim and a drink, or a short walk, but you’ll need to choose rather than try to do everything. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so bring money if you want something from the bar.

This stop adds a relaxed beach break to a route otherwise shaped by boat travel and sightseeing. It can also be a practical moment to dry off or gather yourself before the next ride. If you are hoping for a long beach day, though, one hour will feel brief.

Krknjasi Bay: clear water, with a practical catch

Krknjasi Bay, near the east coast of Veli Drvenik, is often called the Blue Lagoon for its clear, strikingly colored water. It is the main swimming stop, and the tour supplies goggles so you can take a look beneath the surface.

Keep expectations sensible about the snorkeling. The water may be lovely for a swim, but the experience is not described as a major marine-life excursion. One account noted only a few fish and damaged coral, so think of the goggles as a way to look around, not a promise of a thriving reef.

Access is the detail worth checking before you go. The boat may anchor away from shore, and one account described a swim of about 15 minutes to reach the beach, followed by little time on land. Other accounts describe swimming directly from the boat or enjoying clear water away from crowds. The exact experience can depend on where the boat anchors and how the stop is managed.

Ask the crew before you leave the dock whether you’ll be swimming from the boat or heading to shore, and how far the swim is. If you are not a confident swimmer, say so plainly and ask about lifejackets and the safest way to enter and exit the water. Safety equipment is included, but some accounts describe uncertainty about access to lifejackets, so it is sensible to clarify rather than assume.

Trogir: the trip’s most rewarding walk

Trogir is a small historic town a few miles from Split, founded by Greek colonists in the third century BC. Its compact old center brings together Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, earning it the nickname Stone Beauty.

You have about an hour to walk around. That is enough to get a feel for the lanes, admire the stone architecture and stop for a bite, but it is not enough for a leisurely visit to every sight. If history and old towns are your priority, use the time to wander rather than spending the whole stop at a restaurant or shop.

For many people, Trogir is the strongest part of the route. The water stops are about cooling off and enjoying the coast; Trogir gives you a different kind of pleasure, with streets that reward a slow look. It is also a useful counterpoint to the speedboat ride: after a fast trip between islands, you can get your bearings on foot.

Some departures have visited Trogir first, while the listed route places it after the swim stops. Treat the sequence as flexible, and keep your eye on the return time. If you’re hoping to spend half a day in Trogir alone, this tour is too short; if you want a taste of the town alongside swimming, it makes a good pairing.

The speedboat ride: fun for some, rough for others

The boat is the transport and part of the entertainment. It covers distance quickly, gives you open-water views and leaves more of the five-hour window for stops than slower transport would. Some boats have a padded area at the stern where you can sunbathe between swims.

Speed has a cost. The ride can be bumpy, particularly when the sea is choppy, and the boat may feel cramped. This is not the best choice if you want a quiet, stable ride or are uncomfortable with fast travel over waves. The operator notes that the experience is not recommended for small children, pregnant people or those with health issues because of the speedboat and possible rough conditions.

Safety deserves a direct conversation. Many outings are described as having careful, helpful skippers, but there are also accounts of reckless driving and uncertainty about lifejackets. Those reports are serious enough that I would ask where the safety equipment is before departure, and speak up immediately if the driving feels unsafe. You should not have to stay quiet to avoid spoiling the mood.

The boat details can vary, too. Water is listed as included, but one account described having none, and one boat was reported to lack a bathroom. Neither detail should be assumed across every departure. If having drinking water or an onboard restroom matters to you, check before boarding and plan accordingly.

Crew, group size and what to bring

A friendly crew can make a short trip feel easy. Crew members have included guides named Simon, Bepo and Luka, as well as skippers Domagoj and Dome, though assignments vary. The role of the guide matters here: a little context at each stop helps connect a fast-moving boat ride to the places you’re seeing.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a dry change of clothes if you prefer one after swimming. Take a small amount of cash or a payment card for food and drinks at the beach bar or in Trogir, since those purchases are not included. The tour provides goggles, safety equipment and water, but confirming water supply and equipment access in advance is a sensible precaution.

You meet at Marulićeva ul. 4 in Split and return there at the end. The location is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the speedboat’s motion and the possible swim to shore are important considerations. If you have mobility, health or swimming concerns, ask the operator about the specific boat and route before booking.

Is $72.56 good value?

At $72.56 per person, you are paying for transport to several coastal stops, a small-group speedboat outing, goggles, safety equipment and water. The value is strongest if you want to see more than one place in half a day and enjoy being on the water. Organizing those stops independently would take more effort and could eat into your limited holiday time.

The price buys a sampler, not an in-depth visit. You get about an hour at each place, and food and drinks cost extra. If your main goal is an extended beach day, a long snorkeling session or several hours in Trogir, you may be happier choosing a slower, more focused outing.

At an average booking lead time of 21 days, it is worth planning ahead during a busy visit, but the weather matters as much as the calendar. The tour requires good conditions, and rough water can change how comfortable the ride feels. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a departure may be rescheduled or cancelled if that minimum is not met.

Who should book this trip?

I’d choose this tour if you like a lively ride, want two chances to swim and would enjoy a short walk through Trogir in the same outing. It is especially useful for a first visit to Split when you want to see the nearby coast without arranging several separate transfers. Families with older children who are comfortable with boats may enjoy the mix, but the operator cautions against bringing small children.

I’d look elsewhere if you need a smooth ride, want substantial time at each stop, are not comfortable swimming, or expect an in-depth snorkeling experience. Ask about the Blue Lagoon landing and safety equipment before paying, especially if anyone in your party is a weak swimmer. If the answers suit your needs, the mix of coast, water and old-town wandering makes this a worthwhile half-day plan.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

It lasts about five hours, including travel between the three stops. You spend roughly an hour at each stop.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Marulićeva ul. 4, 21000 Split, Croatia, and returns to the same meeting point.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo, Krknjasi Bay near Veli Drvenik, and Trogir.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Goggles are included. The tour also includes safety equipment and water.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is the Blue Lagoon stop suitable for non-swimmers?

The stop involves swimming, and access to shore may require a swim from the boat. Ask the operator about the exact arrangement and lifejacket access before boarding.

Is the tour suitable for small children?

The operator says the tour is not recommended for small children because the speedboat ride can be bumpy. Sea conditions can affect comfort.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour may also be cancelled if its minimum number of participants is not met.