Three Island Cruise Tour Featuring the Blue Lagoon and Solta

Drvenik Mali is the kind of island day that makes sense from the water: a lighthouse, a small islet, clear swimming bays and coves you would not reach on a city stroll. I like the route’s variety, and I like that Maslinica gives you time ashore for coffee or lunch instead of keeping you on the boat all day.

The trip is private, so your group is not sharing the outing with strangers, and the crew can sometimes adjust the pace or route. The trade-off is the quoted $841.07 per person, a steep price for an eight-hour excursion, plus lunch and drinks are extra. Check the final cost for your party before booking.

A day built around water and a village stop

This is a full-day island circuit, not a quick transfer to one beach. You leave at 9 a.m. and spend about eight hours moving among Drvenik Mali, nearby Drvenik, Šolta and the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay. The boat is the main way to take in the coast, with several chances to swim and snorkel along the way.

The five planned stops add up to six and a half hours, leaving the rest of the day for travel between islands and coves. That balance matters. You get time for proper swims and a relaxed village visit, but this is still a day with a set route and a return to the original meeting point.

The tour is private, meaning only your group takes part. That can make the day more comfortable for families or friends who want to set their own mood, and it gives the skipper room to respond to your needs. It does not mean every stop or length of stay is guaranteed to change, so ask about flexibility when you book.

Key details to know before you go

• Lighthouse and islet first: The opening stop visits Čelica lighthouse on Drvenik Mali and the small islet of Kljuda, with about 30 minutes ashore or nearby.
• A long swim at Vela Rina: The itinerary allows an hour and a half for swimming and snorkeling in the bay.
• Maslinica is your lunch break: You have two hours in the village on Šolta. Food and drinks are not included.
• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: Krknjaši Bay is the final major swim stop, with a beach bar nearby.
• Snorkeling gear is included: Bring your own swimwear and towel; the tour provides snorkeling equipment.
• The outing is private and starts at 9 a.m.: It lasts about eight hours and ends back at the starting meeting point.

Drvenik Mali: a lighthouse, an islet and Vela Rina

The first stop is on Drvenik Mali, where you visit Čelica lighthouse and the little islet of Kljuda. The allotted 30 minutes makes this a brief introduction rather than a long land visit. It is a chance to take in the island scenery and see a quieter piece of the route before the day turns to swimming.

The main event on Drvenik Mali is Vela Rina bay. You have an hour and a half to swim and snorkel in clear water, with the possibility of spotting fish and other sea life. Bring a mask if you have one you prefer, even though snorkeling equipment is included. One tour guest noted that goggles were available but a mouthpiece was not, so it is sensible to ask what the supplied kit includes if having a full snorkel set matters to you.

Swimming time is a real strength here. An hour and a half gives you room to get in the water, rest, and go again, rather than treating a swim as a brief photo stop. Still, conditions in the sea can change, and the supplied information does not promise a particular water temperature or visibility. Pack a towel and a change of clothes for the ride between stops.

Coves around Drvenik, seen from the boat

After Vela Rina, the route allows about 30 minutes to explore hidden coves around the Drvenik islands. This is a shorter stop, so think of it as a scenic passage and a chance to see the coastline from the water, not another long beach break.

The boat-based format is useful here. You can view small inlets and shoreline that are awkward to include on a land itinerary, while the skipper handles the route. The exact coves are not named in advance, and the itinerary does not promise a landing at each one. If you have a particular interest in snorkeling or spending extra time in a cove, tell the skipper early and ask what can fit the day.

Flexibility is one of the tour’s more valuable features. Skippers such as Joseph and Petar have been praised for asking about preferences, offering practical help and adjusting the plan when possible. One group had a route change to look for dolphins, while another was allowed longer at snorkeling stops. Those examples show what a private outing may allow, not a guarantee of dolphins or a changed route.

Maslinica: two hours to put your feet on land

The two-hour visit to Maslinica on Šolta is the day’s longest stop on land. This is a small fishing village where you can walk around, have coffee and buy lunch. That break is welcome after several hours of swimming and boat travel, and it gives the outing a more local rhythm than a string of swim stops alone.

Lunch is not included, so budget for a meal and any drinks you want. A useful tip is not to let lunch consume the entire stop if you want time to enjoy the village or relax near the beach bar. You have two hours, which is enough for a meal and a walk if you keep an eye on the clock.

The arrangement also gives you choice. You are not tied to a set meal served on the boat, and you can decide how to use your time ashore. The flip side is that the total cost rises once you add food and drinks, and the exact restaurant or meal is not specified. If a long lunch is important to you, ask whether the schedule can accommodate it.

Krknjaši Bay: the Blue Lagoon finale

The final stop is the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay, with two hours set aside for swimming and snorkeling. The turquoise water is the visual payoff of the route, and the length of the stop lets you enjoy it without rushing straight back aboard. There is also a beach bar nearby if you would rather take a break with a drink.

Because it is a famous swimming spot, do not expect the lagoon to feel like a private pool. The private part of the tour is your boat and group, not ownership of the bay. The supplied details do not say how busy it will be on your date, so go for the water and the setting rather than a promise of solitude.

This is a good place to conserve some energy. You have already had a long swim at Vela Rina, and the return boat ride still lies ahead. Bring your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and keep your towel handy. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but drinks at the beach bar are on you.

The crew can make the day

The route matters, but on a boat trip the skipper has a large hand in how the day feels. The crew members named by name include Bozan and Tin, Joseph or Josef, Petar, and Carlo or Karlo. Names vary in spelling, but the recurring picture is of skippers who are friendly, attentive and willing to help.

Petar is associated with thoughtful touches such as bottled water, strawberries, cups and jackets for cooler weather. Joseph was praised for adapting the time at snorkeling stops and bringing jackets when the girls in a group felt cold on the ride home. Other skippers have been described as cheerful, helpful and attentive to safety. Treat these as examples of the service style, not a checklist of items guaranteed on every departure.

Practical comforts make a difference on an eight-hour outing. Water is especially useful, and a jacket can be welcome when wind picks up after a swim. One guest also noted that the boat was clean and had a toilet. The tour details do not list every onboard facility or refreshment, so ask the operator directly if you need to confirm a particular amenity.

Price, group size and what you get

At $841.07 per person, this is a significant expense. The price buys a private outing for your group, a driver-guide, snorkeling equipment and an entire day moving between several islands and swimming spots. It also gives you more control over the atmosphere than a shared group boat trip may offer.

Value depends heavily on your party and priorities. If you are traveling with family or friends and place a high value on privacy, a dedicated skipper and time in the water, the cost may feel worthwhile. If you are a solo traveler or mainly want a boat ride to the Blue Lagoon, compare the total carefully with other options before committing. Since the price is stated per person, verify the final amount and how it applies to your party at checkout.

You will still need to pay for lunch and drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you need to get yourself to the meeting point. The tour starts at 9 a.m. and returns to that same meeting point after roughly eight hours. The exact location should be confirmed before the day, since the supplied details do not name a specific dock.

Who should book this island circuit

This tour suits families with children aged five or older, couples, and groups of friends who want a private boat day with plenty of swimming. It is especially appealing if your ideal holiday day includes several different settings: a lighthouse and islet, open-water snorkeling, a village meal, and a final stop at a well-known lagoon.

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost outing, dislike boats, or prefer a structured historical tour with extensive narration. The focus here is scenery, swimming and the skipper’s local guidance. You should also be comfortable with a moderate level of physical fitness and with getting in and out of the water.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The minimum age is five. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, camera, comfortable clothes and shoes. Casual dress is appropriate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required for the activity to run.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a private, full-day boat outing where swimming is the point and Maslinica offers a welcome pause on land. Its best features are the generous time at Vela Rina and the Blue Lagoon, plus a crew that may tailor the day and look after practical comforts.

Think twice if the per-person price would strain your budget, or if you want lunch and drinks included. Before paying, confirm the total for your party, the exact meeting point and what snorkeling gear is provided. If those details work for you, this is a well-rounded way to leave Split behind for a day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is five years.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have two hours in Maslinica to find a place to eat.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, camera, comfortable clothing and shoes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What level of fitness is needed?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.