Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Tour

From Split, this five-hour speedboat trip links a UNESCO-listed old town with a swim stop and a small island village. It is a lively way to trade city streets for open water without giving up the chance to explore on foot.

I like the mix of Trogir’s Venetian-era streets and time to swim or snorkel at the Blue Lagoon. The small group, capped at 10, should also make the ride feel more personal than a large boat excursion.

The trade-off is the pace: three stops in five hours means you get a taste of each place, not a long, unhurried visit. Sea conditions can also change the route or cancel the trip, and the speedboat is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

• Trogir gets an hour: Walk, shop, take photos and see the UNESCO-listed historic center.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 80 minutes: Swim, snorkel or relax, with time for a drink if you bring one.
• Maslinica offers a quieter finish: Spend 45 minutes in a fishing village on the island of Šolta.
• Boat travel is a big part of the day: Expect several speedboat rides, including a 40-minute return leg.
• Your group is limited to 10: Snorkeling gear, a mask, safety equipment, water and a tour photo are included.
• Plan for changing sea conditions: The skipper may alter or cancel the trip if the sea is unpredictable.

Three coastal stops in five hours

The appeal here is variety. You leave Split by speedboat, pause in Trogir for a walk through an old Adriatic town, then trade stone lanes for swimming at the Blue Lagoon and a short visit to Maslinica. You get a little history, a lot of water and a final taste of village life.

This is not a slow cruise with long stretches at each stop. The boat schedule gives you about an hour in Trogir, 80 minutes at the lagoon and 45 minutes in Maslinica, with travel time between them. I would think of it as a compact sampler: useful if you want to see several places in one outing, less suited to anyone hoping to spend half a day at one beach.

The tour is run by Split Boat Travel, with an English-speaking skipper and a maximum group size of 10. That limit matters on a boat where everyone is sharing space and the day depends on getting on and off efficiently. The crew is described as friendly and professional, and Marin is named as someone who takes care of the group.

Leaving Split by speedboat

The outing begins at the Church convent sv. Frane meeting point and returns to the meeting point at the end. The first ride is listed as 30 minutes. The boat is part of the experience, not simply a transfer: you move between stops on the Adriatic, with a number of shorter and longer rides shaping the day.

A small, well-kept boat can make the ride more comfortable, but speedboats are exposed to the sea in a way that larger vessels are not. If you are prone to seasickness, this trip is specifically not suitable for you. Even if you usually feel fine on boats, bring any personal remedies you rely on and consider how you handle wind and motion before booking.

Safety gear is provided, along with a skipper and insurance. The trip also includes a 0.5-liter bottle of water, snorkeling equipment and a diving mask. Food and other drinks are not included, so bring what you want to eat and drink, especially if you would rather not spend your limited stop time looking for refreshments.

Trogir: a compact walk through centuries

After about 30 minutes on the water, the first stop is Trogir. Its historic center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, recognized for its Venetian architecture. The town’s history reaches back about 2,300 years, and its compact center is easy to explore on foot.

You have an hour here, including time to visit, take photos, shop and wander. That is enough to get a feel for the place and see some of its historic streets, but it is not a full guided walking tour. No local guide is specified, so you should expect to explore independently rather than receive a detailed account of each building.

I would use the stop to walk at a steady pace, look up at the architecture and leave a little time to find your way back to the boat. Shopping is possible, but it is easy to lose track of the clock when the lanes are narrow and interesting. If you want a relaxed lunch in town, this schedule may feel too tight; save your appetite for Maslinica or bring a snack.

Trogir gives the day an important contrast. Without it, the trip would be mostly a sequence of swim stops. Here, you get a chance to step off the boat and into a place shaped by centuries of coastal trade and Venetian influence.

Blue Lagoon: 80 minutes to swim and snorkel

The next listed ride is around 30 minutes, leading to the Blue Lagoon. This is the longest stop of the day, with 80 minutes for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Snorkeling equipment and a mask are included, so you do not need to bring your own gear to take a look beneath the surface.

The lagoon is described as a natural habitat for dolphins, but sightings are not promised. Treat that as a possibility, not the purpose of the trip. The reliable draw is the chance to spend time in the water and enjoy the coastal setting. If dolphin watching is your main goal, this tour does not offer a guarantee.

The stop also includes time for an aperitif, beer, cocktail or coffee, but food and drinks are not included in the price. Bring cash and your own refreshments if you want to keep costs predictable. An included half-liter bottle of water is useful, but it will not necessarily cover your needs for five hours in the sun.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. A change of clothes can make the return ride more comfortable after swimming. You will have 80 minutes, not an entire beach day, so keep your belongings organized and listen for the skipper’s instructions about when to return to the boat.

Maslinica: a short pause on Šolta

After roughly 15 minutes by speedboat, the tour reaches Maslinica, a fishing village on the island of Šolta. The 45-minute stop is intended for a visit, a walk, a swim or a short break. Its appeal is a quieter village setting, with unspoilt beaches and clear sea described as part of the area’s character.

The time here is brief, so choose what matters most before you arrive. If you want to swim again, change into beachwear before the stop or keep it easy to reach. If you prefer a walk, use the time to look around the village and take in the coastal scenery. There is also time listed for lunch, but 45 minutes is not much for a leisurely meal.

The village stop gives the day a different mood from Trogir. One is a historic town with architecture and shops; the other is a small island settlement where the focus is more on the sea and a slower pace. That contrast is valuable, though the short visit means you should not expect to explore much of Šolta beyond Maslinica.

The ride back and the real pace of the day

The return ride is listed at about 40 minutes, making it the longest single boat leg in the itinerary. Add the other speedboat journeys and you will spend a substantial part of the five-hour tour in transit. That is part of the pleasure for people who enjoy being out on the water, but it is worth factoring in if you want maximum time on shore.

The full schedule is tight but varied. Trogir gets an hour, the Blue Lagoon 80 minutes, and Maslinica 45 minutes. Those blocks give you a clear chance to walk and swim, yet leave little room to linger if you lose time getting ready or returning to the boat. I would arrive prepared, keep your belongings compact and follow the skipper’s timing.

Sea conditions can affect the route or lead to cancellation. That is a practical reality of a speedboat outing, not a minor footnote. If your travel plans are fixed around a particular day, keep some flexibility in mind and avoid treating the exact sequence as guaranteed.

Is $79 a fair price?

At $79 per person, the price covers a five-hour outing with a skipper, speedboat transport, safety gear, snorkeling equipment, a mask, insurance, a tour photo and a bottle of water. You are also visiting three distinct stops without arranging separate transport yourself. For someone who wants a single half-day plan combining town, swimming and a village visit, that is a useful package.

The cost does not include food, drinks or hotel pickup and drop-off. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, and any coffee, cocktail, meal or extra water will add to the bill. The value is strongest if you plan to swim and snorkel, appreciate the speedboat ride and make use of the time in all three stops. It is weaker if you would rather spend most of the day at one beach or prefer a slower, more detailed town visit.

The small group limit and reports of a comfortable, well-maintained boat add to the appeal. Still, the price is not just paying for time at the destinations. You are paying for the boat, the skipper and the convenience of linking these places in one trip.

What to bring and who should skip it

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a change of clothes and cash. Food and drinks are worth bringing because they are not included. An ID card or passport is also listed among the items to bring.

This is not a good fit for children under five, babies under one, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back or heart problems, people prone to seasickness, people over 200 centimeters tall or people weighing more than 130 kilograms. Those limits are specific to this activity, so check them carefully before booking rather than assuming the boat can accommodate everyone.

The trip suits confident swimmers and anyone who likes a busy half-day with a mix of culture and coast. It may be less appealing if you want a guided history lesson, a long lunch or a full day of beach time. The key question is whether you enjoy moving between stops, because that is the structure of the outing.

Should you book this Split boat trip?

Book it if you want to see Trogir, swim at the Blue Lagoon and get a short look at Maslinica in one five-hour outing. I especially like the balance between a historic town and time on the water, plus the practical inclusion of snorkeling gear and a small group capped at 10.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, need a fully accessible boat, or would rather explore one place at your own pace. The schedule is brisk, and the sea can change the plan. If those limits suit you, this is a straightforward way to trade part of a Split day for a varied Adriatic excursion.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts five hours. Check availability for the starting times offered on your date.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Church convent sv. Frane. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What stops are included?

The tour visits Trogir, the Blue Lagoon and Maslinica, a village on the island of Šolta.

How much time do you get at each stop?

The schedule allows one hour in Trogir, 80 minutes at the Blue Lagoon and 45 minutes in Maslinica.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a mask are included, along with safety gear.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although a 0.5-liter bottle of water is provided.

Can the tour be changed or cancelled because of sea conditions?

Yes. The tour may be changed or cancelled because of unpredictable sea conditions.