Split: Blue Lagoon, Shipwreck, & Šolta with Lunch & Drinks

The shipwreck in Nečujam Bay gives this Split boat trip its most unusual swim: you can snorkel above a wreck, then spend the day moving between Šolta’s small harbour village and the clear water of the Blue Lagoon. It is a full Adriatic outing, not a quick hop to one beach.

I like two things in particular: three very different stops make the long day feel varied, and lunch, drinks and swim gear are included in the $68 price. Crew members such as Nana, Marko and Anja keep the schedule clear, while floats and a paddle board make time in the water easier to enjoy.

One consideration: the boat spends plenty of time travelling between islands, and the wind can make those crossings chilly even on a sunny day. The shipwreck area can also be busy, so bring a warm layer and don’t expect the swim site to feel private.

At a glance

• Nečujam’s shipwreck bay: Swim and snorkel near the wreck, with goggles provided for a €10 deposit.
• Maslinica on Šolta: Get 110 minutes to swim, relax, have a coffee or ice cream, or walk around the village.
• Krknjaši Blue Lagoon: The final stop gives you about an hour and a half for swimming and snorkeling.
• Lunch and drinks included: Choose a beef, tuna or vegetarian burger with fries; wine, juice and water are provided.
• A full day at sea: The cruise lasts about 8.5 hours, with long sailing stretches between stops.
• Optional upper-deck sun bed: Select the upgrade for a guaranteed sun bed and an extra beer.

A full day from Split, not just a quick swim

This cruise follows a satisfying three-stop route from Split Port: Nečujam Bay, Maslinica on Šolta, then the Krknjaši Blue Lagoon near Drvenik. The order gives you a mix of an unusual underwater sight, a village visit and a final stretch of swimming in bright, shallow-looking water. You return to the same port at the end of the day.

At $68 per person, the price covers a lot of the day’s basics: lunch, wine, juice, water, goggles, inflatables and a stand-up paddle board. That makes it easier to compare with a bare-bones boat trip where you would need to pay separately for food and equipment. Still, the value depends on what you want. If your priority is spending as long as possible at one beach, this moving itinerary may feel too busy.

The crew’s role matters on a long shared outing. Nana, Marko and Anja have been named as hosts, and the trip’s practical rhythm relies on the crew giving clear instructions and regular updates. Music adds a holiday mood, but this is a social boat ride rather than a quiet sailing excursion.

The 70-minute crossing to Nečujam

The departure point is Split Port, on Ulica Svetog Nikole. For the usual 9:00 am departure, check-in is at 8:30 am. In April and October, the stated departure shifts to 9:30 am, with check-in at 9:00 am. Look for the Gray Line sign and staff wearing matching shirts, and have your booking voucher ready on a phone or printed out.

The first listed sailing lasts about 70 minutes. That is useful time to settle in, take in the coastline and get comfortable on board, but it is not a short transfer. Bring a layer you can pull on while the boat is moving. The breeze can feel cool at sea even when the weather in Split is warm, especially on the longer crossings.

Nečujam, also known as Shipwreck Bay, is the first swimming stop. You have roughly an hour for photos, swimming and snorkeling around the wreck. Goggles are available, with a €10 deposit for the equipment. The wreck makes this stop different from a standard swim break, and you can look for fish and other marine life in the water.

Set your expectations sensibly: the wreck is a real site, not a staged attraction, and the area can draw a crowd. If you want a calm swim, be ready to share the bay. The stop is still a distinctive chance to see the wreck up close, but it is not the place to linger all afternoon.

A village pause at Maslinica on Šolta

After another sailing stretch of about an hour, the boat reaches Maslinica, the only settlement on Šolta. The stop lasts around 110 minutes, giving you more time ashore than at the other locations. This is the chance to break up the swim-and-sail pattern with a walk through a small Dalmatian village.

You can use the stop in several ways. Swim or snorkel in the water, relax on the beach, find a coffee or ice cream, or simply walk around and enjoy the harbour setting. The flexibility is welcome on a long day: you do not have to treat every stop as a race to get back in the water.

Maslinica is a modest village visit, not a long guided tour. If you are hoping for hours of sightseeing or a formal introduction to Šolta, this short stop is not designed for that. Think of it as free time in a small island settlement, with a chance to stretch your legs and choose your own pace.

The final swim at Krknjaši Blue Lagoon

From Maslinica, the cruise continues for about 25 minutes to Krknjaši Blue Lagoon, also called the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik. This is the final stop and lasts around 90 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, take photos or use the inflatables and paddle board provided on board.

The lagoon is the outing’s most straightforward time to relax in the water. By this point you will have already visited the wreck and a village, so you can settle into a swim without needing to pack another activity into the stop. Keep an eye on the time and follow the crew’s return instructions; the boat still has an 80-minute journey back to Split.

The crew also suggests watching for dolphins during the crossings. Treat that as a possibility, not a promise. The main reason to choose this trip is the series of island stops and the time at sea, not a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

What lunch, drinks and equipment add

Lunch is a burger with fries, with a choice of beef, tuna or vegetarian. You select your option at the meeting point, so decide before boarding rather than assuming you can choose later. The food is a practical part of the package: it saves you from having to arrange a full meal during a day when you are moving between islands.

Wine, juice and water are included. Some outings have also served a small breakfast pastry, but it is not listed among the included items, so don’t count on it. The lunch timing may shape your day, too. One family found the wait for lunch long and would have preferred to swim first, so bring a small snack if you are concerned about being hungry.

The equipment is useful for making the swim stops more accessible to different comfort levels. Goggles help you see below the surface, while inflatables let you float without constantly swimming. A paddle board offers another way to enjoy the water. You pay a €10 deposit for snorkeling equipment, so keep that separate from the tour price.

There is also an upgrade for a guaranteed sun bed on the upper deck and an extra beer. If having a place to lie down matters to you, this may be worth considering. The standard package does not promise a particular seat or sun bed, so don’t assume the upgrade is included in the $68 fare.

The pace, the boat and the practical trade-offs

The route is built around time at sea as much as time on land. The stated sailing legs add up to several hours, including the long return to Split. Some people will find that part of the appeal: the boat ride, fresh air and music are part of a summer day out. If you are mainly interested in getting from one beach to another as fast as possible, the crossings may feel like lost time.

The boat atmosphere is sociable, with music and a crew that gives instructions about what happens next. Clear updates are especially useful when you have limited free time at each stop. You can enjoy yourself without having to work out the schedule on your own, but you should still keep track of the boat’s return time.

Weather can change the plan. In rough seas or poor conditions, the operator may alter the route, cancel for safety or use a different boat. That flexibility is sensible on the Adriatic, but it means the advertised sequence is not an absolute guarantee.

This trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Pets are not allowed. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the Split Port meeting point yourself. Arrive on time: late arrivals and no-shows are not eligible for a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option is available when booking.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would look at this trip if you want a full day on the water and like having a few different stops rather than choosing one beach and staying put. The shipwreck adds a memorable snorkeling focus, Maslinica offers a change of scene on land, and the Blue Lagoon provides a final long swim. Families can make use of the floats and paddle board, though the long day and boat transfers are worth considering with young children.

It is also a sensible option if you value an organized day with lunch and basic swim equipment included. The $68 fare is easier to justify when you expect to use the gear, eat the meal and spend the day aboard. If you prefer a quiet, small-group outing, guaranteed solitude, or a deep exploration of each island, this is probably not the right fit.

For a comfortable day, bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, water shoes and a warm layer. Water shoes are handy for getting in and out of the sea, while a jacket or jumper is useful once the boat is moving. The sun can be strong, but the wind is the detail people often underestimate.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, varied day trip with swimming, snorkeling, a small village stop and lunch already arranged. The combination of the wreck, Maslinica and the Blue Lagoon gives the day more variety than a single-destination swim cruise, and the included drinks and equipment add practical value.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat, a private swim spot or minimal time spent sailing. The best way to enjoy it is to treat the crossings as part of the outing, pack for wind as well as sun, and arrive ready for a full day away from Split.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts about 8.5 hours, including the sailing time and stops at Nečujam, Maslinica and Krknjaši Blue Lagoon.

Where does the boat leave from?

It departs from Split Port at Ulica Svetog Nikole and returns to the same meeting point.

What time should I check in?

For the usual 9:00 am departure, check in at 8:30 am. In April and October, departure is 9:30 am and check-in is 9:00 am.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose a beef, tuna or vegetarian burger with french fries. You select your lunch at the meeting point.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, juice and water are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Goggles are provided, with a €10 deposit required for the snorkeling equipment. A stand-up paddle board and inflatables are also included.

Is a sun bed included?

A guaranteed upper-deck sun bed is available depending on the option selected. The sun bed option also includes an extra beer.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In bad weather or rough sea conditions, the operator may change the route or boat, or cancel the activity for safety.