Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Island Cruise with Food and Drinks

The draw here is a day spent hopping between clear-water swim stops without arranging your own boats, meals or island transfers. You can jump from the boat at the Blue Lagoon, then finish with time at a beach bar on Čiovo.

I like two things in particular: breakfast and lunch are included, and the crew keeps the day easygoing, with music and a bar onboard. But this is a shared cruise, not a small private boat, and the long stretches at sea and the changeable shipwreck stop are worth knowing about before you book.

Key points to know before you go

• The Blue Lagoon is the main event: Plan on about two hours for lunch, swimming and snorkeling at Drvenik.
• The shipwreck is not a sure thing: Recent departures have skipped the Nečujam wreck on Šolta, which was reportedly removed, and visited another scenic spot instead.
• Food and basic drinks are included: Choose a beef, tuna or vegetarian burger with fries; water, lemonade and wine are included.
• Expect a lively shared boat: The trip is social, with music and a bar. One account described about 100 people onboard.
• The final stop has a beach bar: Čiovo gives you time to swim and relax at Borko, with drinks at the shore bar available separately.
• Arrive at the right place: Meet in front of stand 11 on the Riva promenade, not simply at a berth along the waterfront.

A full day out from Split’s Riva

The boat leaves from Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, Split’s seafront promenade. Meet in front of stand 11. The waterfront has several departure points, and a little extra time to find the correct stand is sensible: the meeting location can be confusing if you mistake a berth for a stand.

The tour is listed as eight hours, with sightseeing cruises between each island stop. You spend a good part of the day on the water, so this is as much a relaxed boat outing as a string of beach visits. The vessel is described as comfortable and well maintained, and it has sunbeds, WiFi and snorkeling equipment. Don’t expect a quiet private charter; this is a sociable group trip with music and a bar.

A welcome drink and breakfast donuts get the day started. It’s a simple touch, but useful if you’re heading straight to the meeting point and would rather not search for breakfast first. The English-speaking crew explains the day and helps keep the stops organized.

Šolta: a first swim and a changeable shipwreck stop

After about an hour of cruising, the boat reaches Šolta, where the scheduled stop lasts around 75 minutes. Nečujam and its shipwreck have been part of the appeal: swimming above and around an old vessel, with marine life in the water, sounds like a distinctive start to the day.

There is an important caveat. The wreck has reportedly been removed, and some departures have substituted another scenic swimming spot. Don’t book on the assumption that you’ll swim through a shipwreck. If that is your main reason for choosing this cruise, confirm the current stop with the operator before you pay.

Even without the wreck, this first island visit gives you a chance to get into the water early and try the supplied snorkeling gear. Equipment requires a deposit, so check the terms before setting off. The gear may be basic: don’t count on an elaborate setup if you’re used to your own mask and snorkel.

The 75-minute stop is a practical sampler rather than a long beach afternoon. You can swim and look around, but you’ll need to keep an eye on the return time. If the water is cool, as it can be later in the season, it’s perfectly reasonable to stay aboard and enjoy the views instead.

The Blue Lagoon: the longest stop and the clearest water

The boat then cruises for about an hour to the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik. This is the longest stop, at roughly two hours, leaving time to swim, snorkel and eat lunch without rushing through all three. The bright, transparent water is the central attraction, and the boat gives you a direct way to reach it from Split.

You can jump into the water from the boat, a simple pleasure that many people make the highlight of the day. If you’d rather enter slowly, take your time and use the ladder. The lagoon is also a good place to float and look down through the clear water, though the supplied snorkeling gear is described as basic rather than specialist equipment.

Lunch is served during the stop. Choose a 100 percent beef burger, a tuna steak burger or a vegetarian burger, all with fries. The tuna option gets especially strong praise, but the vegetarian choice has not suited everyone, so if you’re particular about meat-free meals, ask about the ingredients before booking. This is a straightforward included lunch, not a restaurant meal with a wide menu.

The two-hour visit gives the cruise a welcome breathing space. You can eat, swim and dry off without feeling that you have to sprint from one activity to the next. Still, the time has to cover both lunch and the water, so you may want to decide which matters more to you before the boat arrives.

Čiovo: a last swim at Borko

After about 30 minutes of cruising, the final stop is on Čiovo, with roughly 75 minutes for free time, swimming and snorkeling. The boat visits the area around Borko beach bar, where you can have a drink in a cove beside the beach. It’s a relaxed finish after the more dramatic Blue Lagoon stop.

The shore bar is separate from the drinks included onboard, so bring a payment method if you want to order there. Some accounts report that the bar takes cards, but that can change; carrying a little cash is a sensible backup. The included sunbeds and snorkeling equipment are useful at the stops, but don’t assume every beach amenity is part of the package.

This stop adds a different feel to the day. Instead of only swimming from the boat, you get time near a beach bar and can take a break on shore. If you’re happiest staying in the water, you’ll have another chance to swim; if you’re ready to dry off, the cove gives you a gentler end to the outing.

The cruise back: scenic, but not short

The final return leg to Split takes about 75 minutes. By then, the day has included several hours of cruising, so think of the journey back as part of the outing rather than dead time between attractions. You can settle on a sunbed, have a drink or enjoy the coastal views.

The boat ride is generally described as smooth, but no vessel can promise that every passenger will feel fine at sea. If you’re prone to seasickness, plan ahead rather than relying on the crew to solve it once underway. One passenger who felt unwell early in the trip was helped by staff, but that is not a substitute for bringing any remedy you normally use.

What the food and drinks really add

At $81 per person, the value depends partly on how much you’ll use the included food, drinks and equipment. Breakfast donuts, a burger-and-fries lunch, unlimited water, lemonade and wine are bundled with the cruise. Add the three island stops and use of snorkeling gear, and you avoid paying separately for a boat transfer and two meals.

The menu is limited to three burgers, so don’t book expecting a culinary tour of Dalmatia. The food is a convenient part of a swim-focused day, and the tuna burger is a good pick if you eat fish. The vegetarian burger is available, but it may not satisfy every palate.

The included drinks are practical rather than fancy. Water is the essential option; the lemonade is closer to lemon squash than fresh-squeezed juice. Wine is included, though it may be served after lunch rather than from the start. Pace yourself: an open bar can make a long day in the sun feel longer, especially if you’re also swimming.

Coffee and other extras may be available for purchase onboard, but they are not included in the stated package. A reusable cup is a considerate choice if you want to reduce disposable plastic, though follow the crew’s instructions about serving drinks.

Crew, group size and the atmosphere onboard

Friendly, attentive service is a major part of this trip’s appeal. The crew helps passengers find the right stop, explains what’s happening and keeps the day moving. Names mentioned in connection with the boat include Bepo, Bapo, Mario and Ivana, but the crew you meet will depend on the departure.

The mood is casual, with music, conversation and a bar. That makes the cruise a natural fit for solo visitors, couples, groups of friends and families who enjoy being around other people. A large multi-generation family, including a toddler and an older adult, found the outing workable, but that doesn’t mean every part suits every person.

Group size is the trade-off for a shared tour at this price. One account described around 100 people aboard, so expect company on deck and at the swim stops rather than a secluded island escape. The crew is reported to enforce rules and manage the group, but if you want space and silence, a smaller private boat is a better match.

Timing, swimming and what to bring

The schedule allots about 75 minutes at Šolta, two hours at the Blue Lagoon and 75 minutes at Čiovo. Those are useful blocks of time for a swim and a short rest, but not enough for a slow, unhurried beach day at each place. Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection, and consider wearing your swim clothes under your travel clothes to make the stops easier.

Water temperature and weather matter. In October, the sea may feel chilly even when the air is around 20 degrees Celsius, and the shorter days can make swimming less inviting. The cruise still offers coastal scenery and time on the boat, but the swimming is most appealing when conditions suit you.

The boat provides snorkeling equipment, but a deposit is required. If you have your own mask and snorkel and prefer familiar gear, bringing it may be more comfortable. WiFi is included, though the best reason to keep your phone handy is probably photos of the water.

Is this Split island cruise worth booking?

I’d book this if you want an easy, full-day introduction to nearby islands, with swimming, a filling included lunch and the convenience of transport from Split. The Blue Lagoon and the final stop at Borko give the route variety, and the friendly crew helps make a busy shared boat feel manageable.

I’d choose another option if you want a small group, a quiet boat or a guaranteed swim through the Šolta shipwreck. The wreck is not a dependable feature, and the group can be large. At $81, the package offers solid value if you’ll use the meals, drinks and swimming stops; it’s less compelling if you mainly want a short, private trip.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps plans flexible.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity is listed as eight hours. Expect a full day, including sightseeing cruises and three island stops.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet in front of stand 11 on the Riva promenade at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Šolta, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik and Čiovo.

Is the Šolta shipwreck stop guaranteed?

No. Some departures have skipped the wreck because it was removed and gone to another scenic spot instead.

What food is included?

Breakfast donuts and a burger with fries are included. The lunch choices are a beef burger, tuna steak burger or vegetarian burger.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited water, lemonade and wine are included. Other drinks or extras are not part of the stated package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use, but a deposit is required.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.