Split: Private Blue Lagoon 3 islands with speed boat

The draw is a day on the Adriatic that mixes a historic town with time in the water. You’ll ride by speedboat from Split to Trogir, then on to the Blue Lagoon and Šolta, with swimming and snorkeling stops along the way.

I like the balance between a proper town visit and long stretches to swim, and I like that this is a private group tour for up to five, so you can enjoy your own music and set the pace with the captain. One thing to check before booking: the stated day length and schedule details don’t quite match, so confirm the pickup and return times.

At a glance

• Trogir comes first: Allow about 1.5 hours to walk, sightsee or stop for coffee in this UNESCO-listed town.
• The Blue Lagoon is the longest stop: Plan on roughly three hours for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing.
• Šolta adds a different kind of swim: At Nečujam, you can snorkel near the sunken shipwreck of Kontesa.
• The boat has useful comforts: There’s a sun shade, a sun deck, a freshwater shower, a fridge or coolbox, and a Bluetooth stereo.
• The price is per group: The listed cost is $647 for up to five people, not per person.
• Bring your own towel and lunch money: Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included, but lunch and towels are not.

Three island stops, with a town in the mix

This private tour from Split is built around three different kinds of stops. Trogir offers stone streets and historic sights; the Blue Lagoon is the main place to swim and snorkel; and Šolta gives you a quieter bay and the unusual prospect of snorkeling around a shipwreck.

The route works well if you want more than a beach day but don’t want to spend your whole holiday planning ferries and transfers. The boat links the stops directly, and the private format means you’re not sharing the trip with a large tour group. The advertised price is $647 for a group of up to five. Split five ways, that comes to about $129.40 per person, before any lunch or other personal spending.

I’d think of this as a full-day private boat outing, not simply a quick ride to the Blue Lagoon. You get time on land in Trogir and two separate chances to swim. That variety is a real part of the value, especially for a small group that would rather spend the day together than join a larger excursion.

Leaving Split by speedboat

The meeting point is in front of St. Francis Church, at Trg Franje Tuđmana 1, near the western end of Split’s Riva waterfront. The itinerary gives the starting location as Trg Franje Tuđmana 2, so check the precise meeting instructions before setting off and arrive on time. The tour begins in Split and returns to the same meeting point.

The first ride to Trogir takes about 30 minutes. A speedboat makes the journey part of the day rather than just transport, but it also means you’ll feel more of the wind and movement than you would on a larger, slower boat. Wind jackets are included, and the boat has a sun shade as well as a sun deck. Bring warm clothing, as advised, because the ride may feel cool even on a warm day.

This is not the right boat outing for everyone. The tour is not recommended for people with back problems or pregnant women, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. If a bumpy ride would be a concern for you, factor that into your decision before booking.

Trogir: a historic pause before the water

The first stop is Trogir, where you have about 1.5 hours for free time, sightseeing, a walk or coffee. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its concentration of palaces, churches and towers, along with a fortress on a small island. That compact historic setting offers a welcome change of pace from the boat and beach stops.

You won’t have time to study every building in depth. Instead, use your visit to wander the streets, take in the architecture and enjoy a drink before returning to the boat. If a particular church, palace or other sight matters to you, ask the captain how much time you’ll have and decide how to use it. The itinerary describes this as free time, not a guided walking tour.

I like the inclusion of Trogir because it keeps the day from becoming one long stretch of swimming and sun. It’s also a practical way to see a notable town without organizing separate transport from Split. The trade-off is that the stop is brief, so treat it as an introduction rather than a thorough visit.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

After about 20 minutes by speedboat, the route reaches the Blue Lagoon at Drvenik Veli. This is the longest stop, with roughly three hours for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing in the water. The lagoon is known for its clear, turquoise-blue-green sea, and the tour’s schedule leaves enough time to enjoy it at an unhurried pace.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which means you don’t need to bring your own mask and fins. The stop is also described as a chance to enjoy a cocktail, but the included items specify bottled water, not cocktails. You can bring your own drinks, and the boat has a coolbox or fridge to keep them cold. Pack sensibly and don’t assume alcoholic drinks are provided.

The long stop is a plus if you’re happiest in the sea. It gives you room to swim, snorkel and take breaks rather than rushing straight back aboard after a short dip. At the same time, three hours is a substantial amount of time at one bay, so if you prefer more sightseeing and less beach time, the balance may not suit you as well.

There’s a freshwater shower on the boat, a welcome way to rinse off after swimming. Towels are not included, so bring your own. A sun shade offers protection from the strongest sun, but it’s still wise to pack whatever sun protection you normally use for a day outdoors.

Šolta and the Kontesa shipwreck

The next boat ride takes about 20 minutes to Nečujam, on the green island of Šolta. Here, the scheduled stop is about 1.5 hours, with time to swim and snorkel near the sunken shipwreck of Kontesa in a calm bay. That underwater feature gives this stop a different focus from the Blue Lagoon’s open-water swimming.

The tour includes snorkeling gear, but the information provided doesn’t promise a guided snorkeling session or describe the wreck in detail. Think of it as an opportunity to explore near the shipwreck at your own pace, using the equipment supplied. If you have a particular interest in the wreck, ask the captain what you can expect before you enter the water.

This shorter stop gives the day a useful change of scene without adding another long town visit. You can swim, snorkel and cool off before the final ride back to Split. As at the Blue Lagoon, bring your own towel and plan for time in the sun.

A private boat with practical comforts

The boat is described as new and well equipped, with a sun deck and shade cover. It also has a Bluetooth stereo, so you can play your own music, and a coolbox for drinks you bring along. These details matter on a long day: you can stay out of direct sun, keep water or other drinks chilled, and make the ride feel more like your own outing.

Captain Vedran is the guide named in the tour information, and he has been praised for being polite, kind and flexible. The private-tour format also allows some flexibility in the itinerary. That doesn’t mean every stop or timing can change on demand, but it does give your group a chance to discuss preferences with the captain rather than follow a large group’s fixed pace.

The group limit is five, which makes the price easiest to assess when you’re traveling with friends or family. At the maximum group size, the cost works out to around $129.40 each. For fewer people, the per-person cost rises, but you still have a private boat, driver-guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, wind jackets, insurance and use of the boat’s facilities. Lunch and towels remain your responsibility.

Timing, food and what to pack

The experience is described as eight hours, and the stop durations add up to about six hours. The listed boat rides total around 100 minutes, which brings the day close to eight hours overall. However, the written schedule also says the tour starts at 9 a.m., mentions reaching Šolta around noon, and says the return to Split is around 2 p.m. Those details don’t line up with the stop lengths. Confirm the exact start and return time with the operator before you book, and plan your day around the full eight-hour duration until you have clarification.

Lunch is not included, and the itinerary allows free time at the stops. Bring cash for lunch and souvenirs, as advised, and consider carrying snacks if you want something between stops. Bottled water is included, but you can bring extra drinks for the coolbox. A beach towel is essential, and warm clothing is useful for the boat rides.

The listed starting time is 9 a.m., but availability should be checked for the date you want. The tour runs in English and is for a private group. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. If poor weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Is this the right day on the water for you?

I’d choose this tour if you want a private day that combines historic Trogir with a generous swim stop and a second snorkeling spot. It makes particular sense for a group of friends or family of up to five, especially if you value a flexible pace, your own music and a small-boat feel. The captain’s friendly manner and the boat’s clean, modern equipment are part of the appeal.

Think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or would rather avoid a fast, open-air ride. It may also be a poor match if you want a long guided visit to Trogir or several hours of sightseeing on land. The strongest reason to book is the balance of town, lagoon and wreck stop, not any one attraction alone.

Before paying, resolve the timing discrepancy and make sure the price works for your group size. If the schedule suits you and you’re happy to pack a towel and arrange your own lunch, this is a convenient way to spend a full day exploring the water and towns near Split.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at the meeting point near St. Francis Church on Split’s Riva. The address is Trg Franje Tuđmana 1, while the itinerary lists Trg Franje Tuđmana 2, so confirm the exact spot before departure.

How much does the private tour cost?

The listed price is $647 for a private group of up to five people. If five people share the cost equally, that works out to about $129.40 each.

How long is the tour?

It is listed as eight hours. The schedule details also give a 9 a.m. start and an approximate 2 p.m. return, which do not match the listed stop and boat times. Confirm the schedule with the operator before booking.

Which places does the tour visit?

The stops are Trogir, the Blue Lagoon at Drvenik Veli, and Nečujam on Šolta, where you can snorkel near the Kontesa shipwreck.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment.

Are lunch and towels included?

No. Lunch and towels are not included. Bring your own beach towel and cash for lunch or souvenirs.

What should I bring for the boat ride?

Bring warm clothing, cash and a beach towel. Bottled water is included, and you may bring your own drinks for the boat’s coolbox.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.