Split: Blue Lagoon and Šolta Boat Tour with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this seven-hour trip is that you get two very different swims in one day: the Blue Lagoon’s bright, clear water and the quieter appeal of snorkeling around a shipwreck in Šolta’s Nečujam Bay. You also get lunch, wine and soft drinks without having to plan a meal ashore.

I like the practical mix of long swimming stops and a family-run crew that keeps the day organized without making it feel like a formal sightseeing lesson. The main thing to weigh is the time on the boat: getting between Split, the lagoon and Šolta takes a while, and the water stops may not suit you if you do not swim.

• Two places to get in the water: Swim and snorkel at the Blue Lagoon and around the Kontesa shipwreck.
• A full day at sea: The tour lasts about seven hours, with cruising time between stops.
• Food and basic drinks included: Expect lunch, wine with lunch, unlimited water and iced tea, plus a mask and snorkel.
• Two departure points: Start in Split or Stobreč. From Stobreč, the boat makes a short stop in Split to pick up more passengers.
• A simple choice for swimmers: The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or children under four.
• A good-value package: At $61 per person, lunch, drinks and snorkeling gear are included.

Two swimming stops make this more than a Blue Lagoon run

The name puts the Blue Lagoon front and center, but this outing is better understood as a day of swimming with a scenic boat ride between stops. You visit the lagoon and Šolta’s Nečujam Bay, where the remains of the Kontesa shipwreck give the second swim a different focus.

You are on the boat for around seven hours. That is enough time to settle into the rhythm of the day, but it is not a quick transfer to the water and back. The ride itself is part of the experience, with views of Split from the sea and time to rest between swims.

The tour is run by a family business, and the English-speaking crew handles the day. The practical mood is more relaxed boat outing than guided history tour. If you want detailed commentary about the wreck or the places along the route, you may need to ask: the crew gives instructions and updates, but the tour is not presented as a deep explanation of local history.

Starting in Split or Stobreč

You can board in Split or Stobreč. If you start in Stobreč, the boat first cruises toward Split and makes a short pickup stop at the city harbor. That gives you a view of Split from the water before the boat heads out toward the swimming stops.

Starting in Split means skipping that first coastal stretch from Stobreč. It is a useful choice if you are staying in the city and want to board there, while Stobreč is handy if you are based nearby. Check the departure point carefully when you book, since the two options do not begin at the same place.

The ride to the first swimming stop can take roughly an hour and a half or longer, depending on conditions and the route. Bring something to protect yourself from the sun, and decide where you want to sit early. The boat has an upper deck for sun and views and a lower shaded deck for a break from the heat. Seating can feel less comfortable when the boat is full, so shade and a good spot are worth thinking about before departure.

The Blue Lagoon: clear water and time to swim

At the Blue Lagoon, the main event is the water. You can swim or use the provided mask and snorkel to look beneath the surface. The bright color of the sea is the draw, and the open swimming time lets you enjoy it at your own pace rather than rushing through a short photo stop.

Plan on being in the water for around an hour or more, though exact timings can vary. If you would rather stay dry, you can sunbathe on the top deck or sit under cover below. The boat’s shaded area matters on a long, sunny day, particularly if you are not keen to spend every minute in direct sun.

The lagoon is popular, and the water stop may feel busy when other boats are there. This is not a private cove experience. Still, the combination of clear water and enough time to swim makes the stop more satisfying than a quick look from the rail.

You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, since basic equipment is included. Fins are not. Some equipment may fit better than other pieces, so bringing your own mask is sensible if you have one you trust. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should not book it expecting a dry sightseeing cruise.

Lunch on board, with wine and soft drinks

Lunch is served on the boat, which saves you from finding a restaurant between stops and keeps the day moving. The meal is described as a home-cooked style lunch, with options that have included meat, fish and a vegetarian choice. The exact menu can vary, so share any food preferences when asked rather than assuming a particular dish will be available.

The meal is a practical part of the value. At $61, you are paying for a full-day boat outing, lunch, wine at lunchtime, unlimited water and iced tea, and a mask and snorkel. The food is not fine dining, and the boat is not a restaurant, but a satisfying meal in the middle of a swimming day is a useful inclusion.

Water and iced tea are available throughout the trip, while wine is served with lunch. Some outings have also included small snacks or fruit, but do not count on extras beyond the stated inclusions. Bring any other drinks or food you may want, especially if you have specific dietary needs.

Šolta’s Nečujam Bay and the Kontesa wreck

After lunch, the boat heads to Nečujam Bay on Šolta. Here, you can snorkel around the remains of the Kontesa shipwreck. The wreck gives you something to look for below the surface, while the clear water makes it easier to see the area around it.

This stop has a different feel from the lagoon. At the Blue Lagoon, the color of the water is the main attraction; at Nečujam, the wreck adds a focal point to your swim. The boat provides masks and snorkels, and the crew tells you where to swim and what to expect. If you want more background on the ship itself, the tour may leave you wanting extra explanation.

Allow time to move carefully around the wreck and stay within the crew’s guidance. Snorkeling conditions depend on the weather and water, and the crew may adjust the plan if wind makes a stop unsafe or uncomfortable. Flexibility is a sensible trade-off on a boat trip: a changed route is better than forcing a stop in poor conditions.

What the boat day feels like

The day has a simple rhythm: cruise, swim, eat, cruise, swim, then return. The rides between stops are part of the schedule, not wasted time, but they do mean you should be comfortable spending several hours aboard. The gentle motion can be soothing for some people and tiring for others.

You can choose your own pace during the stops. Swim, snorkel, rest on deck or keep cool in the shade. Some boats have allowed people to jump from the side or upper level, but treat that as dependent on the crew’s instructions and conditions, not a guaranteed activity.

Crew members are described as friendly and attentive, and they give updates during the route. That kind of care is especially useful when you need to know when to return to the boat or where the safe swimming area is. Do not expect a formal lecture or a guide with a long script; the value here is a well-managed day on the water.

Is $61 good value?

For a seven-hour excursion, $61 is a strong price if you plan to swim and use the included equipment. The fare covers the boat, lunch, wine with lunch, unlimited water and iced tea, plus a mask and snorkel. You avoid arranging separate transport to the lagoon and Šolta, and you do not need to find lunch during the day.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you mainly want a fast ride to the Blue Lagoon, seven hours may feel long. If you want a full day with two water stops, a meal and time to relax between swims, the price makes more sense. The long cruising stretches are the cost of reaching both locations.

Budget separately for anything not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided, and fins are not supplied. Other drinks beyond water, iced tea and lunchtime wine may also cost extra.

Who should book this tour?

This suits confident swimmers who want a full day on the water, especially couples, friends and families with older children. The combination of a well-known lagoon, a shipwreck snorkel and lunch aboard gives the day enough variety without requiring you to organize separate activities.

It is a poor fit for non-swimmers or families with children under four, since the activity is specifically not suitable for them. If you dislike boat travel, need a very comfortable seat for the whole ride, or want extensive historical commentary, consider another kind of outing.

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, sun protection and a towel. Fins are not included, so bring your own if you prefer using them. Pack lightly, but do not assume the boat’s shade will remove the need for sunscreen.

Should you book it?

Book this if your ideal Dalmatian day includes clear water, two chances to swim, a simple lunch and an easygoing boat ride. The strongest points are the time in the water, the crew’s friendly care and the amount included for the price.

Skip it if you want a short excursion, do not swim, or expect a guided history tour. For a full day at sea that pairs the Blue Lagoon with Šolta’s Kontesa wreck, it is a practical, well-priced choice.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour lasts about seven hours. The day includes cruising between the departure point, the Blue Lagoon and Šolta’s Nečujam Bay, as well as time at both swimming stops.

Can I board in Split or Stobreč?

Yes. You can choose to start in Split or Stobreč. If you board in Stobreč, the boat makes a short stop in Split to pick up passengers before continuing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and wine at lunchtime are included. Meal choices have included meat, fish and vegetarian options, though the exact menu may vary.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Unlimited water and iced tea are included, along with a mask and snorkel. Fins are not included.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers or young children?

No. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or children under four.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. Swimwear, a towel and sun protection are useful for a day with swimming stops and time on deck.