Blue Lagoon and hidden gems of island Šolta

Blue Lagoon is the obvious draw, but the appeal of this private boat trip is getting beyond one famous swimming stop. In a single day, you can visit Drvenik Island, spend time in two Šolta villages, and look for fish with the supplied snorkeling gear.

I like the mix of swimming time and a village coffee stop, and the chance to share a boat with just your own group. One point to weigh carefully: the day depends on the skipper’s pace and choices, and one guest reported an early return, little narration, and a disappointing lunch arrangement.

Key points before you book

• Blue Lagoon is the main swim stop: You’ll have time to swim, snorkel, or sit by the water.
• Maslinica offers a change of pace: Take free time for a walk through the village or a coffee.
• Lunch is at your own expense: Stomorska has several seaside restaurants, but the food and restaurant arrangements are not included.
• The final snorkel stop is not named: The exact spot may be a surprise, so ask your skipper what to expect.
• The boat is private for up to seven: At the full group size, $742 works out to about $106 per person, before lunch and other purchases.
• Confirm the practical details aboard: One guest said they did not see the advertised water, wind jackets, or safety equipment.

A full day on the water, not just a Blue Lagoon stop

The schedule runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, giving you nine hours for a speedboat ride, several stops, and time to swim. The route begins at a prearranged meeting point, which can vary by the option booked. An English-speaking skipper takes you out and brings you back to the original starting point.

This format suits you if you want to see more than one island without arranging separate boat trips. The private group also means you are not sharing the day with strangers, though the tour details do not promise a fully customized route or schedule. Ask the operator what can be adjusted before booking rather than assuming you can set the pace once underway.

The plan balances water time with a short look at local life. That matters: Blue Lagoon may be the postcard stop, but Maslinica and Stomorska make the day feel less like a beach shuttle. In practice, how much you enjoy that balance will depend on how long the skipper allows at each stop and whether you prefer swimming or exploring on foot.

Blue Lagoon: the day’s clearest highlight

The boat first heads toward Drvenik Island, with views of the islands along the way, then stops at Blue Lagoon Beach. You can swim, try snorkeling, or stay on shore and sunbathe. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins if you are happy to use the supplied gear.

This is the stop most likely to please a mixed-age group. One guest specifically found the water a good place for children to swim and look at fish. That is a useful sign for families, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour is not suitable for babies under one year. Bring a towel and swimsuit, and use the hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen recommended for the day.

Blue Lagoon’s popularity is also its trade-off. A scenic swimming area can attract other boats and people, so do not expect solitude. If you want to snorkel, keep an eye out for boat traffic and follow the skipper’s instructions. A guest later described a different snorkeling stop as crowded, with boats coming uncomfortably close to people in the water. That account does not establish that every stop is like this, but it is sensible to ask where you can safely enter and exit before swimming.

Maslinica: a brief taste of Šolta village life

After Blue Lagoon, the boat makes a short run to Maslinica on Šolta. You get free time to walk around and have a coffee, a welcome pause from swimming and sun. It is not presented as a guided town tour, so arrive expecting time to look around at your own pace, not a narrated history lesson.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind. A guest said the skipper did not explain the places along the route unless asked. If you want context about the island or the village, bring a few questions and ask directly. An English-speaking skipper can help you communicate, but the tour does not specify a dedicated local guide or a set walking tour.

A coffee stop is a modest part of the day, not a major sightseeing visit. Still, it gives you a chance to stretch your legs, see a little of local life, and take a break before lunch. If you are booking mainly for long village visits, this itinerary may feel too focused on the sea.

Stomorska Bay: lunch on your own tab

The next stop is Stomorska Bay, where you have lunch at one of the seaside restaurants. The setting sounds appealing after a morning on the water, but food and drinks are not included in the $742 group price. Budget separately for the meal, coffee, and any personal purchases.

There is an important practical wrinkle. One guest reported that a table had been reserved at a restaurant without their agreement, and they were unhappy with the food and what they perceived as a connection between the restaurant and the boat operator. That is one person’s experience, not proof of a standard arrangement. Still, it is enough reason to ask before departure whether a restaurant is already selected or booked, whether you are free to choose another place, and whether lunch is entirely optional.

Do not assume the skipper’s restaurant choice will suit your taste or budget. If you have dietary needs, ask about them in advance and confirm what options are available. The tour details name traditional Dalmatian specialties as the kind of food you may find, but do not specify a menu, meal price, or restaurant.

The final snorkeling stop: ask what “hidden” means

After lunch, the boat heads to a final snorkeling spot. Its precise location is not given, which leaves room for a pleasant surprise but makes it hard to know what you are booking. One guest described a shipwreck stop and felt it was not worth the time, especially because the area was crowded and boats came close to swimmers. The available details do not confirm that every trip visits that same wreck, so ask the skipper what the planned stop is on your date.

This is also where clear communication matters most. Before anyone gets in the water, ask about boat traffic, safe entry and exit points, and how long you have to snorkel. The tour includes safety equipment and snorkeling gear, but one guest said they did not see the advertised gear or bottled water. That report conflicts with what is included, so check on boarding that the water, wind jackets, and safety equipment are present.

The final stop could be a highlight if you enjoy snorkeling and the conditions are comfortable. But do not treat a secret location as a guarantee of a secluded cove or a particular underwater sight. The exact spot is unspecified, and the experience may depend on the skipper’s choice and the day’s conditions.

What the private price buys, and what it does not

The stated price is $742 for a private group of up to seven people. At seven, that is about $106 each; for a smaller group, the per-person cost rises. In return, the group has a private full-day boat trip with an English-speaking skipper, fuel, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, and wind jackets.

That can be good value if you have a full group and want a day that combines transport between islands with time on the water. You are paying for a private boat and a long outing, not just a ride to Blue Lagoon. But meals, drinks purchased on the islands, personal expenses, and hotel transfers are extra. Factor in lunch before comparing the total with a shared excursion.

The value also depends on how well the day is run. One guest described a friendly skipper but said they had to ask questions to get information. They also reported reaching the final place with more than an hour left in the scheduled day, then returning quickly without being asked if they wanted to see more. That is a single account, but it makes a useful booking question: confirm the planned timing at each stop and ask how the skipper handles the return schedule.

The listed duration is nine hours, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A private boat gives your group space, but it does not automatically mean the itinerary will stretch to fill every minute. If you care about having the full day on the water, state that clearly before departure.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would consider this outing if your group wants an easy way to combine swimming, snorkeling, and two short village stops without planning separate transport. It is especially appealing for friends or families who can share the private-group price and are content to make their own choices at lunch.

It is less suited to you if you want a highly narrated tour, a long cultural visit, a guaranteed wreck site, or a carefully specified restaurant experience. The itinerary gives an English-speaking skipper, not a promise of continuous commentary. It also does not identify the final snorkeling spot, and the lunch venue is not fixed in the details.

The physical limitations are clear: the boat trip is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant women or people with serious back problems. Children must have an adult with them, and babies under one are not suitable. Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Since wind jackets and water are listed as included but were not seen by one guest, confirm they are aboard before setting off.

Should you book this Šolta boat trip?

Book it if Blue Lagoon is high on your list and you like the idea of adding Šolta villages and another snorkel stop in the same day. The private format and nine-hour schedule are the strongest reasons to choose it, particularly when seven people can split the cost.

Before paying, ask how lunch is handled, what the final snorkeling stop is expected to be, and how much time is planned at each place. On boarding, check for the included water, jackets, and safety equipment. If you are comfortable with some uncertainty and would rather spend a day swimming and moving between islands than following a tightly guided sightseeing plan, this trip can fit well. If service, detailed narration, and a guaranteed full-length itinerary are central to your decision, get those points confirmed first.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The trip lasts nine hours, with a stated departure at 9:00 AM and return at 6:00 PM.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private group trip for up to seven people.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private full-day boat trip, an English-speaking skipper, bottled water on the boat, snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, wind jackets, and fuel.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks on the islands are not included. Lunch is planned at a restaurant in Stomorska Bay, at your own expense.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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