Blue Lagoon, Borkko Beach & Šolta from Split with LUNCH & DRINKS

The best part of this day is the mix: you get two swims in the Adriatic and time ashore in Maslinica, all without arranging separate ferries or meals. I like that the trip includes lunch and snorkel gear, and that the stop in Šolta’s fishing village gives the day a little more character than a string of swim breaks.

I also like the roomy, multilevel boat, with covered and open seating plus a sun deck. The crew serves a welcome drink, lunch and, later, chilled watermelon. One caveat: seating can be assigned and hard to change, so arrive early if sitting outside matters to you. And don’t book this particular route expecting a shipwreck stop.

At a glance

• Three different stops: Swim at Borkko Beach, explore the Blue Lagoon, then spend time in Maslinica on Šolta.
• A full day on the water: The tour starts at 9:30 am and lasts about 8 hours 30 minutes.
• Lunch and wine included: Choose fish, meat or a vegetarian meal at check-in. Local white wine is served from lunch until the end of the trip.
• Snorkel equipment provided: Bring swimwear and a towel, but check at check-in whether a cash deposit is required.
• A large, multilevel boat: Capacity is capped at 154, with covered and open areas and sun loungers on the top deck.
• A highly rated outing: The tour has a 4.7 rating from 2,504 reviews, and 93% of travelers recommend it.

Three Adriatic stops, with time to swim

This is a full-day boat trip from Split, not a quick ferry hop. You’ll spend roughly 8.5 hours away, including time cruising between stops and about 4 hours 45 minutes at the three destinations. That gives you a useful balance: enough time to swim and relax, plus one proper chance to walk around a town.

The route visits Borkko Beach on Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay, and Maslinica on Šolta. The order and timing can be affected by weather or operating conditions, so treat the stated schedule as a guide rather than a promise down to the minute.

There’s live English commentary as you cruise, with views of islands including Brač, Šolta and Čiovo. The boat itself is a major part of the outing. It has several levels, including a covered lower area, a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, and a top sun deck with loungers. That choice is handy in strong sun or if you want a break from it, but the best outdoor spots may go early.

Borkko Beach: a long first swim

The first stop is Borkko Beach on Čiovo, where the boat stays for about an hour and a half. You can swim or snorkel from the beach, stretch out on a free sun lounger, or take a pause at the beach bar. This is the easiest stop for anyone who wants a relaxed start rather than jumping straight into a tightly timed activity.

The beach break is also useful if the Adriatic feels chilly. You can choose how much time to spend in the water, then dry off on shore. Bring a towel and sun protection, and keep your own belongings in mind when you swim: anything left on the boat may not be convenient to retrieve while it is anchored.

A note for anyone hoping to see a shipwreck: don’t count on it. The operator has said the wreck was removed in late September and the itinerary changed to Borkko Beach. Some earlier trips did include a wreck stop, which helps explain why you may see references to it, but this route’s stated first stop is the beach. Book for the islands and swimming, not for a wreck.

Snorkeling gear is included in the tour details, though one passenger reported being asked for a €10 cash deposit. It’s sensible to bring a little cash or confirm the arrangement at check-in rather than assume there will be no deposit.

Blue Lagoon: lunch, wine and a second swim

The Blue Lagoon stop is scheduled for about two hours, the longest pause of the day. Lunch is served during the stop, with a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian food selected at check-in. The meal is a practical part of the package, not a restaurant outing: expectations about quality and presentation vary, and descriptions range from tasty and satisfying to basic.

Local white wine is included without limit from lunch until the end of the tour. Water is also reported as available, and the crew may have other drinks for purchase. If you don’t drink wine, ask what nonalcoholic options are available when you board.

Once lunch is over, you can swim in the clear water, use the snorkel equipment, jump from the main deck or relax on the sundeck. The Blue Lagoon is shallow in places, and don’t expect a packed reef teeming with fish. The attraction here is the water and the setting as much as underwater wildlife. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, this may not be the strongest choice; if you want a scenic swim, it makes more sense.

Meal timing can affect your usable time in the water. Allow for boarding or docking and the instruction to return to the boat before departure. The scheduled two hours is not necessarily two full hours of swimming or shore time.

Maslinica: a village break on Šolta

The final stop is Maslinica, a small Dalmatian fishing village on Šolta. You have about an hour and 15 minutes to walk through the village, look at its architecture, get a coffee or spend a little time by the beach. It’s a welcome change of pace after two swim-focused stops and gives you a taste of island life beyond the boat.

Keep your plans simple. The stop is long enough for a short walk, a drink or a quick dip, but not a leisurely afternoon with several activities. If you want coffee, a beach break and a wander, choose one or two rather than trying to fit everything in.

As the boat leaves Maslinica for Split, the crew serves chilled watermelon. It’s a small touch, but a refreshing one after a day in the sun.

The boat, crew and seating trade-offs

Many people choose this trip because the boat is larger than the small speedboats that run island excursions. A spacious vessel can feel steadier and gives you room to move between decks, use the toilets and find some shelter. The boat has been described as clean and comfortable, with clean toilets and safety boxes available for valuables on some departures.

There is a trade-off: a large boat means a sizable group. The stated maximum is 154 people, so this is not an intimate sailing trip. You’ll share the decks, meal service and swim stops with plenty of other passengers. Families, couples and solo visitors can all fit in, but anyone seeking a quiet, small-group outing may prefer a smaller boat at a higher price.

Arrive early if you care about where you sit. Several people advise getting to the meeting point well before the 9:30 departure, with some suggesting about an hour. Sun loungers and open-air seats are limited, and seat assignments may not be changed after boarding. The covered cabin is a useful fallback, but one passenger found it smoky because it was near a smoking area. If fresh air and sun matter to you, don’t make arrival the last thing on your morning schedule.

The crew is a real strength of the outing. The tour includes English commentary, and crew members have been praised for being friendly, helpful and attentive. Names cited on some departures include Tomislav, Josip and Sandra, but the team may vary. Music is played onboard, and the general mood can be sociable, which suits a relaxed group day more than a quiet nature cruise.

Is $78.60 good value?

At $78.60 per person, this tour bundles transport by boat, three island stops, lunch, snorkel equipment and unlimited local white wine from lunch onward. For a family or group, including lunch and gear can make it easier to budget than piecing together boat transport, food and equipment separately. The included shore time in Maslinica adds value, too.

The price is most worthwhile if you plan to swim, enjoy a day with other people and use the included meal and drinks. It is less compelling if you mainly want snorkeling with abundant marine life, a shipwreck visit, a quiet boat or a long, unstructured stay on one island. The lunch is a simple included meal, not a reason to book on its own, and you may want money for extra drinks or a coffee in Maslinica.

The rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 2,504 reviews, with 93% recommending the trip. That’s a strong record, but it doesn’t erase the practical differences that matter: deck space is limited, the itinerary can change, and some departures may feel crowded.

Before you set off from Split

Meet at Max Nautica, Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda in Split. The tour starts at 9:30 am and returns to the same meeting point. Confirmation is received at booking, and the activity is offered in English.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a hat. The boat has both sun and covered areas, but you may spend long stretches outside, and sunscreen needs reapplying. Bring cash for personal purchases and, as a precaution, a possible snorkel-equipment deposit. Choose your meal preference at check-in: fish, meat or vegetarian.

Weather matters on a boat day. If poor weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a low turnout can lead to cancellation. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this boat trip?

Book it if you want a straightforward, full-day way to see several Adriatic stops from Split, with swimming, a village visit, lunch and drinks included. It works well for families, couples and solo visitors who are comfortable sharing a large boat and value convenience over a private or small-group feel.

Skip it if a wreck swim is essential, you expect a dedicated snorkeling tour, or you want guaranteed sun-lounger space. For the best chance at an outdoor seat, arrive early. If you’re happy with a social day on the water and flexible about the exact rhythm of the stops, the mix of beach time, Blue Lagoon swimming and Maslinica makes this a solid-value island outing.

FAQ

What time does the tour leave, and where does it start?

It starts at 9:30 am at Max Nautica, Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda in Split. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

How long is the boat trip?

The tour lasts about 8 hours 30 minutes.

Which stops are included?

The stated stops are Borkko Beach on Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay and Maslinica on Šolta.

Is lunch included, and what can I choose?

Yes. Fish, meat and vegetarian options are available. Tell the crew your preference at check-in.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Local white wine is unlimited from lunch until the end of the tour, and snorkel equipment is included. One passenger reported a €10 cash deposit for the equipment, so confirm the deposit at check-in.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you’ll be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.