Split: Blue Lagoon, Shipwreck and Šolta with Food and Drinks

The day’s most unusual stop is a submerged shipwreck in Nečujam Bay, where you can snorkel above it before heading to a fishing village and a turquoise swimming bay. This is a full-day boat outing, not just a quick ride to a beach.

I like the mix of three very different stops and the practical comforts aboard the 27-meter Tamaris. I also like that the $74 fare covers coffee and a croissant, lunch, fruit, and unlimited local wine, water and lemonade, so the main costs are clear before you set off.

One thing to plan around: lunch comes late on some departures, and the Blue Lagoon is the final stop, so bring a small snack if you need one. Outdoor sun loungers are limited, too, so arrive early if you want the best chance at a spot upstairs.

• Snorkel over a wreck: Nečujam Bay offers the day’s most distinctive swim, though you may need to look carefully for the submerged boat.
• Walk around Maslinica: Spend about an hour in Šolta’s small fishing village, with time for the waterfront, a café and Marchi Castle’s park.
• Eat by the Blue Lagoon: Lunch is served at a beach restaurant, with fish, chicken and a vegetarian option.
• Settle in on Tamaris: The three-deck boat has two air-conditioned salons, toilets, showers, Wi-Fi and an open bar.
• Know what is covered: Coffee, a croissant, snorkeling gear, lunch, fruit, local wine, water and lemonade are included. Other drinks cost extra.

A full island day from Split

This eight-hour cruise takes you from Split to three distinct stops: Nečujam Bay on Šolta, Maslinica on Šolta, and the Blue Lagoon by Drvenik Veliki. You’ll spend time at sea between stops, so the boat ride is part of the day rather than mere transport.

That makes the tour a good fit if you want to see more of the islands without arranging separate ferries, meals and swims yourself. It is also an easy way to add a sea day to a Split stay, especially if you enjoy swimming but still want a village stop and a sit-down lunch.

The rhythm is simple: cruise, swim and snorkel, walk around a village, then spend the longest stop at the Blue Lagoon. The route includes time to relax on board, too. You don’t need to pack your day with independent plans, but you should be comfortable spending much of it on a boat with a sizeable group.

Boarding Tamaris on the Split Riva

The meeting point is stand number 8 on the Riva promenade, beside the sea and across from Diocletian’s Palace. Look for a small white stand with a picture of the boat. The tour returns to the same point, which keeps the day easy to fit around a stay in central Split.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat has to leave on schedule because of port timing, and arriving late can hold up the group or leave you behind. Check your route to the stand in advance, especially if you are staying outside the center.

Tamaris is a 27-meter day cruiser with three decks, two air-conditioned salons, an open deck with a bar, and a sundeck. There are four toilets, showers and Wi-Fi on board, as well as safety deposit boxes for valuables. Those details matter on an eight-hour outing: you can cool off indoors, rinse after a swim, and keep your phone connected.

The boat has room for a large group, and one account put capacity at around 150 people. That means a lively shared outing rather than a small private cruise. If you prefer open-air seating, get there early. The sun loungers upstairs are limited, and seating may be assigned as you board, with the same seats kept for the journey. There are many seats inside, but only some are in full sun.

Nečujam Bay and the shipwreck

The first stop is Nečujam Bay, after an initial sightseeing cruise of about an hour. Coffee and a croissant are served during the ride, a modest but welcome start before the first swim.

At the bay, you can use the included snorkeling gear to explore the water above a submerged shipwreck. Set your expectations sensibly: it is described as a small boat, not a dramatic wreck stretching across the seabed. The appeal is the chance to spot it and see what life is doing beneath the surface.

Finding the wreck can take a little effort. Its exact position may not be obvious from the water, and one account found the swim a long one for a weaker swimmer. Listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and don’t assume the wreck will be right beside the boat. If you are unsure of your swimming ability, take a cautious approach and ask the crew what to expect before entering the water.

Snorkeling conditions and visibility depend on the day, so no one can promise a particular underwater spectacle. Still, this stop gives the itinerary something beyond beaches and scenery. Bring a towel and beachwear, and remember that sunscreen, a hat and comfortable clothes will help during the stretches in the sun.

Maslinica: a short island pause

After Nečujam, the boat cruises to Maslinica on Šolta. You have about an hour here, enough for a gentle walk, a swim or a coffee at one of the local cafés. The village is a change of pace from the water: small-scale and easygoing, with a waterfront setting and a chance to see a little everyday island life.

Marchi Castle and its park are another reason to step ashore. This is not a long historical tour, and an hour does not allow for an exhaustive visit. Think of it as a pleasant pause to stretch your legs, look around and choose what interests you most.

The time goes quickly, particularly if you want to sit down for coffee and also swim or walk to the castle. Decide what matters when you arrive rather than trying to do everything. If you value unhurried village visits, this stop may feel brief; if you want variety within a single day, its short length helps keep the cruise moving.

Lunch and swimming at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the final and longest stop, with roughly two hours for lunch and free time. The turquoise water is the headline, but the shore-based restaurant is a practical part of the experience. You can eat without needing to bring a full meal, then choose between swimming, snorkeling, walking around the bay or resting in the shade of a pine forest.

Lunch offers three choices: fish, chicken or a vegetarian meal, served with a side dish and salad. Fresh fruit is included for dessert. The meal is straightforward rather than elaborate, and the fish may be served whole, so expect bones and take your time eating. The setting is a major part of the appeal: a beach restaurant beside the water is a more pleasant break than a rushed meal back on the boat.

The schedule can mean a late lunch, sometimes around 2:45 p.m. That timing is not guaranteed, but it is worth preparing for. If you are traveling with children or get hungry early, pack a small snack. There are also extra drinks for sale on board, though beer, cocktails and Coca-Cola are not included.

After lunch, use the remaining time in the way that suits you. The shore can be rocky underfoot, so water shoes may be useful if you have them, though they are not listed as a requirement. Some people may prefer swimming from the boat into deeper water rather than entering from the beach. You can also relax in the shade instead of spending the whole stop in the sun.

Two hours sounds generous, but it includes lunch, changing and getting to the water. If your main goal is to spend a long stretch at the Blue Lagoon, this schedule may feel short. The trade-off is that you get the shipwreck and Maslinica as well, rather than making the day a single-stop beach excursion.

What the $74 fare covers

At $74 per person, the value depends on how much you use the included food, drinks and facilities. The fare covers an eight-hour cruise, English-speaking crew, coffee and a croissant, snorkeling gear, lunch, fruit, and unlimited local wine, water and lemonade. Wi-Fi, showers and safety deposit boxes are also included.

Those inclusions remove several common costs from an island day. You are not paying separately for a boat transfer, a basic meal and water, and the boat has facilities that make a long day more comfortable. If you would otherwise book transport and buy lunch and drinks along the way, the price is easier to justify.

It is not an all-inclusive bar. Beer, cocktails and Coca-Cola are extra, and the boat has a bar for additional drinks. Bring money for those purchases and any coffee or other treats you choose in Maslinica. One account recommends carrying cash, so I would bring some rather than assume card payment is available for every extra.

Food is a useful inclusion, but keep expectations grounded. The menu is limited to fish, chicken or vegetarian, and the meal is described as simple. The beach setting and convenience add value; this is not a restaurant tour for diners seeking a long or elaborate lunch.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits people who want a relaxed, organized day on the water with several kinds of stops. It works well for couples, groups of friends and solo travelers who are happy to share a boat and spend time around other people. Families can enjoy the swims and boat ride, though parents should plan for the late lunch possibility and keep a close eye on children in the water.

It is a good choice if you want swimming, a bit of snorkeling, a village visit and lunch without coordinating the pieces yourself. The crew gives instructions, the route is structured, and the boat has toilets, showers and indoor salons. That support makes the day simpler than trying to piece together multiple island transfers.

It is less suitable if you want a small-group sailing experience, long independent time on each island or guaranteed top-deck sunbathing. The boat can carry a large number of people, some seating is indoors, and the Blue Lagoon stop has a fixed time. The wreck also takes some searching, so anyone expecting an easy, guided snorkel directly over a clearly visible site should keep expectations modest.

A few practical things to bring

Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, a sun hat, a camera and comfortable clothes. Bring a small snack if you tend to eat early, particularly if you are traveling with children. A little cash is sensible for drinks outside the included choices and purchases ashore.

The boat provides snorkeling gear, but there may be a deposit: one account reported a €10 deposit. Confirm the current arrangement with the operator before departure, and bring cash in case it is still required. The listed fare includes the gear, so treat any deposit as separate from the rental cost.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a well-equipped boat, three varied stops and a day where the basics are taken care of. The shipwreck swim, Maslinica walk and Blue Lagoon lunch make a satisfying combination, while the included food and drinks help the $74 price feel fair.

Skip it if you want a quiet, intimate boat or would rather spend most of the day at one beach. If you do go, arrive on time, get there early for a better chance at outdoor seating, and bring a snack for the long stretch before lunch. That small bit of planning can make an already easy day run more smoothly.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts eight hours and returns to the meeting point on Split’s Riva promenade.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at stand number 8 on the Split Riva, by the sea and across from Diocletian’s Palace. It is a small white stand with a picture of the boat.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave on time because of the port schedule.

What stops are included?

The route includes Nečujam Bay for swimming and snorkeling, Maslinica on Šolta, and the Blue Lagoon by Drvenik Veliki.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes, snorkeling gear is included. One account reports a €10 deposit, so check the current deposit arrangement with the operator.

What food and drinks are included?

Coffee and a croissant, lunch with a choice of fish, chicken or a vegetarian option, a side dish and salad, and fresh fruit are included. Unlimited local wine, water and lemonade are also included.

Are other drinks included?

No. Beer, cocktails and Coca-Cola are extra.

What facilities are on the boat?

Tamaris has two air-conditioned salons, an open deck with a bar, a sundeck, four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi and safety deposit boxes.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and beachwear. A small snack is useful if you are concerned about lunch being late.