Split/Trogir: Half-Day(5 hours) 3-Island Speedboat Adventure

The best part of this five-hour trip is the variety: you get a long swim in the Blue Lagoon, time to wander Maslinica and another chance to get in the water at a Čiovo cove. A speedboat connects the stops, so you spend more of the half-day out among the islands and less time getting there.

I like the mix of swimming and village time, and the practical comforts: coffee and water on board, snorkel equipment, shade and a shower. The crew can also make the outing feel personal. Guides named Luka, Sinisa and Klaudia have been singled out for friendly hosting, clear instructions and helpful local tips.

The trade-off is the open-water ride. It can feel cold at speed, even on a warm day, and the route may change or be canceled if conditions are unsafe. Bring a light jacket if the air is below 27 to 28°C, plus a towel, sunscreen and cash for food or a beach bar.

• Three different island stops: Swim at the Blue Lagoon, explore Maslinica on Šolta and finish at a cove on Čiovo.
• A full 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon: There’s time to swim, snorkel or stay aboard and relax.
• Maslinica is more than a photo stop: You get about an hour to walk its waterfront and see the restored 16th-century castle.
• Comforts are built in: Snorkel gear, life jackets, a shaded area, a shower, storage, coffee and bottled water are provided.
• The sea sets the schedule: The captain may adjust the route or cancel for safety, so keep plans flexible.
• A good half-day option: At $68 per person, it offers three stops without taking up a full day.

Three islands, one well-paced half-day

This trip is a good fit if you want a taste of island life without organizing ferries, beach stops and transport yourself. In five hours, you travel by speedboat from Split or Trogir to the Blue Lagoon off Veliki Drvenik, the village of Maslinica on Šolta and a swimming cove on Čiovo.

The pace has a useful balance. You’re not just moving from beach to beach: Maslinica gives you a chance to stretch your legs on land, while the two swim stops leave room to cool off and snorkel. The boat rides are part of the day too, with open views back toward Split and Trogir as you leave the mainland.

You can start from either Trogir or Split. The listed departures are 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., though the exact time depends on the option you book and should be checked before you go. The route and pace can also shift with sea and weather conditions.

Boarding in Trogir or Split

The Trogir meeting point is in front of Fortress Kamerlengo. In Split, meet at Mletački mul on the Riva. The tour returns to its starting point, which makes either departure convenient if you’re staying nearby or have planned your day around one of the two towns.

Starting in Trogir means a shorter run to the Blue Lagoon, around 15 to 20 minutes. From Split, expect roughly 35 to 40 minutes to reach it. Those figures help explain why the boat portion may feel different depending on your departure town, and why the ride from Split can be a bit brisker before your first swim.

The boat is described as new and comfortable, with both shaded and sunny seating. It has a fridge, Bluetooth music, a shower and storage for your belongings. The ride is still a speedboat ride, not a quiet ferry crossing: at full speed the wind can feel chilly, and a light jacket or extra layer is sensible if the temperature is under 27 to 28°C.

Life jackets are provided, as is snorkeling equipment. The crew serves coffee and one bottled water per person. Additional bottled drinks may be available to buy, but food is not included, so plan on paying separately if you want lunch or a snack at a stop.

The Blue Lagoon: a long first swim

The first main stop is the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši, near Veliki Drvenik. The water is known for its clear turquoise color, and the planned stay is about an hour and a half. That’s generous time for a half-day outing: you can swim and snorkel without needing to rush straight back aboard.

You can use the provided snorkel gear to look beneath the surface, or simply take a swim and enjoy the open water. If you’d rather stay dry, you can relax on the boat, take in the views or sit in the shade. The boat has a shower for rinsing off afterward, which is a welcome detail when you’re heading on to a village stop.

The lagoon is a popular attraction, so don’t expect a private patch of sea. Conditions and the number of boats around can affect the feel of the stop. Still, the water is the main event here, and the length of the visit gives you time to settle in rather than make a quick splash and leave.

Bring water shoes if you have them. One useful practical note is that access to beaches and the seabed can feel rough on bare feet. The tour supplies snorkel equipment, but you’ll want your own towel, sun protection and a hat.

Maslinica: a village break on Šolta

After the lagoon, the boat heads to Maslinica, a small settlement on Šolta’s western coast. This is the tour’s land-based pause, with roughly an hour to walk, take photos, enjoy the waterfront or find a place to sit down.

Maslinica has stone houses and a picturesque harbor, along with a restored 16th-century castle that now operates as a luxury hotel. It’s a different kind of stop from the Blue Lagoon: less about swimming, more about getting a feel for a working island village and taking a relaxed stroll along the water.

You’ll need to choose how to use the hour. A slow walk and a drink or meal at a harbor restaurant may suit you better than trying to cover every corner. Food is not part of the tour price, and some island restaurants may be closed in the pre-season, so don’t count on every dining option being open. Bring cash as a backup, especially if you plan to stop at a beach bar or restaurant.

For me, Maslinica is an important part of the route because it breaks up the swim-heavy day. You get a look at island architecture and a little breathing room before getting back on the boat.

Čiovo’s cove: one more chance to swim

The final stop is described as Duga Cove in the route and Branac Bay in the trip details, on the southern coast of Čiovo. Beach bar Borkko is identified as a nearby stopping point. Expect around an hour here, with time for swimming, snorkeling or simply relaxing by the water.

The cove is described as having a natural sandy seabed, a contrast with rockier areas where water shoes can be useful. As at the Blue Lagoon, you can decide how active to be. Take another swim, use your snorkel gear or make the most of the stop to rest in the shade and enjoy the coastline.

The beach-bar setting gives the last stop a more casual feel. Food is not included, and you should bring cash for purchases. One beach club mentioned by a guest, Shkoy, was cash-only, but payment arrangements can vary, so don’t assume cards will be accepted everywhere.

This last pause is also a useful buffer before returning to Split or Trogir. If you’re taking a cruise or have another fixed appointment, tell the crew about your timing needs before the trip, and remember that weather can affect the schedule. The route is not a guaranteed timetable when sea conditions change.

What the boat and crew add

On a trip built around three stops, the boat matters. A clean, comfortable craft with a shaded area makes the ride easier, particularly for families or anyone who wants a break from the sun. The onboard shower is handy after swimming, while the fridge, storage and life jackets take care of basic needs.

The experience is led in English, and private groups are available. Crews have included Luka, Sinisa and Klaudia, as well as other named guides such as Antonio, Marco, Franco and Tommo. The names you meet depend on your departure, but a friendly, helpful captain and clear instructions are worth paying attention to: they make it easier to know when to return to the boat and how to make the most of each stop.

The crew may share information about the area and point out places to visit. The focus, though, is on the coast, swimming and the stops rather than a long, formal history talk. If you’re especially interested in local details, ask questions as you go.

There are small touches that make a difference over five hours. Coffee on board is welcome before or after a swim, and bottled water is included. Bluetooth music adds to the relaxed mood, though the volume and playlist are up to the crew.

Is $68 good value?

At $68 per person, the price is reasonable for a five-hour guided boat trip that includes three island stops, snorkel equipment, life jackets, water and coffee. You’re paying for the speedboat and the convenience of linking places that would take more planning to reach independently, as well as for the crew and the onboard facilities.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you like swimming and want a straightforward way to see several spots, the itinerary makes good use of a half-day. If your priority is a long visit to one island, or a full day on the beach, this tour may feel too brief. The hour in Maslinica is enough for a walk and a relaxed stop, but not an in-depth island visit.

Food is extra, as are any purchases at the beach bars or restaurants. Budget for those separately, and bring cash. The tour includes one bottled water, so you may want to bring additional water if you tend to drink a lot, particularly on a hot day.

Who should book this trip?

I’d consider this tour if you’re staying in Split or Trogir and want a compact introduction to nearby islands. It suits couples, families and small groups who are happy on a speedboat and want a mix of swimming, snorkeling and an easy village stroll. Families with children have found the pace manageable, but the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users.

It’s less suited to anyone who gets uncomfortable on open water, dislikes wind or needs a fixed schedule that cannot change. The captain has the final say on safety, and weather can alter the route or cancel the outing. If the tour is canceled, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms help keep plans flexible, but they don’t remove the weather risk. Check the forecast, bring a light layer, and keep the rest of your day adaptable.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You can start in Trogir in front of Fortress Kamerlengo or in Split at Mletački mul on the Riva. The meeting point depends on the option you book.

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts five hours. Listed departure times are 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; check availability for the exact start time.

What stops are included?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon near Veliki Drvenik, Maslinica on Šolta and a swimming stop on Čiovo, identified as Duga Cove and Branac Bay in the trip details.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with a shaded area and a shower on board.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food is not included. Bring cash for food or drinks at a stop, as some beach bars may not accept cards.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, sunscreen and cash. A light jacket is useful if the temperature is below 27 to 28°C, since the speedboat can feel cold when moving at full speed.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want three varied coastal stops, a generous swim at the Blue Lagoon and a comfortable boat ride without giving up a whole day. The combination of clear water, Maslinica’s harbor and a final Čiovo cove gives the route more variety than a simple beach shuttle.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed itinerary or prefer calm, slow transport. For everyone else, $68 buys a practical, well-equipped half-day out, with enough free time to swim, stroll and enjoy the islands at an unhurried pace.