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

Clear water, good food, and a full day afloat. This eight-and-a-half-hour boat trip from Split combines swimming stops, a visit to the Šolta fishing village of Maslinica, lunch, and drinks without forcing you to arrange each piece separately. I like the roomy three-level boat and the friendly crew, and I also like the choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian lunch. The main drawback is seating: arrive late and you may spend much of the day inside or in direct sun.

This is a social, full-size boat outing rather than a quiet private cruise. Arrive early for the best seats, especially if you want a sunbed or an open-air place near the bar. Snorkeling is included in the plan, but the underwater life can be modest, and one recent account mentions a cash deposit for equipment, so ask about that before swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Three-level boat: Covered lower seating, mixed indoor and outdoor space, and a top sun deck with loungers.
• Three distinct stops: Borkko Beach on Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay, and Maslinica on Šolta.
• Lunch and drinks included: Choose fish, meat, or vegetarian food, with water and unlimited white wine served after lunch.
• Long swimming time: Borkko offers about 90 minutes, while the Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours.
• Shipwreck plans may change: The wreck was removed in late September according to the operator, with Borkko used instead during cooler autumn weather.
• Large-group value: The boat can carry up to 154 people, making the $78.60 price attractive, though less personal than a small speedboat.

Starting from Split at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Max Nautica at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda in Split. The boat returns to the same place after roughly eight hours and 30 minutes, so you can continue with an evening walk around Diocletian’s Palace afterward.

I would not cut arrival time close. Several practical details point to getting there well before the 9:30 departure. The upper sunbeds and open seats are popular, and seating may be assigned for the day. One person arrived 30 minutes before departure and ended up with a less desirable indoor position. Another arrived early and secured the last two sunbeds, which made a major difference to the day.

Once aboard, you may receive coffee, a light breakfast, or a small morning snack, depending on the service that day. The crew provides live commentary in English as the boat heads along the coast. The views include Brač, Šolta, and Čiovo, so the journey itself is part of the outing rather than dead time between stops.

The boat is one of this trip’s strongest features. It has three levels, clean toilets, safety boxes for valuables, and enough room to walk around. The lower level is covered, the middle level mixes inside and outside seating, and the top is an open sun deck. That arrangement gives you options in strong sun or changing weather.

The tradeoff is capacity. The maximum is 154 people, and the boat can feel busy when everyone is aboard. This suits you if you enjoy music, conversation, and a lively day at sea. If you want silence, flexible seating, or personal attention from a skipper, a small-group cruise may be worth the higher price.

Borkko Beach on Čiovo: 90 minutes for swimming

The first listed stop is Borkko Beach on Čiovo Island, where the boat pauses for about an hour and a half. You can swim and use snorkeling equipment from the beach area, or stay dry at the beach bar. Sunbeds in front of the bar are available without an admission charge.

This is a useful first stop because it gives you a choice. You can jump into the Adriatic right away, sit with a drink, or simply warm up in the sun after the morning ride. If the water feels chilly, as it can in October, the beach bar and free sunbeds make the stop more comfortable than an open-water swim with nowhere to retreat.

There is some confusion around the shipwreck. Earlier versions of the outing included snorkeling above a wreck, and some accounts describe it as the best part of the day. The operator later stated that the government removed the wreck in late September and that Borkko replaced that stop, particularly for cooler autumn departures.

That means you should not book this trip solely for a wreck visit. The route can change with the season, and the current stop may offer a better shore break but less underwater interest. Snorkel equipment is advertised as included, although one account refers to a €10 cash deposit. Bring some cash or confirm the deposit arrangement at check-in.

The water is clear, but expectations matter. You might see small fish and ordinary sea life, yet this is not a guaranteed marine-life spectacle. One account found both swimming spots poor for snorkeling, with only a few fish. I would treat the mask and snorkel as a pleasant extra, not the main reason to pay for the tour.

Blue Lagoon and Krknjaši Bay: the centerpiece of the day

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours and is the main reason many people choose this cruise. The boat anchors in clear water, giving you time to swim, use the snorkel gear, jump from the main deck, or sit on the sundeck with a drink.

The lagoon is especially good for a relaxed swim. The water can be shallow in places, but it is still pleasant and strikingly clear. You can make the stop as active or lazy as you like. Families may appreciate the choice of shallow water and an easy boat base, while solo visitors often find the long stop a natural time to meet people on board.

Lunch is served during this part of the trip. The stated choices are fish, meat, and vegetarian, with your preference given at check-in. Meals described in the accounts include grilled fish or chicken, bread, and cabbage salad. Some people found the food tasty and better than expected, while others considered it basic or disappointing.

That mixed reaction is fair. This is an included boat lunch, not a restaurant meal designed around several courses. The fish may be served whole, which some diners enjoy and others find awkward. If you prefer a simple Mediterranean plate and want food covered in the ticket price, it does the job. If lunch quality is central to your holiday, keep your expectations modest.

The drink arrangement is worth understanding. Water is included, and white wine is served without a limit from lunch through the end of the tour. Lemonade may also be available. Cocktails and beer cost extra, and some accounts note that cocktails at the beach bar can be expensive. The included wine adds real value, but it is served after lunch rather than throughout the morning.

Some accounts describe lunch being served on the boat, while another describes food at a restaurant near the Blue Lagoon. The exact setup may depend on the departure or operational change. Either way, do not assume you will be dining in a polished waterfront restaurant. The point is convenience: you eat without giving up the main swimming stop.

The boat may play music, and the mood can become lively after lunch and wine. That is a plus if you want a cheerful day with a mixed group. It is less appealing if you are hoping for a quiet two hours of reading.

Maslinica on Šolta: a short taste of island life

Maslinica gives the itinerary a welcome change of pace. This small Dalmatian fishing hamlet has stone architecture, a harbor, local cafes, and a beach where you can swim or sit near the water.

You have about one hour and 15 minutes here. That is enough to walk around the village, have a coffee, grab an ice cream, or take a quick swim. It is not enough for a long island hike or a slow, many-course lunch.

I like this stop because it adds a real place to the day. The Blue Lagoon is about water and scenery. Maslinica gives you streets, buildings, cafes, and a glimpse of everyday island life. You can simply wander without a formal tour, which makes the stop feel less programmed.

Watch the clock. A scheduled 75-minute stop does not always mean 75 full minutes ashore. Docking, disembarking, and the instruction to return before departure can reduce your usable time. If you want coffee and a swim, choose one first, then fit in the other if time allows.

As the boat leaves Maslinica, the crew serves chilled watermelon. It is a small touch, but welcome after sun and salt water. Some departures also include afternoon snacks, adding to the sense that the crew is trying to keep the long day comfortable.

Seating, sun, smoke, and comfort aboard

The seating question deserves more attention than the promotional photos usually get. The boat has attractive sunbeds and open-air seats, but these can fill quickly. If you want them, arrive very early and choose carefully.

Accounts indicate that once seats are assigned, changing places may not be allowed. This can matter more than you expect on an eight-and-a-half-hour outing. A seat in full sun may become tiring, while a lower indoor seat can feel enclosed if you wanted open views.

The lower cabin is useful in bad weather and strong sun, but one person reported cigarette smoke near the cabin because smoking took place outside nearby. If you are sensitive to smoke, ask where non-smoking seating is before settling in. The vessel does offer several levels, but the best position depends on arriving early.

On the positive side, the boat is clean, spacious, and steady enough for walking around. Clean toilets and small safety boxes for wallets and phones are practical details, especially when you want to swim without leaving valuables loose on deck.

Bring sunscreen and reapply it often. The top deck offers the best views and sun, but it also offers the quickest route to a burn. A hat, swimsuit, towel, and only essential items will make the day easier. You should also bring a light layer if you are visiting outside the hottest summer months.

What $78.60 buys you

At $78.60 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day on the water with food and drinks included. You are paying for the boat, crew, commentary, three stops, lunch, snorkeling equipment, water, wine, and the convenience of returning to Split without arranging island transport yourself.

The value is strongest for families and groups. A small private boat can cost much more, while separate ferries, meals, beach stops, and drinks quickly add up. One family found this style of trip especially useful when traveling with children and an older relative because the boat offered seating choices and did not require paying separately for every island visit.

The price is less compelling if you dislike large groups or want long, independent time ashore. You will spend substantial time on the boat, and the schedule is shared with everyone aboard. The $78.60 buys convenience and a broad sample of the coast, not a private Adriatic day.

The 4.7 rating from 2,504 reviews and 93 percent recommendation suggest that the basic formula works very well. Still, the lower ratings reveal the exact pressure points: seat allocation, smoke, basic lunch, limited time in Maslinica, and disappointment when the wreck is not available. Those are not minor details if they affect your priorities.

Who should book this Split boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy island day with plenty of scenery and no need to plan each transfer. It suits families, couples, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and anyone who wants swimming time mixed with a little village wandering.

It is also a good match if you like a lively boat atmosphere. The crew is often praised for being warm, helpful, and fun, with music adding energy to the ride. The staff’s attitude appears to be one of the most consistent strengths of the experience.

I would hesitate if snorkeling is your main goal. The water is clear, but there may be little to see, and the shipwreck itinerary can change. I would also hesitate if you need a guaranteed sunbed, dislike cigarette smoke, or expect a high-end lunch served in a waterfront restaurant.

The free cancellation rule is generous: cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Bad weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can also lead to a new date, another experience, or a refund. One late-season departure was canceled the evening before because the minimum was not met, so keep a backup plan if you are visiting near the end of the season.

Final verdict: a good-value day at sea

Book this tour if you want to see the Blue Lagoon, swim from a large comfortable boat, visit Maslinica, and have lunch and wine handled for you. Arrive early, protect your best seating position, and treat snorkeling as a bonus rather than a promise of spectacular marine life.

Skip it in favor of a smaller cruise if you want a quiet, private feel or greater control over where you sit. For most people seeking a sociable and practical day from Split, though, the mix of swimming, island scenery, food, and friendly service makes $78.60 a sensible buy.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Max Nautica, Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, 21000 Split, Croatia.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Borkko Beach on Čiovo Island, the Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay, and Maslinica on Šolta Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with fish, meat, and vegetarian options available. You provide your preference at check-in.

Are drinks included?

Water is included, and unlimited white wine is served from lunch until the end of the tour. Other drinks, such as cocktails and beer, may cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour information. One account mentions a €10 cash deposit, so confirm the deposit requirement before using the gear.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.