From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

A full day of sea, ruins, and swimming. This nine-hour cruise packs Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Šolta into one easy day from Split, with breakfast, lunch, drinks, and fruit included. I like the friendly crew and the amount of food and drink provided, especially the fish risotto praised in one account. I also like that the boat offers snorkeling gear and a waterslide, giving you more to do than simply sit on deck.

The main drawback is that the schedule and included features may not always match the plan exactly. Trogir gets only one hour, the shipwreck is modest, snorkeling equipment may be limited, and recent accounts describe changes to the meals, waterslide, and return time. This is best viewed as a relaxed group boat day, not a precise sightseeing program.

Five things to know before booking

• Trogir gets one hour: Enough for a quick walk and a major sight, but not enough for a leisurely visit.
• The Blue Lagoon is mainly a swimming stop: Expect open water, sunbathing, snorkeling, and inflatables rather than a quiet natural lagoon.
• Šolta’s Kontessa wreck is a short snorkeling stop: The ship sits underwater in Nečujam Bay, but it may disappoint if you expect a large wreck site.
• Meals and drinks are included: Coffee, croissants, lunch, water, wine, homemade iced tea, licorice tasting, and fruit are part of the day.
• Boat seating is random: You may not sit with your group unless you are prepared to change places.
• The price is reasonable for a full day: At about $91 per person, the value depends on how much you enjoy swimming and being on a busy boat.

Setting out from Split or Slatine

The cruise begins at Split’s Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag. Boarding is scheduled around 9:00 to 9:15 in Split, while the Slatine departure begins earlier, around 8:00 to 8:30, with arrival back in Slatine at about 19:00.

That second departure point matters if you are staying on Čiovo. Slatine can save you the trip into central Split, but most people booking this experience will probably use the Split departure. Check the exact start time when you reserve, since the published schedule gives slightly different boarding times.

Once underway, the boat follows the south side of Čiovo. You can see Gospe od Prizidinice, one of the oldest churches on the island. It is a pleasant opening view, and the short coastal passage gives you a taste of the Dalmatian islands before the first major stop.

Coffee, tea, and croissants are planned for the morning. Keep expectations modest: the breakfast is a light snack, not a full meal. One recent account reported receiving only a croissant and no coffee or tea, so it is sensible to eat beforehand if breakfast matters to you.

The boat provides WiFi, though I would treat that as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. On a day like this, the best connection is usually the view from the rail.

Trogir in one fast hour

The boat is scheduled to reach Trogir at 11:00 and remain there until 12:00. This is the cultural part of the day, and it is also the most compressed.

Trogir is a UNESCO-protected old town with stone lanes, small squares, and compact medieval sights. In one hour, you can get a good taste of the center, but you cannot see everything at a comfortable pace. I would not try to cover the entire town. Pick one main sight, then use the rest of your time for a short walk.

Possible choices include Kamerlengo Tower or St. Lawrence Cathedral. You can also look for the Three of Love and the Kairos relief. These details reward a little preparation because the stop is too short for wandering without a plan.

If you want to climb a tower, check the time first and keep an eye on the meeting point. A line or a slower walk can use up much of the hour. I would choose either the cathedral or Kamerlengo Tower, then spend the remaining minutes walking the nearby streets.

Trogir is a strong part of the cruise, but the one-hour limit is a real compromise. If Trogir is high on your Dalmatia wish list, visit it separately for a longer stay. If you mainly want a quick old-town stop between swims, this schedule works.

Lunch while cruising to the Blue Lagoon

After leaving Trogir, the boat takes roughly 45 minutes to reach the Blue Lagoon. Lunch is served during the crossing, which is a practical use of time. The listed choices are fish, meat, and vegetarian meals, followed by fruit later in the day.

Food quality appears to be uneven. One account praised the fish risotto, while another described the food as pasta rather than the advertised meat or fish dish. That means I would see lunch as convenient fuel, not a reason to expect a restaurant meal.

Drinks are one of the better parts of the package. Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included throughout the day, with extra food and drinks available for purchase. The supply of drinks was specifically praised, so you should not need to budget for every glass of water or wine.

Tables are not assigned in advance. Seating is random, and one account found it frustrating to change places in order to sit with a group. If you are traveling with friends, arrive ready for a little seat negotiation. The boat may be full, and keeping a group together is not guaranteed.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The boat reaches the Blue Lagoon around 13:00 and is scheduled to stay for two hours. This is the heart of the day.

You can swim, sunbathe, use snorkeling equipment, and try the onboard waterslide. The stop is well suited to people who want an active afternoon on the sea. Fresh water, wine, and iced tea remain available, and the crew has been praised for being friendly and helpful.

The name can create the wrong picture. This is not necessarily a secluded pool of calm water surrounded by empty nature. It is a popular boat stop, and the boat may anchor away from the shallowest swimming areas. One account pointed out that you need to swim from the boat to reach some attractions, which is important if you are not a confident swimmer.

Equipment is another point to keep in mind. Snorkeling gear requires a €10 safety deposit, and one account said there was not enough complete equipment for everyone. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have them. You will know the fit is right, and you will not have to wait for equipment to become available.

The waterslide is advertised as included, but one recent account said the slide was not operating and that inflatables were provided instead. Conditions can change with the boat, weather, or equipment. Enjoy the slide if it is available, but do not make it the sole reason for booking.

For families and swimmers, two hours is a good length. You have time to get in the water without spending the entire afternoon there. For anyone who dislikes crowded swimming stops, this may be the least appealing section.

Nečujam Bay and the Kontessa shipwreck

The final main stop is Nečujam Bay on Šolta. The boat anchors near the sunken ship Kontessa, with about an hour scheduled for snorkeling around the wreck.

This is a different kind of stop from the Blue Lagoon. Instead of open-water swimming and sunbathing, you get a simple underwater sight. It adds variety to the day, particularly if you enjoy snorkeling and want something to look at beneath the surface.

Keep your expectations in check. The wreck is not presented as a major underwater expedition, and one account found it disappointing. The boat also stops some distance from the attractions, so you may need to swim to the wreck. That makes this stop less suitable for anyone who cannot comfortably swim in open water.

The schedule includes a licorice tasting before or around the Šolta stop. It is a small local touch rather than a major attraction, but it breaks up the swimming and gives the last part of the cruise some character.

The bay itself provides a calm setting for the boat. I would bring a dry bag for your phone, sunglasses, and money, since moving between the boat and the water can be awkward.

The ride back to Split

The return crossing is scheduled from about 17:15 to 18:30, with fresh fruit served on the way. Watermelon was described as fresh and plentiful in one account, which sounds like a welcome finish after several hours in the sun.

The boat is due back in Split around 18:30, or Slatine around 19:00. Do not schedule an important dinner reservation immediately afterward. The captain may alter the route or timing because of weather and sea conditions, and one account reported finishing an hour earlier than planned.

That flexibility is normal on a boat day, but it is worth knowing before you book. If you need a precise return time for a flight, ferry, or evening event, choose a shorter or more fixed activity instead.

What the $91 price really covers

At about $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Dalmatian coast. Similar boat outings may cost less, and the included sights overlap with other island cruises.

The value comes from convenience. You get transport between three places, breakfast, lunch, drinks, fresh fruit, snorkeling access, WiFi, and a full day on the water. Buying each part separately would be harder, even if a cheaper boat-only option exists.

The price works best for you if you want an all-day social excursion with minimal planning. It is less attractive if you care most about a long visit in Trogir, a quiet swimming cove, excellent food, or guaranteed equipment.

I would compare the exact boat, meal promises, seating arrangements, and included activities before booking. The tour appears to offer a broad package, but actual delivery can vary. That is the central value question: you are paying for a full day of movement and service, not for a perfectly controlled schedule.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend it most strongly to people who:

• Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and open-water boat rides
• Want to combine three Dalmatian stops in one day
• Like having meals and drinks included
• Are comfortable with random seating and a group atmosphere
• Can adjust plans if weather or the captain changes the schedule
• Want a convenient day from Split without arranging separate transport

It is a weaker match if you want quiet sightseeing, a long cultural visit, or a high-end food experience. Trogir deserves more than an hour, and the Blue Lagoon and shipwreck stops both depend on your comfort in the water.

The tour is also not fully suitable for everyone. The boat may anchor away from the attractions, and swimming may be necessary to reach them. Ask before booking if you have mobility concerns or are not comfortable entering the sea from a boat.

Practical tips for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof bag. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and spray.

Pack a small snack even though food is included. Breakfast is light, and lunch quality may vary. Bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one, and remember that the provided equipment requires a €10 safety deposit.

Plan your Trogir hour before departure. Choose one main sight rather than trying to see every church, tower, and lane.

If you are with a group, expect seating to be random. Arrive early, listen for the crew’s instructions, and be ready to move seats politely if you want to sit together.

Finally, leave your evening open. The stated return time is 18:30 in Split, but weather and the captain’s decisions can change the day.

Should you book this cruise?

Book it if you want a busy, good-value day on the water with swimming, casual sightseeing, food, and drinks handled for you. The crew’s friendliness, steady drinks, attractive coastal views, and two-hour Blue Lagoon stop are the strongest reasons to go.

Think twice if you are paying extra for the promise of a waterslide, a substantial breakfast, a carefully timed schedule, or an impressive shipwreck. Those elements may not always appear as advertised.

My advice is simple: compare this cruise with cheaper boats, then book it only if the included meals and drinks justify the difference for you. For a flexible swimmer who wants to see a little of Trogir and Šolta without planning every ferry and meal, $91 is a fair price. For a serious history enthusiast or a cautious swimmer, a separate Trogir visit and a shorter coastal cruise may be money better spent.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from in Split?

The meeting point is Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag.

Can I board in Slatine instead of Split?

Yes. Boarding is offered in Slatine from around 08:00 to 08:30, with arrival back in Slatine scheduled for about 19:00.

What food and drinks are included?

Breakfast includes coffee and a croissant. Lunch offers fish, meat, or vegetarian options, with fruit served later. Water, wine, homemade iced tea, and licorice tasting are included.

How long is the stop at Trogir?

The scheduled sightseeing stop lasts one hour, from approximately 11:00 to 12:00.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is offered, but a €10 safety deposit is required. Equipment may not be available in complete sets for everyone.

Is cancellation available?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.