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

The best part of this Split boat trip is the variety packed into one day: a shipwreck snorkel, a quiet hour in Maslinica, and a long stop at the Blue Lagoon. You get the sea, islands, swimming, lunch, and a comfortable boat without arranging three separate outings.

I like the beachside lunch with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian choice, and I like that local wine, water, lemonade, coffee, croissants, and fruit are included. The main thing to consider is space: the boat can carry a large group, while the top deck has only about 20 sunbeds.

Key points

• Three very different stops: Snorkel in Nečujam Bay, visit Maslinica on Šolta, then swim at the Blue Lagoon.
• Lunch by the water: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with a side dish and salad.
• A proper day cruiser: Yacht Tamaris has three decks, air-conditioning, four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and a bar.
• Arrive early for the best seats: Boarding positions matter, especially if you want a top-deck sunbed.
• Good value at $74: Food, several drinks, snorkeling equipment, and an eight-hour cruise are included.
• Plan for a late lunch: The main meal comes at the Blue Lagoon, often around 2:45 or 3 p.m.

A full day on the Adriatic from Split

This is a classic Dalmatian island-hopping day, but it is more than a simple sightseeing cruise. You spend time in the water, walk through a small island village, eat at a beach restaurant, and have enough room on the boat to sit in the shade or stretch out on deck.

The price is $74 per person for about eight hours. That is a fair deal when you add up the boat ride, coffee and croissant, snorkeling gear, lunch, fruit, unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra, but the main parts of the day are covered.

The boat leaves from stand number 8 on Split’s Riva Promenade, close to the sea and across from Diocletian’s Palace. Look for a small white stand with a picture of Yacht Tamaris. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. This is not a suggestion to stroll in at the last minute. The boat must leave on time because of the port schedule.

Yacht Tamaris gives you room to settle in

Yacht Tamaris is a 27-meter day cruiser with three decks. Two salons are air-conditioned, while the open deck has a bar and the upper level has sunbeds. There are four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, safety deposit boxes, and charging sockets.

That matters on a full-day outing. You are not stuck on a small speedboat with nowhere to escape the sun. You can sit inside during the longer crossings, then head outside for the views and fresh air. The boat also has enough toilet and shower facilities to make an eight-hour day more comfortable.

The boat can carry up to about 150 people, so this is not a private sailing trip. It has the feel of a well-organized day cruise. The large size helps with comfort and stability, but it also means the quietest seat is not guaranteed.

If you want the top deck, arrive early and board promptly. There are only around 20 sunbeds, and seating is generally assigned or chosen as you board. Several practical accounts point to the same lesson: the first boarding rush matters if you want prime outdoor space.

Coffee and a croissant while Split fades behind you

The day starts with coffee and a croissant as Tamaris heads away from Split. This light breakfast is welcome, but it is not enough to replace a full meal, especially if you are traveling with children or tend to eat early.

The first crossing lasts about an hour. Use it to get settled, check the deck layout, and listen for instructions from the English-speaking crew. You will want sunscreen, a hat, a towel, swimwear, and comfortable clothes within easy reach.

The open deck is the place for sea views, but the air-conditioned salons are a useful backup. On a sunny day, a few hours in direct sun can catch up with you before lunch. Take breaks indoors and drink water even if you are also enjoying the included wine.

Nečujam Bay and the underwater wreck

The first stop is Nečujam Bay, where you have about an hour to swim and snorkel over a shipwreck. Snorkeling gear is provided, making this an easy activity for anyone who does not want to pack equipment from home.

The wreck is the unusual feature here. It gives you something to look for beneath the surface instead of simply swimming in open water. Fish and other underwater life gather around submerged objects, so the area can be more interesting than a standard swim stop.

Keep your expectations sensible. The wreck is a small submerged boat, not a dramatic historic vessel. It can also be hard to spot at first. One useful improvement would be clearer guidance from the crew about its exact position, particularly for weaker swimmers. If you are not confident in open water, stay close to the boat and ask where to head before swimming out.

The water is the main attraction, not a formal guided snorkeling lesson. The crew gives instructions, but you are largely exploring on your own. That makes this stop flexible, though you should pay attention to the return time. The boat cannot wait for late swimmers.

Maslinica, Šolta’s small fishing village

After Nečujam, the cruise continues toward Maslinica on the island of Šolta. This crossing lasts roughly 45 minutes, and Maslinica gives the day a welcome change of pace.

You get about an hour here for sightseeing and swimming. Maslinica is a small fishing village with an easygoing feel. You can sit in a local café for a freshly brewed coffee, walk around the waterfront, or visit Marchi Castle and its park.

This is not a long island tour. One hour is enough to get your bearings and enjoy the village, but not enough for an extensive exploration of Šolta. If you like moving slowly, you may find the stop too brief. If you prefer a day with several sights, the short visit keeps the schedule lively.

I would use the hour for a simple walk first. See the harbor, take in the village, then choose between a café stop and a swim. Keep an eye on the time. It is easy to lose half the stop over one leisurely coffee.

The Blue Lagoon is the main event

The final stop is the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veliki. The cruise from Maslinica takes about 30 minutes, and you then have around two hours in the area.

This is the broadest swimming stop of the day. The sea is clear and turquoise, and you can snorkel, swim, walk along the shore, or relax beneath old pine trees. The setting is made for a slow afternoon rather than a packed program.

Lunch is served at a private beach restaurant. You choose from fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option, each with a side dish and salad. Fresh fruit comes afterward. Local wine, water, and lemonade are included with the meal.

The food is simple rather than elaborate. Grilled fish and chicken are the safer choices for many people, while the vegetarian option gives non-meat eaters a clear alternative. If you choose fish, expect a whole fish with bones, not a neat boneless fillet. Some diners find it tasty, but deboning it takes patience.

Lunch can arrive late, often around 2:45 or 3 p.m. I recommend eating a proper breakfast and bringing a small snack, especially for children. You can buy some extra snacks and drinks on board, but do not count on lunch coming early.

After eating, you can return to the beach, order an extra cocktail, or swim from the boat. The beach can be rocky underfoot, so water shoes may be useful if you have them. The water beside the boat may offer a better swim for confident swimmers who prefer deeper water.

Two hours sounds generous, but lunch takes part of it. If you want the longest possible swim, eat efficiently and head straight back to the water. Several people felt the Blue Lagoon stop passed quickly, and that is understandable because it is the prettiest and most relaxing part of the day.

Included drinks and extra costs

The included drinks help make the $74 price easier to justify. Coffee and a croissant start the morning, while local wine, water, and lemonade are available as part of the day. Lunch, fruit, and snorkeling gear are also covered.

Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola are extra. The onboard bar sells those drinks, with cocktails reported at about €8. Bring cash, since card payment may not be accepted on board. Prices and payment arrangements can change, so confirm before ordering.

You are paying for convenience as much as for transportation. A separate island transfer, restaurant meal, and snorkeling rental would quickly add up. The tradeoff is that you follow the boat’s timetable and share the experience with a large group.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want to see several coastal highlights without planning ferries and taxis. It also works well for couples, solo visitors, and families who prefer an organized day with food and facilities close at hand.

Solo visitors have an easy way to meet people because the boat creates a social setting. Families benefit from the toilets, showers, air-conditioned seating, and clear schedule. Children should be comfortable with swimming and a long day on the water, and parents should pack extra snacks because of the late lunch.

This is less suitable if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing trip, or a serious snorkeling excursion. The underwater wreck is modest, the group may be large, and the Blue Lagoon can feel short once lunch is included.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early: The meeting point is stand 8 on the Riva, near Diocletian’s Palace.
• Board early: Outdoor seating and the limited upper-deck sunbeds go quickly.
• Bring a snack: Lunch is served late in the afternoon.
• Pack a towel and sunscreen: Swimming is central to the day, and shade is limited on the top deck.
• Carry beachwear and a hat: You will move between shaded salons, open decks, and exposed beaches.
• Bring cash: Extra drinks may not accept cards.
• Use the showers: Rinsing off after each swim makes the next boat crossing more comfortable.
• Keep valuables secure: Safety deposit boxes are available on board.
• Do not wander far at stops: The schedule is fixed, and the boat leaves on time.

The cruise returns to the same place on the Riva after about eight hours. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Split schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Šolta cruise?

Book it if you want a well-equipped boat, several swimming stops, a village visit, and lunch included in one straightforward day. The strong points are the clean, stable boat, friendly crew, useful facilities, and the good mix of activity and downtime.

Think twice if your priority is long snorkeling time or a small-group atmosphere. The shipwreck is small, the Blue Lagoon stop includes lunch, and top-deck seating is limited.

For most visitors with one free day from Split, I think the value is solid. Arrive early, bring a snack, do not expect a private excursion, and treat the Blue Lagoon as the main prize. With those expectations, this is an easy way to put several Dalmatian scenes into one day.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at stand number 8 on Split’s Riva Promenade. The stand is a small white kiosk with a picture of the boat, near the sea and across from Diocletian’s Palace.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Split’s Riva.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour and crew service are in English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the Blue Lagoon includes a choice of fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with a side dish and salad. Fresh fruit is served for dessert.

Are drinks included?

Coffee, a croissant, local wine, water, and lemonade are included. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included for the swimming stops.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear.

Does the boat have toilets and showers?

Yes. Yacht Tamaris has four toilets and showers. It also has Wi-Fi and safety deposit boxes for valuables.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave strictly on time because of the port schedule and the day’s planned stops.