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

The Blue Lagoon swim is the main event here: two hours for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and trying the onboard water slide. I like that the day also gives you a proper stop in Trogir and a chance to see a sunken ship near Šolta, rather than keeping you on the boat all day. I also like the steady supply of water, wine, and homemade iced tea.

The trade-off is that this is a busy nine-hour outing with short sightseeing time. Trogir gets just one hour, the shipwreck may feel modest, and the advertised equipment and schedule may not always match what is available on the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different stops: You get old stone streets in Trogir, open-water swimming at the Blue Lagoon, and snorkeling near the Kontessa shipwreck at Šolta.
• Food and drinks are built into the price: Breakfast includes coffee or tea and a croissant, followed by lunch, fruit, water, wine, and homemade iced tea.
• Trogir is a quick visit: One hour is enough for a brisk walk, but not enough for a relaxed tour of the cathedral, Kamerlengo Tower, and the historic center.
• Swimming ability matters: The boat may moor away from the attractions, so reaching some areas requires swimming.
• Seating is random: You may not sit with your group for the whole trip, and tables are not assigned in advance.
• The day can change: Weather and the captain’s decision may alter the route, timing, or advertised activities.

A full Adriatic day for $91

At $91 per person, this cruise is priced as an all-day package rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for about nine hours on the water, three destinations, breakfast, lunch, fruit, drinks, WiFi, and several water activities.

That can be fair value if you want to see several Dalmatian highlights in one day. Separate boat trips, meals, and drinks can add up quickly in Split, especially in summer. The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet swim or a long visit in Trogir. A cheaper cruise may cover much of the same route.

I would judge this outing by its variety, not by luxury. The boat provides a social day with music, food, swimming, and a changing view. It is not the best choice if you expect a carefully timed sightseeing tour, reserved seating, or polished facilities at every stop.

The overall rating is 3.8 from 11 published ratings, which fits the experience well. The strongest points are the scenery, friendly crew, pleasant swimming stops, and plentiful drinks. The weaker points are timing, food consistency, limited snorkeling equipment, and the gap between the advertised water slide or shipwreck experience and what may be available on the day.

Starting at Split’s harbor

From Split, boarding is scheduled between 9:00 and 9:15 at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag. A second departure point is available at Slatine, where boarding begins between 8:00 and 8:30.

The Split departure is useful if you are staying in the city center. Arrive early enough to find the correct berth, since the meeting point covers two nearby berth numbers. The planned return to Split is 18:30. The Slatine return is scheduled for 19:00.

The seating order is random. This matters if you are traveling with friends or family and hope to sit together at lunch. Be ready to change places or accept that your group may be spread around the boat.

The first part of the ride heads toward Trogir along the south side of Čiovo. Look toward the island for Gospe od Prizidinice, one of Čiovo’s oldest churches. It is a passing view rather than a formal stop, but it gives you a small piece of local history before the main sightseeing begins.

Coffee or tea and a croissant are served during the morning sailing. The breakfast is simple. One published account described the croissant as the full breakfast and reported that coffee and tea were not always available, so I would bring a small backup snack if you need a substantial start to the day.

One quick hour in UNESCO-listed Trogir

The boat is scheduled to reach Trogir at 11:00, with departure at noon. This gives you one hour to walk through the historic center, a compact old town filled with stone lanes, church towers, small squares, and waterfront views.

You can aim for Kamerlengo Tower, the fortified castle near the water, or St. Lawrence Cathedral. The cathedral is known for its carved portal and bell tower, and the tower climb offers a higher view if it is open and you can move quickly.

Other suggested sights include the Three of Love and the Kairos relief. These are small details, so you will get more from Trogir if you have a plan before stepping off the boat. Do not try to see everything. Pick one major sight, then spend the remaining time walking the lanes and finding your way back to the harbor.

One hour is the clear weakness here. Trogir deserves a slower visit, especially in the busy summer season when moving through the old town takes time. Still, this stop adds real cultural value to a day that could otherwise be just a swim cruise.

If Trogir is your main reason for visiting Croatia, book a separate half-day visit. If you want a quick taste of the town between swims, this stop works.

Lunch on the way to the Blue Lagoon

After leaving Trogir, the boat takes about 45 minutes to reach the Blue Lagoon. Lunch is served during this stretch, which makes good use of the travel time.

You can choose from fish, meat, or vegetarian options, with fruit included later as a snack. Fish risotto has been particularly well received, but food quality may vary. One account described the meal as pasta rather than a clear fish, meat, or vegetarian dish, while another called the fish risotto very good. In plain terms, expect a basic boat lunch, not a restaurant meal.

Drinks are included throughout the day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea. This is one of the better practical features of the trip. You do not need to keep buying drinks every time the boat moves, though additional food and drinks offered onboard cost extra.

The lunch arrangement is less polished than some visitors may expect. Tables are not assigned, and you may need to change seats if you want to sit with your group. If eating together matters to you, ask the crew early and be flexible.

Two hours of swimming at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main leisure stop, with a planned stay from 13:00 to 15:00. The name can create inflated expectations. This is a swimming area reached by boat, not a quiet enclosed lagoon with a sandy beach.

You will have time to swim, sunbathe, and use snorkeling gear. A water slide is advertised onboard, though availability may vary. One account found inflatables but no working slide, so treat the slide as a possible extra rather than the reason to book.

The boat may moor some distance from the most interesting water areas. You could need to swim from the boat, which makes this stop unsuitable for anyone who is not comfortable in open water. The experience is also not fully accessible to all abilities because the boat does not necessarily stop directly beside each attraction.

Snorkeling gear requires a €10 safety deposit. Equipment may be limited, and not every person may receive a complete set at the same time. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have them and want to avoid waiting, but the supplied information only confirms that equipment is offered, not that personal gear is required.

This is where the cruise earns much of its appeal. You get a long, unhurried swim break after the short town visit. The water, sun, and open views make the day feel less like a checklist and more like a summer outing. Just keep expectations realistic about the word lagoon.

Nečujam Bay and the Kontessa shipwreck

The final stop is Nečujam Bay on Šolta, reached after a 45-minute ride from the Blue Lagoon. The boat is scheduled to moor near the sunken ship Kontessa, with about one hour for snorkeling around the wreck.

The shipwreck gives the stop a clear focus. You can look below the surface and explore the area from the water, but the wreck is not a major underwater attraction. Some people may find it interesting for a short swim, while others may feel it is smaller or less impressive than the promotional pictures suggest.

The trip description also includes a liquorice tasting around this part of the route. It is a small local touch rather than a full food activity. Fresh fruit is served on the return trip, with watermelon described as plentiful and refreshing.

As at the Blue Lagoon, you may need to swim from the boat to reach the area around the wreck. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the boat and ask the crew what safety support is available before entering the water.

The ride back to Split

The return journey is scheduled from 17:15 to 18:30. Fresh fruit is served, and the boat gives you another stretch of open-water views before arriving in Split.

The day is advertised as ending at 18:30, but timing may shift. One account reported finishing an hour early, while other descriptions note that weather and the captain’s decision can change the route. Avoid scheduling a tight dinner reservation or evening activity immediately after the cruise.

The boat ride itself is part of the experience. You will spend many hours onboard, so your enjoyment depends partly on how much you like sun, music, sea air, and a group atmosphere. Bring sun protection and anything you need to stay comfortable, since the supplied inclusions do not list towels or other personal items.

Food, equipment, and service in practical terms

The crew is often described as friendly, polite, helpful, and willing to assist. That matters on a long day when people need directions, equipment, drinks, and help getting in or out of the water.

The food is convenient but variable. Breakfast is a croissant with coffee or tea in the planned schedule. Lunch offers fish, meat, and vegetarian choices, plus fruit. You should not book this cruise for gourmet meals, but the included food keeps the price from rising during the day.

Drinks are a stronger point. Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included, and supplies are described as steady. Additional drinks and food offered onboard cost extra.

WiFi is included, though the supplied details do not promise a strong connection throughout the route. The same applies to the water slide and snorkeling equipment. These are useful additions when available, but the core experience is the boat ride, swimming, Trogir, and the Šolta stop.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this for you if you want to combine several Dalmatian sights without arranging separate transport. It suits active families, couples, and friends who enjoy swimming, boat music, casual meals, and a full day outdoors.

It is also a good fit if you want a first look at Trogir but do not want to spend an entire day in town. The quick stop gives you a sample, then returns you to the water.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, are not comfortable swimming from a moored boat, or need a fixed schedule. The cruise is also a poor fit if you want a quiet, small-group sailing trip or a detailed guided visit to historic sites.

For serious history fans, the one-hour Trogir stop is too short. For people focused on swimming, the trip offers enough water time to make the schedule worthwhile, even if the shipwreck feels underwhelming.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a good-value, all-day mix of town, swimming, food, and island scenery. Its best moments are the two-hour Blue Lagoon stop, the friendly onboard service, plentiful included drinks, and the chance to see Trogir and Šolta in one outing.

Skip it if you are paying extra for the promise of a working water slide, a large shipwreck, refined meals, or precise timing. Those details may not deliver consistently.

My practical advice is simple: bring sun protection, a backup snack, and your own snorkeling gear if you have it. Expect a basic lunch, random seating, and a schedule that can shift. With those expectations, the $91 price is reasonable for a busy day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from in Split?

Board at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag.

What time does boarding begin in Split?

Boarding in Split is scheduled between 9:00 and 9:15. A Slatine departure is also available between 8:00 and 8:30.

How long is the cruise?

The planned duration is nine hours. Arrival back in Split is scheduled for 18:30, while arrival back in Slatine is scheduled for 19:00.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian food, with fruit served as a snack. The exact meal may vary.

Which drinks are included?

Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included during the day. Additional drinks and food offered onboard cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is offered, but you must pay a €10 safety deposit. Equipment may not be complete or available for everyone at the same time.

Does the cruise include a water slide?

The water slide is listed as included, but availability can vary. In some cases, inflatables may be provided instead.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the itinerary because of weather or operating conditions, and the stated times may not always be followed exactly.