From Trogir: Three Islands Half-Day Speedboat Tour

The best part of this tour is the variety packed into five hours. You get a fast, scenic ride past Trogir and Kamerlengo Castle, a long swim at the Blue Lagoon, a walk through Maslinica, and another chance to snorkel in Duga Bay.

I like the balance between water time and village time. I also like that the boat carries snorkeling gear, water, safety equipment, and windproof jackets, so you do not need to pack much beyond a towel and sun protection. The main drawback is the clock: one hour can feel short, especially if you want lunch, a proper walk, and a swim at the same stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different stops: Swim at the Blue Lagoon, walk around historic Maslinica, then cool off at Duga Bay on Čiovo.
• Fast but compact format: The tour lasts five hours, with about an hour at each main stop and short speedboat crossings between them.
• Small-group feel: Boats described by guests carried roughly 8 to 12 people, making the ride more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Skippers matter: Petar, Peter, Ivan, Roko, Lujo, and Iggy are among the captains praised for safe driving, humor, local details, and helpful planning.
• Bring your own food if needed: Lunch is not included, and the time available for a restaurant stop may be tight.
• Best for active families and swimmers: The tour suits all ages, but it is not wheelchair accessible and involves boarding a boat, walking, and getting in and out of the water.

A quick ride from Trogir to the Blue Lagoon

You meet the skipper on Trogir’s main promenade, in front of Kamerlengo Castle. That is a convenient starting point, since the fortress gives you an easy landmark in the old town and the first minutes on the water offer a fine view back toward Trogir.

The opening ride takes about 20 minutes. The speedboat is not just transport between stops. It is part of the pleasure. You get open views of the Adriatic, nearby islands, and the Trogir waterfront, with enough speed to make the crossing feel lively without turning the whole outing into a race.

Boat size varies by departure, but the experiences provided describe boats holding around 8 to 12 people. That matters. You are not sitting on a large excursion vessel with hundreds of people. You are sharing a smaller boat with a handful of other passengers, so boarding, swimming stops, and conversation with the skipper tend to feel more relaxed.

The ride can be breezy even on a warm day. Windproof jackets are included, but I would still bring a light layer if you tend to feel cold. The boat has safety equipment, and the skippers receive repeated praise for calm driving and careful handling in tight spaces. Petar, Peter, Ivan, Roko, Lujo, and Iggy are all named in the feedback, though your skipper will depend on the departure.

Blue Lagoon: the tour’s main swimming stop

After the first crossing, you reach the Blue Lagoon for about an hour and a half. This is the longest stop, and it is where the tour puts its strongest emphasis on swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and time in the sea.

The water is the reason to come. It is clear enough for you to see small fish below the surface, and snorkeling equipment is included. Several families found the water comfortable for children, while adults used the stop for swimming, floating, and sunbathing. If you prefer not to get wet, you can relax on the beach and enjoy the view.

I would treat this as a proper water stop rather than a quick photo pause. You have time to change your pace, but not unlimited time. If you want to snorkel, swim, take photographs, and dry off before boarding, organize your things early. A towel, hat, sunscreen, and a secure bag for valuables are useful.

The Blue Lagoon can be busy, especially in the height of summer. One skipper may try to arrive at a quieter moment, but no captain can control the number of boats in the area. The clear water remains the attraction, though the setting will feel less peaceful when many groups arrive at once.

This stop suits confident swimmers and families who want easy access to the sea. The crew can provide equipment, but you should still be realistic about your own swimming ability and your children’s comfort in open water. The tour is suitable for all ages, and families with children as young as three were able to enjoy it, but parents remain responsible for close supervision.

Maslinica on Šolta, a useful break from the water

A short 10-minute boat ride brings you to Maslinica on the island of Šolta. This is the most cultural stop of the day, and it gives the trip a welcome change of rhythm.

Maslinica is the only village and port on the western side of Šolta. You can walk through the old village, look at the waterfront, and see how the local community is arranged around the harbor. The main architectural feature is a restored 16th-century castle that has been converted into a hotel.

You get about an hour here. That is enough for a short walk, photographs, coffee, or a meal, but it requires a choice. You probably cannot sit down for a long lunch, wander every lane, and still have plenty of spare time. Several people wished for an extra 30 minutes at this stop, especially when they had to walk to a restaurant and wait for food.

This is also the stop where the tour’s lunch arrangement needs some thought. Lunch is not included. Restaurants and cafés are available, but opening times and service speed may limit your options, particularly on a morning departure. If you want a proper meal, eat before leaving Trogir or bring snacks. If you prefer a coffee, ice cream, or a quick local dish, Maslinica gives you the chance to buy something on your own.

I like this stop because it prevents the excursion from becoming a series of swimming breaks. You get a glimpse of island life, a historic building, and time to walk on solid ground. Still, Maslinica may feel quieter and less immediately dramatic than the Blue Lagoon. The appeal is its harbor setting and village character, not a long list of sights.

Duga Bay on Čiovo for the final swim

From Šolta, the boat travels for about 15 minutes toward Duga Bay on the southern side of Čiovo. The final stop lasts roughly an hour and a half, although the exact balance between swimming, lunch, walking, and other activities can vary by departure.

Duga Bay is another place to cool off in clear water. You can snorkel among small silver fish, swim from the shore or boat area, and enjoy a slower final stop before returning to Trogir. Some departures use this part of the day for food as well, but the meal remains your own expense.

This is often the most flexible stop. You might want to swim again after your walk in Maslinica, or you may prefer to sit with a drink and watch the water. If the weather and timing allow, an afternoon departure can bring sunset color on the return ride. That option received special praise from people who chose a later start.

The tradeoff is crowding. Duga Bay can be busy, particularly during the summer season. One person found the last stop crowded, while still enjoying the other two locations. I would not book this excursion expecting solitude. Book it for the mix of scenery, swimming, and easy island access.

What the speedboat adds to the experience

The speedboat changes how much you can see in half a day. A slower boat would spend more of the five hours crossing between islands. Here, the longest ride is about 20 minutes, followed by crossings of roughly 10 and 15 minutes.

You also get the fun of the ride itself. Families often enjoyed the speed, and children liked the sense of motion and the chance to jump into the water at the stops. At the same time, the boat is open to wind and spray, so it will not feel like a quiet, enclosed ferry.

The captains are a major part of the experience. Petar and Peter are praised for friendly conversation, local stories, and safe driving. Ivan and Roko are noted for sharing facts about each location, while Lujo and Iggy receive similar praise for guiding, piloting, and helping families feel comfortable. Crew assignments change, so treat these names as examples rather than a promise of who will operate your boat.

Communication before departure is another practical strength. The operator may send meeting details the day before, help explain parking, and in some cases arrange pickup from a nearby resort or accommodation pier. That pickup is not presented as a standard part of every booking, so ask before relying on it.

Is $67 good value for five hours?

At $67 per person, I consider this good value if you want transport, a skipper, safety equipment, fuel, water, and three stops without arranging several separate boat rides. Fuel and VAT are included, as are snorkeling equipment, a 0.5-liter bottle of water, windproof jackets, and insurance.

The value is strongest when you want variety. You are paying for the boat ride, the time saved between islands, the captain’s local assistance, and access to places that are awkward to connect by land in a single morning or afternoon. The tour also avoids the cost and planning involved in hiring a private boat.

It is less appealing if your main goal is one long, quiet beach day. The stops are scheduled, and you will need to return to the boat when the group moves on. If you want two or three hours at one bay, a full-day or private charter may suit you better.

Lunch is the main extra cost to plan for. It is not included, and Maslinica or Duga Bay may not give you enough time for a slow restaurant meal. Bring snacks, eat before departure, or accept that your meal may be simple and quick.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 804 bookings, with 91 percent awarding the transport a perfect score. The most consistent praise goes to the skippers, the clear water, the small boat, and the smooth communication before the trip. The most useful criticism is also consistent: five hours passes quickly, and some people would prefer the longer eight-hour option.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want a compact introduction to the islands around Trogir. Children can enjoy the speedboat and warm water, and the mix of swimming and walking keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

It also works well if you are staying in Trogir or nearby and want to see more of Dalmatia without giving up an entire day. You get a sample of Šolta and Čiovo, plus the famous Blue Lagoon, then return to Trogir in time for an evening meal.

The tour is less suitable if you use a wheelchair. It is not wheelchair accessible, and you need to board a speedboat, walk around a village, and get in and out of the water. Anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator directly about current boarding arrangements before paying.

You should also think about motion and sun. The boat ride is fast and exposed, and the day includes long periods outdoors. Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, water-friendly footwear if you use it, and a small bag that can handle spray.

What to pack and how to plan the day

Keep your packing simple:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Water and snacks
• A light layer for the ride
• A small bag for your phone and valuables

Snorkeling equipment is provided, as are safety items and windproof jackets. You do not need to bring your own mask unless you prefer a particular fit.

Arrive ready to board at the promenade in front of Kamerlengo Castle. Trogir’s old town can be busy, so allow time to find the meeting point and deal with parking if you are driving. The operator’s pre-trip messages can help with directions and parking advice.

Choose a morning departure if you want a cooler start and more daylight for sightseeing. Choose an afternoon departure if sunset views matter to you. The later option may make the final return especially attractive, but available start times depend on the day.

Should you book the Three Islands tour?

Book it if you want a lively, well-organized half-day on the water with swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and one village stop. The Blue Lagoon is the clearest reason to go, but Maslinica gives the trip cultural interest and Duga Bay adds another chance to swim.

I would book it for the price, the small-group boat, and the range of places covered in five hours. I would not book it expecting long meals, empty bays, or enough time to explore every stop in detail.

If you can spare eight hours, the longer format may better suit you. If your schedule is tight, $67 buys a strong introduction to the islands around Trogir, especially when your skipper is one of the friendly, careful captains who have helped make this trip so well regarded.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet the skipper on the main promenade in Trogir, in front of Kamerlengo Castle.

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts five hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Maslinica on Šolta, and Duga Bay on Čiovo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with safety equipment, fuel, insurance, VAT, a 0.5-liter bottle of water, and windproof jackets.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring snacks or plan to buy food at one of the stops.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all ages, and families with young children have taken part.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, and sunscreen. Snacks, water, and a light layer for the speedboat ride are also practical choices.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.