Split: Blue Lagoon, 3Islands, Boat Trip, Mediterranean lunch

The best part of this Split boat trip is the variety. In one day, you get turquoise water at the Blue Lagoon, a grilled Dalmatian lunch on Čiovo, and a swim around a sunken pirate ship near Šolta. It is a full, active day rather than a short scenic cruise.

I like the traditional lunch choices, which include grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, and the boat’s simple extras: a waterslide, hydraulic jumping ramp, shaded seats, and a sun deck. The main consideration is time. You are on the water for roughly eight to nine hours, so this suits you if you want a big day out, not a quiet half-day sail.

Key points to know before you book

• Three islands and several swim stops: Visit Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik, and Šolta in one long outing.
• A proper Dalmatian lunch: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables at Restaurant Borko on Čiovo.
• A sunken pirate ship: Swim and snorkel around a wreck in Nečujam Bay, with marine life in the water.
• Built for active fun: Use the waterslide or hydraulic ramp, or simply relax under shade on the boat.
• Good value at $68: The price includes transport by boat, lunch, nonalcoholic drinks, and the main water activities.

Starting on Split’s Riva promenade

You meet at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55, on Split’s Riva promenade. Look for boat excursions stand number 7, opposite Caffe Bar Biberon. The trip returns to this same spot, which keeps the day easy if you are staying in central Split.

The boat is a comfortable ex-military vessel. That gives the trip a more practical, open-air feel than a polished yacht cruise. You have access to shaded positions and a sun deck, so you can pick between shelter and full sun as the day goes on.

The first stretch is a 75-minute sightseeing cruise. This is not wasted time. It gives you a long look at the Adriatic before the swimming begins, but it also means you should settle in with water, sunscreen, and a towel close by. The boat provides unlimited juice and water, though you should bring snacks if you tend to get hungry between meals.

The host and greeter speak English. The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you may still want to ask about your own mobility needs before booking, especially since the day includes swimming areas, a restaurant stop, and movement around a boat.

Čiovo combines lunch and beach time

The first main stop is Čiovo Island, at a beach bar called Borko. You get about two hours here for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and free time. The restaurant is right by the shore, so you can move from the water to the table without turning the stop into a formal dining event.

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You choose grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, all prepared in a traditional Dalmatian style. That choice matters for families and mixed groups, since not everyone has to eat the same dish. The meal gives you a taste of local cooking without requiring a separate restaurant search in Split.

The setting also does part of the work. Borko sits beside a cove and beach, so lunch comes with a coastal view and the chance to cool off before or after eating. The supplied feedback gives the food and restaurant setting especially high marks, and I can see why: this is more useful than a basic sandwich served on the boat.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is an excursion lunch, not a long evening meal with several courses. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and extra lunch is not part of the package. Juice and water are available on board, but bring some cash or another payment method if you want anything beyond the included meal and nonalcoholic drinks.

The two-hour stop is long enough to make the meal feel unhurried, while still leaving room for a swim. You might find the time short if you want a full beach afternoon, but the next stops offer more water time.

The Blue Lagoon is the visual highlight

After Čiovo, the boat makes a 30-minute sightseeing cruise to the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island. This is the stop most likely to fill your camera, with clear turquoise water and a broad swimming area.

You get about 90 minutes here for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life. The water is the main attraction, so bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear you can move in. A waterproof phone pouch could be useful, though it is not listed as included.

The boat’s waterslide adds a playful touch. You can use it for a quick splash into the sea, or stay on deck and watch the action. There is also a hydraulic ramp for jumping from the boat. These features make the trip a better match for families, couples, and friends who want some movement instead of a purely scenic sailing day.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the busiest-feeling part of a popular island cruise, though no group size is provided here. If your idea of a perfect beach stop is total solitude, this may not be your ideal choice. The appeal is easy access to striking water and several ways to enjoy it, not a remote beach experience.

You should also know that snorkeling gear itself is not listed among the inclusions. The tour includes snorkeling around the wreck, but the information does not say that masks and fins are supplied. Bring your own equipment if you have it, or confirm the arrangement before departure.

Šolta brings the most unusual swim

The final island stop is Šolta, with about one hour at Nečujam Bay. You have time for a photo stop, a walk, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling around a sunken pirate ship.

That wreck gives the day a different focus. The Blue Lagoon is about open water and color; Nečujam adds something to look at below the surface. You can swim around the ship and spot aquatic life, making this a better stop for anyone who enjoys a little underwater exploration rather than only floating and sunbathing.

The hour goes quickly if you want to swim, snorkel, take photographs, and walk along the shore. I would treat the stop as a focused visit, not a full island tour. You will see a small part of Šolta and its bay, not every corner of the island.

After leaving Šolta, the return sightseeing cruise lasts about 100 minutes. That is a long final ride, but it gives you time to dry off, sit in the shade, or claim a sunny spot on the deck. It also explains why the day feels substantial. The supplied information gives the duration as eight hours in some places and describes the route as a nine-hour tour. Plan for a full day and check the current departure time when you book.

What the boat setup means for your day

The vessel is designed around a mix of relaxation and water fun. Shade is important in the Croatian summer, and the boat provides shaded positions as well as a sun deck. You can change your position during the day instead of being stuck in one seat.

The waterslide and jumping ramp are not essential, but they help the boat function as more than transport. If you are traveling with children or a group of friends, those extras may become the main entertainment between stops. If you prefer quiet, you can ignore them and use the cruise time for views and rest.

Unlimited juice and water are included on board. That is a useful detail on a long day under the sun, and it saves you from carrying every drink from Split. Alcoholic beverages are not included, so plan accordingly.

The experience is in English, and the crew’s friendly, helpful manner is one of its strongest practical advantages. One especially memorable detail from the supplied feedback is a captain who jumped off the boat with people during the day. That suggests a hands-on, playful style, though you should never feel pressured to use the ramp or follow anyone into the water.

Is $68 a fair price?

At $68 per person, the value is good if you want a full day of transport, food, and swimming in one booking. The price covers the boat cruise, the Čiovo lunch, unlimited juice and water on board, access to the waterslide and hydraulic ramp, and the planned stops at three islands or island areas.

Compare that with arranging the day yourself. You would need to find boat transport from Split, organize a meal, and work out how to reach the Blue Lagoon and Šolta. The tour removes that planning and gives you a fixed route with a local-style lunch included.

The price is less attractive if you want to spend most of the day on one quiet beach. A lot of the schedule is spent cruising between stops, and the route is busy with activities. You are paying for variety and convenience rather than long, private beach time.

Food also improves the value. Grilled fish, meat, or vegetables at a restaurant on Čiovo is more satisfying than a meal limited to packaged snacks. Remember that alcoholic drinks are extra, and you may want to bring snacks for the boat rides even though lunch is included.

Who will enjoy this island-hopping day?

I would recommend this for you if you want to see several coastal spots without arranging separate boat trips. It works particularly well for:

• Families who want swimming, a waterslide, and flexible food choices
• Friends looking for a social day with several water activities
• Couples who want scenic cruising and a restaurant lunch by the sea
• First-time visitors to Split who want a broad introduction to nearby islands
• Active swimmers and snorkelers interested in the wreck at Nečujam Bay

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, struggle with long days in the sun, or want an intimate sailing experience. The route is packed with stops, and the final return cruise alone takes about 100 minutes.

The trip also requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is worth keeping in mind when planning around a tight holiday schedule.

What to pack for the eight to nine hours

Bring the basics, then add a few items that make the boat time easier:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, preferably enough for repeated use
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• Snacks for the cruising sections
• Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer not to rely on any equipment arrangement
• A waterproof way to protect your phone

Wear something comfortable for moving between the deck, the water, the restaurant, and the shore. The boat has shade, but you should still expect plenty of sun at the Blue Lagoon and Čiovo.

The package includes lunch, water, and juice, so you do not need to pack a full picnic. Alcoholic drinks are excluded, and no hotel pickup or drop-off is provided. You make your own way to the Riva meeting point and return there at the end.

My take: book it if you want variety

I would book this St. Damian Boat Tours trip if I wanted one busy day that combines good food, clear water, and three distinct stops. The grilled lunch at Borko gives the tour local flavor, while the Blue Lagoon and Nečujam Bay provide very different kinds of swimming.

The best reason to choose it is the mix. You are not limited to a single beach, and you are not left to find lunch or water activities on your own. The main tradeoff is the long schedule and time spent cruising, so anyone seeking a quiet, private escape should choose something smaller and slower.

At $68, it is a sensible choice for an active day from Split, especially if the waterslide, jumping ramp, and shipwreck swim sound like fun rather than distractions.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts on Split’s Riva promenade at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55, at boat excursions stand number 7 opposite Caffe Bar Biberon.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point on Split’s Riva promenade.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is listed as eight hours, while the route description presents it as a nine-hour tour. Check the available departure details when booking and plan for a full day.

What food is included?

Lunch at the restaurant on Čiovo includes a choice of grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables prepared in a traditional Dalmatian style.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited juice and water are included on board. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, snacks, sunscreen, and beachwear. The tour also includes swimming and snorkeling around a sunken pirate ship, so you may want to bring snorkeling equipment if you have your own.