Split: 3 Island & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

Three swimming stops, a handsome wooden boat, and meals included make this nine-hour cruise a strong way to spend a summer day around Split. You cruise aboard Junior, a wooden sailing ship built in 1903, with stops at Maslinica, the Blue Lagoon, and St. Fumija Bay.

I especially like the generous food and drink package and the easy mix of swimming, snorkeling, village time, and open-water cruising. The main thing to consider is that the open bar is listed as wine, water, and juice, not a full cocktail bar. Also, the Blue Lagoon may look less intensely blue on some days than its name suggests.

The best parts at a glance

• A 1903 wooden boat: Junior gives the day more character than a basic speedboat ride, with space to sit, walk around, and enjoy the sea air.
• Three very different stops: You get a village visit at Maslinica, swimming at the Blue Lagoon, and another hour at St. Fumija Bay.
• Food from breakfast through the afternoon: Start with a chocolate croissant, coffee, and juice, then have a substantial hot lunch and seasonal fruit later.
• Unlimited drinks onboard: White wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice are available throughout the cruise.
• Good swimming time: Each stop lasts about an hour or more, with snorkeling equipment, floating mattresses, and boat jumping at suitable points.
• Strong value at $106: For a full day on the water with meals, drinks, equipment, and a staffed boat, the price compares well with many shorter excursions from Split.

Starting beside the white Jaffa boat

The day begins at Obala Lazareta in Split. Staff wait near the large white boat called Jaffa from 8:40 a.m., wearing white polo shirts marked Junior on the front and back.

The boat may be moored about 50 meters away, so allow time to find the staff and walk to Junior. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before the 9 a.m. departure. This matters because the crew cannot hold the boat for late arrivals.

The meeting point is central and practical, but the pier can have several boats and tour groups around it. Look for the Junior shirts rather than relying only on the boat name. One person who took the cruise with guide Rino praised the welcome and organization, while another found the exact meeting point slightly confusing. The simple fix is to arrive early and ask for Junior Excursions if you do not see the crew at once.

Breakfast begins the nine-hour outing

Once underway, the crew serves breakfast. Expect a large chocolate croissant with hot coffee, apple juice, and orange juice. It is not a full cooked breakfast, but it is a useful start before the first long stretch across the Adriatic.

The opening sightseeing cruise lasts about two hours. That is a significant amount of time on the boat, so this is not a quick island-hopping trip with constant activity. You will spend much of the day sitting, talking, listening to music, and watching the islands pass.

That slower pace is part of the appeal. You are not being rushed from one photo stop to another. On the other hand, if you want nonstop sightseeing or a fast boat ride, the long cruising sections may feel leisurely.

Junior has shaded areas, open decks, modern restrooms, free Wi-Fi, safety equipment, and a limited number of deckchairs. The upper deck is the place to aim for if you want more sun and a clear view. The lower deck gives shelter, though the sea breeze can make it cool there, even on a warm day.

Maslinica offers a village break on Šolta

The first major stop is Maslinica on the island of Šolta. You have about an hour here for lunch, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling.

Maslinica gives the cruise a useful change of pace. Instead of spending the entire day offshore, you can step into a small fishing village, walk around the cove, and find local shops or an ice cream. It is a pleasant stop for anyone who wants a little land time between swims.

Lunch is prepared onboard with fresh local ingredients. The standard choices are tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, served with a side such as coleslaw and bread. Portions are often described as large, with several people finding the meal enough to keep them going through the afternoon. Fresh seasonal fruit is also served later in the day.

The food is best understood as generous boat lunch rather than restaurant dining. Tuna and chicken receive the strongest praise, while one person found the food merely adequate. The vegetarian option has included vegetable burger patties, and the crew uses wristbands to identify meal choices on some departures.

Maslinica is also a good first chance to use the snorkeling gear. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and breathable clothing. There is no need to pack a picnic or a large supply of drinks, since both are included.

The Blue Lagoon is the main swimming stop

After leaving Maslinica, the boat cruises for about 45 minutes to the Blue Lagoon area near Split. You get around an hour and a half here for swimming and snorkeling, making it the longest water stop of the day.

The appeal is easy to understand: clear water, open sea views, and plenty of time to float rather than simply take a quick dip. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with a floating mattress. At suitable points, you can also jump from the second level of the boat into the sea.

The jumping is optional. You can swim from the boat, use a float, or stay onboard and enjoy the view. The crew provides safety equipment, and the boat has a reputation for feeling secure and well maintained.

Keep your expectations realistic about the color of the water. The Blue Lagoon can be spectacular, but sunlight, wind, and sea conditions affect how blue it appears. One departure found the later stops prettier, while others regarded swimming here as the best part of the day. The water may not always match the most polished photographs, but the long stop still gives you a fine chance to swim and snorkel.

Because the Blue Lagoon is a popular destination, it may not feel remote. The value here is the combination of a scenic setting, equipment, and enough time in the water, not total solitude.

St. Fumija Bay brings another hour in the sea

The final stop is St. Fumija Bay, reached after another sightseeing cruise of about 45 minutes. You get roughly an hour for swimming and snorkeling.

This stop is useful because it gives you another chance to enjoy the water after lunch and the Blue Lagoon. You can compare the clarity and feel of different bays instead of placing all your hopes on one famous location.

The schedule leaves room for both active and quiet time. You might snorkel along the shoreline, float on the provided mattress, or sit on deck while others swim. If your group includes different ages or energy levels, that flexibility helps. Teenagers can enjoy the boat jump, while less adventurous companions can remain on deck or enter the water from the side.

After St. Fumija, the return cruise takes about 100 minutes. The crew may serve fruit or ice cream during the ride back, giving you a light finish after the hot lunch. You arrive at Obala Lazareta after roughly nine hours on the water.

What the open bar really includes

The drinks package is one of the strongest reasons this cruise offers good value. The listed drinks are white wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice, available without a set limit during the trip.

The crew may bring drinks around, and you can also visit the downstairs bar. Several accounts describe the wine as plentiful, including white wine that was particularly refreshing. The package is generous, but you should not book this expecting spirits, cocktails, or a broad bar menu.

There is some conflicting wording in individual accounts about beer being available. The official details specify wine, water, and juice, so I would plan on those drinks rather than count on beer. If beer matters to you, confirm directly before booking.

The unlimited wine can be a pleasant extra, but pace yourself. One person felt there was too much serving toward the end of the day. With a full day in the sun, water and juice are sensible choices between glasses of wine.

Why the $106 price can make sense

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water from Split. It is also not just a boat transfer. The price includes a nine-hour cruise, breakfast, a hot lunch, seasonal fruit, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, a floating mattress, restrooms, Wi-Fi, safety gear, and an English-speaking crew.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling rental. The cruise also removes the need to plan several meals during a long day away from Split.

The main tradeoff is the fixed schedule. You are committed to the boat’s timing and route, with long cruising periods between stops. A private charter would offer more control, while a short speedboat tour might cover more ground. Junior is better suited to people who want a relaxed, social day with food and drinks already arranged.

The boat is generally described as spacious rather than overcrowded, though deckchairs are limited. If a sun lounger matters to you, board promptly and claim one. Otherwise, there is still room to sit on other parts of the boat.

Who will enjoy Junior most

This cruise suits couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and anyone who wants a simple full-day outing from Split. You get a good balance of sightseeing, village time, swimming, and meals.

It is particularly good for:

• People who want multiple swimming opportunities rather than one short stop.
• Families with teenagers who will enjoy snorkeling, floats, and jumping from the upper deck.
• Visitors who prefer a relaxed wooden boat to a loud, fast transfer.
• Anyone who values included food and drinks when comparing tour prices.
• People who want to see Maslinica without arranging separate transport to Šolta.

It may be less suitable if you dislike spending long periods at sea, want a quiet luxury cruise, or need a wide choice of alcoholic drinks. The music is described as a mix of local songs and popular hits, so the mood is casual and social rather than hushed.

The cruise also depends on the weather. Strong winds, large waves, or storms can lead to cancellation, with a full refund provided. That is a sensible safety rule for an open-water day.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and breathable clothing are listed as essentials, and you will appreciate all of them during the long open-water sections.

Keep your belongings compact. You will move between shaded and sunny parts of the boat, and you may want your phone or camera close by for the islands and swimming stops.

Do not assume every part of the boat is equally sunny. The lower deck offers shade but may feel cool in the breeze. The upper deck provides better views and sun, though it is also the place most likely to fill first.

Finally, leave time for the meeting point. The boat cannot wait past 9 a.m., and the Junior staff may guide you a short distance from Jaffa to the actual boat.

Should you book this Split cruise?

I would book it if you want a well-fed, easygoing day on the Adriatic with three water stops and no need to arrange lunch, drinks, or snorkeling gear. The best parts are the generous portions, friendly crew, comfortable wooden boat, and long swimming periods.

I would hesitate only if your priority is a small private group, a fast route, a gourmet meal, or a full cocktail menu. For most people comparing organized boat trips from Split, $106 is a fair price for the amount included. Arrive early, bring sun protection, pace yourself at the bar, and treat the Blue Lagoon as one stop among three rather than the sole reason to go.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Obala Lazareta in Split, next to the large white boat named Jaffa. Staff wearing white Junior polo shirts guide passengers to the boat.

What time should I arrive?

Staff wait at the meeting point from 8:40 a.m. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before the 9 a.m. departure.

Which locations does the boat visit?

The cruise includes Maslinica on Šolta, the Blue Lagoon area near Split, and St. Fumija Bay. Each stop allows time for swimming or snorkeling, with a walk included at Maslinica.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast includes a chocolate croissant, hot coffee, apple juice, and orange juice.

What is served for lunch?

Lunch options include tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, served with a side and bread. Fresh seasonal fruit is also included during the day.

What drinks are included?

The listed open-bar drinks are white wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice. Beer and other alcoholic drinks are not guaranteed by the stated inclusions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a floating mattress are included. The boat also provides safety equipment and has modern restrooms onboard.