From Trogir: Blue Lagoon & Šolta Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The sea does most of the entertaining. This eight-hour cruise from Trogir combines two very different stops: the clear swimming waters of the Blue Lagoon and the quiet fishing village of Maslinica on Šolta Island. I especially like the generous three-hour stop at the lagoon, plus the simple value of a hot lunch, unlimited water and lemonade, and wine included in the $76 price.

The boat is comfortable for a full day, with toilets, a sundeck, a swimming platform, music, and Wi-Fi. The main thing to consider is that some of your time is spent moored and moving between stops, so the beach and village visits can feel shorter than expected, especially if the boat is busy.

Five things to know before you go

• Three hours at the Blue Lagoon: Enough time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and lunch without rushing through every activity.
• Maslinica offers a change of pace: Walk narrow lanes, stop at a café, swim from the beach, and look toward Marchi Castle, built in 1603.
• Lunch and drinks are covered: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate, with local white wine at lunch and unlimited water and lemonade.
• Solo is easy to spot: Look for the 20-meter white wooden boat with brown details and a red sun roof, opposite Vila Sikaa Hotel by Čiovo Bridge.
• Arrive early for better seats: One practical tip is to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before departure if you want the best choice of seating.
• The price is strong for a full day: At $76, transport, food, snorkeling gear, drinks, and crew service are bundled together.

Leaving Trogir aboard the Solo

Your day starts beside Trogir’s Čiovo Bridge, directly across from Vila Sikaa Hotel. The meeting point is the motorboat Solo, a 20-meter white wooden boat with brown details and a red sun roof. Crew members wear blue shirts, which helps when several boats are gathered near the waterfront.

The first portion is a relaxed sightseeing cruise of about 50 minutes. You can settle in with a welcome drink and watch the small Dalmatian islets pass by. The boat has a sundeck, toilets, a music system, Wi-Fi, and a swimming platform, so it is set up for a long day on the water rather than a quick transfer.

I would arrive 30 to 40 minutes before departure. This is not just a matter of being punctual. An early arrival gives you a better chance of choosing a comfortable seat, particularly during the busy summer months. The boat is described as clean and spacious enough, but comfort depends partly on where you sit and how full the departure is.

The crew keeps the day moving and provides basic timing information for each stop. You should not expect a nonstop history lecture or a formal guided tour. The approach is more relaxed: the staff handles the boat, food, drinks, and schedule, then gives you room to enjoy the places on your own.

Maslinica, Šolta’s small harbor village

Maslinica is your first major stop, with about an hour and a half to use as you please. This is a good counterpoint to the Blue Lagoon. Instead of spending all day in the water, you get time to walk around a compact old fishing village, sit at a café, or swim from the beach.

The village is known for small stone houses and narrow alleys. You can wander without needing a detailed plan, then make your way toward the waterfront for views of Marchi Castle. The castle was built in 1603 and gives the harbor a strong historical focal point.

Maslinica also works well for people who would rather not snorkel for hours. You can take a short walk, find a shady bench, have coffee, or simply look over the harbor. The beach provides another chance to swim if you prefer a quieter dip before lunch at the lagoon.

The tradeoff is time. An hour and a half sounds generous, but getting off the boat, walking into the village, stopping for a drink, and returning to the dock can eat into it. One useful approach is to decide what matters most before you arrive. If you want photos of the castle and a walk through the lanes, do that first. If swimming matters more, head directly to the beach.

Some people would prefer more cultural explanation here. The crew primarily tells you when to return rather than leading a detailed village walk. I see that as a plus if you like independent wandering, but a drawback if you want a guide to explain Šolta’s past and local life.

Three hours in the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the heart of the day. The boat spends roughly three and a half hours here, including lunch, so you have a proper block of free time instead of a rushed photo stop. You can swim in clear water, use the provided snorkeling equipment, sit on the beach, or relax on the boat’s swimming platform.

The snorkeling is best understood as an easy, casual activity rather than a specialist expedition. Grab the included gear and look for small marine life near the swimming area. The appeal is the simple pleasure of seeing what is below the surface without arranging a separate snorkeling trip.

The lagoon can be a good choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can remain on the beach or the boat. Families and friends do not have to follow one fixed activity, which makes the long stop more flexible than a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour.

You should bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sun hat, and beachwear. The sun can feel strong on open water, and the day includes several hours outside. Water and lemonade are available throughout the trip, which means you do not need to keep buying drinks every time you get thirsty.

The one caution is crowding and timing. The Blue Lagoon is a popular stop, and the boat may spend time maneuvering or mooring. If the day is busy, your actual beach time can feel less generous than the schedule suggests. Still, three hours gives you more breathing room than many short coastal excursions.

A traditional lunch with drinks included

Lunch is served at the Blue Lagoon, which makes the meal part of the setting rather than an interruption in a town restaurant. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian menu, with a signature coleslaw-style salad. Local white wine is included with the meal, while water and lemonade are available without extra charge.

The fish option has been described as grilled mackerel with a small portion of pickled cabbage. It is straightforward Mediterranean food, fresh and tasty rather than elaborate restaurant cooking. The meal has received particularly warm praise for flavor and quantity, though one assessment found the portion modest and the presentation fairly basic.

That is a fair way to view the lunch. You are paying for a full day on the water, not a fine-dining experience. The real value comes from combining the meal with transport, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and time at the lagoon. If you choose the fish, chicken, or vegetarian plate, you will not need to search for a restaurant during the main stop.

The unlimited drinks also make a noticeable difference to the price. Coastal boat trips can become expensive once you add bottled water, soft drinks, lunch, and wine. Here, lemonade and water are available throughout the day, and white wine is served at lunchtime.

After lunch, the crew serves chilled watermelon on the cruise back to Trogir. It is a modest touch, but a sensible one after a hot afternoon in the sun.

The return cruise to Trogir

The return journey takes about an hour, with a shorter sightseeing cruise of roughly 30 minutes before the final leg. This is your chance to sit back, listen to the music, and watch the islands from the water rather than trying to fit in another activity.

The cruise has a social feel. You may get to know the other people on board, especially because everyone shares the same lunch and swimming stop. At the same time, the crew generally does not hover. They are available when needed, but most of the day is yours.

That balance is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You receive help with boarding, food, drinks, equipment, and timing, but you are not pushed through every minute with a guide speaking over the music. If you want constant commentary, this may feel light. If you want a relaxed boat day, it works well.

The route also gives you variety. The first and last parts are scenic boat travel, Maslinica provides a village visit, and the Blue Lagoon supplies the main swim. No single stop has to carry the whole day.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the inclusions. The package covers the motorboat cruise, an English-speaking crew, a welcome drink, snorkeling gear, lunch, local white wine with lunch, unlimited lemonade and water, and watermelon dessert.

Buying those pieces separately would make the day less predictable and probably more expensive. You also avoid the hassle of finding a restaurant at the lagoon or arranging transport to Šolta. The boat does the practical work while you focus on swimming and sightseeing.

The value is strongest for people who want a complete day rather than a short transfer. You get eight hours away from Trogir, with plenty of time on the water and two stops that feel different from one another.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want to spend the day alone on a beach. A group boat means shared seating, shared schedules, and a set lunch. You also have less control over how long you stay in Maslinica or exactly when you swim.

Still, the overall package earns its price through convenience. The food is simple, the village time is independent, and the guiding is light, but the boat is equipped for the job and the important extras are already included.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want an easy introduction to the Dalmatian coast without planning several separate outings. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who can split their time between swimming, walking, eating, and sitting on deck.

It is also a good fit if you like a relaxed schedule. You are not expected to run from one sight to another. The Blue Lagoon gives you a long pause, while Maslinica lets you choose between a café, a village walk, and a swim.

It may not suit you if you want a serious cultural tour, a small private boat, or extensive snorkeling instruction. The guide’s role is mainly practical, and the experience is designed around scenery and leisure rather than detailed interpretation.

For the best day, arrive early, bring sun protection and a towel, and decide in advance how you want to divide your time at Maslinica. At the Blue Lagoon, use the first part of the stop for swimming or snorkeling, then settle into lunch and a slower afternoon.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, since the experience lasts eight hours and the exact departure schedule can vary.

Should you book the Šolta and Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, all-day boat outing with swimming, a village stop, simple Mediterranean food, and drinks included. The strongest features are the long Blue Lagoon visit, friendly service, clean facilities, and the fact that you can enjoy the day without constantly reaching for your wallet.

Think twice if you need lots of historical commentary, long beach time at every stop, or a quiet private setting. You will share the boat and follow its schedule.

For most people looking for an easy summer day from Trogir, I think the balance is right. Arrive early for a good seat, pack your swim gear, and treat the tour as a sociable coastal day rather than a formal sightseeing program.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is at the motorboat Solo, opposite Vila Sikaa Hotel and next to Čiovo Bridge in Trogir. Solo is a 20-meter white wooden boat with brown details and a red sun roof. The crew wears blue shirts.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts eight hours. The route includes sightseeing cruises, about three and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon, around one and a half hours in Maslinica, and the return trip to Trogir.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian Mediterranean meal. The lunch includes a signature coleslaw salad and local white wine.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water and lemonade are available throughout the day. A welcome drink is provided, and local white wine is served with lunch. Fresh watermelon is served on the return cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included. You can use it during the Blue Lagoon stop, which also allows time for swimming and sunbathing.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Arriving 30 to 40 minutes before departure is also useful if you want a better choice of seats.