Blue Lagoon & Islands Day Cruise from Split with Lunch

Clear water, good food, and three easygoing stops make this Split boat trip a fine day at sea. I like the chance to snorkel near a shipwreck in Nečujam Bay, and I like the relaxed stop in Maslinica, where you can swim, stroll, or enjoy coffee. The main consideration is that the Blue Lagoon stop may feel more like a pleasant swimming area than a dramatic lagoon.

The crew gets high marks for keeping the day organized and cheerful. Hosts including Anja, Anja’s namesake Anya in one account, Ivo, Nana, Marco, Robert, and others have been praised for friendly help and clear instructions. At $65 per person, the cruise offers a solid bundle of food, drinks, equipment, and island time, though this is still a shared boat outing rather than a private sailing trip.

Key things to know before you book

• Three different kinds of stops: Swim at Nečujam Bay, explore Maslinica on Šolta, then relax at Drvenik’s Blue Lagoon.
• A shipwreck adds interest: The snorkeling area around Nečujam gives you something to look for beyond open water.
• Lunch is included: Pick a beef, tuna, or vegetarian burger with fries before departure.
• Drinks are part of the deal: Wine, juice, and water are included, with beer available on selected options.
• The crew is a major strength: Anja, Ivo, Nana, Marco, and Robert have all been singled out for warm, helpful service.
• Bring water shoes and warm clothing: The sun can be hot, but the boat ride can feel cool when the wind picks up.

Setting sail from Split’s St. Nicholas Pier

Your day begins at St. Nicholas Pier, where you should look for the Gray Line sign and staff wearing matching shirts. Arrive ready to choose your lunch: beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger. That small decision matters because there is no need to wait until lunchtime while everyone sorts out orders.

The cruise takes you away from Split and into the island-dotted waters of central Dalmatia. The appeal here is simple. You get a full day on the sea without having to plan ferry schedules, find separate snorkeling equipment, or search for a place to eat at each stop.

This is a shared cruise, so the mood depends partly on the people onboard. The available comments describe a pleasant mix of families, couples, and other holidaymakers, with enough activity to keep the day social without turning it into a party boat. You should expect a group setting, not a quiet private yacht.

The route can change if weather or rough seas make the planned stops unsafe. That is sensible, but it also means you should treat the published order as a plan rather than a promise. The captain and crew have to put conditions first.

Nečujam Bay and the shipwreck snorkel

The first stop is Nečujam Bay on Šolta, where you can get into the clear water for swimming and snorkeling. This is the most active part of the day, so have your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and water shoes ready before the boat arrives.

The shipwreck gives the stop a focal point. Instead of simply floating in open water, you have something underwater to inspect. The snorkeling equipment includes goggles, with a €10 deposit required. You can also use the stand-up paddleboard and inflatables, adding a few options for anyone who does not want to spend the whole stop snorkeling.

Do not expect a serious scuba site. This is a casual surface-snorkeling stop, best suited to people who want a look at underwater surroundings without booking a specialist excursion. The water is clear, and the wreck adds curiosity, but the quality of visibility can depend on sea conditions.

I would keep your expectations practical. The supplied equipment is goggles rather than a full mask, snorkel, and fins package. If you are particular about snorkeling gear, bring your own. For most people, the included option is a useful extra rather than the main reason to book.

The stop also gives you a first taste of the cruise’s rhythm: swim, use the water toys, dry off, then eat onboard. That pace works well for families and mixed groups because nobody has to spend the entire day doing the same activity.

Lunch on the boat, with drinks included

After the first swim, lunch is served onboard. Your choices are a beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger, each served with french fries. This is straightforward food, not a Dalmatian cooking lesson, but it removes one of the day’s practical headaches.

The food receives unusually strong praise for a boat lunch. I would still think of it as a convenient, satisfying meal rather than a gourmet event. Burgers and fries are easy to eat near the water, and the choices cover meat, fish, and vegetarian preferences.

Wine, juice, and water are included. Beer is included only with certain booking options, so check the option you select before assuming it is part of the package. Cool drinks are especially useful after the morning swim and under the strong Dalmatian sun.

There is also a social advantage to eating onboard. You do not lose island time looking for a restaurant, waiting for a table, or trying to agree on a menu. The tradeoff is that you have less choice than you would in a village restaurant.

The crew’s service helps here. Anja has been praised for staying involved, explaining each stop, and checking that people were doing well. Ivo and Nana have also been described as funny and friendly, while Marco, Robert, and other crew members have received similar praise. Staff can vary by departure, but the repeated theme is clear instructions and an upbeat manner.

Maslinica on Šolta, the most flexible stop

The cruise then heads to Maslinica, a picturesque village on Šolta’s western side. This is the stop with the most freedom. You can stroll through the village, have a coffee or ice cream, swim, snorkel, or simply find a place to sunbathe.

That flexibility is valuable because it lets different people in your group do different things. A teenager can head for the water, someone who prefers a slow afternoon can sit with a drink, and an energetic person can walk around Maslinica. You are not locked into a guided activity.

Maslinica works best as a small island pause rather than a major sightseeing stop. Do not expect a full day of museums or a long list of historic attractions. Its charm is in the scale: a village setting, open sea views, and a break from being on the boat.

Bring a little patience if your group spreads out. Since you have options, it is important to keep track of the crew’s instructions and return time. The cruise needs to continue to Drvenik, and the boat will not wait indefinitely for a late coffee.

This is also a good time to use sunscreen again. Shade can be limited during a beach stop, and the reflection from the water makes the sun feel stronger than it does on land. A hat and water shoes are sensible additions, not overpacking.

Drvenik and the Blue Lagoon finish

The final stop is Drvenik, promoted as the Blue Lagoon. You can swim, relax, and enjoy broad views of the surrounding islands. The setting is designed as the calm ending to the day rather than another busy excursion.

Keep dolphin watching in perspective. The crew encourages you to look for dolphins and other marine life while sailing, but sightings are never guaranteed. Treat them as a lucky extra, not a promised part of the schedule.

One useful reality check is that the final area may not match everyone’s idea of a famous blue lagoon. One detailed account enjoyed the stop but questioned the name. That does not make it a poor stop. It simply means you should expect a relaxing sea setting, not necessarily a postcard-perfect pool of glowing blue water.

The Blue Lagoon section is likely to suit you if you want time to float, sunbathe, and take photos without a packed program. If your priority is dramatic scenery at every minute, you may find this stop less distinctive than the shipwreck or Maslinica.

The sequence of the day works well. Nečujam brings activity, Maslinica gives you a village and beach choice, and Drvenik lets you slow down. By the final stop, you can choose whether to get back in the water or simply sit back and enjoy the view.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, this is good value if you plan to use several inclusions. The price covers the cruise, lunch, wine, juice, water, goggles, a stand-up paddleboard, inflatables, and an English-speaking captain and crew. A sunbed may also be included depending on your selected option, and beer is included with some options.

That package compares well with arranging the day yourself. You would otherwise need to combine transport, island visits, food, and water equipment. The cruise also removes the risk of missing a ferry connection between Split and the islands.

The value is weaker if you do not like group boat trips or if you plan to remain dry. Much of the appeal comes from swimming, snorkeling, and using the water toys. If you only want sightseeing from the deck, a different island excursion may suit you better.

The €10 snorkeling deposit is easy to overlook. It is not listed as part of the main price, so carry the deposit and remember that the goggles are provided through a deposit system.

The included meal is another reason the price works for families. A burger and fries is familiar, filling food, and the drink package reduces the need to buy extras. Just remember that beer depends on the option you choose, and a sunbed is not guaranteed with every booking choice.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this day to families with older children or teenagers, couples who want an easy sea day, and friends who enjoy mixing swimming with light sightseeing. The flexible Maslinica stop is especially useful for groups with different energy levels.

It also suits first-time visitors to Split who want to see more of the islands without organizing a complicated route. You get a taste of Šolta and Drvenik while keeping the day on one coordinated schedule.

The cruise is less suitable if you want a private, quiet experience. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and pets are not allowed. People who need guaranteed calm seas should remember that the route may change in rough weather.

Pack warm clothing even in summer. The sun may be strong at the stops, but the moving boat can feel cool in the wind. Your useful kit is simple:

• Swimwear and towel
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Water shoes
• Warm layer for the cruise
• Cash or another way to cover the €10 snorkeling deposit

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Split plans are still shifting.

How the crew shapes the day

The most consistent strength here is the human side of the operation. Clear instructions matter on a boat with several stops, swimming equipment, lunch, and a return schedule. Anja has been praised for explaining each stop and checking on people throughout the day.

Ivo and Nana bring humor and friendliness, while Marco and Nana have also been praised for keeping the trip organized. Robert receives special praise for his helpful manner. You may not have the same crew on every departure, but these names give you a useful sense of the service style to expect.

The best boat crews do not simply point at an island and announce a stop. They explain what is happening, make the timing clear, and help people feel comfortable using the equipment. That practical attention appears to be a major reason this cruise earns a 4.4 rating from 145 responses.

Still, no crew can control the weather, visibility, sea traffic, or dolphin sightings. Their job is to make the day pleasant and safe, not to guarantee a perfect photograph at every stop.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized full day from Split with three stops, swimming, casual snorkeling, an onboard burger lunch, and friendly crew. The combination of included food, drinks, water equipment, and island time makes $65 a fair price, especially for families.

Skip it if you want a private boat, serious snorkeling, guaranteed dolphins, or a Blue Lagoon that feels dramatically different from every other swimming stop. The final stop may be attractive and relaxing without matching the name’s grandest promise.

For the best experience, choose your lunch at the pier, bring the €10 deposit, wear water shoes, and pack a warm layer for the ride back. If that sounds like your kind of day, this cruise offers an easy and enjoyable way to put Split’s islands into your holiday.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at St. Nicholas Pier in Split. Look for the Gray Line sign and staff members wearing shirts with the same sign.

Where does the cruise end?

The cruise returns to the original meeting point at St. Nicholas Pier.

What lunch choices are available?

You choose a beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger at the meeting point. French fries are served with the burger.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, juice, and water are included. Beer is included only with selected booking options.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Goggles are included, but you must pay a €10 deposit for the snorkeling equipment.

What activities are available on the water?

You can swim and snorkel, and the cruise provides a stand-up paddleboard and inflatables.

Can I see dolphins?

The cruise encourages you to look for dolphins and other marine life near the Blue Lagoon, but dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may change because of bad weather or rough sea conditions.