From Trogir: Three Islands Half-Day Speedboat Tour

Blue water is only half the story. This five-hour speedboat trip gives you three very different tastes of the Dalmatian coast: a swim at Blue Lagoon, a walk through Maslinica, and a final stop at Duga Bay on Čiovo. I like the mix of water time and village time, and I like that the boat ride itself is part of the attraction, with fine views of Trogir and Kamerlengo Castle.

The main drawback is the clock. You get about an hour to an hour and a half at each stop, which is enough for a good swim or a quick visit, but not enough for a leisurely lunch and a long wander. If you want a slower island day, book a longer trip. If you want a lively half-day outing, this is a strong choice.

Five things to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon is the main swimming stop: You get around 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and sunbathing in clear water.
• Maslinica adds real village character: Walk through Šolta’s small port and see a restored 16th-century castle now used as a hotel.
• The boats are small and social: Capacity varies by boat, with reports of around 8 to 12 people, so the outing feels more personal than a large excursion.
• Skippers make a big difference: Petar, Ivan, Roko, Lujo, Iggy, Marco, and Maja are among the crew praised for safe driving, humor, local information, and helpful communication.
• Bring food if you need a full meal: Lunch is not included, and some stops may have limited or slow dining options.
• Afternoon departures can be special: Several people particularly enjoyed the sunset light on later trips.

A fast start beside Kamerlengo Castle

You meet on Trogir’s main promenade, in front of Kamerlengo Fortress. This is an easy place to find, but Trogir can be busy in summer, so allow time to reach the waterfront and locate the boat without rushing.

The trip begins with a panoramic run out from the city. From the water, you get a different view of Trogir’s old walls and Kamerlengo Castle, a useful reminder that this is not simply a taxi ride between swimming spots. The route is part sightseeing, part transport, and part amusement park ride for anyone who enjoys speed.

The boats carry small groups, often around 8 to 12 people. That size matters. You can usually hear the skipper, ask questions, and move through the day without the feel of a packed excursion vessel. At the same time, a speedboat has less room than a big ferry, so pack lightly and keep loose items secure.

The equipment list is practical rather than fancy. Fuel, insurance, safety equipment, a 0.5-liter bottle of cold water, snorkeling gear, and windproof jackets are included. The jackets are useful on the ride, since the speed creates its own breeze even on a warm day.

Blue Lagoon gives you the best water time

After roughly 20 minutes on the boat, you reach Blue Lagoon. This is the tour’s clear star for many people, and you get about an hour and a half here, longer than at either of the island village stops.

The water is described as crystal clear and warm in summer, with small fish visible while snorkeling. You can use the supplied equipment, swim from the boat or nearby beach area, take photographs, or simply lie in the sun. Families appreciated the calm, inviting water, and children enjoyed jumping from the boat under the crew’s supervision.

I like the generous time here because swimming stops are often cut too short on island tours. Ninety minutes gives you room to get comfortable, snorkel for a while, and still have time to dry off. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the skipper. The crew has been praised for checking swimming ability and helping people feel safe getting back aboard.

Blue Lagoon is also the point where crowds can affect the mood. The water may be beautiful, but it is not a private cove reserved for your group. In high season, expect other boats and people sharing the area. The skipper may try to time the visit around busier periods, but this is a popular destination and no captain can control the whole bay.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. You should also bring a waterproof way to protect your phone, since the best views are often from the water and the speedboat ride can be wet.

Maslinica trades swimming for a small-port walk

A short ride of about 10 minutes takes you to Maslinica on Šolta. This is the tour’s cultural pause and a welcome change of pace after the bright water of Blue Lagoon.

Maslinica is the only village and port on the west side of the island. Its main visual feature is a restored 16th-century castle that has been converted into a hotel. You do not need a long lecture to appreciate the setting. The castle, harbor, old village streets, and island backdrop make this the place to slow down and look around.

You get about an hour here. That is enough for a short walk, coffee, shopping, photographs, or a meal if service is quick. It is not a lot of time for a relaxed restaurant lunch, especially if the place is busy. Several people wished for another 30 minutes at this stop, so I would avoid ordering an elaborate meal unless you are confident it will arrive quickly.

Lunch is not included. Traditional Dalmatian restaurants and other food options may be available, but opening hours and service can vary, particularly on a morning departure. Bring a snack, eat before you leave, or ask the skipper where you can get something practical. This small bit of planning will keep you from spending your best swimming time waiting for food.

Maslinica may appeal most to you if you want to see how a working island port feels. It is less about checking off major sights and more about enjoying a compact village, a historic building, and a short look at local life. If your only goal is swimming, this hour may feel like a pause. If you enjoy variety, it gives the trip balance.

Duga Bay finishes the day on Čiovo

The next speedboat ride takes about 15 minutes to Duga Bay on the south side of Čiovo. You have around an hour and a half here, with time for swimming, snorkeling, walking, photographs, and possibly a meal depending on the schedule.

The bay is presented as a small, appealing place to cool off. The water is clear enough to see schools of silver fish while snorkeling, giving this stop a different underwater feel from Blue Lagoon. It is a good final chance to get in the water before returning to Trogir.

The timing can feel generous if you want a final swim. It can feel short if you hope to eat, walk, take photographs, and swim all in the same stop. One useful strategy is to decide your priority before you arrive. If the water looks inviting, eat a snack on the boat or earlier in Maslinica and save Duga Bay for swimming.

Crowds are another consideration. Duga Bay can be busy, particularly in the afternoon. That does not ruin the stop, but it means the word small should not be confused with private. The setting remains attractive, yet you may be sharing the shoreline and swimming area with other groups.

After Duga Bay, the boat returns to Trogir in about 15 minutes. The ride back gives you one more stretch of open-water views before you arrive near Kamerlengo Castle.

The skippers are a major part of the value

The strongest feature of this outing is not only the route. It is the crew.

Petar receives repeated praise for safe driving, humor, useful island information, and a friendly manner. Ivan and Roko are also singled out for making the trip enjoyable and explaining the places along the way. Lujo was praised for keeping a family comfortable while still making the speedboat ride exciting, and Iggy was noted for handling tight docking spots with confidence.

The names may vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: the skipper shapes the day. A good one keeps the ride safe, gives you useful context without turning it into a long lecture, and watches the timing. Several families with young children felt well looked after, including groups with children as young as one year old.

Communication before departure has also been a strong point. The team may contact you the day before with meeting details, parking suggestions, or other practical information. Some people were even collected from a nearby resort or campsite pier, but you should confirm this directly rather than assume it is included for every booking.

The live guide service is offered in English and Croatian. If you want stories about the islands, ask questions during the quieter stretches between stops. The crews described in the feedback seem happy to share short facts and local details without overwhelming the day.

Is $67 a fair price?

At $67 per person, the cost is reasonable if you value speed, variety, and included equipment. You are paying for five hours on the water, fuel, insurance, a skipper, safety gear, a cold bottle of water, snorkeling equipment, and windproof jackets. You also reach three separate coastal locations without arranging ferries or local transport yourself.

The speedboat is the real value. A standard ferry can move you between islands, but it will not give you the same panoramic ride, swimming access, or small-group flexibility. You also avoid spending the whole day on one island when your time in Dalmatia is limited.

The price does not cover lunch, drinks beyond the included water, or an optional tip. Food costs can add up, especially if you buy something at every stop. Pack a sandwich or snacks if keeping the day affordable matters to you.

The rating is 4.8 from 804 reviews, and 91 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. That fits the practical strengths of the experience: good boats, clear pre-trip communication, capable skippers, and a route that uses the half-day well.

Who will enjoy this half-day tour most?

I would choose this tour if you have one free morning or afternoon in Trogir and want more than an ordinary beach visit. It works well for families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to the nearby islands.

Families should find the format manageable. The boat ride is exciting without taking up a full day, and the swimming stops give children something active to look forward to. The crew has handled groups with children from one year old through older school-age kids, though you should be comfortable with boat travel and boarding from the water.

It also suits people who dislike long historical tours but still want some culture. Maslinica gives you a village walk and a castle, while the rest of the day focuses on sea views and swimming.

You may want a different option if you need wheelchair access, since the tour is not wheelchair accessible. You should also look elsewhere if you prefer a quiet, private boat day or need long, unhurried meals at each stop.

The tour is suitable for all ages according to the activity information, but bring sensible beach gear. Sun hat, towel, sunscreen, and light clothing are the basics. The windproof jackets are supplied, but they are for the ride, not a substitute for sun protection.

Morning or afternoon departure?

A morning trip gives you a fresh start and may make food planning easier if you eat before leaving. Some dining places may be closed or limited early in the day, so bring a snack and treat the meal stop as optional.

An afternoon departure can bring warmer light and a chance to see the coast near sunset. Several people especially enjoyed the sunset on later trips, making this a good choice for photographs and a more relaxed end to the day. The tradeoff is that popular swimming spots may be busier later.

Check the available departure times before booking, since the schedule can change by date. I would choose the afternoon if sunset matters to you, and the morning if you want the simplest family routine.

Final verdict: book it for variety, not a slow island day

You should book this tour if you want a lively five-hour taste of the Dalmatian coast, with a fast boat ride, two strong swimming opportunities, and one pleasant village stop. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Maslinica, and Duga Bay gives you more variety than a single beach excursion, and the small boat plus friendly skippers adds real value at $67.

You should skip it if you want to spend half a day at one quiet bay, enjoy a long lunch, or avoid speedboat motion. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see more of the islands without giving up an entire day in Trogir.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet the skipper on Trogir’s main promenade, in front of Kamerlengo Fortress.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts five hours, including the boat rides and stops.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Croatian.

What places does the tour visit?

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

How much time is spent at Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop at Blue Lagoon lasts about one and a half hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, and a 0.5-liter bottle of cold water are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price, so bring money for food or pack snacks.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, and sunscreen. These items are recommended for the swimming and beach stops.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.