Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Island Cruise with Food and Drinks

Clear water does most of the selling here. For $81, this full-day cruise links Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo with breakfast, lunch, drinks, swimming time, and snorkeling gear included. I like the easy all-in-one format, and I especially like that you get three different stops rather than one crowded beach.

I also like the friendly onboard service, with crew members such as Bepo, Mario, and Ivana singled out for helpful care. The main thing to consider is the large boat and the long stretches of sailing at the beginning and end. Also, the advertised shipwreck stop may have changed, so check the current plan if that feature is your main reason for booking.

The cruise in five useful facts

• The day starts with a donut and welcome drink: A simple breakfast takes the edge off an early start from Split.
• The Blue Lagoon is the main swimming stop: You get about two hours for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling in bright turquoise water.
• The lunch choice matters: Pick a beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger, all served with fries.
• The final stop includes Borko beach bar: You can swim, relax, and buy a drink in a cove on Čiovo.
• The boat is social rather than intimate: It can carry a large group, but the spacious layout and organized crew keep the day moving.
• The schedule is generous but active: The advertised duration is eight hours, though the detailed timing makes this feel like most of a day on the water.

What this Split boat day is really like

This is a packaged island day designed for people who want the Adriatic made easy. You meet at stand 11 on Split’s Riva promenade, board the sightseeing vessel, and let the crew handle the route, food, drinks, and equipment.

The appeal is practical. You do not need to arrange separate ferries, beach stops, lunch, or snorkeling gear. For $81, the package covers a lot, especially if you plan to drink the included water, lemonade, and wine and eat both meals onboard.

The mood is casual and social. Music plays, people gather on the sun deck, and the crew keeps the bar and meal service moving. You can book as a solo visitor, with a family, or as part of a larger group. One party included four generations, from a two-year-old to someone nearly 70, which gives you a good sense of the broad age range this trip can handle.

Still, this is not a quiet private boat outing. A large group shares the vessel, and some people may prefer a smaller charter. The positive side is that the boat feels spacious enough for the number of people, with sunbeds and places to sit. The tradeoff is less privacy and a more lively atmosphere.

Leaving Split with breakfast onboard

The meeting point is in front of stand 11 along Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, the Riva promenade. Arrive early and confirm the stand carefully. One person had trouble because the promenade uses different terms for stands and berths, and ended up running for the boat. The crew helped by calling and waiting, but you should not count on that happening every time.

Once underway, the first sailing section lasts about an hour. This is a good time to settle into the boat, find a place to sit, and eat the included breakfast donut. You also receive a welcome drink, which gives the day a pleasant start without requiring you to buy anything immediately.

The boat ride is part of the experience, but it is not just filler for everyone. I like using this time to watch Split recede and get into a slower island rhythm. If you are impatient to swim, the opening hour can feel long. The same is true of the return ride, so bring something small to read or simply plan to enjoy the views and music.

People prone to seasickness should take note. The boat was described as smooth by several customers, and the crew helped one person who felt ill at the start. Still, conditions can vary on the Adriatic, so sensible preparation is worthwhile.

Šolta and the changing shipwreck stop

The first island stop is Šolta, with about 75 minutes for breakfast, swimming, and snorkeling in the scheduled plan. This is a useful first water stop because you can get comfortable with the boat’s swim routine before the longer Blue Lagoon visit.

The advertised highlight is the Nečujam shipwreck, where you can swim around an abandoned vessel and look for aquatic life. That sounds unusual and gives this stop more character than a standard open-water swim.

There is an important update, though. A September account says the shipwreck had been removed and the boat went to another pretty location instead. Because the main description still refers to the wreck, do not book solely for that attraction. The Šolta stop should be treated as a swimming and snorkeling stop first, with the wreck subject to change.

Snorkeling equipment is available, but it may be basic. One account described it as goggles with a nose cover rather than a full traditional mask and snorkel setup. A deposit is required for the equipment, and that deposit is not included in the ticket price. If you own comfortable gear, you may prefer to bring it, though the included option is handy for a spontaneous swim.

The 75-minute stop gives you enough time to get into the water without turning the visit into a full beach afternoon. Some people would prefer more time here, especially if the wreck is not part of the program. You will need to keep an eye on the return-to-boat time.

The Blue Lagoon earns its headline billing

After another sailing section of roughly an hour, the boat reaches the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island. This is the biggest stop of the day, with about two hours for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

The water is the star. Expect bright, clear, turquoise conditions that invite you to jump straight in from the boat. The area is scenic, but the appeal is less about touring a town and more about being on the water. You get a long enough pause to swim, sit in the sun, eat lunch, and return for another swim.

The Blue Lagoon can feel busy, particularly because it is one of the best-known swimming areas near Split. That is part of the price of an easy organized cruise. You are not arriving at an untouched cove, but you are getting a beautiful swimming setting without arranging your own boat.

Several people called this the best stop, and I can understand why. It combines the strongest water scenery with the longest break. If you only have energy for one serious swim, save it for here.

Lunch: three burger choices and a useful value check

Lunch is included and served with fries. You choose from a 100 percent beef burger, a tuna steak burger, or a vegetarian burger. The tuna option receives especially strong praise, so I would choose it if you like fish and want something different from a standard burger.

The beef burger gives you the safest familiar choice. The vegetarian burger is useful for meat-free diners, though one parent found that the vegetarian option did not suit her daughter. That is a reminder to keep expectations sensible: this is convenient boat lunch, not a special restaurant meal.

The food is one of the reasons the $81 price works. You are paying for transport between three locations, a full day onboard, breakfast, lunch, swimming equipment, sunbeds, WiFi, and drinks. Buying those elements separately would take more time and planning, even if a private boat would offer more flexibility.

Extra lunch is not included. The included meal is one serving per person, so do not assume you can order a second burger as part of the package.

Čiovo and Borko beach bar

After about 30 minutes of sailing, the cruise reaches Čiovo for around 75 minutes. This stop has a different feel from the open-water Blue Lagoon. You can swim from the beach, enjoy the cove, and spend time at Borko beach bar.

The bar stop is a clever part of the schedule. After two swimming locations, you may appreciate a drink, a hammock-style lounging area, and a chance to dry off without immediately returning to the boat. Some people called this final stop one of the highlights, particularly because the beach setting feels relaxed and picturesque.

Drinks purchased at the bar are separate from the unlimited onboard drinks. The bar accepts cards, according to a recent account, but I would still keep a payment card with you rather than assuming every small purchase is covered by the cruise.

The final 75 minutes can feel short if you want a long beach visit. One person preferred more time at the first stop, while another wished the swim stops were longer overall. The schedule gives you variety, but it does not let you settle into one island for half a day.

Drinks, music, and the onboard atmosphere

Included drinks are water, lemonade, and wine. The lemonade may be more like lemon squash than fresh lemonade, and the wine is basic rather than a tasting experience. Still, unlimited drinks are valuable on a hot day, especially when you can refill during the sailing portions.

The wine is served after lunch rather than from the start. That is a sensible arrangement for a daytime boat trip, but it is worth knowing if you are expecting a glass during the morning ride. One family also noted that wine service can make the atmosphere a little tipsy later in the day. If you are traveling with young children and want a very calm boat, this is worth considering.

Music adds energy without turning the experience into a formal party cruise. You can sit in the sun, chat with other people, or use the swim stops to escape the noise for a while. The bartender and crew receive repeated praise, with Mario often mentioned for friendly and efficient service.

How much time do you spend sailing?

The detailed schedule includes about one hour from Split to Šolta, one hour from Šolta to the Blue Lagoon, 30 minutes to Čiovo, and about 75 minutes back to Split. That is roughly four hours and 15 minutes of sailing, alongside the three stops.

The experience is advertised as eight hours, while the supplied timing and description suggest the day can run closer to eight or nine hours depending on the schedule. In practical terms, keep most of your day free. Do not book a tight afternoon appointment or airport transfer after this cruise.

The sailing time is the main drawback for people who want constant activity. I think it works best when you treat the cruise itself as part of the day, not merely as transport. The boat, music, sunbeds, WiFi, and drinks help make the longer stretches comfortable.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it for you if you want:

• A simple way to see several island swimming spots from Split
• A social boat atmosphere with music and a bar
• Lunch and drinks included in the upfront price
• Swimming time without arranging ferries or taxis
• A flexible day suitable for solo visitors, couples, families, and mixed-age groups
• A Blue Lagoon visit as the main feature

I would think twice if you want a private boat, a quiet trip, extensive sightseeing on land, or a guaranteed shipwreck swim. You should also be comfortable boarding a large vessel, sharing swim areas, and spending several hours sailing.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a reusable cup if you want to cut down on disposable plastic. The boat has sunbeds, but popular positions may be claimed early, so arriving promptly at the meeting point helps.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon cruise?

I think this is a strong-value choice for a first day on the water around Split. The crew service, especially from people such as Mario, Bepo, and Ivana, helps the large-group format feel organized and welcoming. The food is better than you might expect from a boat package, with the tuna burger a particularly safe bet.

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, easy meals, music, and three scenic stops without doing the planning yourself. Skip it if your priority is solitude or a guaranteed visit to the Nečujam shipwreck. Before paying, confirm the current first-stop plan, then arrive early at stand 11 and enjoy the Blue Lagoon as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start in Split?

Meet the guide in front of stand 11 on the Riva promenade at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is advertised as eight hours. The detailed schedule includes several sailing sections and may make the day feel closer to eight or nine hours, so keep most of the day free.

Which islands and locations are included?

The planned stops are Šolta, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island, and Čiovo, including time at Borko beach bar.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast donuts and a welcome drink are included onboard.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose a 100 percent beef burger, a tuna steak burger, or a vegetarian burger. French fries are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited onboard water, lemonade, and wine are included. Drinks bought at Borko beach bar are separate.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available, but a deposit is required. The deposit is not included in the price.

Is lunch at the beach bar included?

No. The included lunch is the burger meal served as part of the cruise. Extra lunch is not included, and purchases at the beach bar are separate.

Is the shipwreck stop guaranteed?

No. The planned Šolta visit refers to the Nečujam shipwreck, but a recent account says the wreck had been removed and the boat used another location. Confirm the current route if this matters most to you.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the booking terms.