Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

Three stops, five hours, one very blue sea. This small-group speedboat trip gives you a lively mix of swimming in Blue Lagoon, a beach-bar stop on Čiovo, and time in UNESCO-listed Trogir. I like the compact schedule and the limited group size of 12, which keep the outing social without turning the boat into a floating crowd.

I also like the friendly guide teams, including Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, and Mate, who are often praised for balancing jokes, music, safety, and useful local commentary. The main drawback is the speedboat ride itself: wind can make it bumpy, and the loud music may not suit anyone hoping for a quiet cruise. At $70, though, this is a strong half-day value if you want sea time without giving up a little history.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon swimming stop: One hour for swimming and snorkeling in clear water, with goggles supplied.
• Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo: Pine trees, a sandy beach feel, drinks available for purchase, and time to relax.
• Trogir in one hour: A quick but worthwhile look at a UNESCO-protected city-island and harbor.
• Small boat, small group: The tour is limited to 12 people, making it more personal than a large excursion vessel.
• Good half-day value: Five hours, transport, safety equipment, goggles, and water are included for $70, although one recent report noted that water was not provided.
• Weather matters: Strong winds can cancel the trip, and the route may change to Maslinica on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach.

What this Split speedboat tour is really like

This is a fast, social outing rather than a slow sailing trip. You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office, check in, and walk to the boat with your English-speaking guide and skipper. The exact starting time varies, so you need to check availability when booking.

The boat ride from Split to the first stop takes about 30 minutes. That gives you a fine opening view of the city from the water, followed by the familiar thrill of a speedboat cutting across the Adriatic. You can expect music, short bits of commentary, and plenty of open-air scenery. The boat has a sun deck, and several people have praised the boats as clean, spacious, and comfortable.

The group limit of 12 matters here. You are not packed onto a large excursion boat with hundreds of other people. It is easier to hear the guide, ask a question, and get in or out of the water without a traffic jam. The tradeoff is that the ride feels more exposed to wind and spray than a larger vessel. If the sea turns choppy, the journey can be bumpy.

Borkko Beach Bar brings the first taste of island life

Your first stop is Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo Island, with about an hour to swim, snorkel, or sit beneath the pine trees. The appeal is less about a major sight and more about the easy, informal mood. You get a beach setting, a place to buy drinks, and a chance to settle into the day before the main Blue Lagoon stop.

The setting suits anyone who wants a little downtime. You can take a swim, dry off under the sun, or sit near the beach bar and enjoy the view. Several people especially liked the combination of a casual drink stop and access to the water. It gives the tour a social feel without forcing you into a full beach-club day.

Food and drinks are not included, so bring some spending money if you want something from the bar. The tour includes water according to the supplied details, but one person specifically reported that water was not available on their trip. I would bring a refillable bottle anyway. It is a simple precaution in the hot Croatian sun.

The route can change here. In some seasons or weather conditions, the boat may visit Maslinica on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach Bar. That is not necessarily a bad substitute, but you should book this trip for the general island-and-sea experience, not for one fixed beach bar alone.

Blue Lagoon is the main event

After Borkko, the boat heads to Blue Lagoon Bay for another hour. This is the part most people look forward to, and it is easy to see why. The water is clear, the color is striking, and the stop is built around swimming, snorkeling, and lounging on the boat’s sun deck.

You receive snorkeling goggles, so you do not need to bring your own mask for a basic look below the surface. The underwater life is described as interesting rather than as a full reef experience, so keep your expectations sensible. This is a beautiful place to float and see what is below you, not a dedicated scuba or marine-life expedition.

The hour is long enough for a proper swim, but not long enough to drift into a lazy all-afternoon beach session. I see that as a strength for a five-hour tour. You get the best part of a sea day without spending the entire day sunburning on a boat. If swimming is your priority, get ready as soon as the boat stops rather than using half the time to organize your towel and belongings.

A small practical point: the boat floor can become slippery. One person specifically warned about this after wearing swimming shoes, so move carefully when boarding or climbing out of the water. Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. Those are not optional extras here. You will be in direct sun for much of the trip.

Trogir adds culture to a water-focused day

The final major stop is Trogir, about an hour of free time for sightseeing. This old city sits on a small island and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historic buildings and well-preserved urban character.

Trogir changes the rhythm of the tour. After two water stops, you get to walk through an old harbor town, look at stone streets and historic architecture, and enjoy views back toward the Central Dalmatian coast. You are not receiving a long guided city tour, so think of this as a useful introduction rather than a complete visit.

An hour is enough to stroll, take photographs, and get a feel for the place. It is not enough for a museum-heavy visit or a detailed architectural tour. One person wished for more time in Trogir, and I understand the complaint. If you are especially interested in history, Trogir may leave you wanting a separate half-day visit.

For most people, though, the short stop works well. The tour is trying to fit swimming, an island beach, and a UNESCO city into one morning or afternoon. Trogir supplies just enough old-world character to prevent the outing from becoming only a beach transfer.

The ride back is part of the experience

The return trip to Split takes about 30 minutes. This is when you can settle on the sundeck, watch the islands pass, and take in the open-water views. The speed adds fun, but it also means you should brace yourself when the boat hits wake or the wind picks up.

The best guide teams know how to keep the ride lively without filling every minute with talk. Simon and Paško have been praised for good music, humor, and a sensible amount of explanation. Linda has also been singled out for taking photographs with a professional camera, so if she is guiding your boat, it is worth asking how the photos work.

Music is part of the atmosphere. That suits a group looking for a cheerful outing, and some guide teams have even taken requests. If you want quiet conversation with the people beside you, you may find the volume too high at times. This is more beach-day energy than silent sightseeing cruise.

Guides and boat atmosphere can shape the day

The route is fixed enough to be easy, but the people running the boat shape the mood. Names that come up repeatedly include Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, Mate, Ivan, Domagoj, Gabriel, and Sanja. The strongest praise centers on friendly crews who make passengers feel safe, keep the timing on track, and add humor without talking constantly.

That balance matters on a small boat. A guide who explains every detail can make a swim stop feel rushed, while a crew that says nothing leaves you unsure about the places you are seeing. The best reports describe just the right amount of information, with music and conversation during the rides and freedom during the stops.

You should also expect different guide combinations on different departures. You cannot choose a particular crew with certainty, but the repeated positive comments about several teams suggest a consistent service culture. The crew’s job is not to provide a formal lecture. It is to handle the boat, explain the stops, help people feel comfortable, and keep the day moving.

If you are making a group booking, reserve everyone together. Separate bookings may not be placed on the same boat. That is an important detail for couples or families who want to stay together.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the value is good for a five-hour Croatian island outing. You are paying for the speedboat, skipper and guide, transport between Split and the stops, safety equipment, snorkeling goggles, and the time saved by visiting several places in one trip.

A self-planned version would require arranging transport to a beach, finding a way to Blue Lagoon, and then reaching Trogir. The speedboat removes that puzzle and lets you see three very different settings in half a day. For a first visit to Split, that convenience is worth real money.

The price does not cover food or drinks. You should also budget for anything you want at Borkko Beach Bar. The trip is not a luxury yacht experience, and you should not expect a full meal, extensive historical guiding, or hours at each stop.

Still, the short length is part of the value. You can take this tour in the morning and spend the rest of the day in Split, or choose an afternoon departure and keep your morning free. People who thought five hours would be enough often found themselves wishing the outing were longer, which is a good sign, but it also confirms that this is a sampler rather than a complete island holiday.

Who will enjoy it most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want several highlights in one outing. It works especially well if you have limited time in Split and want both sea swimming and a historic town.

It is also a good match for people who like some music and conversation on the boat. The small group makes it easier to meet others, and the atmosphere can feel more like a friendly day out than a formal tour.

You should think twice if you have back problems, mobility limitations, or are pregnant. The tour is not recommended for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people with back problems, or children under five. The speedboat can be bumpy in wind, and getting in and out of the boat requires care.

Strong wind can cancel the trip. In that case, you can receive a full refund, reschedule, or switch to another available trip. Weather can also alter the route, including a possible visit to Maslinica rather than Borkko Beach Bar. Those changes are normal for a sea excursion, but they are worth knowing before you commit.

What to bring for a better day

Pack lightly, but pack for water. Your basic list should include:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• A refillable bottle of water
• Money for food or drinks
• A secure way to carry small personal items

Wear something comfortable for the boat ride and choose footwear carefully. The floor may be slippery, especially around swimming stops. If you plan to spend the full hour in the water, apply sunscreen before boarding rather than waiting until the boat reaches Blue Lagoon.

I would also bring a dry layer for the ride back. The details provided do not promise a warm, calm sea, and the wind can feel stronger once the boat is moving. You want to enjoy the views, not spend the final half-hour wishing you had packed a shirt.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands tour?

Book it if you want a lively five-hour escape from Split with clear water, a beach-bar stop, and a taste of Trogir. The small group, strong guide teams, flexible cancellation terms, and $70 price make it a sensible choice for a first Adriatic outing.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a long historical tour, or a full day at one beach. The schedule is active, the boat can bounce in wind, and Trogir may feel too brief for serious history fans.

For most visitors, I would choose it early in a Split stay. You get your sea day, learn which islands and towns deserve more time, and return with the practical knowledge to plan the rest of your Croatian trip.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including approximately 30-minute speedboat rides at the beginning and end, one hour at Borkko Beach Bar, one hour at Blue Lagoon, and one hour in Trogir.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the speedboat tour, safety equipment, snorkeling goggles, and water according to the tour information. Food and drinks are not included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet your guide at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office to check in and meet the guide before heading to the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling goggles are provided. You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can the tour be canceled because of bad weather?

Yes. Strong wind can cause the tour to be canceled. You can then receive a full refund, reschedule for another date, or exchange the booking for another available trip.

Is Borkko Beach Bar always part of the route?

Not always. Depending on the season and weather, the tour may visit Maslinica village on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach Bar.