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

The best part of this Split boat trip is the simple rhythm: cruise, swim, eat, cruise, swim again. You get three very different stops, from Šolta’s quiet water to the bright turquoise Blue Lagoon and a final drink at Borko beach bar on Čiovo. It is an easy way to see more of Dalmatia without arranging several boats yourself.

I especially like the included food and drinks, which make the $81 price easier to justify, and the friendly crew, with Mario, Bepo, and Ivana among the staff praised for making the day run smoothly. The main thing to consider is the large boat and long travel time at the beginning and end. Also, the advertised Nečujam shipwreck may no longer be there.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops: Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo each offer a different setting.
• Breakfast and lunch included: Start with donuts, then choose a beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger with fries.
• Unlimited basic drinks: Water, lemonade, and wine are available onboard.
• The shipwreck detail may be outdated: Recent operating information indicates that the wreck has been removed, with another scenic swimming area used instead.
• A social boat atmosphere: Expect music, sunbeds, a bar, and a fairly large group rather than a quiet private cruise.
• Meeting point matters: Find stand 11 on Split’s Riva promenade, not simply a berth number.

What this $81 Split cruise actually gives you

At $81 per person, this is more than a boat ride to one photogenic cove. You get about eight hours on the water, breakfast, lunch, basic drinks, snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, WiFi, and an English-speaking crew. That makes the price reasonable if you plan to spend a full day swimming and want the food and transport handled in one booking.

I would not choose it for a small, quiet sailing experience. This is a social sightseeing cruise, and the boat can carry a large group. Still, the crew keeps the day organized, and the open deck, music, bar service, and swimming stops give it a relaxed holiday feel.

The day is also nicely self-contained. You do not need to find a restaurant on each island, hire separate transfers, or carry a packed lunch. You can settle into the boat and let the crew manage the schedule.

Leaving Split from stand 11 on the Riva

The meeting point is in front of stand 11 along Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, the main Riva promenade. Give yourself extra time to find the exact stand. One passenger had trouble because the wording around berths and stands was confusing, so do not assume the nearest dock sign is enough.

Once aboard, the first hour is a sightseeing cruise out from Split. This is useful travel time rather than dead time, but it is still a full hour sitting or standing on the boat before the first swim. You can use it to find a good place on the sun deck, get settled, and have the welcome drink and breakfast donuts.

The boat has sunbeds and a bar area, along with WiFi. Music helps create a party-like mood, although the atmosphere may not suit anyone hoping for a silent morning at sea. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the ride feels most stable and keep the first part of the breakfast light. The crew has helped passengers who felt unwell, but prevention is still the better plan.

Šolta: a first swim and the shipwreck question

The first island stop is Šolta, with about 75 minutes for breakfast, swimming, and snorkeling. Nečujam is known for its calm bay, and the original description centers on swimming around an abandoned shipwreck surrounded by marine life.

Here is the important update: more recent operating information says the shipwreck has been removed. The cruise may instead stop at another attractive swimming spot in the area. You should book this for the clear water, island scenery, and first swim, not solely for the wreck.

That change does not erase the value of the stop. Šolta gives you an early chance to get into the water, try the provided mask and snorkel, and settle into the pace of the day. The equipment is basic rather than a specialist snorkeling setup. One description calls it essentially a diving mask with a nose cover, but it is enough for looking at fish and rocks in clear water.

Seventy-five minutes is a useful amount of time, though some people would prefer a longer first stop. If swimming is your main goal, be ready to enter the water soon after arrival rather than spending the whole stop on the boat.

Cruising to the Blue Lagoon on Drvenik

After Šolta, another hour of cruising brings you toward Drvenik and the Blue Lagoon. These longer boat sections are part of the trade-off. They give you broad views of the Dalmatian coast and time to relax, but they reduce the number of minutes actually spent in the water.

The Blue Lagoon gets the longest stop, about two hours, and it is the centerpiece of the day. The water is famously clear and turquoise, making this the best place for a proper swim, floating, snorkeling, or jumping from the boat if conditions and your confidence allow.

You should expect other people and other boats in this popular spot, especially in the busiest part of the season. The setting is beautiful, but it is not a private cove reserved for your group. The large boat and open water also mean that anyone who dislikes crowded swimming areas may find the stop less peaceful than the photographs suggest.

For most people, two hours is enough time to enjoy the water without feeling rushed. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the boat ride afterward. The supplied sunbeds are useful, but deck space can become valuable on a full departure.

Lunch onboard: three choices and a practical value

Lunch is served during the Blue Lagoon portion of the day. You choose from a 100 percent beef burger, a tuna steak burger, or a vegetarian burger, with french fries. The food is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise rather than a cheaper boat transfer with no meal.

The tuna burger has been a favorite among many diners, and the beef burger also receives strong praise. The vegetarian choice is the least predictable option. One family found it less appealing, so if you are particular about plant-based meals, check the daily menu before booking or bring a small backup snack.

The meal is not fine dining, and that is not the point. It is a filling hot lunch served where you happen to be swimming, with no need to search for a restaurant or pay island prices. An extra lunch is not included, so the standard meal covers one serving per person.

Breakfast is much simpler: donuts and a welcome drink. Think of it as a small morning bite, not a full breakfast. If you need a substantial meal early in the day, eat before meeting the boat.

Drinks, music, and the onboard mood

Included drinks are water, lemonade, and wine. The lemonade is closer to lemon squash than freshly squeezed juice, so set your expectations accordingly. Coffee and other drinks may be available for purchase, but they are not part of the stated unlimited package.

Wine is served onboard, and that affects the tone of the cruise. Most of the day is easygoing and social, but some passengers may drink generously. A family with young children should know that the boat can feel more like a lively day out than a hushed nature trip.

I like that the basic drinks are included, since an eight-hour boat day can otherwise become expensive. I also like the ability to spend long stretches simply sitting with a glass of wine or lemonade and watching the islands pass. To cut down on plastic cups, bring a reusable cup if you have one.

The music adds energy, especially during the longer cruises. Solo visitors can find it easy to meet people, while couples looking for privacy should consider a smaller charter.

Čiovo and Borko beach bar

The final island stop is Čiovo, with around 75 minutes of free time, swimming, and snorkeling. This is a different experience from the Blue Lagoon because you get to spend time beside a beach bar rather than only swimming from the boat.

Borko beach bar sits by a scenic cove with a beach and hammock nets. You can swim, stretch out, and buy a drink or simply enjoy the setting. The bar now accepts credit cards, according to current operational information, but it is still sensible to carry a little spending money for anything extra.

Some people prefer this stop to the Blue Lagoon because it feels more grounded. You are not just jumping into open water and climbing back onto the boat. You have a little time to sit, walk around, or enjoy a drink on land.

The schedule gives you enough time to make the stop worthwhile, though a few people would rather see the first stop made longer instead. If you want to swim at every location, use the time well and do not leave all your water time for the final cove.

The return to Split is part of the calculation

After Čiovo, the cruise back to Split takes about 75 minutes. Added to the first hour, the second hour between islands, and the shorter 30-minute cruise before Čiovo, you spend a substantial part of the day moving.

That is not necessarily a weakness. The boat ride is where you get the wide coastal views, music, drinks, and rest between swims. But if you want nearly eight straight hours on beaches, this is not the right product. The activity is an island cruise with swimming stops, not a beach day with quick transfers.

The boat ride was described as smooth and comfortable, which matters for anyone worried about motion. Still, no boat can guarantee that every passenger will feel fine. If you know you get seasick, plan ahead and choose a seat with care.

Crew service and how the large group works

The crew is one of the clearest strengths of this experience. Staff members including Mario, Bepo, Bapo, and Ivana have been singled out for friendly, attentive service, drink service, clear communication, and help when passengers needed it.

The names Bepo and Bapo appear in different accounts, so I would not assume which crew member you will meet on a particular departure. The practical point is that the English-speaking team is visible and involved throughout the day.

The group can be large, with one account describing roughly 100 people onboard. That sounds daunting, but the boat’s organization and the crew’s attention to rules keep the day moving. You will not get the intimate feel of a small speedboat, but you do get more facilities, food service, sunbeds, and a more social atmosphere.

This setup works especially well for mixed-age groups. Families spanning young children to older adults have found the pace manageable, provided everyone is comfortable with boarding a boat and getting in and out of the water. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Who should book this three-island day?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A full day on the water without arranging several separate trips
• Clear swimming water and several chances to snorkel
• Lunch and basic drinks included in the price
• A social boat with music and a friendly bar service
• A trip that works for couples, solo visitors, families, and larger groups
• A straightforward way to see Šolta, Drvenik’s Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo from Split

I would think twice if you want a quiet private cruise, gourmet food, long beach time, or a guaranteed shipwreck visit. The shipwreck appears to have been removed, and the tour can feel crowded during popular dates.

The timing also matters. The stated duration is eight hours, while the schedule begins with a morning departure and includes long return travel. Check the available start time for your date and keep the day free rather than trying to fit another major attraction afterward.

Booking details worth knowing

Meet the English-speaking guide at stand 11 on Split’s Riva promenade. The listed price is $81 per person, and you can reserve now and pay later. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and something warm for the ride home. A reusable cup is a useful extra, and anyone who wants a more substantial breakfast should eat before arrival.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want good value in a single package: transport, three island stops, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, and drinks. The Blue Lagoon is the main attraction, but the day works because Šolta and Čiovo break it into three distinct experiences.

I would choose this over a bare sightseeing boat if swimming is important to you. I would not choose it over a small private charter if personal space and quiet matter more than price.

The shipwreck description needs a current check, since it may no longer be part of the route. Set your expectations around a large, lively boat and several hours of cruising, then you are likely to find this a fun and practical day from Split.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon and three-island cruise last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The schedule includes cruises between Split, Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo, followed by the return to Split.

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

Which islands and locations does the cruise visit?

The route includes Šolta, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island, and Čiovo, where the final stop is at Borko beach bar.

What food is included?

Breakfast donuts are included. Lunch includes a choice of a 100 percent beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger, served with french fries.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited water, lemonade, and wine are included. Extra drinks may be available for purchase onboard, but they are not part of the stated package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and sunbeds are included, although a deposit is required for the equipment.

Is the shipwreck at Šolta still part of the trip?

The original description includes the Nečujam shipwreck, but more recent operating information says the wreck has been removed. Check the current route before booking if this feature is especially important to you.