Split: Blue Lagoon, Borkko Beach & Šolta with Food & Drinks

The best part of this day is the combination of three very different stops: a beach bar on Čiovo, a clear-water swim at the Blue Lagoon, and a quiet fishing village on Šolta. You get more than a quick photo stop, yet the schedule keeps the day from turning into one long, crowded boat ride.

I like the modern Tamaris yacht, especially its clean toilets, outdoor showers, air-conditioned salons, Wi-Fi, and roomy decks. I also like the honest all-in pricing: breakfast, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, and swim vests are part of the package. The main catch is that the Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours, so strong swimmers may wish for more time in the water.

Key points to know

• Three stops with three different moods: swim at Borkko Beach, enjoy lunch and clear water at the Blue Lagoon, then walk around Maslinica.
• A proper day cruiser: Tamaris has three decks, two air-conditioned salons, four toilets, showers, a swimming platform, and a bar.
• Food is included: choose grilled fish, chicken, or a vegan meal, with a gluten-free option available.
• Local drinks are covered: water, lemonade, and unlimited local wine with and after lunch are included.
• Bring €10 cash: this is a refundable deposit for the snorkeling equipment.
• Arrive early: boarding is at stand 8 on Split Riva, and the boat leaves strictly on time.

A full island day from Split

This is an eight-hour outing designed for people who want to see the coast without arranging several separate trips. You spend much of the day on the water, but the route includes enough shore time to swim, snack, walk, and look around.

The price is $76 per person. That is a strong deal for a full day in Dalmatia because the cost includes a morning coffee and croissant, lunch, local wine, water, lemonade, fresh fruit, snorkeling gear, and swim vests. You still pay for extra drinks such as beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola.

I would think of this as a relaxed sightseeing day rather than a serious island tour. You will not explore every corner of Čiovo or Šolta. Instead, you get a useful sample of the coast, served with swimming stops and a boat that is more comfortable than a basic speedboat.

Finding Max Nautica on Split Riva

The meeting point is stand number 8 on the Riva promenade, beside the water and across from Diocletian’s Palace. Look for the small white stand with a picture of the boat. It is near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. This is not just polite timing. The port operates on a fixed schedule, and the crew says the boat must leave on time. Heavy traffic can make a short trip across Split surprisingly slow, so do not cut it close.

Boarding early also helps if you want a choice of seating. The boat has plenty of places to sit, but the upper sunbeds are limited. Some people prefer the top deck for sun and photos, while others will be happier in the shaded outdoor seating or an air-conditioned salon.

Coffee, croissants, and the ride toward Čiovo

Once Tamaris leaves Split, the crew serves coffee and a croissant while you cruise along the south side of Čiovo Island. It is a simple breakfast, not a full meal, but it gives you something to eat before the first swim.

Tamaris is a 27-meter day cruiser with three decks. You will find two air-conditioned indoor salons, an open deck with a bar, and a sundeck. The boat also has four toilets, showers, a broad swimming platform, Wi-Fi, and safety deposit boxes for valuables.

These details matter on a long day at sea. A small boat can feel exciting for an hour, then cramped after lunch. Here, you can move around, find shade, rinse off salt water, use a proper toilet, or retreat indoors if the sun gets too strong.

The English-speaking crew gives instructions over a microphone, which helps when it is time to return to the boat. The crew members named in feedback include Captain Josip, Valentina, Stella, Sandra, Marin, Dado, Thomas, and Ivana. Staffing can change, but the operation is built around clear announcements and active help on board.

Borkko Beach on Čiovo: an easy first swim

The first stop is Borkko Beach on Čiovo Island, with about an hour for coffee, swimming, and snorkeling. The beach bar gives this stop a casual feel. You can swim from the beach, relax with a drink, or use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

This is a good first stop because it eases you into the day. You are not rushed straight from Split into a long lunch or a major swim. The water gives you a chance to test the temperature and get comfortable with the boat routine.

The snorkeling is part of the fun, but keep your expectations sensible. The main attraction is being in the clear Adriatic, not seeing a large collection of marine life. One useful practical point: the snorkeling equipment requires a €10 cash deposit, returned after you hand it back.

You can also use a swim vest, which is helpful if you are not a confident swimmer. Pack water shoes or sturdy beach footwear if you have them. Several beaches in this area are rocky, and sea urchins can be present.

The Blue Lagoon: the day’s main event

After Borkko Beach, Tamaris cruises toward the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veliki. The ride takes roughly 30 minutes, although the exact timing can vary with the port schedule and conditions.

This is the stop most people will anticipate. The bay has clear turquoise water, and the boat anchors close enough for easy swimming. You can jump from the swimming platform, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit on deck and watch the water change color around the boat.

Lunch is served here, which makes practical sense. You can eat, swim, and relax without losing time moving to another location. The meal includes a choice of grilled fish, chicken, or a vegan option, with gluten-free food available. Fish is the appealing choice if you want a taste of the coast, and several guests specifically enjoyed the sea bass, sardines, and grilled fish.

The meal is generally considered tasty, though portions and side dishes may feel modest if you have a big appetite. One useful detail is that extra food may be available, but you should not expect a large restaurant-style spread with many salads and side dishes.

Local wine is included with lunch and after lunch. Water and lemonade are available throughout the trip. Fresh watermelon or other chilled fruit is served for dessert on the return to Split, a welcome touch after swimming in the sun.

The main limitation is time. You get about two hours at the Blue Lagoon, including lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. That is enough for a satisfying stop, but not enough if you want to spend most of the day in the water. The area can also have many boats, especially in the high season, so this is not a private cove experience.

Still, the boat’s position and swimming platform make the stop easy. You do not need to carry a picnic, hunt for a restaurant, or pay a beach club fee. You simply eat, change into swim gear, and get in the water.

Maslinica on Šolta: a quieter final stop

The final island stop is Maslinica on Šolta, with about 90 minutes to explore. This small fishing village gives the day a useful change of pace after two beach and swimming stops.

You can walk around the harbor, look at Marchi Castle and its park, stop at a local café, or swim from the beach. The Punta beach bar is another option if you prefer a drink and a slower break. Maslinica is easygoing rather than packed with major sights, so the pleasure is in the setting and the calm village rhythm.

I like this stop because it prevents the tour from becoming only a series of swims. You get a little time on land and a chance to see how a smaller island settlement feels. At the same time, you should not expect a long guided history tour or a packed list of attractions. Ninety minutes is enough for a walk, coffee, and a quick swim, but not for extensive sightseeing.

For many people, Maslinica will be the most restful stop. The Blue Lagoon is the visual highlight, but Šolta gives the day a more local and human scale.

The ride back with watermelon and island views

The return cruise to Split takes about 75 minutes. This is when the trip slows down. Crew members serve chilled watermelon, and you can settle into a seat, use the Wi-Fi, take photographs, or watch the surrounding islands pass by.

Music plays on board, adding to the holiday mood. The atmosphere is social and relaxed, but this is not presented as a hard-party boat. That makes it a better fit for couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a full day on the water without loud nightlife as the main purpose.

The return ride is also a good reason to bring a light cover-up. After several swims, the wind and shade can feel cool even in warm weather. A sun hat, sunscreen, towel, camera, comfortable clothing, and beachwear are all worth packing.

Why Tamaris makes the price worthwhile

At $76, this tour competes well with other Split boat outings because so many basic expenses are already handled. If you paid separately for breakfast, lunch, several drinks, snorkeling rental, and a full-day boat ride, the price could climb quickly.

The boat itself is a major part of the value. Clean modern toilets are not glamorous, but they matter on an eight-hour trip. Outdoor showers let you rinse off salt water, and safety boxes let you store a phone or wallet before swimming. The air-conditioned salons are useful for families with young children and for anyone who needs a break from the sun.

There are still a few costs to watch. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola are extra, and the boat bar is cash-only according to the practical information provided by the operator and guests. Bring cash for the €10 snorkeling deposit and for anything you may buy at the bar or in Maslinica.

The boat can feel full, especially in the busiest part of summer. Assigned seating helps prevent chaos, and the large layout keeps people from feeling packed into one cabin. If a top-deck sunbed matters to you, arrive early. If it does not, you should still find a comfortable place elsewhere.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple way to combine swimming, island scenery, lunch, and a little village time. It is especially good for first-time visitors to Split who do not want to compare several boat companies or organize ferries and meals independently.

Families can benefit from the air-conditioned indoor seating, toilets, showers, swim vests, and helpful crew. A family with a baby found the private cabin area and climate control useful, though you should still prepare for a full day around sun, water, and boat movement.

Solo visitors can also fit in well. The crew helps with seating, and the shared format makes it easy to enjoy the day without having to arrange a private charter.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, private cruise, a long guided tour of Šolta, or hours of uninterrupted snorkeling. You are sharing the boat with other people, following a fixed timetable, and visiting popular coastal stops.

Practical tips before you book

Arrive 30 minutes early at stand 8 on the Riva. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothing, and pack a towel, sunscreen, sun hat, camera, and water shoes.

Bring €10 cash for the refundable snorkeling deposit. Carry more cash if you want beer, cocktails, Coca-Cola, or drinks in Maslinica, since extra purchases on board are not included.

If you want the upper sunbed area, get there early. If you prefer shade or air conditioning, head for the salon or lower outdoor seating instead.

Do not plan a tight evening appointment in Split. The advertised length is eight hours, and the boat follows port timing and sea conditions. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available.

Should you book the Tamaris island cruise?

Book it if you want good value, clear water, and a comfortable boat more than a private or highly specialized excursion. The strongest parts are the crew, the clean facilities, the included meals and drinks, and the variety of the three stops.

I would book this for a first or second day in Split, when you want an easy introduction to the surrounding islands. I would skip it only if your priority is secluded swimming, extensive sightseeing in Maslinica, or a small-group sailing experience.

For most visitors, Tamaris gives you a generous day out for the money, with enough structure to keep things simple and enough free time to feel like a holiday.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour meet in Split?

Meet at stand number 8 on Split Riva Promenade. It is a small white stand beside the sea, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave strictly on time because of the port schedule and the planned route.

How long does the experience last?

The full tour lasts about eight hours, including the cruises between Split, Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Split.

What food is included?

You receive a coffee and croissant in the morning, a Mediterranean lunch at the Blue Lagoon, and fresh fruit dessert. Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, and a vegan option, with a gluten-free option available.

Which drinks are included?

Water and lemonade are available, and local wine is included with lunch and after lunch. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swim vests are available. A €10 cash safety deposit is required for the snorkeling equipment and returned after use.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, sunscreen, camera, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. Water shoes are also a useful choice for rocky beaches and areas where sea urchins may be present.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later booking is available, so you do not have to pay at the time of booking.