Split: Blue Lagoon 3 Islands All-Inclusive Cruise with Lunch

Three swim stops, lunch, wine, fruit, doughnuts, and free-flowing water make this $62 full-day cruise an easy way to get out of Split. The real draw is the mix: you get clear water, a possible look at a shipwreck near Čiovo, and time in the small village of Maslinica rather than one long boat ride.

I like the generous stop times and the friendly onboard hosts, especially Nana, Marco, Sandra, and Marko, who are often praised for clear instructions and good energy. I also like that paddleboards, inflatables, and snorkeling goggles are available with a €10 deposit. The main drawback is comfort: the boat can fill up, seating is limited, and lunch quality and wine can be uneven.

Key points to know before you book

• Three very different stops: Swim near Čiovo, relax at Krknjaši Blue Lagoon, then walk around Maslinica on Šolta.
• Food and drinks are built in: Choose beef, tuna, or vegetarian burger with fries, plus wine, water, juice, coffee, a doughnut, and seasonal fruit.
• The day lasts 510 minutes: Expect a full day on the water, with several long cruising stretches between stops.
• Water gear is available: Use snorkeling goggles, inflatables, and stand-up paddleboards with a refundable €10 deposit.
• Arrive early for the best seats: Check-in is at 8:30 am for the 9:00 am departure, and the boat may have no seat for everyone.
• It suits swimmers and families best: You can swim at all three stops, but the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

A full Adriatic day from Split

This is a classic summer sea day, not a sightseeing tour packed with monuments and lectures. You leave Split Port, trade city streets for open water, and spend most of the day choosing between swimming, sunbathing, island walks, and sitting with a drink as the coast passes by.

The cruise lasts about eight and a half hours. That sounds long, but the schedule is broken into manageable parts. You have about an hour on the way to the first stop, 90 minutes at Čiovo, 100 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, 90 minutes at Maslinica, and several shorter or longer rides between them.

I see the appeal for anyone staying in Split who wants a simple day outside the city. You do not need to arrange ferries, compare beaches, find a lunch stop, or carry snorkeling gear. The crew handles the timing, food, and equipment while you focus on the sea.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared group cruise. You will not have a quiet private boat or unlimited time at one beach. Music plays onboard, the boat can be lively, and the hardest seats are reported to be small, firm benches. Arriving early matters.

Meeting at St. Nicholas Pier

The boat leaves from Split Port at St. Nicholas Pier, Obala Lazareta 1. For the main season, check-in is at 8:30 am and departure is at 9:00 am. In April and October, check-in moves to 9:00 am, with departure at 9:30 am.

Look for the Gray Line sign and staff wearing matching shirts. Have your digital or printed voucher ready. If you are staying in Split city center, Bačvice, Riva, or the Marjan area, hotel or apartment pickup may be available for an added charge. The shuttle leaves 30 to 45 minutes before the cruise, so enter your address during booking and wait for confirmation.

I would not cut the arrival close. Some people have found that there were not enough seats once everyone boarded. Coming early gives you a better chance of sitting where you want, and it also removes the stress of finding the pier at the last moment.

There is no pet access, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. Bring a towel, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, and water shoes. A light jumper or jacket is also sensible. Even on a bright day, wind can make the longer rides feel cold after you have been swimming.

Čiovo: the first swim and possible shipwreck view

The first cruise from Split takes about an hour. This is your chance to settle in, listen to the crew’s explanation of the day, and take in the view of the Dalmatian coast from the water. Coffee and a doughnut are served, giving the morning a useful start before the first swim.

Čiovo is scheduled for about 90 minutes. The stop combines a photo break with swimming and snorkeling. A shipwreck near the swimming area has been a favorite feature for many people, and goggles let you look below the surface. It is not guaranteed that weather and sea conditions will allow the wreck visit, though. Wind has caused route changes on some departures.

The water activities are informal rather than a guided snorkeling session. You can borrow goggles, inflatables, and stand-up paddleboards by leaving a €10 deposit. The number of paddleboards is limited, so you may need to wait or share rather than expect one on demand.

This first stop is a good test of the pace. You can swim, float, or sit near the water, then return to the boat without spending the whole morning on a beach. Families with children have found the combination of inflatables and calm free time useful, though every child should be comfortable around open water.

The Blue Lagoon near Drvenik

After a 30-minute cruise, the boat reaches Krknjaši Blue Lagoon near Drvenik. The stop lasts about 100 minutes, making it the longest water break of the day. This is the place for turquoise water, floating, snorkeling, and a long swim without rushing straight back onboard.

Lunch is served during this part of the cruise. You choose at the meeting point between a beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger, all served with French fries. Wine comes with lunch, while water and juice are available throughout the cruise.

The food is convenient and filling, but it is best to set your expectations at casual boat lunch rather than restaurant dining. Some people have found the meal tasty and larger than expected. Others have found the burger and fries lukewarm, with simple toppings, and the wine only average. The tuna option has received particularly warm praise, while the vegetarian burger gives non-meat eaters a clear choice.

One practical point matters here: lunch can take time to serve. On some departures, people were asked to wait for the meal before swimming, then had a longer pause than expected while food arrived. If swimming is your priority, listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and be ready to use the free time once the meal service finishes.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is not an untouched private cove. In summer, several boats may be in the area, and a popular swimming site can feel busy. Still, the long stop gives you more freedom than a quick photo break. You can eat, swim, use a float, and enjoy the water without watching the clock every few minutes.

Maslinica on Šolta: a village finish

The final stop is Maslinica on the island of Šolta, reached after about 25 minutes of cruising. You have roughly 90 minutes here, with time for a walk, photographs, coffee by the sea, swimming, or a little shopping.

Maslinica offers a change of mood after the open-water stops. Traditional stone houses, a small marina, and the village waterfront give you a chance to stretch your legs and see a lived-in island setting. Handmade jewelry shops have caught the eye of some people on past departures, and the village is compact enough for a short visit without a strict walking plan.

You can still swim here, but I would use the stop for variety. Take a walk along the water, find a café, or look for a quiet place to sit. If you have children, this stop breaks up the day nicely. If you only want to swim, it also gives you one more chance before the return journey.

The limitation is time. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly if you want a swim, coffee, and a proper look around. You will need to choose rather than see every corner of Šolta.

Food, drinks, and the all-inclusive value

At $62 per person, this cruise offers solid value if you intend to use the included food and drinks. You receive a coffee and doughnut in the morning, lunch with fries and wine, water and juice during the cruise, and seasonal fruit on the return to Split.

The word all-inclusive needs a little context. It covers the listed food, drinks, cruise, and water equipment. It does not mean a restaurant menu or unlimited soft-drink selection. One soft drink preference mentioned by people on the trip was not always available beyond the included water and juice.

Still, buying lunch and drinks separately on a full-day island outing can add up quickly. You also pay for three swimming locations and the transport between them. For a family or couple wanting a simple day at sea, that bundled price is easier to manage than paying for each part as you go.

The lunch choices are useful, especially for a mixed group. You select beef, tuna, or vegetarian burger at the meeting point, not when the meal arrives. Make your choice clearly during check-in so the crew can organize service.

What the boat ride feels like

The cruise is organized around frequent changes of scene. There is about an hour to the first stop, then shorter rides between the swimming areas, followed by an 80-minute return to Split. Those longer stretches are when the wind, sun, and seating become most noticeable.

Music is part of the atmosphere. The mood can be cheerful and social, with hosts using music and humor to keep the day moving. One rainy spell was even turned into a playful music moment, which tells you this is not a silent scenic cruise.

The crew’s role is important. Nana is repeatedly singled out for being warm, attentive, and fun, while Marco, Marko, Sandra, Lana, Anja, and Ivana have also been praised for clear directions and care with the group. Staff names can change by departure, but you can expect English, Croatian, or Serbo-Croatian support.

Do not expect luxury seating. Benches may be hard and small, and a full boat can mean sitting close to other people or on the floor after seats fill. That is not a deal breaker for many people because the stops break up the ride, but it is worth knowing if comfort matters more to you than price.

Weather, water conditions, and what to pack

The operator can alter the route, change the boat, or cancel for safety if weather or sea conditions are poor. That matters on a sea trip because the Blue Lagoon, shipwreck area, and even the order of stops can depend on wind and waves.

Pack for two different conditions. You need swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, towel, and water shoes for the stops. You also need a light extra layer for the boat, especially on the return to Split after time in wet clothing.

Snorkeling goggles are provided with a €10 deposit, as are the paddleboards and inflatables. Bring your own gear if you prefer, but you do not need to buy equipment just for this outing.

The tour is not designed for wheelchair users. It is a better fit for people who can manage boat boarding, swimming access, and movement between the deck and water areas.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Adriatic locations in one day without planning a complicated route. It works well for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want swimming, a little island sightseeing, and a social boat atmosphere.

Families may appreciate the meal choices, included drinks, floats, and clear schedule. Children who enjoy water will have plenty to do, but parents should be ready to supervise them around the boat and swimming areas.

It is also a good choice if you like a day with structure. The crew tells you what happens next, and the stops are long enough to feel worthwhile. You are not left wondering where to go or when to return.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet sailing trip, high-end food, guaranteed shipwreck access, or a private beach. You should also think twice if you dislike firm seating, music, shared facilities, or changing from a boat into open water.

Is the $62 price worth it?

For an 8.5-hour day, three island stops, lunch, morning food, drinks, and water equipment, I consider $62 a fair price. The strongest value comes from the time on the water and the number of activities included, not from gourmet dining or premium comfort.

The trip is especially good value in peak summer, when arranging separate transport, meals, and swimming stops can cost more and take much more effort. Hotel pickup costs extra, so add that charge before comparing the total with other options.

The most common weak points are practical rather than dramatic: crowded swimming spots, limited paddleboards, hard benches, a basic lunch, and wine that may not impress you. If you accept those limits, the price buys a very full day with little planning required.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want three swims, an easy lunch, and a cheerful group atmosphere in one organized day from Split. Arrive early, bring a warm layer, choose your lunch carefully, and treat the shipwreck as a bonus rather than a promise.

Skip it if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed seating, luxury food, or full accessibility. For most active visitors who want a straightforward taste of Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon, and Šolta, this is a practical and enjoyable use of a summer day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is St. Nicholas Pier at Split Port, Obala Lazareta 1. Look for the Gray Line sign and staff wearing matching shirts.

What time should I arrive?

For the main season, check-in is at 8:30 am and departure is at 9:00 am. In April and October, check-in is at 9:00 am and departure is at 9:30 am.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The route includes a swimming and snorkeling stop at Čiovo, Krknjaši Blue Lagoon near Drvenik, and Maslinica village on the island of Šolta.

What lunch choices are available?

You choose a beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger. Lunch includes French fries and wine.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water and juice are available throughout the cruise. Coffee, a doughnut, wine with lunch, and seasonal fruit are also included.

Can I use snorkeling gear or a paddleboard?

Snorkeling goggles, inflatables, and stand-up paddleboards are available with a €10 deposit. Paddleboards are limited, so they may not always be available immediately.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, and water shoes. A warm layer is also useful because the boat can feel cold when it is windy or when you are wet.