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

The best part of this Split cruise is simple: you get three very different swimming stops without arranging ferries, taxis, meals, or beach time yourself. The turquoise water at the Blue Lagoon is the star, but the final stop at Borko beach bar gives the day a more relaxed finish. I especially like the included breakfast and lunch and the friendly service from crew members such as Mario, Bepo, and Ivana. The main thing to know is that this is a large group boat, not a quiet private sailing trip.

I also like the easy mix of activity and downtime. You can jump from the boat, use the provided mask and snorkel, stretch out on a sunbed, or simply watch the islands pass by with a lemonade or glass of wine. One important update: the Nečujam shipwreck may no longer be in place, so the first stop can differ from the advertised wreck swim.

Key points at a glance

• Three island-area stops: Swim near Šolta, visit the Blue Lagoon by Drvenik, and finish on Čiovo.
• Food is included: Start with breakfast donuts and choose a beef, tuna, or vegetarian burger with fries for lunch.
• Drinks keep coming: Water, lemonade, and wine are included, though wine service may begin after lunch.
• The Blue Lagoon is the highlight: The clear, shallow-looking water is ideal for a swim or a jump from the boat.
• Borko adds beach time: Your final stop includes free time by a cove, with access to a beach bar and swimming.
• Allow for a full day: The cruise lasts about eight hours, including long boat rides at the beginning and end.

What this Split boat day is really like

This is an active sightseeing cruise with a holiday feel, rather than a formal guided tour. You meet at stand 11 on Split’s Riva promenade, board the sightseeing boat, and settle in for an island-hopping route around the Dalmatian coast.

The boat has a sun deck, sunbeds, WiFi, snorkeling equipment, and a bar service. Music helps set the mood, and the crew keeps the schedule moving. You will not spend the day listening to long historical talks. The focus is swimming, eating, sitting in the sun, and enjoying the sea.

The group can be large, with one booking describing around 100 people on board. That sounds crowded on paper, but the practical effect depends on the day. You may find plenty of space to move around, yet you should not expect a private corner or a peaceful small-boat outing.

The cruise works best for couples, groups of friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and families with older children. It can also suit several generations, since you are not required to swim at every stop. Wheelchair users cannot take part.

Leaving Split from the Riva promenade

The starting point is central and easy to reach, but pay attention to the exact meeting instructions. Find stand 11 in front of the designated stand on Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda. One passenger had trouble because the wording about berths and stands was confusing, so I would arrive early and confirm the boat before departure.

The first cruise lasts about an hour. That is a useful warning for anyone who wants instant swimming. You will spend a fair amount of the morning seated on the boat, watching Split recede and the islands come closer.

That opening ride is also part of the appeal. It gives you time to get settled, find a place on deck, and meet the crew. Breakfast donuts and a welcome drink are served early, which makes the ride feel less like dead time.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion bothers you least and tell the crew early. The crew has helped passengers who felt unwell, including providing medicine, but you should still bring your usual precautions if you need them.

Šolta: the first swim and the shipwreck question

Šolta is the first island-area stop, with about 75 minutes for breakfast, swimming, and snorkeling. The coast here gives you a gentler introduction to the day than the famous Blue Lagoon. You can get into the water, try the supplied mask and snorkel, or remain on deck.

The planned attraction is the Nečujam shipwreck, described as an abandoned vessel surrounded by fish. This is an unusual idea and would make the first swim more memorable than a standard beach stop. However, the wreck has reportedly been removed, so do not book this cruise solely for that feature.

The operator may use another attractive swimming place instead. That still gives you clear water and time in the sea, but it is not the same experience as swimming through a wreck. This is the one part of the description I would treat with caution.

The snorkeling equipment is basic. Expect a mask with a nose cover and snorkel, rather than specialist gear or a guided underwater excursion. It is enough for looking at fish and rocks in clear water. A deposit is required for the equipment, and that deposit is not included in the price.

The Blue Lagoon near Drvenik: the main event

After another hour of cruising, the boat reaches the Blue Lagoon area near Drvenik Island. You get about two hours here, making it the longest stop and the centerpiece of the day.

The water is clear and intensely blue, with the sort of color that makes a simple jump from the boat feel like a proper holiday memory. You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment, sunbathe, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The boat itself matters here. A shore-based visit may leave you searching for a place on a busy beach, while this cruise lets you get straight into open water. Several people choose to jump from the boat, and there is usually a lively atmosphere around the swim stop.

Lunch is served around this part of the route. You choose from three options:

• 100 percent beef burger with fries
• Tuna steak burger with fries
• Vegetarian burger with fries

The tuna burger receives particularly strong approval from the crew’s regular customers, but the beef burger is the safer choice if you want something familiar. The vegetarian option is included, though it may not suit everyone’s taste.

The meal is practical rather than gourmet. It is fresh, filling, and timed well for a day spent swimming. You are not paying extra for a restaurant lunch on an island, and that adds real value to the $81 price.

One small point about drinks: water and lemonade are available, and wine is included as well. Wine service may begin after lunch rather than at the start of the morning. The lemonade has been described as more like lemon squash, so do not expect fresh-squeezed juice.

Čiovo and Borko beach bar

The last stop is on Čiovo, with about 75 minutes for free time, swimming, and snorkeling. This stop feels different from the Blue Lagoon because the emphasis shifts from open-water swimming to a beach-and-bar setting.

Borko beach bar sits by a scenic cove. You can swim, sit by the shore, or order something while taking in the setting. Some parts of the beach include hammock nets, which add an easygoing touch and give you somewhere to relax after the earlier swim.

Drinks at Borko are not part of the unlimited onboard package, so bring a payment method for anything you buy there. Credit cards are accepted at the bar according to recent practical information, but carrying some backup money is still sensible.

I like this final stop because it gives the day a change of pace. Three water stops in a row could feel repetitive. Ending with a drink and beach time lets you dry off, talk with the people you met, and enjoy the cove without rushing straight back to Split.

The drawback is that 75 minutes can pass quickly. If you want a long, lazy beach afternoon, this stop will feel short. The whole tour is built around variety, not extended time at one beach.

Food, drinks, and the value of the $81 fare

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands. A basic ferry ticket costs less, but a ferry does not provide breakfast, lunch, onboard drinks, snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, a planned route, or three timed swim stops.

The value becomes clearer if you would otherwise pay separately for transport and food. You get the following within one fare:

• Breakfast donuts
• Lunch with fries
• Unlimited water, lemonade, and wine
• Snorkeling equipment, subject to a deposit
• Sunbeds
• WiFi
• An English-speaking crew

That package makes the price reasonable for a full eight-hour outing. It is especially useful if you want a no-planning day. You do not need to compare ferry schedules, find a lunch spot, or arrange a ride between islands.

The food is also better than I would expect from a mass-market boat trip. The tuna steak burger is the popular pick, while the beef burger is a solid all-purpose option. The vegetarian meal is available, but I would choose it only if you already know you enjoy that style of burger.

Unlimited wine changes the mood of the boat. Some people appreciate the relaxed bar atmosphere, while families with young children may prefer to know that the cruise can become more social and tipsy as the day goes on. This is not necessarily a problem, but it is worth considering if you want a quiet family outing.

The boat, crew, and group atmosphere

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Mario is often associated with the bar service, while Bepo, Bapo, and Ivana have all been praised for being helpful, friendly, and attentive. Names and staff can change, but the service style is clear: the team works hard to keep people comfortable and the route on time.

The boat is described as comfortable, clean, spacious, and well maintained. You have room to sit on deck and access to sunbeds, though space will feel tighter when many people are moving toward the water at once.

Music gives the cruise a social energy. That suits a group looking for a fun day out, but it may not suit someone wanting silent sailing and serious island commentary. The English-speaking host can explain the basics, yet the main attraction is the coast itself.

The route is generally well paced. You get about 75 minutes at the first stop, two hours at the Blue Lagoon, and 75 minutes at Čiovo. A few people would prefer more time at the first stop or longer swimming breaks, while others find the timing just right.

The biggest logistical cost is the cruising time. There is an hour at the start, another hour before the Blue Lagoon, 30 minutes to Čiovo, and about 75 minutes back to Split. Those rides are part of the sightseeing, but you should not think of this as eight straight hours on the beach.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want a complete day on the water with very little planning. It is a good fit if you like swimming, casual food, music, and meeting other people. Solo visitors can join comfortably, and families can take part even if not everyone wants to swim at every stop.

It also works well for a group with different interests. One person can jump from the boat, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on a sunbed with a drink. The inclusion of meals removes the usual question of where to eat during a full-day island outing.

I would hesitate if you want a small boat, personal guiding, or a quiet luxury experience. I would also think twice if the shipwreck is your main reason for booking, since that attraction may no longer be available.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a reusable cup if you want to cut down on disposable plastic. Wear something dry and comfortable for the return ride. If you get cold easily, bring a light layer, especially outside the height of summer.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and three-island cruise?

Yes, if you want a lively, well-organized day that combines three stops, swimming, meals, drinks, and easy transport from Split. The Blue Lagoon and the cove at Borko are the strongest reasons to go, while the friendly crew and included food make the $81 fare feel fair.

Book something else if you want a private boat, long beach stays, or a guaranteed shipwreck swim. For most people seeking a convenient first look at Dalmatia’s islands, this is a strong day out, provided you are comfortable with a large group and several hours of cruising.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours. The route includes sightseeing cruises between the stops and returns to the Riva promenade in Split.

What food is included?

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

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water, lemonade, and wine are included onboard. Drinks purchased at Borko beach bar are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon stop includes about two hours for swimming and snorkeling, and you can also jump into the water from the boat.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.