Split: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small Group Speedboat Tour

The best part of this trip is the speedboat ride itself. You zip across the Dalmatian sea, stop in a 2,300-year-old town, swim in clear water, and finish in a quiet fishing port, all without giving up a full day. I like the strong mix of old stone streets and open sea, plus the friendly captain-and-host setup. The main catch is that each stop is brief, so Trogir fans and serious swimmers may want more time.

I also like the small-group feel, usually around a dozen people, rather than the packed atmosphere of a large excursion boat. Captains and hosts such as Luca, Ante, Carlo, Nicola, and Mario have been singled out for keeping the ride safe and fun. Just remember that the host gives general information, not a formal guided tour, and meals and drinks are not included.

Key points at a glance

• Fast, open-air travel: Four boat rides of roughly 15 to 30 minutes make getting between stops part of the fun.
• Three very different stops: Trogir offers history, the Blue Lagoon offers swimming, and Maslinica on Šolta offers a slower harbor mood.
• Good half-day design: The 330-minute schedule leaves room for another activity in Split.
• Free time, not a guided walk: Your host explains the basics, then you explore independently.
• Bring beach shoes: Rocks line parts of the swimming areas, especially around the Blue Lagoon.
• Best for active visitors: The boat seats are straddled, the ride can get choppy, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or mobility problems, or wheelchair users.

Why this Split boat trip works so well

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but it gives you several types of Croatian scenery in about five and a half hours. You are paying for speed, transport between scattered places, safety equipment, an English-speaking crew, and a small group rather than simply paying for entry to one site.

I see the value in the range. Trogir gives you old Dalmatian architecture, the Blue Lagoon gives you time in the water, and Maslinica gives you a peaceful port with restaurants and lounge bars. A slower public ferry plan might cost less in some cases, but it would not cover this combination as neatly or quickly.

The schedule is also useful if your time in Split is limited. The tour starts and ends at the Toto Travel office beside St Francis Church, facing the sea, and lasts 330 minutes. You can still keep an evening open for Split’s old town, dinner, or a sunset walk.

Setting off from Split on a fast boat

The first ride takes about 30 minutes. This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The boat moves quickly, and the ride can feel like a small roller coaster when the sea is lively. Several people especially enjoyed the speed, music, and occasional spray, but you should hold on and avoid bringing a loose cap.

The boat has a captain and a host. The captain handles the driving and safety, while the host explains what you are seeing and gives suggestions for each stop. Names change from departure to departure, but guides such as Luca, Ante, Carlo, Nicola, Mario, Frano, and Andrew have all been praised for being warm and attentive.

Do not expect a detailed historical tour while the boat is moving. This is a practical introduction to the places you visit, followed by free time. That arrangement suits you if you prefer to wander, swim, eat, and take photos at your own pace.

Trogir: old stone streets in a 75-minute stop

Trogir is the cultural anchor of the trip. The town is more than 2,300 years old and has a compact center filled with narrow stone lanes, old buildings, small shops, cafés, and a waterfront promenade. Its UNESCO listing reflects the town’s historic value, but the appeal is very immediate: you can turn a corner and find another courtyard, café, or stretch of worn stone.

You get about 75 minutes here. That is enough to walk through the center, take photographs, sit down briefly, or eat, but it is not enough for a slow visit with a museum or a long meal. If Trogir is your main reason for booking, you may find the schedule tight.

Some people use this stop for lunch, but food is not included in the tour price. You might find pasta or other simple meals, cafés, gelato, and waterfront restaurants, depending on what you choose. One useful local tip from the crew has been Bella Gelato Bar, while Chi Coffee has appealed to visitors looking for a familiar coffee stop.

I would spend the first few minutes getting your bearings near the harbor, then walk into the old center rather than stopping immediately at the first café. Keep an eye on the meeting time. A late return can affect the rest of the schedule, especially when the boat is also needed for a later departure.

The Blue Lagoon: clear water with a busy side

After about 15 minutes on the boat, you reach the Blue Lagoon for roughly 75 minutes. This is the stop for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and a drink at the beach bar Shkoy when it is open.

The water can be remarkably clear, and the setting is made for a swim rather than a long sightseeing walk. Snorkels and goggles are included in the tour equipment, along with safety gear, though availability has not always been consistent. Bring your own goggles if snorkeling matters greatly to you.

The shore can be rocky, so beach shoes are more useful than ordinary sandals. The rocks also make getting in and out of the water less graceful than the postcard view suggests. Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, drinking water, and a dry change of clothing.

The Blue Lagoon is strongly affected by season and crowd levels. In summer, the beach bar adds atmosphere and convenience, but the area can feel busy. In the quieter months, the water may still be clear, but the bar can be closed and changing facilities may be limited. Some beach areas may also look less tidy outside the main season.

You should also plan for about an hour rather than expecting an entire afternoon in the water. Many people would happily trade some of the town time for a longer swim, but the short stop is part of how this tour fits three destinations into one half-day.

Maslinica on Šolta: the calmest stop

The final main stop is Maslinica on Šolta, reached after another 15-minute ride. The official description calls this a fishermen’s island, and the appeal is its slower pace. You get another 75 minutes to swim, walk near the harbor, have coffee or a cocktail, or eat at a local restaurant.

Maslinica is less about major sights and more about sitting beside the water. A pebble beach lies near the port, and restaurants and lounge bars make it easy to end the day without rushing through another museum or old town.

For me, this is the stop that balances the faster parts of the trip. The boat ride is energetic, Trogir is full of stone lanes and history, and the Blue Lagoon is focused on swimming. Maslinica gives you room to slow down.

It is worth asking the host where the best nearby swimming spot is. One particularly attractive area lies near the entrance to town, with clear water and a more relaxed feel. If you want lunch here, keep an eye on the clock and prices, since food and drinks are your responsibility.

Not everyone will find Šolta dramatic. If you want a string of spectacular beaches, this port may feel modest. If you like a quiet harbor, a coffee by the water, and a break from busy Split, it may be the most enjoyable part.

The ride back to Split

The return journey takes about 30 minutes. Conditions can change, and the boat may bounce over waves. That is part of the thrill for some people, while others may find it uncomfortable, especially if they have back problems or motion sensitivity.

The crew’s safety approach matters here. Keep your belongings secure, listen to instructions, and hold on when the captain increases speed. Weather can also affect the order of the stops, so a morning and afternoon departure may not follow exactly the same sequence.

The trip is designed around movement. You will spend a meaningful amount of time on the boat, but the transfers are short enough that the ride does not become a chore for most active visitors.

What the $88 price really covers

The fare includes the speedboat, an English- and Croatian-speaking crew, snorkeling equipment, and safety equipment. It does not include food, drinks, or any purchases at Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, or Maslinica.

That distinction matters because some people have treated the tour as a lunch outing. You can buy lunch at one of the stops, but budget separately for it. A few meals may be simple rather than especially local or elaborate, so I would choose based on convenience and location rather than expecting a carefully planned food tour.

The price makes the most sense if you value time. You get direct transport to three coastal locations, no need to arrange separate boat connections, and a small group rather than a large vessel. It makes less sense if you only want to swim for several hours or if you prefer a slow, formal guided visit to Trogir.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking easier to fit around uncertain plans. Check the available departure time because the exact order of stops can change.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a lively half-day away from Split. It also suits you if you like switching between activities instead of spending one long day at a single beach.

You should be comfortable with:

• Straddling a boat seat
• A quick ride that can become choppy
• Climbing in and out of the water on rocky shores
• Walking on uneven stone streets in Trogir
• Exploring without a formal guide
• Paying separately for meals, drinks, and personal purchases

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed.

Families with older children may enjoy the swimming and speed, but the boat ride and rocky shores require sensible judgment. Anyone who wants an easy, slow outing should choose a calmer boat or land-based day instead.

Practical packing advice

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, sandals, and clothing suited to the forecast. I would add beach shoes because the swimming areas can be rocky.

Keep your phone and valuables secure during the fast sections. A hat can be useful at the stops, but a loose cap may not survive the ride. If you care about snorkeling, pack personal goggles as a backup, since equipment availability has not always been dependable.

Wear something that works for both Trogir’s stone streets and the boat. You may be wet after swimming, and the wind on the return ride can feel cooler than expected.

My verdict: book it for variety, not for lingering

I would book this tour if I wanted to see several sides of the Split area in one efficient outing. The combination of Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica is the real strength, and the speedboat makes the connections exciting rather than tedious.

I would skip it if I wanted a long swim, an in-depth Trogir tour, or a quiet boat journey. The stops are well balanced for a half-day, but none offers enough time for a thorough visit.

For most active visitors, $88 is fair for the transport and variety. Bring beach shoes, budget for food, hold on during the fast sections, and treat the crew’s advice as an introduction rather than a full guided tour. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a lively and practical way to get beyond Split.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at the Toto Travel office beside St Francis Church, facing the sea.

Which places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on Šolta Island.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you pay separately for meals, coffee, cocktails, and other purchases.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels and goggles are included, along with safety equipment. Bringing personal goggles is sensible if snorkeling is important to you.

Is the tour guided?

The host provides general information about safety and the places visited, but is not a licensed guide and does not lead a formal guided tour.

How long is the boat ride between stops?

The boat rides between stops take about 15 to 30 minutes. The first and final rides between Split and the tour area take about 30 minutes each.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals or beach shoes, sunscreen, water, and clothing suited to the weather.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed.