Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

The best thing about this five-hour speedboat tour is the mix: you get open-sea views, two proper swimming stops, a beach bar under pine trees, and an hour in one of Dalmatia’s most historic towns. I like the small group size, capped at 12, and I like that the schedule gives you time to swim rather than simply stopping for a quick photograph. The catch is that a speedboat ride can feel bumpy in wind, and the music may be louder than you want for conversation.

I also like the short format. At $70, you are not giving up a full day to see the coast, yet you still reach Blue Lagoon and Trogir. Guides vary by departure, but names praised in recent trips include Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, Ivan, Mate, and Domagoj. Strong wind can cancel the trip, and Borkko Beach may be replaced by Maslinica village on Šolta Island.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different stops: Borkko offers a beach-bar setting, Blue Lagoon is for swimming and snorkeling, and Trogir brings architecture and history.
• A real small-group outing: The boat holds no more than 12 participants, which makes boarding, swimming, and asking questions easier.
• One hour at each main stop: You get a useful amount of time at Borkko Beach, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir, though some people may want longer in Trogir.
• A lively ride, not a quiet cruise: Music is part of the mood, and the speedboat can bounce when the sea is windy.
• Good value at $70: Transport, safety equipment, goggles, and listed drinking water are included, but food and other drinks are not.
• Weather affects the plan: Strong wind can lead to cancellation or a changed route, and Borkko may become Maslinica depending on conditions and season.

Why this Split boat trip works so well

Split is a fine base for exploring Croatia’s central coast, but the old town can feel packed in summer. This tour gets you out on the Adriatic quickly, with the shoreline and islands opening up around you as the boat heads away from the city.

The appeal is not just the speed. The boat lets you cover several coastal stops in half a day, with more time in the water than you would normally manage on a simple harbor cruise. You can swim, snorkel, stretch out on the sundeck, and then walk through Trogir before returning to Split.

I see this as a good middle ground between a slow sightseeing boat and a full-day island expedition. You get a taste of the coast without losing an entire day of your holiday. The tour is also easy to fit around other plans, since it lasts about five hours.

The group limit of 12 matters. A smaller boat usually means less time waiting for people to board or gather, and the guide can keep an eye on everyone during the swimming stops. It also creates a more social setting, helped along by the music played on many departures.

Leaving Split by speedboat

You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in, where the guide greets you and directs you to the boat. It is worth arriving ready for the water, since the tour moves from city streets to open sea fairly quickly.

The first ride takes about 30 minutes. From the water, you get wide views of Split and the Dalmatian coast, rather than the close-up details you see from land. The ride is part transport and part entertainment, with the crew often adding music and short comments about the places ahead.

The speedboat makes the trip feel lively. On a calm day, the ride can be smooth and fast. If the wind picks up, expect some bouncing and spray. That is normal for this type of boat, but it may not suit you if you want a quiet, steady cruise or if you have back problems.

Crew members vary, but the operation has a strong focus on safety. Names that appear repeatedly across recent departures include skippers Paško, Luka, Domagoj, and Ivan, along with guides Linda, Simon, Mate, and others. The exact combination depends on the day, so book for the itinerary rather than a specific guide.

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island

The first main stop is Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island, where you have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. The setting combines a beach-club feel with natural shade from pine trees, which gives the stop a different character from Blue Lagoon.

You can swim from the beach, use the provided goggles, or simply sit near the shore and enjoy the view. The white sand and beach-bar setting make Borkko an easy first stop because you can choose your pace. You do not need to spend the full hour in the water.

Food and drinks are not included in the $70 price. If you want something from the beach bar, plan to pay separately. This is one reason to bring some money, even though the tour itself covers the boat, safety gear, goggles, and listed water.

There is one important change to note. Depending on the season and weather, Borkko may be replaced by Maslinica on Šolta Island. Maslinica is described as a charming village, so the substitute changes the mood from beach bar to coastal settlement. If Borkko is the main reason you are booking, check the expected route before departure.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

Blue Lagoon is the heart of the trip for most people who want a swim. The water is clear and turquoise, and the stop gives you about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and time on the sundeck.

The goggles supplied by the operator are useful for a quick look below the surface. You may see small marine life in the clear water, though this is not a specialist snorkeling excursion. Think of it as a beautiful swimming stop with a chance to explore near the boat and shore.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. A dry change of clothes is also sensible, since the speedboat ride back can feel cool if you are wet, especially when the boat is moving fast. One useful caution from the trip details: the boat floor can become slippery, so take care when climbing back aboard.

Blue Lagoon can be busy. Its appeal is no secret, and the scene may include other boats and groups. The tour still gives you a good hour in the water, but do not expect a private cove. If you prefer quiet beaches, an early or late-season departure may feel more comfortable, though weather conditions are less predictable outside summer.

Swimming confidence also matters. The crew takes care of the group, but this is an active boat trip, not a supervised pool session. If you are uneasy in open water, stay close to the boat and tell the guide. The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back problems, or people with mobility issues.

Trogir gives the trip a cultural turn

After the swimming stops, the boat heads to Trogir, a small historic city and harbor protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You get about an hour to walk around and sightsee.

Trogir is a useful contrast to the beaches. Its stone streets, old buildings, and harbor give you a sense of the coast’s past, while the short visit keeps the day from becoming a full history tour. You can wander, take photographs, and enjoy the compact center before meeting the group again.

One hour is enough for a taste, but it is not enough for a slow exploration of every lane, church, and museum. If Trogir is high on your list, you may prefer to return independently for a longer visit. Some people would happily trade a little beach time for more time here.

That said, the stop works well within this particular tour. After swimming and a fast boat ride, a walk through Trogir lets you slow down. It also prevents the outing from being only a series of beaches and photographs.

The guides generally keep their commentary light, which suits the schedule. You may hear short explanations about the places you pass, but the tour is not built around long lectures. That balance is useful if you prefer time to explore on your own.

The ride back to Split

The final boat ride takes about 30 minutes. This is when the sundeck and the wide coastal views become especially enjoyable. You can watch the islands recede, feel the speed of the boat, and take in the Central Dalmatian coast from the water.

Music is part of the atmosphere on many departures. Some groups enjoy it, and guides have even taken requests for Croatian rock. Other people may find the volume makes conversation harder. If you want a quiet ride, this may not be your ideal boat outing.

The return route is also a reminder that this is a speedboat excursion, not a luxury yacht cruise. The boat is described as clean and spacious, but the ride can include wake bumps. Sit securely, follow the crew’s instructions, and keep loose belongings protected from water.

The boat returns to the Booker Travel Agency area in Split. Since food is not included, plan a meal before or after the trip. The tour’s timing makes it easy to pair with an evening in Split, provided you leave enough room for possible weather-related changes.

What the $70 price covers

At $70 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want several coastal experiences in a single outing. You are paying for the boat, fuel, skipper, English-speaking guide, safety equipment, goggles, and the time needed to reach three destinations.

The price is especially fair for people who do not want to organize separate transport to Čiovo, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir. Booking each element alone would take more planning and could make the day less efficient. Here, the route is arranged for you, with the three main stops built into a five-hour window.

You should budget extra for food and drinks. The beach bar is a pleasant part of Borkko, but purchases there are not included. Water is listed as included, although one recent departure reported that water was not available, so I would bring a refillable bottle or confirm at check-in.

The small group also adds value. A boat limited to 12 people feels more personal than a large excursion vessel, and the crew can usually speak to the group without shouting. The overall transport rating is 91 percent perfect, which fits the strongest parts of the experience: clean equipment, an enjoyable ride, and careful handling of the boat.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this tour if you want a compact introduction to the Dalmatian coast. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy swimming and a little speed.

It is particularly useful if you have only a few days in Split. In five hours, you see a beach bar, a famous swimming area, and a UNESCO-listed town. You get variety without spending a full day at sea.

The tour is also a good fit for people who like a social atmosphere. Guides such as Linda, Simon, Paško, and Luka are often praised for mixing humor, safety, and useful information. The music and informal mood make the trip feel more like an outing with a lively crew than a formal sightseeing lecture.

I would think twice if you dislike boat motion, loud music, or open-water swimming. Strong wind can make the ride uncomfortable, and the operator may cancel, reschedule, or change the route when conditions are poor. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility difficulties, or children under five.

If you are booking for friends or family, make one joint reservation. Separate bookings may not place everyone on the same boat. That is a small detail, but it can matter when the group is limited to 12.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel.
• Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later.
• Carry a bottle of water, even though water is listed as included.
• Bring money for food or drinks at the beach bar.
• Keep phones and cameras protected from spray.
• Expect a slippery boat floor after swimming.
• If you are sensitive to motion, choose a seat carefully and tell the crew if you feel unwell.
• Check the weather before leaving, since strong wind can cancel or alter the route.
• Reserve together if you want to stay with your own group.
• Ask about the day’s first stop, since Borkko may be replaced by Maslinica.

Final call: is this Split boat tour worth it?

Yes, for most active visitors who want a half-day escape from Split. The strongest reason to book is the balance: Blue Lagoon swimming, a beach-bar stop, fast coastal transport, and a short visit to Trogir all fit into one outing for $70.

Do not book it expecting solitude, a full cultural tour of Trogir, or a perfectly calm ride. You may share Blue Lagoon with other boats, the music can be loud, and wind can change the route. But if you pack for swimming, accept the speedboat style, and want a lively day with friendly crew members, this is a practical and well-priced way to see more of Dalmatia.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands tour last?

The tour lasts five hours. The schedule includes about 30 minutes by speedboat to the first stop, about one hour at Borkko Beach, about one hour at Blue Lagoon, about one hour in Trogir, and about 30 minutes returning to Split.

What is included in the $70 price?

The price includes the speedboat trip, safety equipment, snorkeling goggles, and water according to the tour details. Food and drinks are not included.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet the guide at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in, where you will be greeted and directed to your tour.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling goggles are provided. Bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Strong wind can cause the tour to be canceled. In that case, you can receive a full refund, reschedule for another date, or exchange the booking for another available trip.

Who should not take this speedboat tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back problems, or people with mobility difficulties. Wind can also make the ride bumpy.