From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this cruise is the three-stop route: a quick taste of Trogir, two hours in the Blue Lagoon, and a final swim near the sunken ship Kontessa on Šolta. It packs a lot into one long day without making you arrange ferries, meals, or beach stops yourself. I especially like the early coffee and croissant, plus the steady supply of water, wine, and homemade iced tea.

I also like that the trip gives you real time in the water, not just a quick photo stop. The main drawback is that the schedule and inclusions may not always match the plan perfectly. Seating is random, and some equipment or advertised features may be limited, so you should book this for the boat day and swimming, not for a carefully controlled sightseeing program.

Key points to know before boarding

• Trogir gets only one hour: Enough for a brisk walk around the old center, but not enough for a relaxed visit.
• The Blue Lagoon is a two-hour swim stop: Bring your swimsuit, towel, and patience for a busy summer anchorage.
• Nečujam offers a shipwreck snorkel: Kontessa is the focus, but the wreck may feel modest rather than dramatic.
• Food and drinks are included: Breakfast is coffee and a croissant, lunch has fish, meat, or vegetarian choices, and fruit is served later.
• Seating is assigned at random: You may not sit with your whole group unless you rearrange places onboard.
• A €10 safety deposit applies: This is for snorkeling equipment and is separate from the tour price.

A full day on the Adriatic for $91

At $91 per person, this is priced as an all-day boat outing rather than a simple transfer to one beach. You are paying for about nine hours on the water, three destinations, breakfast, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment access, a waterslide, and WiFi.

That makes the price reasonable if you want a simple package. A similar day planned independently would require transport to Trogir or Šolta, a boat ticket, food, and drinks. The tradeoff is control. You do not choose your departure time at each stop, your table, or the exact route if the captain changes plans for weather or sea conditions.

I would compare this cruise with cheaper boats before booking. The route is attractive, but several operators cover much of the same stretch of coast. This one makes sense if the included food and drinks matter to you, or if you prefer having the whole day arranged.

Boarding at Split’s harbor

The Split departure point is Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag. Boarding is scheduled between 9:00 and 9:15, with arrival back in Split planned for 18:30.

There is also an early Slatine departure between 8:00 and 8:30, returning around 19:00. The published program gives slightly different times in places, so check your confirmation and arrive early. The boat may need to board people from both locations, and the seating order is random.

The opening cruise takes you along the south side of Čiovo. Keep an eye out for Gospe od Prizidinice, described as one of the island’s oldest churches. This is a pleasant way to start the morning, but the main value is the time on the water and the coastal views, not a formal church visit.

Breakfast is simple: coffee or tea and a croissant. One account described receiving only a croissant and no hot drink, so I would not treat this as a full breakfast. If you need a proper meal early in the morning, eat beforehand or bring something small.

Trogir in one brisk hour

The boat is due at Trogir around 11:00, with departure at noon. Trogir’s compact old town is protected by UNESCO, and it is a worthwhile stop even at this rushed pace.

You can walk through the stone lanes, see the cathedral, and look for the Three of Love and the Kairos relief. If you want a view, Kamerlengo Tower is another option. You cannot comfortably do everything in one hour, so decide before arrival.

I would choose one main goal. See the cathedral and old center if this is your first visit. Pick the tower if you value a high view more than interior details. Trying to squeeze in the tower, cathedral, and every small artwork may leave you watching the clock.

Trogir is the cultural part of the day. The rest is built around swimming and the sea. That balance works well, but anyone hoping for a proper city visit should arrange a separate half-day in Trogir.

Lunch while cruising toward the Blue Lagoon

After Trogir, the boat heads toward the Blue Lagoon. Lunch is served during the roughly 45-minute cruise, which saves time at the swimming stop.

The planned choices are fish, meat, or vegetarian food, with fruit later in the day. One meal was described as tasty fish risotto, while another account found the food cheap and less substantial than expected. A separate account described pasta rather than a clear fish, meat, or vegetarian main course.

The practical advice is simple: treat lunch as included boat food, not a restaurant meal. It may be perfectly welcome after a morning on deck, but you should not book this trip mainly for the menu. Drinks are a stronger part of the package. Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included throughout the day, and supplies were reported to remain available.

Additional food and drinks offered onboard cost extra. If you have dietary needs, confirm the meal arrangements before departure rather than assuming the vegetarian or other choices will be extensive.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main swimming stop, scheduled from about 13:00 to 15:00. The name can create a grand picture, but this is not a private lagoon. It is a popular sea stop where the boat anchors and you get into the water.

I like the two-hour window. It is long enough for a real swim, time in the sun, and a look around with a mask. Snorkeling equipment is offered, with a €10 safety deposit. The boat also advertises a waterslide.

The equipment may not be available in complete sets for everyone at once. One account also reported that the waterslide was not operating, though inflatable water toys were available. That means you should see the slide as a bonus, not the reason to buy the ticket.

The boat may stop some distance from the most appealing part of the swimming area. You need to be comfortable getting into the sea and swimming from the boat. This is not a strong choice for anyone who cannot swim, has limited mobility in the water, or expects to step straight onto a beach.

You will find the Blue Lagoon most enjoyable if you bring a swimsuit under your clothes, a towel, sun protection, and waterproof storage for valuables. The two-hour stop is the day’s best chance to slow down, but the water area can feel busy in summer.

Nečujam and the Kontessa shipwreck

The final stop is Nečujam Bay on Šolta, reached after a short cruise from the Blue Lagoon. The boat anchors near the sunken ship Kontessa, where you can snorkel around the wreck.

This gives the day a different kind of water stop. Instead of simply swimming in open sea, you have a fixed object to explore. There is also a liquorice tasting listed during this part of the route, adding a small local-food detail to the afternoon.

Keep your expectations sensible. The wreck is not presented as a major underwater attraction, and it may disappoint if you expect a large, intact ship with excellent visibility. It is better understood as a short snorkeling feature in a sheltered bay.

The timing is roughly 16:00 to 17:00, followed by the cruise back toward Split. The afternoon light and calmer bay can make this a pleasant final swim. Fresh fruit, including watermelon, is served on the return journey. One account specifically found the fruit plentiful and refreshing, which is exactly what you want after several hours in the sun.

Food, drinks, and onboard comforts

The included food follows the rhythm of the day:

• Coffee, tea, and a croissant during the morning cruise
• Fish, meat, or vegetarian lunch while sailing from Trogir
• Water, wine, and homemade iced tea during the day
• Liquorice tasting near Šolta
• Fresh fruit during the return cruise

This is useful because you do not need to search for food at Trogir or leave the swimming areas to find a snack. It also keeps the schedule moving.

The boat includes WiFi, though the value of that depends on the signal offshore. The listed waterslide and snorkeling gear are appealing extras, but reports indicate that availability can vary. Bring your own mask if snorkeling is important to you, and consider packing your own water shoes or flotation aid if you normally use them. The supplied information confirms snorkeling access, but not that every item will be available for every person at every moment.

The schedule is a guide, not a promise

The planned day runs from morning boarding to a 18:30 return to Split, or around 19:00 to Slatine. The captain can change the route because of weather or sea conditions.

That is normal for a boat trip, but the timing seems to be a real consideration here. One account described the schedule as loosely followed and the day ending about an hour early. Another found the Trogir stop too short, which is easy to understand when only 60 minutes are set aside.

I would avoid booking anything important immediately after the stated return time. The cruise may finish early, but the published schedule is still the safer planning reference. Weather can also change the length or order of the stops.

You should expect music, a social boat atmosphere, and shared spaces rather than a quiet private cruise. The crew has been described as friendly, polite, and helpful, which matters on a long day when people need help with boarding, meals, and water equipment.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits you if you want one easy day with swimming, sightseeing, and food included. It is especially practical for couples, families with confident swimmers, and groups who would rather pay once than organize several coastal connections.

It also works for first-time visitors who want a sample of Dalmatia beyond Split. Trogir gives you old stone streets and historic sights, while Čiovo and Šolta add island scenery and time in the sea.

I would be more cautious if you want a serious Trogir visit, a quiet sailing experience, or reliable access to every advertised water feature. The random seating can be awkward for groups, and you may need to swap places onboard to sit together.

This is also not an ideal pick if you are not comfortable swimming away from the boat. The vessel may moor away from the attractions, and reaching the best spots can require swimming. Ask before booking if you need a fully accessible experience.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Dalmatian day means warm water, open-air cruising, simple meals, and several stops without much planning. The friendly crew, plentiful drinks, pleasant scenery, and two-hour Blue Lagoon stop are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you want precision, a full meal experience, or a dramatic shipwreck. The $91 price is fair for a long day with food and drinks, but cheaper boats may offer a similar route. My advice is to choose this one only if the included refreshments and planned three-stop format are worth paying a little more for.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from in Split?

It leaves from Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag.

What time does the cruise leave Split?

Boarding in Split is scheduled between 9:00 and 9:15. An earlier departure from Slatine is scheduled between 8:00 and 8:30.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes coffee or tea and a croissant. Lunch includes fish, meat, or vegetarian options, followed by a fruit snack later in the day.

Which drinks are included?

Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included during the day. Additional food and drinks offered onboard cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is offered, but a €10 safety deposit is required. Availability may be limited, so you may want to bring your own equipment if snorkeling is important to you.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts about nine hours. The planned return is around 18:30 in Split and around 19:00 in Slatine, though the captain may change the route or timing because of weather conditions.