Split/Trogir: Half-Day 3-Island Speedboat Adventure

The best part of this five-hour speedboat trip is the mix. You get a long swim at the Blue Lagoon, a proper island stop in Maslinica, and a final hour by the water at Čiovo. It feels more varied than a simple beach transfer.

I like the comfortable boat, shaded seating, fridge, onboard shower, and small-group setup, which can be as few as about 12 people and no more than 14. I also like the crew’s friendly style. Guides such as Ivan, Claudia, Antonio, and Klaudija have earned praise for good music, historical tidbits, and smooth handling of last-minute changes.

The main catch is the sea. This is a weather-dependent outing, and the ride can feel brisk when the air is cool or the water is choppy. The afternoon departure may offer sunset views, but it is also more likely to be changed in cooler conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• Three very different stops: Swim and snorkel at the Blue Lagoon, stroll through Maslinica, then relax at Duga Cove and Beach bar Borkko on Čiovo.
• A genuinely small boat: The usual group is around 12 people, with capacity listed at about 14, so the trip feels less crowded than large excursion boats.
• Good onboard comforts: You get bottled water, coffee, snorkeling gear, shaded seating, storage, a fridge, music, and a shower.
• Split or Trogir departures: Meet at Mletački mul on Split’s Riva or in front of Kamerlengo Castle in Trogir, depending on your booking.
• Morning or afternoon choice: The morning starts at 9:00 a.m.; the afternoon starts at 3:00 p.m. and may include sunset views on the return.
• Strong value at $73: The price is fair if you want transport, several stops, swimming time, and a small-group boat in one half-day.

Three islands without giving up half your holiday

At $73 per person, this tour is aimed at people who want to see several corners of the Dalmatian coast in one outing. You are not spending the whole day on one island, and you are not being rushed through a string of five-minute photo stops either.

The schedule gives roughly an hour and a half at the Blue Lagoon, an hour in Maslinica, and an hour at the final swimming stop. That balance matters. You get enough time to swim, walk, have a drink, and simply sit in the sun.

The boat itself is a major part of the appeal. You get panoramic views of Split or Trogir as you leave shore, then a fast ride across the water between stops. The boats are described as clean, modern, and comfortable, with both sunny and shaded places to sit. A Bluetooth music system adds atmosphere, though the playlist depends on the crew. Some departures have featured ABBA, which tells you this is more relaxed outing than formal sightseeing cruise.

The group size helps. With about 12 people on board, you can hear the guide and move around without the tight feeling of a large boat. Private groups are also available if you want more control over the pace and company.

Leaving Split or Trogir by speedboat

You can start in Split at Mletački mul on the Riva or in Trogir near Kamerlengo Castle. Check the exact meeting point carefully, since it depends on the option you choose. The morning departure is at 9:00 a.m., while the afternoon departure leaves at 3:00 p.m.

From Trogir, the first ride to the Blue Lagoon takes about 15 to 20 minutes. From Split, allow roughly 35 to 40 minutes, although the full route can vary with sea conditions. The ride is part of the fun, but it is not a quiet ferry crossing. A speedboat gives you wind, spray, and a faster connection between the islands.

I would bring a light jacket if the air temperature is below 27 or 28°C. That may sound warm on land, but the boat ride can feel cool when you are wet from swimming or sitting in the wind. A hat, towel, sunscreen, and some cash are also listed as useful items.

The boat has storage for personal belongings, but I would still keep your day bag compact. You will be moving between swimming, shore visits, and boat seating, so a waterproof pouch for a phone and cash is sensible.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

The Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši, near Veliki Drvenik, is the tour’s main attraction. The water is clear and turquoise, and the boat anchors here for about an hour and a half. This is the place to put on the supplied snorkeling equipment, jump in, and take your time.

The water and light are the stars. You can swim from the boat, snorkel around it, or stay on board with a cold drink while others go in. The natural setting is attractive, but do not expect a completely private cove in the middle of the summer season. The Blue Lagoon is popular, and its calm water makes it a regular stop for boat excursions.

One practical point is important: on the group tour, the Blue Lagoon stop is normally at anchor rather than at a pier. You need to be comfortable getting into the water from the boat and climbing back aboard. Life jackets are carried for emergencies and are not intended as swimming aids.

The supplied masks and snorkels are useful, but they are shared equipment. If you care about fit or hygiene, bring your own mask and tube. A few people have found that personal gear made the swim easier.

This is also the longest stop, so you are not forced to choose between swimming and relaxing. I like that. You can take a proper swim, dry off in the sun, make use of the onboard shower, and have coffee before the boat leaves.

Maslinica on Šolta: a slower island hour

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat takes about 15 to 20 minutes to Maslinica on Šolta. The pace changes immediately. Instead of swimming from an anchored boat, you get time in a small waterfront settlement with stone houses, a marina, and a restored 16th-century castle that now operates as a luxury hotel.

Maslinica is the most traditional-feeling stop on the route. You can walk along the waterfront, take photographs, look at the boats, or stop for a coffee. The hour is not designed as a formal guided history tour, so you should see it as free time with local scenery rather than a major cultural visit.

That makes this stop useful for breaking up the swimming. If you spent the entire outing in swimwear, the island walk gives you a chance to dry off and slow down. It also gives you a better sense of how the Croatian islands function beyond their beaches.

The drawback is that Maslinica may feel brief if you want a long meal or a detailed look around the island. You have about an hour, and food is not included. The stop works best if you want a walk and perhaps a coffee or drink, not a full lunch.

Duga Cove and Beach bar Borkko on Čiovo

The final stop is described as Duga Cove, on the southern side of Čiovo, with time at Beach bar Borkko. The ride from Maslinica takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Here, you get another hour to swim, sit on lounge furniture, or have a drink at the bar.

The setting is more casual than Maslinica. The water is clear, and the seabed is naturally sandy, making this a comfortable place for a final swim. Some boats stop by a pier or anchor, depending on the conditions and the day’s plan.

This stop is especially good for anyone who prefers a little comfort with their sea time. You can swim, use the beach bar, sit on a lounge chair, or relax on the boat’s nets. The mix of water and shore time means you do not have to spend the entire hour in the sea.

Food is not included, so bring cash if you want something from the bar. The supplied information does not set out a food allowance or meal arrangement, so plan to buy refreshments separately or eat before and after the tour.

The afternoon trip has a pleasant extra: the return can line up with sunset, especially after a stop at Čiovo. That gives the later departure a scenic finish. The tradeoff is that cool weather can affect the afternoon schedule, and the company may move or cancel a departure if the skipper considers conditions unsafe.

What the crew and boat add

The crew has received unusually strong praise for friendliness and practical care. Ivan, Claudia, Antonio, Klaudija, Marco, Lara, Toma, and other team members have been singled out on different departures. You cannot choose a particular guide unless the company confirms it, but the pattern is clear: the host and skipper are central to the tone of the outing.

Expect English-language assistance, music during the ride, and short explanations about the places you visit. The guides are not presented as full-time historians, but they can add useful context and answer questions about the villages and islands.

The service also includes small comforts that matter after a swim. There is bottled water, coffee, a fridge for cold drinks, storage, shaded space, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a shower. None of these features alone makes a tour, but together they reduce the usual annoyances of a boat day.

I particularly value the shaded area. You can enjoy the sun at the swimming stops without being forced to sit in it for five hours. The shower is handy after snorkeling, while the fridge means you are not limited to warm water.

Morning or afternoon: which departure fits you?

Choose the morning if you want the safest bet for a straightforward half-day schedule and an early start. You will have the afternoon free for Split or Trogir, and the 9:00 a.m. departure leaves plenty of time afterward.

Choose the afternoon if you like a slower start and want a chance of sunset views on the ride back. The later time can feel more relaxed, especially when the final stop stretches into the evening light.

The company can alter the pace or route according to the sea. An afternoon departure was moved to a different time on some cool-weather days, with communication handled through WhatsApp. That kind of flexibility is useful, but you should keep your plans open if the forecast is poor.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather cancellations are decided by the captain, with rescheduling or a full refund offered if the trip is called off.

Is $73 a fair price?

I think $73 is fair for this route, especially if you value a small group and a comfortable boat. You are paying for about five hours on the water, several transfers, three stops, snorkeling gear, coffee, water, and a crew rather than simply paying for a ferry seat.

The value is strongest when you want variety. A cheaper boat may take you to the Blue Lagoon, but this trip adds Maslinica and Čiovo, plus the onboard comforts and smaller group. The price is less compelling if you mainly want one long beach day or plan to spend almost all your time on shore.

Food is extra, and drinks at the beach bar are not included. Add that to your budget. Still, the package covers the major transport and activity costs, and the very high 4.9 rating from 944 ratings suggests strong overall satisfaction.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would choose this tour for couples, small groups of friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around boats and swimming. It suits anyone who wants active water time but also wants a village walk and a relaxed beach-bar stop.

It is a good match for a first visit to Split or Trogir because you see several types of Dalmatian scenery in one half-day. You get the open sea, a traditional island settlement, clear swimming water, and views of the coast without arranging separate ferries.

I would think twice if you dislike fast boat rides, need a fully fixed schedule, or want a long cultural tour with detailed historical commentary. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users. The sea may be calm and gentle, but conditions can change, and the skipper has the final say on safety.

My practical verdict

Book this if your ideal day includes swimming, speed, music, island scenery, and a small group rather than museums or long guided walks. The best reason to choose it is the balance: one long Blue Lagoon stop, one village stop, one relaxed final swim, and enough onboard comfort to make the transfers enjoyable.

Bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one, pack a light jacket outside the hottest months, and keep some cash for drinks and food. If you can choose freely, the afternoon departure is attractive for sunset views, while the morning option is better when you want a predictable start and more time afterward.

I would book it for the combination of stops and the boat quality, not simply for the Blue Lagoon. That mix is what gives the $73 price its value.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

You can depart from Mletački mul on Split’s Riva or from in front of Kamerlengo Castle in Trogir. The meeting point depends on the option you book.

What time does the tour start?

The listed departure times are 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Check availability for the date you want, since the available starting time can vary.

How long is the tour?

The activity lasts between 270 minutes and five hours, depending on the selected option and conditions at sea.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon near Veliki Drvenik, Maslinica on Šolta, and a final stop at Duga Cove and Beach bar Borkko on Čiovo.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets. The life jackets are for emergency use and are not intended for swimming.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. You should bring cash if you want to buy food or drinks during the shore stops.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, sunscreen, and cash. If the outside temperature is below 27 or 28°C, bring a light jacket for the boat ride.

Can the tour be changed or canceled because of weather?

Yes. The tour depends on sea and weather conditions. The skipper can change the pace or itinerary, or cancel the trip if conditions are unsafe. A canceled tour can be rescheduled or fully refunded.