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

The Adriatic makes a fine swimming pool. This full-day cruise links Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo with breakfast, lunch, drinks, and time in the water, making it an easy way to see several coastal spots without arranging separate ferries. I especially like the generous food and drink package, plus the friendly crew members regularly praised by name, including Bepo, Mario, and Ivana.

I also like the relaxed pace. You get three stops rather than one quick photo break, and the boat has sunbeds, WiFi, snorkeling gear, and space to enjoy the ride. The main thing to consider is the large boat and the long sailing stretches at the beginning and end. Also, the advertised Šolta shipwreck may no longer be in place, so check the latest route if that feature is your main reason for booking.

The trip in five useful facts

• Three island stops: Swim near Šolta, spend the longest stop at the Blue Lagoon, then finish at Borko beach bar on Čiovo.
• Food is built into the day: You receive breakfast donuts and a choice of beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger with fries.
• Drinks are included: Water, lemonade, and wine are available throughout the cruise.
• The boat has a social feel: Music, a bar service, sunbeds, and a large group create more of a day-party cruise than a quiet private boat trip.
• The schedule is swimming-focused: You have around 75 minutes at Šolta, two hours at the Blue Lagoon, and another 75 minutes at Čiovo.
• Allow most of your day: The advertised duration is eight hours, while the opening description calls it nine hours, so plan around a full day on the water.

Starting from Split’s Riva promenade

You meet the crew in front of stand 11 on Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, the broad waterfront promenade in central Split. The meeting point is generally easy to reach, but do not confuse the stand with a boat berth. One person nearly missed departure after searching for the wrong wording, so arrive early and confirm the exact boarding point with the crew.

Once aboard, the day begins with a welcome drink and breakfast donuts. This is a small but useful touch. You can get settled before the first swimming stop instead of waiting until lunchtime for food.

The boat is described as comfortable, spacious, and well maintained. It also has a sun deck, sunbeds, music, WiFi, and a bar area. The atmosphere leans social and lively, with a sizable group onboard. That works well if you like meeting people and having music in the background. If you want silence, a private skipper, or a quiet sail with only a few passengers, this is not the right format.

The opening cruise lasts about an hour. That is a fair distance from Split to the islands, but it means you should think of this as a full boat day rather than a short excursion. A few people found the opening and return rides long, even though the sailing itself was smooth for most of the group.

Šolta: a first swim with one important caveat

Šolta is the first scheduled island stop, with about 75 minutes for breakfast, swimming, and snorkeling. The water is the main attraction here. You can get into the sea, use the provided equipment, and look for small fish in the clear shallows.

The original description highlights the Nečujam shipwreck, where you could swim around an abandoned vessel surrounded by marine life. However, recent operation notes indicate that the wreck has been removed and that the boat may use another attractive swimming area instead. This is worth taking seriously. If the shipwreck is the one feature that caught your eye, confirm the current route before paying.

Even without the wreck, Šolta gives you an early chance to get wet and test the water before the longer Blue Lagoon stop. The 75-minute window is enough for a swim and some time on deck, though some people would prefer the first stop to be longer. Bring your swimwear under your clothes so you do not waste time changing.

The supplied snorkeling equipment is useful for casual viewing, but do not expect a full professional setup. One passenger described it as basic goggles with a nose cover rather than advanced snorkeling gear. A deposit is required for the equipment, and that deposit is not included in the tour price.

The Blue Lagoon gives you the main swimming window

After another sightseeing cruise of about an hour, the boat reaches the Blue Lagoon area near Drvenik Island. This is the centerpiece of the day, and the two-hour stop gives you enough time to swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and relax without constantly watching the clock.

The water is the star here: clear, blue, and inviting. You can jump from the boat into the sea, swim from the vessel, or spend time floating and looking below the surface. Several people described jumping from the upper part of the boat as a highlight, but you should only do this if you are comfortable with the height and conditions.

The Blue Lagoon can be cooler outside the main summer months. In October, air temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius did not persuade everyone to get in, even though plenty of other people swam. If you are visiting in late September or October, pack a towel and a warm layer for the ride afterward.

Lunch is served during this stop. You choose from three main options:

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

The tuna burger receives especially strong praise, and several people considered it the best choice. The beef burger is a dependable option, while the vegetarian meal received a more mixed response. If you do not eat meat, you can still select the vegetarian burger, but expectations may need to be modest.

The meal is not haute cuisine, and this is not a restaurant cruise. Still, the food is a real strength for an excursion at this price. You do not need to find lunch on an unfamiliar island, and the meal is served when you need it most. Extra lunch is not included, so the package covers the stated meal rather than unlimited food.

Čiovo and Borko beach bar finish the day

The final stop is on Čiovo, after a short cruise of about 30 minutes from the Blue Lagoon. You have roughly 75 minutes here for free time, swimming, and snorkeling.

The setting is different from the open-water swimming near the Blue Lagoon. Čiovo gives the day a more relaxed beach finish, with Borko beach bar beside a sheltered cove. You can swim, sit near the beach, or enjoy a drink in an easygoing setting. Hammock nets and the beach-bar atmosphere were particular favorites for people who wanted a break from jumping straight into the sea.

Drinks at the boat include water, lemonade, and wine. The lemonade is closer to lemon squash than fresh lemonade, so keep expectations simple. Wine is available from the onboard service, and one practical note for families is that the inclusive wine can make the mood livelier as the day goes on.

The bar at Borko may charge separately for food and drinks. Payment by card was accepted there at the time of the supplied information, but the onboard package does not mean every purchase at the beach bar is covered. Bring a payment card and check before ordering.

Food, drinks, and what the $81 price really covers

At $81 per person, this is strong value if you intend to use the inclusions. You receive a boat ride to three island locations, breakfast donuts, lunch with fries, unlimited water, lemonade, and wine, snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, WiFi, and an English-speaking crew.

The price becomes less attractive if you only want transport and prefer to arrange your own meals. It is also not a private boat outing. You are paying for convenience, a planned route, and a lively group setting rather than exclusivity.

The lunch helps the value calculation. A tuna steak burger, beef burger, or vegetarian burger with fries removes one major expense during an expensive day on the Croatian coast. The included wine and soft drinks add more value for adults who plan to spend much of the day onboard.

Coffee and other purchases may cost extra. A reusable cup is a smart item to pack if you want to cut down on disposable plastic. It also saves you from collecting several small cups during a long day.

The crew makes a large boat feel manageable

Service is one of the strongest parts of this cruise. Bepo and Mario receive repeated praise for being friendly and helpful, while Ivana is noted for explaining the day clearly. The crew also helped a delayed passenger find the boat and waited while contact was made, which is the kind of practical care that matters more than polished sales talk.

The staff manage the group well and enforce basic rules around the boat. That matters because the vessel can carry a large number of people. One account described around 100 passengers onboard, although the exact capacity may vary by departure.

A large group has benefits. You get music, an active atmosphere, a chance to meet people, and plenty of energy around the swim stops. Solo visitors can fit in easily, and families across several generations have enjoyed the setup.

The tradeoff is personal space. You may need to claim a sunbed early if that matters to you, and quiet corners can be limited. If you dislike crowds, choose a smaller boat trip instead.

Timing, comfort, and the practical weak points

The planned stops are well spaced:

• About one hour sailing from Split
• Around 75 minutes at Šolta
• About one hour to the Blue Lagoon
• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon
• About 30 minutes to Čiovo
• Around 75 minutes at Čiovo
• Roughly 75 minutes back to Split

The listed stop times add up to a full day, and the cruise description gives both eight and nine hours as the total. Treat it as approximately eight hours, but keep your evening free in case the return runs later.

The boat ride is reported as smooth, which is good news if you sometimes feel motion sick. Still, no boat is motion-free for everyone. Sit in a well-ventilated area, look toward the horizon, and tell the crew if you feel unwell. The crew has helped with seasickness before, but medication and personal comfort planning are still your responsibility.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable stepping on and off a boat, walking around the promenade, and entering the sea from a boat or beach area. The tour is not described as a guided history tour. The focus is swimming, food, views, music, and time outdoors.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a simple way to sample the water around Split without building your own island plan. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and families who are happy with a shared boat and a flexible beach day.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want swimming to be the main activity
• You like a social onboard atmosphere
• You value included meals and drinks
• You want several destinations in one day
• You prefer a planned trip to arranging ferries and taxis
• You are happy with basic snorkeling equipment

I would think twice if you want a small, quiet boat, detailed island sightseeing, or a private lunch. The itinerary gives you beautiful water and short visits, but not much time to explore island villages or learn about local history.

The shipwreck issue also matters. The original plan centers on swimming near the Nečujam wreck, but that vessel may have been removed. Ask about the current stop before booking if the wreck is essential to your plans.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon cruise?

Yes, if you want an easy, social, food-included day on the sea for about $81. The Blue Lagoon stop is long enough to feel worthwhile, the final Čiovo beach bar adds variety, and the crew appears to be a major reason the day runs smoothly.

Book it for the water, the food, the generous drink package, and the chance to see three coastal locations without much planning. Skip it if a crowded boat or long sailing periods would spoil your day. I would also confirm the current Šolta route and the shipwreck situation before booking, then arrive early at stand 11 on the Riva promenade.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Split plans are still moving around.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is advertised as eight hours, while the opening description refers to nine hours. Plan for most of the day on the water.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Šolta, Drvenik Island for the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast donuts and a welcome drink are included.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose a 100 percent beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger, served with french fries.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, lemonade, and wine are included onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours and includes lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

Is the Nečujam shipwreck still part of the route?

The advertised route includes the shipwreck, but recent route information indicates it may have been removed and replaced by another swimming area. Confirm the current stop before booking.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can you cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.