Split: Blue Lagoon, Borkko Beach & Šolta with Food & Drinks

Clear water, three island stops, one easy day. From Split, Yacht Tamaris takes you to Borkko Beach on Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon on Drvenik Veliki, and Maslinica on Šolta. I like the generous mix of swimming, sightseeing, and unhurried cruising. I also like that coffee, lunch, local wine, lemonade, water, and fruit are included for $76.

The modern 27-meter yacht is a real advantage. It has air-conditioned salons, open decks, sunbeds, toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and a proper swimming platform. The main drawback is that the most desirable top-deck sunbeds go early, and the beaches are rocky enough that water shoes are useful.

The day is well suited to anyone who wants to see several islands without arranging ferries or packing a picnic. Just arrive at least 30 minutes early, bring cash for the €10 snorkeling deposit and paid drinks, and accept that the Blue Lagoon can feel short if swimming is your main reason for coming.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: Swim and snorkel at Borkko Beach, enjoy the Blue Lagoon, then walk around the fishing village of Maslinica.
• A proper lunch at sea: Choose grilled fish, chicken, or a vegan meal, with a gluten-free option available.
• A comfortable boat for a full day: Tamaris has three decks, two air-conditioned salons, four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and plenty of seating.
• Useful extras are included: Coffee, croissant, snorkeling equipment, swim vests, drinks, and fresh watermelon help keep costs under control.
• Good value at $76: The price covers the main food and drinks, though beer, cocktails, Coca-Cola, and similar extras cost more.
• Timing matters: The boat leaves strictly on schedule, and early arrival gives you a better chance of finding a top-deck seat.

Why this Split boat trip works so well

Split is surrounded by islands, but seeing three of them in one day can be awkward without a boat tour. Ferries run to some islands, not all three, and independent planning would mean juggling schedules, food, swimming gear, and transfers. This trip bundles those details into one day on the water.

The route gives you a useful range of coastal experiences. Borkko Beach is mainly about relaxing and swimming. The Blue Lagoon supplies the famous clear water and the main lunch stop. Maslinica adds a small village, a castle, a harbor, and a chance to walk around rather than spend every minute in the sea.

That variety is the strongest part of the plan. You are not stuck at one crowded swimming spot for eight hours, yet you are not rushed through a string of five-minute photo stops either. The planned stops allow roughly one hour at Borkko, two hours at the Blue Lagoon, and an hour and a half at Maslinica.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 759 ratings, and 85 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. That fits the main pattern of the experience: the crew, boat condition, clean facilities, organization, and value receive the warmest praise.

Finding Max Nautica and getting aboard

The meeting point is stand number 8 on the Split Riva Promenade. Look for a small white stand with a picture of the boat, beside the sea in the middle of the Riva, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

I would not cut this close. The boat must leave according to the port schedule, so late arrivals may not be able to board. The instruction is to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, and that is sensible advice in a busy waterfront area.

Once aboard, you are assigned seating for the day. This helps the boat feel less chaotic, even when it is full. The top sunbeds are the first places to go, so arrive early if lying in the sun is important to you. Several areas remain available, including indoor seating and other outdoor spots, so missing the top deck is not a disaster.

The boat is called Tamaris, a 27-meter day cruiser with three decks. Two salons are air-conditioned, while the open deck has a bar and the upper deck has sunbeds. The facilities are unusually useful for a full-day swimming trip: four toilets, showers, safety deposit boxes, Wi-Fi, and a broad swimming platform.

Coffee and Čiovo views on the first cruise

The morning begins with coffee and a croissant while Tamaris cruises along the southern side of Čiovo. This is a small touch, but it sets the rhythm well. You get something in your stomach before swimming, without using up valuable stop time in a café.

The first sightseeing cruise lasts about an hour. This is not a guided historical tour with constant commentary, so you should think of it as a scenic introduction to the coast. The English-speaking crew gives clear announcements about stops and departure times, which is important when you are free to wander.

The boat itself makes the cruise comfortable. You can sit in an air-conditioned salon if the sun is too strong, then move outside for the views. The open spaces also make it easy to find a quieter corner or take photographs without crowding around one rail.

Music is part of the atmosphere. It is generally described as relaxing and enjoyable rather than a loud party soundtrack. That makes the trip a better match for couples, families, solo visitors, and mixed-age groups than for anyone specifically seeking a party boat.

Borkko Beach: an easy first swim

Borkko Beach on Čiovo is the first proper stop, lasting about an hour. The main options are simple: relax at the beach bar, swim, or use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

This is a good opening stop because you can ease into the day. You are not immediately served lunch or asked to explore a village. You can sit with a drink, get into the water, and learn how the boat’s swimming setup works.

The snorkeling equipment is included, along with swim vests. You pay a €10 safety deposit for the equipment, returned after use. Bring cash for this deposit, as the practical details of the boat’s extra purchases are cash-based.

Do not expect a major underwater expedition. The appeal is the chance to swim in clear Croatian water and look around near the shore, not a guaranteed display of abundant marine life. Some people find the underwater scenery modest, but still enjoy the different swimming locations.

The shoreline can be rocky, and sea urchins are present in some areas. I would pack water shoes or sturdy beach footwear. A towel, hat, sunscreen, camera, comfortable clothes, and beachwear belong in your day bag too.

The Blue Lagoon delivers the main postcard moment

After Borkko, the boat makes a roughly 30-minute cruise to the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veliki. This is the highlight for most people, and it is easy to see why. The water is turquoise and exceptionally clear, making it the best place on the route for a long swim, photos, and casual snorkeling.

The stop lasts about two hours, including lunch. The crew serves a traditional Mediterranean meal, with grilled fish, chicken, or a vegan option. A gluten-free choice is available, and the fish is a particularly good pick if you want a meal that fits the setting.

Lunch is served efficiently so you still have time in the water. Portions are generally considered satisfying, though some people would prefer more salad or a larger breakfast and lunch. If you eat a lot after swimming, you may want to bring a small snack. You are allowed to bring your own snacks aboard.

Local wine is included with lunch and after lunch, along with water and lemonade. Fresh fruit, usually chilled watermelon, follows later in the day. This is where the price starts to make sense: you are not paying $76 and then adding up every coffee, soft drink, and basic meal.

The Blue Lagoon can be busy with other boats, and two hours may feel brief if swimming is your priority. Still, the timing gives you enough room to eat, take a swim, use the snorkeling gear, and sit on the deck. A short shower afterward is especially welcome, since Tamaris has outdoor showers by the back swimming platform.

Maslinica adds a village stop to the swimming day

The final island stop is Maslinica on Šolta, reached after another short cruise. You get around 90 minutes here, enough for a walk, a coffee, another swim, or a slow break at Punta beach bar.

Maslinica has a different feel from the Blue Lagoon. It is a small fishing village rather than a dedicated swimming bay. You can stroll through the harbor area, see Marchi Castle and its park, and get a taste of the island’s quieter pace.

This stop works well late in the day. After the main swim and lunch, you may appreciate dry land and a chance to stretch your legs. Fresh coffee from a local café is an easy choice, while the beach bar suits anyone who would rather keep the sea in view.

The village is not a major sightseeing center, so keep your expectations sensible. You are coming for the relaxed island atmosphere, the castle, the waterfront, and another chance to swim. If you want museums or a long historical tour, Maslinica is not that kind of stop.

The return cruise comes with watermelon and open views

The cruise back to Split lasts about 75 minutes. The crew serves fresh chilled watermelon, a welcome final snack after a day in the sun.

This is also the time to enjoy the surrounding islands from the boat rather than chase another activity. The route ends back at Max Nautica on the Split Riva, close to the same waterfront area where you started.

The return journey is part of the value. You are not simply being transported between stops in a cramped speedboat. Tamaris gives you room to walk around, sit inside, use the Wi-Fi, rinse off in the shower, and take in the views from several levels.

Food, drinks, and the real cost of the day

At $76 per person, this is priced above a basic ferry ride but below what a full day of independent island-hopping can easily cost once you add meals, drinks, equipment, and local transport.

Included are:

• Coffee and a croissant
• Mediterranean lunch
• Grilled fish, chicken, or vegan meal
• Gluten-free option
• Fresh fruit dessert
• Unlimited local wine with lunch and afterward
• Water and lemonade
• Snorkeling gear and swim vests
• Wi-Fi, showers, and safety deposit boxes

Beer, cocktails, Coca-Cola, and other extra drinks are not included. The onboard bar is cash-only, so bring euros. Reported prices are about €5 for beer, €4 for Coke, and €8 for cocktails, though you should confirm current prices on the day.

This is not a luxury yacht charter. It is a shared day cruise with many people aboard. But Tamaris is larger, cleaner, and better equipped than the phrase boat trip might suggest. The modern toilets, showers, allocated seating, and air-conditioned areas matter after several hours in the sun.

The crew and the feel aboard Tamaris

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. Staff members are described as friendly, funny, attentive, and clear when explaining departure times. The English is strong, and announcements are made over a microphone, so you are unlikely to miss instructions.

Several crew names have earned special praise, including captain Josip, Valentina, Stella, Sandra, Ivana, Dado, Thomas, and Marin at the bar. Josip is noted for good boating skills and music, while Stella has been especially attentive to families with babies. Individual staff assignments may change, but the larger point is that the crew takes an active role in keeping the day smooth.

The atmosphere is social without being built around drinking. Music plays, people chat, and wine is available, but the trip is aimed more at swimming and sightseeing than at loud partying. That makes it suitable for families, couples, solo visitors, and friends who want a full day outdoors.

Families can make this work, especially because of the air-conditioned cabin, swim vests, clean toilets, and helpful crew. Solo visitors may find that the allocated seating makes it easier to settle in, though arriving early is still wise if you want a particular seat.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would choose this tour if you want a simple, well-organized way to see several islands from Split. It is especially good for you if swimming, clear water, a comfortable boat, and included food matter more than an in-depth cultural tour.

It suits:

• First-time visitors using Split as a base
• Families wanting toilets, showers, and air conditioning
• Couples seeking a scenic day with minimal planning
• Solo visitors who appreciate organized seating and crew support
• Anyone who wants grilled fish and drinks included
• Swimmers who enjoy several different water stops

I would think twice if you dislike group boat trips, want long independent walks, or need several hours at one beach. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but the two-hour stop includes lunch, and the route must keep moving to reach all three locations.

Book with a little flexibility for weather and sea conditions. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Most important, arrive early, bring cash, wear sun protection, and do not forget water shoes.

Should you book the Tamaris island cruise?

Yes, if value and comfort are your priorities. The combination of three stops, a modern yacht, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, showers, and a friendly crew is hard to beat at $76.

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason to go, but Borkko Beach and Maslinica keep the day from feeling repetitive. Choose the fish lunch, claim a good seat early, pack footwear for rocky beaches, and keep a little cash for the snorkeling deposit and bar. If that sounds like your ideal Croatian day, this is a strong choice from Split.

FAQ

Where does the Split boat tour meet?

The meeting point is stand number 8 on the Split Riva Promenade. It is a small white stand beside the sea, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, beginning and ending at Max Nautica on the Split Riva.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Borkko Beach on Čiovo Island, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veliki Island, and Maslinica on Šolta Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the Blue Lagoon includes a choice of grilled fish, chicken, or a vegan meal. A gluten-free option is available.

What drinks are included?

Coffee, water, lemonade, and local wine with lunch and afterward are included. Beer, cocktails, Coca-Cola, and other extra drinks cost more.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swim vests are provided. A €10 safety deposit is required for the snorkeling equipment and returned after use.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. Water shoes are also a useful choice because some beaches are rocky and may have sea urchins.