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

The best part of this day is the simple rhythm: Trogir sightseeing, a long swim at the Blue Lagoon, then snorkeling near the sunken Kontessa off Šolta. You spend most of the day on the water, with the coast of Čiovo and Dalmatian islands sliding past as the boat moves between stops.

I like the friendly, helpful crew and the fact that drinks keep flowing, with water, wine, and homemade iced tea included. I also like the generous swimming time at the Blue Lagoon and the fresh fruit served on the return trip. The main caution is that the schedule, meal, equipment, and onboard features may not always match the polished description exactly.

Key points before you book

• Three very different stops: You get a brief cultural visit to Trogir, open-water swimming at the Blue Lagoon, and a shipwreck stop at Nečujam on Šolta.
• Breakfast and lunch are included: Expect coffee and a croissant in the morning, then a choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian food, plus fruit later.
• The crew is a strong point: Service is generally friendly and helpful, and drinks are available throughout the day.
• Trogir gets only one hour: That is enough for a quick walk, but not enough for a relaxed visit to every major sight.
• Swimming ability matters: The boat may stop away from the attractions, and reaching some spots requires swimming.
• Bring €10 for snorkeling gear: This is a refundable safety deposit, not part of the tour price itself.

From Split harbor to the south side of Čiovo

The meeting point is at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag. Boarding in Split is scheduled between 9:00 and 9:15, with the boat returning around 18:30. If you are staying on Čiovo, you can also board in Slatine, with an earlier departure and a return around 19:00.

The first stretch takes you alongside the south side of Čiovo. Keep an eye out for Gospe od Prizidinice, one of the oldest churches on the island. This is a quiet coastal sight rather than a formal stop, so it works best as part of the voyage, not as a reason to book the trip by itself.

Breakfast is served during the morning ride. The advertised offering is coffee or tea with a croissant. One recent experience found only a croissant and no coffee or tea, so I would treat this as a light snack rather than a real breakfast. If you need a substantial morning meal, eat before boarding.

Seating is assigned randomly. If you are traveling with a group, you may need to ask politely about sitting together or be ready to swap places. The boat format is social and practical, not a private-yacht arrangement.

One quick hour in UNESCO-listed Trogir

The boat is scheduled to reach Trogir at about 11:00, leaving you roughly an hour to walk around before the next departure. That is the right amount of time for a taste of the old town, but it is short for a full visit.

Trogir is compact, which helps. You can walk through the stone streets, see the waterfront, and choose one major sight. Kamerlengo Tower gives you a strong view over the town and harbor, while St. Lovre Cathedral offers a more detailed look at Trogir’s historic center.

You can also look for the Three of Love and the Kairos relief. The Kairos figure represents a Greek god associated with the special moment or opportunity, and finding small details like this gives the stop more character than simply wandering past pretty buildings.

I like that Trogir adds history and town life to a day otherwise focused on swimming. Still, you need to keep your watch handy. The one-hour stop can feel rushed, especially if you want to climb a tower, visit the cathedral, and stop for a drink. Think of Trogir as a preview, not a proper city visit.

Lunch while the boat heads toward the Blue Lagoon

After Trogir, the boat spends about 45 minutes reaching the Blue Lagoon. Lunch is served during this leg, which makes practical sense because it saves time at the swimming stop.

The planned choices are fish, meat, or vegetarian food, with fruit included later in the day. One meal was described as tasty fish risotto, but another experience found the food closer to basic pasta than a clear fish, meat, or vegetable dish. The quality may depend on the day and the meal being served, so I would view lunch as convenient fuel rather than a reason to choose this cruise.

Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included throughout the day. This is one of the better-value features at $91 per person, especially during a long summer outing when buying drinks separately can add up. Additional food and drinks offered onboard cost extra.

The boat also has WiFi, though I would not book a sea day for the internet. The point is to watch the coast, swim, eat, and talk. Put your phone away for stretches and you will get more from the trip.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main event for most people. The boat stays for about two hours, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, and use snorkeling equipment. An onboard water slide is also advertised.

The name can set up the wrong picture. This is not a quiet inland lagoon with a little beach and a few people around it. It is a popular marine swimming area, and the boat may anchor away from the most attractive spots. You may need to swim from the boat to reach the water features or other points of interest.

That matters if you are not a confident swimmer. One experience found the stop less accessible because the boat remained far from the attractions and getting there meant swimming. Ask the crew about the distance and conditions before leaving the boat.

Snorkeling gear requires a €10 safety deposit. Equipment may not be complete or available for everyone at the same time, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have a set you like. The stop is still worthwhile without gear, since the main pleasure is simply getting into the clear Adriatic water.

The water slide sounds like a fun extra for children and playful adults, but it may not always be available. One recent outing had inflatables but no working slide. Take it as a possible bonus, not the core value of the trip.

Two hours is a useful amount of time. You are not rushed after one quick swim, yet the stop does not consume the whole day. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone. There is no need to pack a full picnic, since lunch and drinks are provided.

Nečujam and the sunken Kontessa

The final stop is Nečujam Bay on Šolta, reached after about 45 minutes from the Blue Lagoon. The boat moors near the sunken ship Kontessa, where you get about an hour for snorkeling.

The shipwreck gives this stop a different feel from the open swimming at the Blue Lagoon. You are looking beneath the surface for a specific object rather than simply enjoying the sea. It can be a nice change of pace, especially if you like snorkeling and have your own equipment.

Keep your expectations measured. The wreck is not a large underwater attraction with a long route through it. Some people found it smaller and less impressive than expected. The boat also stops close to the wreck rather than delivering you onto a shore attraction, so swimming skill and water confidence matter here too.

A liquorice tasting is listed during the route to Šolta. Fresh fruit is served on the way back to Split, with watermelon specifically praised for being plentiful and refreshing. That small detail matters on a hot day. Fruit and cold drinks can be more welcome than another heavy meal after hours in the sun.

The return to Split can be flexible

The planned return to Split is around 18:30, or 19:00 for Slatine. The day is advertised as nine hours, but timing can change because of the captain’s decision or weather conditions.

You should not schedule a tight evening connection after the cruise. One recent trip finished about an hour earlier than planned, while other outings had changes to the program at short notice. This flexibility is normal for a boat day, but it means the printed schedule is a guide rather than a guarantee.

The crew’s attitude helps when plans shift. The strongest praise goes to the friendly, polite, and helpful staff. Drinks were reported to remain available, and the service seems to be one of the more reliable parts of the experience.

Music may be part of the onboard mood, making this feel more like a social day out than a quiet nature trip. If you want a calm, private sail with space to yourself, this is probably the wrong format. If you enjoy a shared boat, swimming, food, and a little noise, it fits better.

Is $91 a fair price?

At $91, the cruise sits above the cheapest island-hopping options but includes a good amount: breakfast, lunch, fruit, water, wine, iced tea, WiFi, the water slide when available, and a full day on the water.

The value depends on what you care about. If you would otherwise pay separately for meals, drinks, a boat ride, and a Blue Lagoon visit, the package is sensible. The drink inclusion is especially useful. You also get three stops, even though Trogir is brief and the shipwreck may disappoint if you expect a major underwater site.

The value is weaker if you are choosing this mainly for a polished meal, guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or a working water slide. Food can be basic, equipment may be limited, and onboard features can vary. There are many similar boat outings from Split, so compare the exact inclusions and price before booking.

The rating of 3.8 from 11 experiences fits the picture: good scenery, pleasant crew, and enjoyable swimming, balanced by rushed timing, uneven food, and a few promises that may not be delivered every day.

Who will enjoy this boat day?

I would choose this cruise if you want to see several Dalmatian highlights in one day without arranging separate transport. It suits people who enjoy swimming, sun, shared meals, music, and a full schedule.

Families may like the water slide and inflatables if they are available. Still, children should be comfortable around open water, since some stops require swimming away from the boat. The same warning applies to anyone with limited mobility or anyone who does not feel secure in the sea.

History lovers will appreciate the Trogir stop, but not if they expect enough time for a full cultural visit. You get a quick look at the old town, not a guided exploration of its churches, towers, and small details.

Food-focused visitors should keep expectations modest. The included lunch is useful, and the fish risotto can be very good, but the menu may feel simple. Bring a snack only if you have dietary needs that may not be covered, since the listed choices are fish, meat, or vegetarian.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A dry bag or waterproof phone case is a smart idea because the boat includes swimming and a water slide when operating.

Bring €10 for the snorkeling deposit. If you own comfortable snorkeling gear, take it with you, since the supply onboard may not be enough for everyone.

Have breakfast before boarding if you need more than a croissant. Also, arrive early enough to find the Bura Travel flag and confirm the berth, since the meeting point may be 6A or 6B.

Do not plan an important evening appointment close to the expected return time. Weather and the captain’s decisions can alter the route or schedule. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some flexibility, but they do not remove the need to allow extra time on the day.

Should you book this cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value shared boat day with swimming, meals, drinks, Trogir, and two island stops. The friendly crew, long Blue Lagoon visit, steady supply of drinks, and fresh fruit help make the day enjoyable.

Skip it if you need precise timing, guaranteed equipment, a high-end lunch, or a quiet and private boat. You should also look elsewhere if visiting Trogir properly is your top goal, since one hour is not enough for a relaxed exploration.

For most people, I would book this as an easy overview of the coast rather than a perfect, tightly managed excursion. Go for the sea time and scenery. Treat the slide, shipwreck, and meal quality as variables, and you will have a more accurate idea of what you are buying.

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 boarding begin in Split?

Boarding in Split is scheduled from 9:00 to 9:15. The planned arrival back in Split is 18:30.

Can I board in Slatine instead of Split?

Yes. Boarding in Slatine is scheduled from 8:00 to 8:30, with arrival back there around 19:00.

How long is the stop in Trogir?

The planned sightseeing stop in Trogir lasts one hour, from about 11:00 to 12:00.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes coffee and a croissant. Lunch offers fish, meat, or vegetarian food, and fruit is served later in the day.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is offered, but you must pay a €10 safety deposit. Equipment availability may be limited.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.