Split: Blue Lagoon, 3Islands, Boat Trip, Mediterranean lunch

The best part of this Split boat trip is the mix of clear water, island stops, and a proper Dalmatian lunch. You get more than a quick photo stop: there is time to swim at the Blue Lagoon, explore a shipwreck near Šolta, and sit down for grilled food at a restaurant on Čiovo. I also like the boat’s waterslide and hydraulic jump ramp, which add a playful edge to an otherwise relaxed day.

I like the simple all-day value at $68, especially with lunch, unlimited water and juice, shade, and deck space included. I also like the route itself: Čiovo gives you a beach and meal, Drvenik brings the famous turquoise water, and Šolta finishes the day with a quieter bay. The main drawback is timing. With several stops and long periods on the boat, this is not the right choice if you want a quiet, private cruise or a full day on one beach.

The best parts of the day

• A real three-island route: Visit Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik, and Šolta rather than stopping at only one swimming spot.
• Beachside Dalmatian lunch: Choose grilled fish, vegetables, or meat at Restaurant Borko on Čiovo.
• Shipwreck snorkeling: Swim around a sunken pirate ship in Nečujam Bay, where you can look for marine life.
• Waterslide and jump ramp: The boat offers a slide and a hydraulic ramp for those who want more than a gentle swim.
• Comfortable boat setup: You can choose between shaded seating and the sundeck, with water and juice available throughout the day.
• Easy Split departure: Meet on the Riva promenade at stand number 7, opposite Caffe Bar Biberon.

A full day on the Adriatic from Split

This is a social, active boat outing rather than a polished luxury cruise. St. Damian Boat Tours uses a comfortable ex-military vessel with shaded spots, a sundeck, a hydraulic ramp, and a waterslide. The design suits a long day at sea, especially if your group wants swimming and fun instead of formal sightseeing.

The schedule takes roughly 8 to 9 hours. The listed stops add up to a little over eight hours, and the exact total may depend on departure time and conditions at sea. You leave from the Riva promenade in central Split and return to the same place, so you do not need to arrange separate transport to a marina outside town.

The English-speaking host handles the day, but no individual guide name is provided. The captain may join in the fun, too. One especially memorable detail from the experience is the captain jumping off the boat with the people on board. That tells you something about the tone: this is a relaxed, hands-on day, not a formal sightseeing lecture.

Setting off from Split’s Riva promenade

Your meeting point is Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55, at boat excursion stand number 7, opposite Caffe Bar Biberon. This is an easy place to reach if you are staying in central Split, and the return is to the same location.

The first cruise lasts about 75 minutes. That gives you a long opening stretch on the water before the first major stop. You can settle into the boat, choose a shaded seat or a place on the sundeck, and take in the coast from offshore.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and beachwear. Snacks are also recommended, even though lunch is included, because the meal comes later in the day and the cruise takes several hours. Water and juice are available without extra charge. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Čiovo: swimming, lunch, and beach time

The first island stop is Čiovo, at the beach bar Borko. You have about two hours here, making it the longest stop of the day. The cove gives you a chance to swim before lunch, sit near the shore, and enjoy a slower break after the morning cruise.

Restaurant Borko sits close to the beach. That location matters because lunch does not interrupt the swimming part of the stop. You can move from the water to the table without turning the visit into a long restaurant break.

The meal is built around traditional Dalmatian-style grilling. You can choose grilled fish, grilled vegetables, or grilled meat. This is a useful choice for mixed groups because not everyone has to eat the same thing. It also makes the meal more practical than a fixed seafood menu.

I would treat this as the most relaxed stop. The Blue Lagoon is the famous swimming sight, and Šolta brings the shipwreck, but Čiovo gives you time to eat, dry off, and sit down. The possible tradeoff is that two hours passes quickly if you want a long swim, a full meal, and time at the beach bar.

The Blue Lagoon near Drvenik

After Čiovo, the boat cruises for about 30 minutes to the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island. You get roughly 90 minutes here for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life.

The water is the visual star of the trip. It is known for its clear turquoise color, and this is the place to bring your camera or simply enjoy the contrast between the bright sea and the boat. The stop is not only for looking. You can get into the water and use the boat’s slide for a faster entrance.

The waterslide gives this stop a different feel from a standard sightseeing cruise. Families and groups of friends will likely make good use of it, while anyone wanting a quieter swim can enter from the boat more gently. The hydraulic ramp also lets you jump into the water, so you have several ways to get off the vessel.

There is one practical point to keep in mind: the Blue Lagoon is a popular stop, and the appeal is its water rather than a town, museum, or long walk. If you prefer cultural sightseeing on land, this hour and a half may feel limited. If you want a bright swimming spot with simple fun, it is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the day.

Šolta and the shipwreck at Nečujam Bay

The final island stop is Šolta, with about an hour at Nečujam Bay. The route describes this as a photo stop, a chance to visit, walk, and enjoy free time. Compared with the Blue Lagoon, the bay offers a calmer finish.

The main activity here is snorkeling around a sunken pirate ship. You can swim near the wreck and look at the marine life around it. This gives you something to explore rather than simply floating in open water, though the exact underwater visibility can depend on sea and weather conditions.

The shipwreck is one of the most distinctive details in the trip. It gives the last stop a small sense of discovery without requiring a long excursion or special equipment beyond what you bring for swimming and snorkeling. Pack a towel and secure your belongings before entering the water.

You should not expect a major land tour of Šolta in one hour. The time is enough for a walk, photographs, and the bay experience, but not for a broad visit around the island. Think of Šolta as a final scenic stop, with the shipwreck providing the main activity.

What the boat ride is really like

The boat is described as a comfortable ex-military cruise vessel. That suggests a sturdy, practical setup rather than a small yacht or a high-end catamaran. You have access to shade and a sundeck, which is important on a full day in the sun.

The cruise portions are not filler. They account for about 75 minutes at the start, then 30 minutes, 25 minutes, and a final 100 minutes back to Split. The return ride is especially long, so plan for a relaxed end to the day rather than another stop.

I like that the boat offers both shaded places and sun positions. You can move around depending on the heat, but space may feel more valuable during the busiest parts of the day. If you burn easily, claim shade early and keep sunscreen handy.

Unlimited water and juice are included. That helps with the heat and keeps small drink purchases from adding up. Alcoholic drinks cost extra and are not included, so do not assume the onboard drinks package covers beer, wine, or spirits.

Is $68 good value?

At $68 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day island route from Split. You are paying for the boat, several swimming stops, lunch, water and juice, use of the boat’s fun features, and a return to the central meeting point.

The lunch is important to the value. A grilled fish, meat, or vegetable meal at a beachside restaurant would normally be a separate expense, and the location makes it more than a quick packed meal. The included drinks also make the day easier to budget.

The trip is less attractive if you plan to skip swimming or spend most of the day on land. Much of the experience is built around the sea, and the longer cruise sections are part of the deal. You are paying for variety rather than depth at one island.

The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from 47 reviews, which fits the experience described here: a well-liked day with a friendly team, good food, and several activities, but not a private or perfectly quiet outing. The strongest praise centers on the helpful crew, the restaurant setting, and the mix of activities. Those are the reasons I would consider it good value.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a lively day with several chances to swim. The slide and jump ramp give children and active adults something to do, while the lunch and shaded seating help less energetic members of a group enjoy the day too.

It also suits first-time visitors to Split who want to see more of the Dalmatian coast without arranging several separate trips. The route covers three islands and the Blue Lagoon in one outing, and you return to the same central promenade.

You should think twice if you want a small-group sailing trip, a quiet escape, or a tour focused on history and local culture. There is some sightseeing from the boat and a walk on Šolta, but the heart of the experience is swimming, food, and time on the water.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, the day includes swimming stops, a beach, and movement around a boat, so you may want to confirm the exact arrangements for boarding and water access before booking if you have specific mobility needs.

Weather, packing, and practical tips

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is especially relevant for a boat day because wind and rough water can affect both comfort and safety.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and beachwear
• Snacks for the cruise
• A phone or camera for the Blue Lagoon and Šolta
• Extra protection from the sun if you plan to use the sundeck

Arrive with enough time to find stand number 7 on the Riva promenade. The meeting point is public and central, but the waterfront has several boat operators, so the stand number and Caffe Bar Biberon landmark are useful.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available starting times because the exact departure schedule can vary.

My call: book it if you want variety

Book this trip if your ideal day includes turquoise water, a relaxed grilled lunch, a shipwreck swim, and a few playful jumps from the boat. The route gives you three different island settings, and the $68 price covers enough extras to make the day easy to plan.

Skip it if you want a private cruise, a long cultural visit, or uninterrupted time on one beach. For most people looking for an active and good-value day from Split, St. Damian Boat Tours offers a practical mix of food, swimming, and Dalmatian island scenery.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience is listed as lasting about 8 hours, while the route description presents it as a 9-hour island-hopping cruise. The listed cruise and stop times add up to a little over 8 hours, so check the available departure details when booking.

Where does the boat leave from?

Meet at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55 on Split’s Riva promenade. The boat excursion stand is number 7, opposite Caffe Bar Biberon.

What islands does the trip visit?

The route includes Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island, and Šolta. You return to the original meeting point in Split.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a restaurant on Čiovo includes a choice of grilled fish, grilled vegetables, or grilled meat prepared in a traditional Dalmatian style.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water and juice are included on board. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. You can snorkel at the Blue Lagoon and around a sunken pirate ship in Nečujam Bay on Šolta. Bring your own towel and swimwear.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.