Split: Blue Lagoon, Shipwreck and Šolta with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Split boat trip is the variety packed into one day. You snorkel above a sunken boat in Nečujam Bay, stroll through the fishing village of Maslinica, then spend the afternoon swimming at the Blue Lagoon with lunch served right on the beach. I especially like the comfortable Yacht Tamaris and the fact that coffee, a croissant, snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, and fruit are included. The main trade-off is time: you visit three places, but none gets a long, leisurely stay.

I also like the practical setup. The 27-meter boat has air-conditioned salons, four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, a bar, and a shaded interior, which matters on an eight-hour outing. Just arrive early if you want one of the roughly 20 sun loungers on the top deck, and bring a snack if you are traveling with children or dislike eating a late lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkel above a small shipwreck: Nečujam Bay offers the day’s most unusual swim, though the wreck can take a little searching.
• Maslinica keeps the day grounded: You get about an hour to walk around Šolta’s relaxed fishing village and see Marchi Castle.
• Lunch comes late: The Blue Lagoon is the final main stop, so lunch may be served around 2:00 or 2:45 p.m.
• The boat is made for a full day at sea: Tamaris has three decks, air-conditioned salons, showers, toilets, Wi-Fi, and a bar.
• Most drinks are covered: Local wine, water, and lemonade are unlimited, while beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra.
• Top-deck seats are limited: Boarding early gives you the best chance of securing a sunbed or an outdoor seat.

Why this Split boat trip works so well

This is a full-day island outing rather than a quick transfer with a swim attached. From Split’s Riva, you head out by motor yacht and spend the day moving between three very different stops: an underwater site, a small village, and a bright swimming bay.

I like this mix because it prevents the day from becoming repetitive. You are not simply sitting on a beach for eight hours, nor are you rushing through a long list of towns. The pace is active early, more cultural in the middle, and slower at the end.

The price is about $74 per person. That is good value when you count the coffee and croissant, snorkeling equipment, restaurant lunch, fresh fruit dessert, unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade. You still pay extra for beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola, but the major costs are known before you board.

The boat can carry up to about 150 people, so this is not a private island cruise. Still, Tamaris is large enough to spread people across several decks. You have two air-conditioned salons, an open deck with a bar, and a top deck with sun loungers. That extra room makes a major difference on a long day.

Finding the boat on Split’s Riva

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

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The port schedule is strict, and the boat cannot wait for late arrivals. This is one of those trips where being five minutes early is not enough, especially if you want to sort out your seat and get settled before the crowd boards.

Seating appears to be handled as you board, and the seat or area you choose may remain yours for the day. If you want the top deck, arrive early. There are only about 20 sun loungers, and they go quickly.

The crew speaks English and gives instructions about the stops, swimming, and the day’s schedule. One practical improvement would be clearer staff identification, since crew members may not always be easy to distinguish from other people on board. When in doubt, ask someone at the bar or near the boarding area.

The ride to Nečujam Bay and the shipwreck

The first cruise lasts about an hour. It gives you time to settle in, look back at Split, and enjoy the included coffee and croissant. You can sit inside in air-conditioning, find shade on the open deck, or try for a place in the sun.

Nečujam Bay on Šolta is the first swimming stop. The main attraction is a small shipwreck beneath the surface, and the boat provides snorkeling gear. You can swim out and look down at the wreck with fish moving around it.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a large historic vessel or a major underwater archaeological site. It is a small sunken boat, and some people need time to find its exact location. The crew gives instructions, but more detailed guidance to the wreck would make things easier, especially for weaker swimmers.

The swim is still worthwhile because it offers something different from a normal beach stop. You get a clear reason to put on the mask and snorkel rather than simply floating in the bay. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to the boat and ask the crew where to head before setting off. Do not treat the wreck as a short walk from the boat. It may require a decent swim.

The stop lasts about an hour. That is enough for a look around and a swim, but not enough for a slow snorkeling session followed by a long rest. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since snorkeling gear is provided but personal beach items are not.

Maslinica, an hour in Šolta’s fishing village

After Nečujam, the boat cruises for about 45 minutes to Maslinica on the island of Šolta. This stop changes the mood completely. You leave the water for a compact village with a relaxed harbor, local cafés, and Marchi Castle with its park.

You have about an hour here, so think of Maslinica as a pleasant taste of island life rather than a full town visit. I would use the time for a short walk, a coffee, and a look around the castle area. The village is small enough to explore without a complicated plan.

Maslinica gives the trip some local character. After the organized boat facilities and the planned swimming stops, it is good to have an hour where you can simply wander at your own pace. You are not following a long guided tour or spending the whole day beside the water.

The drawback is that an hour passes quickly. If you sit down for a coffee, you may have little time left for exploring. If seeing Marchi Castle is important to you, walk there first, then choose a café. The stop includes sightseeing and the chance to swim, but it is not designed for a full beach afternoon.

Lunch at the Blue Lagoon comes late

The final major stop is the Blue Lagoon on Drvenik Veliki Island. The boat reaches the bay after another short cruise, and you spend about two hours here with swimming, snorkeling, wine, and lunch at a private restaurant on the beach.

The setting is the star. The water is clear and turquoise, and you can swim from the beach, walk around the bay, sit beneath old pine trees, or return to the boat for a swim from the stern. The area around the beach can be rocky underfoot, so water shoes may be useful, though they are not listed as required equipment.

Lunch includes a choice of fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, served with a side dish and salad. Fresh fruit is provided for dessert. Local wine, water, and lemonade are included with the meal and during the cruise.

The food is straightforward rather than fancy. The chicken and fish have been well received, but the fish may be served whole and contain plenty of bones. If you choose fish, be prepared to pick it apart carefully. The vegetarian choice is available, but the exact dish is not specified, so ask the crew or restaurant staff what it includes.

Timing is the main issue. Since the Blue Lagoon is the last stop, lunch may not be served until about 2:00 or 2:45 p.m. That is late for children and for anyone who prefers an early meal. You can buy snacks such as Pringles on board, but bringing a small sandwich is sensible, especially for young children.

The two-hour stop can also feel short. By the time you eat, swim, change, and walk around, the free time disappears quickly. Some people may prefer to skip a long beach walk and head straight to the water. Others may want to eat first, then swim from the boat, where the water may be deeper and the rocky beach is no longer an issue.

What Yacht Tamaris is like for eight hours

Tamaris is a 27-meter day cruiser with three decks. You have two air-conditioned salons, a large open deck, a fully equipped bar, and a sundeck. Four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and safety deposit boxes are available on board.

That equipment matters more than it might sound. On a small boat, an eight-hour trip can feel cramped, especially when several people return from swimming at once. Showers let you rinse off salt water, toilets are available throughout the day, and the indoor salons give you a cool place to sit when the sun becomes too strong.

The boat is described as new or nearly new, clean, stable, and well maintained. The facilities are a major reason this trip costs more than a simple ferry ride but still feels like good value. You are paying for a full day on a proper excursion boat, not just transport between islands.

The bar sells extra drinks, including beer and cocktails. These are not included, and it is wise to carry cash because card payment may not be available for every purchase. Included drinks cover local wine, water, and lemonade, so you can keep spending under control if you avoid the extras.

Music is played lightly in the background rather than dominating the cruise. That helps preserve the relaxed mood. You can talk, watch the islands pass, or find a quiet corner without feeling trapped in a party boat.

The best way to handle the day

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and bring a hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, and beachwear. Croatia’s sun can be strong, and the top deck offers little protection if you spend the whole day there.

Arrive early for the best outdoor seating. If you want shade, the main deck and air-conditioned salons are more dependable than the top deck. You can enjoy the views from outside during the cruise, then retreat indoors when the heat builds.

Bring a small snack because lunch is late. This is especially important if you are traveling with children, but adults who eat breakfast early will also appreciate having something on hand.

Keep your belongings secure. Safety deposit boxes are available, and you should use them for valuables rather than leaving phones and wallets beside a swim ladder. Bring only what you need for the day.

For the shipwreck stop, listen carefully to the crew’s directions and do not swim farther than feels comfortable. The wreck may be harder to locate than expected. At the Blue Lagoon, decide in advance if your priority is lunch, beach time, snorkeling, or a swim from the boat. You probably cannot do all four at a leisurely pace.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see several island settings without arranging ferries, restaurants, snorkeling gear, and beach time separately. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and people who want a social day at sea without paying for a private charter.

Solo visitors can easily speak with the crew and other passengers, and the boat has enough space to avoid feeling confined. Families will appreciate the toilets, showers, indoor seating, included food, and clear schedule. The late lunch is the main family concern.

This is also a good choice if you want comfort more than silence. A boat carrying up to 150 people will not feel secluded, and the top deck has limited sunbeds. If you want a private swim stop or total control over the timing, book a smaller boat instead.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike long periods on the water, need an early lunch, or want extended time at one beach. The itinerary is carefully packed, but the result is a sampler of the area rather than a slow island holiday.

Is the $74 price good value?

At $74, the value is strong for an eight-hour outing. The boat itself is comfortable, and the price includes several items that can quickly add up on an independent day: coffee, a croissant, snorkeling gear, lunch, fresh fruit, wine, water, lemonade, Wi-Fi, and the use of showers and toilets.

The included lunch is basic, so do not book this expecting a refined restaurant meal. The fish may contain bones, and the food is best understood as practical fuel for a day outside. Still, a beachside lunch with drinks included is a useful part of the package, especially in a popular coastal area.

The real value comes from convenience. You see Nečujam Bay, Maslinica, and the Blue Lagoon in one organized day, with the boat returning to Split. You avoid arranging separate island connections and carrying snorkeling equipment around town.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a well-organized day that combines swimming, snorkeling, a small island village, and a beach lunch. The clean, stable boat and generous list of included services make it a good choice for the price.

Go in with realistic expectations. The shipwreck is small, the Blue Lagoon is busy and time is limited, lunch comes late, and top-deck sunbeds are scarce. Arrive early, bring a snack, and plan to make one main priority at each stop.

If that sounds like a fair trade for an easy day among Split’s islands, I would book it. If you want solitude, a long stay at one beach, or a more serious wreck site, choose a smaller and more specialized boat trip.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon boat trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, beginning and ending at the Max Nautica meeting point on Split’s Riva.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at stand number 8 on Split’s Riva promenade. It is a small white stand with a picture of Yacht Tamaris, beside the sea and across from Diocletian’s Palace.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a coffee and croissant, lunch with a choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal, a side dish and salad, and fresh fruit dessert. Local wine, water, and lemonade are included. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the stops at Nečujam Bay and the Blue Lagoon.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. A small snack is also useful because lunch may be served around 2:00 or 2:45 p.m.

Does the boat have toilets and showers?

Yes. Yacht Tamaris has four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, air-conditioned salons, and safety deposit boxes for valuables.