Blue Lagoon and Solta Island from Split-Private Tour

A private speedboat lets you pack a lot of Dalmatia into one day: Trogir’s old stone center, the clear water of Blue Lagoon, and three different corners of Šolta. The best part is the freedom to linger at a swimming stop or move on when you have had enough sun.

I like the built-in mix of culture and sea time, and I like that snorkeling gear and bottled water are included. Skippers including Luka, Josip, Roco, and Ivan have been singled out for friendly service, safety, and useful information about Croatia. The main drawback is the price: $901.14 for up to seven people is fair for a full private boat, but expensive for a small party.

Key points at a glance

• Trogir comes first, giving you an hour among Romanesque, Gothic, and Venetian-era buildings before the swimming begins.
• Blue Lagoon and Nečujam offer two different water stops, with snorkeling at both and a shipwreck at Nečujam.
• Šolta feels more local than a quick resort visit, with fishing villages, a marina, and quiet waterfront restaurants.
• The boat is private for your group, so you can shape the pace instead of following a large excursion crowd.
• Lunch is optional and not included, so bring a card or cash for a traditional Dalmatian restaurant in Stomorska.
• The day normally runs five to eight hours, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending back at the meeting point in Split.

Why this Split boat tour works

This is not simply a ride to one famous swimming cove. It is a day of contrasts. You begin with old Croatia in Trogir, then trade narrow lanes and carved stone for open water. Šolta adds small harbors, a historic castle, and a chance to eat beside the sea.

The private format matters. A boat carrying only your party can spend more time where you want it. If the children are happy in the water, you can make the most of the swimming stop. If someone prefers a coffee and shade, Trogir or one of the villages gives the day a slower turn.

The boat operator supplies fuel, taxes, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and port pickup and return. That keeps the basic cost clear. Lunch, however, is yours to arrange. The tour is offered in English, and the driver also acts as your guide.

Past outings have included families, couples, and groups of friends. One group of five found enough room and shade under the boat roof, while another family appreciated the skipper’s care with a pregnant passenger. Those details matter more than flashy promises: you want a skipper who watches the conditions and treats the boat as a safe base for the day.

Starting from Split at 9:00 a.m.

The day begins at Klaric Nautika, with about five minutes set aside for the start. Port pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity returns to the same meeting point.

A 9:00 a.m. departure is useful in summer. You get an early start on the water and have time for all the planned stops without turning every visit into a rushed photo break. The exact length can vary from five to eight hours, so your boat may spend less time at some stops if the group chooses a shorter day.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. The supplied water and snorkeling equipment cover the basics, but lunch is not part of the price. If you want a sit-down meal in Stomorska, allow both time and money for it.

The boat is private, but the maximum group size is seven. That is a good number for a family or a circle of friends. For two people, the fixed group price becomes much harder to justify unless you value privacy and flexibility above all else.

Trogir: an old town before the first swim

Trogir is the cultural anchor of the trip. You get about an hour to walk through the historic center, admire the architecture, and stop for coffee.

This UNESCO-listed town is compact, so an hour can work well for a first look. You can wander the stone lanes, inspect the old façades, and get a feel for the town without spending the whole day away from the sea. The short visit is also a useful counterweight to the water stops. You are not spending the entire excursion sitting on a boat.

The limitation is simple: one hour is not enough for a detailed visit to every church, courtyard, and museum. Think of Trogir as a concentrated introduction rather than a full city tour. If old towns are your main reason for coming to Croatia, you may want a separate half-day here.

Your driver-guide can add context as you travel, but the supplied program does not promise a specialist walking tour. The value is in having the town placed naturally into a coastal day, with time for a coffee before the speedboat heads toward the lagoon.

Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši Bay

Blue Lagoon, also called Krknjaši Bay, is the first major water stop. You have about an hour for swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered setting.

This is where the tour shifts into holiday mode. The provided masks and other snorkeling equipment mean you do not need to pack a full kit. You can enter the water, look below the surface, and climb back aboard without arranging an extra rental.

The lagoon is best suited to people who want easy sea time rather than a demanding aquatic activity. Children who are comfortable in the water can enjoy the stop, and adults can simply float or sit in the boat’s shade. One family even added tube riding to its private day, although that is not listed as a standard inclusion, so you should not assume it is available on every booking.

An hour goes quickly. If your group loves snorkeling, ask your skipper how the timing will work across Blue Lagoon and Nečujam. The two stops offer different sights, and the private setup may let you adjust the balance, but the supplied plan gives roughly an hour at each location.

Maslinica and Martinis Marchi castle

Maslinica gives you a land-based stop on Šolta. This small fishing village has a new marina and Martinis Marchi castle, which makes it one of the more photogenic pauses of the day.

Have your camera ready as the boat approaches. The castle adds an elegant historic feature to a harbor that otherwise feels tied to fishing and small-scale island life. The marina brings a newer, polished side, while the village keeps the stop from feeling like only a resort complex.

You get about an hour here. That is enough for a walk, photos, and a drink if you choose, but not a full exploration of the island. The appeal is the change of pace. After swimming at Blue Lagoon, you can stretch your legs and see a different piece of Šolta.

Maslinica is also a good reminder that the islands are not just beaches. Their harbors tell you how people live with the sea, and the castle gives you a glimpse of the island’s built past. If your group prefers water all day, this stop may feel less exciting than the lagoon. If you want variety, it earns its place.

Stomorska and lunch beside the water

Stomorska is another small village on Šolta, with an optional lunch stop at a traditional Dalmatian restaurant facing the sea.

Lunch is not included, and that is worth planning for. The upside is choice. You are not paying in advance for a meal you may not want, and your group can decide whether to eat, have a drink, or keep the stop brief. The downside is that the final cost depends on what you order.

The first-row sea setting is part of the attraction. This is the kind of stop that works well after a morning of swimming, when you want a chair, a view, and something more filling than a snack. It also gives you a chance to try local food rather than relying on food brought from Split.

Ask about the timing if lunch is important to you. The listed stop is about an hour, which is enough for a focused meal but may not allow a long, leisurely restaurant visit. A private skipper can help coordinate the pace, but the boat still has other scheduled bays and villages to reach.

Nečujam and the shipwreck snorkel

Nečujam is the final major stop and the most distinctive one for snorkeling. A shipwreck lies in the deep bay, making this more than a simple swim in open water.

The wreck gives you a clear reason to use the supplied snorkeling equipment. You can look beneath the surface and see a feature with a story, rather than only swimming from one beautiful cove to another. The bay is also suitable for a regular swim if not everyone in your group wants to snorkel.

Do not expect a technical wreck excursion. The information provided describes an accessible snorkeling stop, not scuba equipment or a guided underwater tour. Conditions, visibility, and how close you can safely approach the wreck will depend on the day and the skipper’s judgment.

For families, this stop can be a highlight because it offers a small sense of discovery. For adults who want a serious shipwreck visit, it is better understood as a casual surface look. The private boat still helps here: you can decide how long your group wants to stay in the water, within the day’s overall schedule.

What the skipper adds to the day

The driver-guide is more than the person at the wheel. The strongest part of the service is the combination of transport, local explanation, and attention to the group.

Names connected with past outings include Ivan, Luka, Josip, Roco, and Marco. Roco was especially effective at explaining Croatia and Dalmatia to a family, while Luka was praised for explanations throughout the day. Josip was described as client-focused and friendly, and Marco handled both sightseeing and the more playful side of a boat day.

You should not assume a particular skipper will be assigned unless the operator confirms it. Still, these examples give you a useful picture of the expected role: answering questions, making the boat feel comfortable, and helping you choose how to use your time.

Safety is another practical benefit. One group specifically felt comfortable aboard despite a pregnant passenger. That does not mean every medical or mobility concern is automatically covered, but it does suggest that clear communication with the operator is worthwhile before departure.

Is $901.14 good value for your group?

At $901.14 per group of up to seven, this is a high upfront price. For seven people, it works out to roughly $129 per person before lunch. For four people, it is about $225 each. For a couple, the same fixed price becomes a major splurge.

The value comes from what the price bundles together: a private boat, fuel, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, a driver-guide, and pickup and return at the port. You are also paying for the ability to combine Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Šolta in one outing without arranging separate transport.

A shared excursion may cost less per person, but it usually gives you less control over the pace. Here, the private format is most useful when your group has different priorities. Swimmers can spend time in the bays, while others can focus on coffee, village walks, or lunch.

The price is easier to defend for a family or group of friends that would otherwise book several separate activities. It is harder to defend if you only want a quick swim and do not care about Trogir or Šolta. Because this experience is often reserved far ahead, sometimes around 269 days in advance, popular summer dates may require early planning.

Who should book this private boat day?

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a full coastal sampler without the strain of planning each ferry, transfer, and stop. Families benefit from the private pace, especially when children want more time in the water. Couples and friends can also make it work, but the fixed cost is much better shared among several people.

It suits you if you want:

• A mix of old-town architecture and swimming
• A private boat rather than a large group outing
• Snorkeling equipment supplied at no extra charge
• Small island villages instead of only a famous beach
• An English-speaking driver-guide
• The option to eat in Stomorska without a mandatory meal package

I would think twice if your priority is an in-depth visit to Trogir, a long restaurant lunch, or a serious wreck excursion. The schedule gives each stop about an hour, so the day favors variety over depth.

Booking is flexible up to a point. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, so make your plans carefully once the final day approaches.

Final call: a strong choice for a shared group

Book this private speedboat day if you want to see several sides of the Split area in one outing and can fill enough seats to share the cost. Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Nečujam give you a satisfying balance of stone streets, clear water, and a shipwreck snorkel, while Maslinica and Stomorska add the slower rhythm of island villages.

The tour is less compelling for a small party on a tight budget, or for anyone who wants one location explored at length. For a family or group of friends, though, the privacy, flexible pace, included equipment, and attentive skipper can make the premium worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Klaric Nautika in Split at 9:00 a.m. Port pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours, depending on the day’s schedule and the time spent at each stop.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with space for up to seven people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have the option to eat at a traditional Dalmatian restaurant with a sea view in Stomorska.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and it can be used at Blue Lagoon and at the shipwreck area in Nečujam.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water, fuel surcharge, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted.