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

The best part of this nine-hour boat day is the mix of old stone towns and open-water stops. You get a short but worthwhile look at Trogir, two swimming breaks, a meal onboard, and views of the Dalmatian coast without arranging separate transport.

I like the easy all-day format, especially the included water, wine, iced tea, lunch, and fruit. I also like the stop at Nečujam on Šolta, where you can swim near the sunken ship Kontessa. The main drawback is that the schedule, food, equipment, and advertised waterslide may not always match expectations.

Key points at a glance

• Trogir gets one hour: Enough for a quick walk through the UNESCO-protected center, but not enough for a relaxed visit.
• Čiovo adds a scenic detail: Look toward the south side of the island for Gospe od Prizidinice, one of its oldest churches.
• The Blue Lagoon is the main swim stop: You have about two hours for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
• Šolta offers a shipwreck swim: Kontessa is visible from the water, but you need to swim out from the boat.
• Meals and drinks are part of the price: Breakfast, lunch, water, wine, iced tea, and fruit are included.
• Plans can shift: Seating is random, and the captain may change the route because of weather or operating conditions.

A full day between Trogir, Čiovo, and Šolta

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip from Split. It is priced as a full-day package, though, with transport by sea, breakfast, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, WiFi, and access to the onboard water slide listed as part of the deal.

I would judge the value by what you want from the day. If you want independent sightseeing, this is too structured. If you want one boat, several stops, meals included, and plenty of time in the water, the price is easier to justify.

The mood is closer to a social summer cruise than to a quiet sailing trip. Music may be played, seating is assigned randomly, and you share the boat with other passengers. That makes it a good fit for people who want a lively day at sea and a poor fit if you expect privacy or a carefully guided historical tour.

You meet at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B, and look for the Bura Travel flag. The boat boards in Slatine earlier, around 08:00 to 08:30, then in Split around 09:00 to 09:15. Since the precise boarding details differ by departure point, check your booking carefully and arrive early.

Sailing past Čiovo with coffee and croissants

The first stretch takes you along the south side of Čiovo. This is a pleasant way to begin because you are already seeing the coast before the main stops begin.

Keep an eye out for Gospe od Prizidinice, one of the oldest churches on Čiovo. The view is a small detail rather than a full sightseeing stop, but it gives the ride a sense of place. You are not simply being ferried from one swim spot to another.

Breakfast is served during this first cruise. The planned offering is coffee or tea with a croissant. Set your expectations accordingly: this is a light bite, not a full breakfast. One account specifically found only a croissant and no coffee or tea, so if your morning meal matters, eat something before boarding.

The boat ride to Trogir is scheduled to take roughly an hour and a quarter. It is a useful time to settle in, claim your place if possible, and ask the crew about lunch choices. Since seating is random, you may not sit beside every member of your group. Be ready for some seat swapping if staying together matters to you.

One hour in UNESCO-listed Trogir

The boat reaches Trogir around 11:00 and normally gives you until 12:00 to explore. That is enough time to walk through the central streets, take photographs, and see a few major sights. It is not enough time for a slow museum visit, a long café stop, and a thorough look around.

Trogir is compact, which helps. You can use the hour for a focused walk rather than trying to see everything. Kamerlengo Tower is one option, and St. Lovre Cathedral is another. You can also look for the Three of Love and the Kairos relief, two of the more distinctive details included in the suggested sightseeing list.

I would choose one major paid sight, then spend the rest of the time walking. Trying to climb the tower and visit the cathedral while also stopping for lunch will make the hour feel rushed. The attraction here is the town itself, with its narrow stone lanes and tightly packed historic center.

The short stop is one of the clearest compromises in the program. Trogir deserves more than 60 minutes, especially if you want to understand it rather than simply photograph it. Still, the visit gives you a useful taste of the town, and you can return another day if it becomes a favorite.

Lunch on the way to the Blue Lagoon

After Trogir, lunch is served during the boat ride to the Blue Lagoon. The available choices are fish, meat, or a vegetarian meal, with fruit later in the day. Fish risotto has been particularly well received, while other food feedback has been less consistent.

The important point is that this is practical boat-trip food. You are being fed while moving between stops, which saves time and keeps the day flowing. Do not book this expecting a restaurant meal with extensive choices or polished presentation.

Drinks are included throughout the day. Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are listed, and the supply has generally been generous. Additional food and drinks offered onboard cost extra, so ask what is included before ordering anything beyond the set meal.

Fruit is served during the return trip, with watermelon specifically praised for being fresh and plentiful. That is a welcome finish after swimming, particularly on a hot day.

What the Blue Lagoon stop is really like

The Blue Lagoon is scheduled for about two hours, making it the longest stop of the day. You can swim, sunbathe, use snorkeling gear, and try the waterslide if it is operating.

The name can create a false picture. This is a sea stop, not a private inland lagoon. One important practical detail is that the boat may anchor some distance from the main attractions, so you need to swim rather than simply step ashore. That makes the stop less suitable for anyone who is not comfortable in open water.

The water break is likely to be the highlight if you enjoy swimming. You have enough time to get in, dry off, return to the water, and relax without watching the clock every few minutes. The supplied snorkeling equipment adds interest, but it may not be complete or available for everyone at once. A €10 safety deposit is required to use it.

The waterslide is advertised as included, but one account reported that it was not available and that inflatables were provided instead. Treat the slide as a bonus, not the reason to book. The sea, sun, and two-hour stop are the dependable parts of this section.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for valuables. Those items are not listed as included, and you will have wet clothing and a camera or phone to manage once you are back onboard.

Snorkeling beside Kontessa at Nečujam

The final stop is Nečujam Bay on Šolta. The boat anchors near the sunken ship Kontessa, where you can swim and explore the area around the wreck.

This is a more unusual stop than a standard beach visit. You remain at sea and look down toward a submerged boat rather than walking through a historic site. The appeal depends heavily on water clarity, your swimming ability, and how much of the wreck you can see from the surface.

Do not picture a large shipwreck expedition. The wreck stop can feel modest, and the boat may moor away from it. You may need to swim out, which is another reason this cruise is not suitable for everyone. The Portuguese-language feedback also pointed out that the experience is not accessible to all passengers because the boat stops far from the attractions.

There is also a liquorice tasting during this part of the day. It adds a local flavor to the stop, though it will not turn the wreck into a major underwater attraction. If you enjoy small food tastings and a second chance to snorkel, it rounds out the program nicely.

Crew service, seating, and the changing schedule

The crew has been described as friendly, polite, and helpful. That matters on a long boat day, when clear communication and a good attitude can make the difference between a smooth outing and a tiring one.

The captain can change the route because of weather or operating conditions. The published times give you a useful outline, but you should not treat them as a guarantee. The day is planned around a 09:15 Split departure and an arrival around 18:30, with Slatine return around 19:00. At least one account reported finishing about an hour early.

That timing uncertainty is manageable if you keep the evening flexible. I would not schedule a nonrefundable dinner reservation or airport transfer immediately after the stated return time.

Random seating is a more predictable annoyance. If you are traveling with friends or family, you may need to trade places with other passengers to sit together. The crew may help, but the arrangement is not designed around preselected tables.

WiFi is included, though the value of that depends on the signal at sea. I would treat it as useful if available, not as a reason to choose this cruise.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple, active day with several different scenes. It works especially well for:

• People who enjoy swimming and sunbathing more than extended sightseeing
• Families and groups who like an organized day with food included
• Visitors who want to see Trogir without arranging a separate transfer
• Anyone who enjoys boat rides, music, social seating, and open-water stops
• First-time visitors who want a broad sample of the coast around Split

I would hesitate if you want a calm sailing experience, a long visit in Trogir, or a serious snorkeling outing. I would also think twice if you cannot swim comfortably from the boat to the attractions.

The tour is not fully accessible in the usual shore-excursion sense. The boat can stop away from the swimming areas, and some activities require getting into the sea. Ask before booking if you need easy access between the boat and land or water.

Is $91 a fair price?

The value is reasonable when you use the inclusions. A separate boat ride, lunch, several drinks, two water stops, and transport to Trogir could add up quickly. You also avoid the work of coordinating ferries and local transfers.

The price is less attractive if the advertised extras matter most to you. If breakfast is only a croissant, the waterslide is unavailable, snorkeling equipment is limited, or the meal feels basic, the package becomes closer to an average boat-and-swim day than a premium experience.

There are many similar cruises around Split. I would compare the total price, not just the headline rate. Check whether other options include lunch, drinks, Trogir, snorkeling gear, and a second swim stop. This cruise is worth considering when its $91 price is close to competing options and you value the included food and drinks.

The strongest parts are the friendly crew, steady drink service, attractive coastal views, Blue Lagoon swim, and the chance to combine Trogir with Šolta in one day. The weak spots are short sightseeing time, variable food, random seating, uncertain equipment, and a program that can change without much notice.

Should you book this Split cruise?

Book it if you want a full day on the water and are happy with a flexible schedule. You will see Trogir, swim at the Blue Lagoon, try snorkeling near Kontessa, and receive enough food and drink to avoid buying lunch elsewhere.

Skip it if Trogir is your main reason for going. You will want several hours there, not one. Also skip it if you need guaranteed waterslide access, a full set of snorkeling equipment, reserved seating, or a shore stop that requires no swimming.

For the right person, this is a convenient and pleasant way to sample the coast around Split. Just book it as a social boat day with a short historic stop, not as a luxury cruise or a dedicated wreck-snorkeling trip.

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.

Can I board in Slatine instead of Split?

Yes. Boarding is available in Slatine from around 08:00 to 08:30, while Split boarding is around 09:00 to 09:15.

How long does the experience last?

The planned duration is nine hours. The stated return is around 18:30 in Split and 19:00 in Slatine, although timing can change.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a fish, meat, or vegetarian choice, followed by a fruit snack.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is available, but you need to pay a €10 safety deposit. Equipment may not be available in complete sets for everyone.

Is the waterslide included?

Use of the waterslide is listed as included, but it may not always be operating. In some cases, inflatables may be provided instead.

Can I cancel the booking?

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