From Split: Private Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Tour

This private boat trip packs three very different Adriatic stops into five hours: UNESCO-listed Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on Šolta Island. You get a historic town, open-water swimming, and a quiet fishing village without being tied to a large group schedule. The speedboat ride between stops is part of the fun, though a rough sea can force a change or cancellation.

I like the mix of sightseeing and swimming, and I like that the boat still goes out for a small booking rather than needing a packed departure. The crew gets high marks for friendly, personal service, with owner Marin singled out by name. My main caution is simple: this is an active boat outing with several short rides, so it is not a good fit for anyone with back or heart problems, very young children, or anyone who dislikes a brisk ride on open water.

Key points at a glance

• Three stops with three different moods: Walk through old Trogir, swim and snorkel at the Blue Lagoon, then slow down in Maslinica.
• Private group pricing: The $689 rate covers up to nine people, making the cost more reasonable when shared by a full group.
• A welcoming crew: Marin, the owner, is praised for friendly and professional service, while the skipper provides the boat ride and safety equipment.
• Plenty of water time: The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 80 minutes and includes time for swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and photos.
• A small-town finish: Maslinica offers clear water, quiet beaches, nature views, and a fishing-village setting.
• Sea conditions matter: The route can change or be cancelled because of unpredictable sea conditions.

Why this private Split boat trip works

A five-hour tour can easily become a rushed checklist. This one has a better rhythm. You begin with a historic town, shift to a swimming stop, and finish in a small island village. That variety gives the outing more purpose than simply racing to a beach and back.

The private format is the key advantage. Your group can be as small as two people or as large as nine, with the same $689 group price. For nine people, that works out to about $77 per person. For two, it is a major splurge, so I would judge the price by how much you value privacy, a dedicated skipper, and a boat schedule built around your group.

The experience is run by SplitBoatTravel, with an English-speaking guide. The service feels personal rather than formal. Marin, the owner, has been described as friendly and professional, and one small detail says a lot about the tone: a bottle of wine was given to a group at the end of its outing. That is not listed as a standard inclusion, so do not count on it, but it suggests a host who likes to make the day feel special.

At the same time, keep your expectations in check. This is not a full-day island cruise with long meals and hours at every stop. Trogir gets about an hour, the Blue Lagoon about 80 minutes, and Maslinica about 45 minutes, with boat rides between them. You see a lot, but you will not explore each place at length.

Starting at Church Sv. Frane in Split

The meeting point is Church Sv. Frane at Trg Franje Tuđmana 1. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there.

The first ride lasts about 30 minutes. That transfer is not wasted time. It gives you an early look at the coast from the water and gets you away from Split’s busy center without a long road transfer. You should expect a speedboat rather than a slow sightseeing boat, so wear secure clothing and bring anything you need to protect from sun and spray.

The boat comes with safety equipment, and the skipper handles the driving. A 0.5-liter bottle of water is included, though I would bring extra water for five hours in the sun. Food and other drinks are not included, so plan to buy lunch or refreshments during the stops.

The boat is described as luxurious, but the supplied details do not specify its exact model or seating arrangement. I would think of the word as meaning a private, comfortable speedboat experience rather than a formal yacht cruise with onboard catering.

Trogir: one hour among Venetian stone

Trogir is the first stop, and it is a smart choice. The town has more than 2,300 years of history, and its historic center has UNESCO World Heritage status because of its Venetian architecture. You do not need hours to appreciate its compact old center. In about 60 minutes, you can walk, take photographs, and get a quick taste of its stone streets and harbor setting.

I like beginning here because it gives the tour a cultural anchor before the swimming begins. Trogir is easy to explore on foot, and the short visit suits anyone who wants a quick look rather than a detailed museum day.

The limitation is also clear: one hour goes quickly. You will have time for a walk and a general look around, but not a slow architectural study or a long café stop. If Trogir is your main reason for visiting, spend a separate half-day there. On this boat trip, treat it as an appealing first chapter.

After Trogir, you return to the speedboat for another 30-minute ride. The boat itself becomes part of the outing here. This is a coastal route built around movement, open views, and short transitions, not a land tour with long commentary.

Blue Lagoon: 80 minutes for swimming and snorkeling

The Blue Lagoon is the main water stop, with roughly 80 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and a drink. Snorkeling equipment, a diving mask, safety gear, and the boat ride are included. Beer, cocktails, coffee, and wine appear among the available activities at this stop, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so budget for purchases.

The water is presented as clear and inviting, and the setting is described as a small piece of paradise surrounded by untouched nature. The lagoon is also said to be a natural habitat for dolphins, but dolphin sightings are not promised. That is exactly how you should approach it: enjoy the water and scenery, and regard dolphins as an unlikely bonus rather than part of the product.

This is where the tour feels most relaxed. You can get in the water, use the provided mask and snorkeling gear, and take photographs without spending the whole stop on a guided activity. The 80-minute window is long enough for a proper swim, though it will feel short if you want an extended snorkel, a drink, and plenty of time on the boat.

I would bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones or cameras. Those items are not listed as included, and the supplied information does not say that towels are provided. The safety gear is covered, but your personal comfort items are your responsibility.

After the lagoon, the next speedboat run is only about 15 minutes. That short transfer helps preserve the relaxed pace and leaves time for the final island stop.

Maslinica on Šolta: a quieter final stop

Maslinica is a fishing village on Šolta Island, and it changes the mood again. Instead of Trogir’s old stone center or the Blue Lagoon’s open-water focus, you get a small coastal settlement with nature views, clear sea, and unspoiled beaches.

The scheduled stop lasts about 45 minutes. It includes time for photographs, a visit, a walk, lunch, and swimming. In practice, that is enough for a quick stroll and a look at the waterfront, with perhaps a short swim or a meal if you choose your priorities carefully. It is not enough for a leisurely lunch, a long beach session, and a full village exploration all at once.

Maslinica is probably the most appealing stop for anyone who prefers quiet places to major sights. You can slow down here and enjoy the setting rather than trying to collect another landmark. I would not expect a detailed village tour, since the supplied information does not promise one. Think of it as a peaceful island pause with choices about how to use your limited time.

The ride back to Split takes about 40 minutes. That is the longest single boat transfer of the day, so it is a good time to settle in, enjoy the coast, and let the skipper handle the route.

What the crew and inclusions add

A private boat trip depends heavily on the crew. The skipper is responsible for driving, safety equipment, and the flow of the day, while the English-language guidance helps you understand what you are seeing. The people who have spent time with this operator describe a friendly, welcoming style, and Marin is specifically praised for professional service.

That personal attention matters more on a five-hour private trip than it would on a large shared cruise. With your own group, you are not simply one passenger among dozens. You can ask questions, clarify the timing, and enjoy a more relaxed social atmosphere.

The included equipment covers the basics:

• Speedboat transport
• Skipper
• Snorkeling equipment
• Diving mask
• Safety gear
• Tour photo
• 0.5-liter bottle of water
• Insurance

The tour photo is a nice touch, but no details are provided about when or how it is delivered. Food and drinks are extra, and hotel transfers are not included. Those omissions are reasonable for a private boat outing, but they affect your budget and planning.

Is $689 a fair price for up to nine people?

The price makes the most sense for a family group, a group of friends, or several couples traveling together. At the full capacity of nine, the per-person cost is about $77. That buys five hours of private transport, a skipper, equipment, and a route that combines three stops.

For four people, the cost is about $172 per person. For two, it is about $345 per person, which is expensive unless privacy and flexibility are central to your plans. A shared boat would likely be the better value for a small party, but no shared-tour price is provided here, so I would compare current options before booking.

The real value is not the number of destinations. It is the private format and the range of experiences. You avoid a large group, get a dedicated boat, and can spend the day with people you know. The tradeoff is that meals, drinks, and transportation to the meeting point cost extra.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups that want an easy coastal day with a little history, a good swim, and a quiet island stop. It suits people who like variety and do not want to spend all five hours in one place.

It is also a good choice for anyone who values service. The warm response to the crew, especially Marin, is one of the strongest reasons to consider this operator. The experience appears to rely on a friendly host as much as on the route.

I would think twice if you have back problems, heart problems, or discomfort with speedboat travel. The tour is not suitable for children under five, babies under one, people taller than 200 centimeters, or anyone over 135 kilograms. Those limits are important, not minor footnotes.

Sea conditions are another real concern. The route may change, or the outing may be cancelled, because the sea can be unpredictable. That is normal for a boat trip, but you should avoid placing an important flight, wedding, or other fixed event immediately after it.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

My call: book it for the right kind of day

Book this tour if you want a private, well-paced taste of the coast rather than a deep visit to any single place. Trogir gives you history, the Blue Lagoon gives you swimming and snorkeling, and Maslinica gives you a quieter island setting. That combination is the strongest part of the outing.

I would book it for a group of six to nine, where the price becomes much easier to justify. I would also book it for a group that values a friendly crew and a private boat more than a long lunch or a full day at sea.

Skip it if you want extensive time in Trogir, guaranteed dolphin sightings, included meals, or a weather-proof plan. For everyone else, this is a lively five-hour escape from Split with enough culture and calm water time to feel like a proper Dalmatian day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Church Sv. Frane at Trg Franje Tuđmana 1 in Split.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including the boat rides and stops.

How many people can join the private group?

The price covers a private group of up to nine people.

What languages are available?

The tour is conducted in English.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment, a diving mask, safety gear, and a 0.5-liter bottle of water are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

How much time is spent at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 80 minutes.

Can I expect to see dolphins?

The Blue Lagoon is described as a natural dolphin habitat, but dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The tour may be changed or cancelled because of unpredictable sea conditions.