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

The best part of this Split boat trip is the mix of underwater stops and island time. You swim above a small shipwreck in Nečujam Bay, wander the fishing village of Maslinica, then finish at the Blue Lagoon with lunch served beside the sea.

I like two things in particular. First, the modern 27-meter Yacht Tamaris makes a long day on the water far easier, with air-conditioned salons, toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and a bar. Second, the included food and drinks keep the price honest. The main drawback is timing: lunch comes late, often around 2:45 p.m., and the best outdoor seats go quickly.

Key details that shape the day

• Three very different stops: Swim over a shipwreck, visit Maslinica on Šolta, and spend the longest stop at the Blue Lagoon.
• A proper yacht rather than a small speedboat: Tamaris has three decks, two indoor salons, a bar, toilets, showers, and a sundeck.
• Lunch is included at the Blue Lagoon: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with a side dish and salad.
• Bring a small snack: The included croissant comes early, but lunch is late in the schedule.
• Arrive early for outdoor seating: The top deck has only about 20 sunbeds, while most regular seats are indoors.
• Extra drinks cost more: Local wine, water, and lemonade are included, but beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola are not.

Starting from Split’s Riva

Your day begins at Max Nautica, stand number 8 on Split’s Riva Promenade. Look for the small white stand beside the water, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave on time because of the port schedule, and this is not the sort of excursion where a late arrival can be easily absorbed. Keep your booking details handy and allow enough time to walk to the Riva if you are staying in Split’s old center.

Boarding is orderly, with the crew seating groups rather than allowing everyone to crowd aboard at once. That helps, but your first seating choice matters. If you want the sun deck, arrive early and head there as soon as you board. The sunbeds are limited, and some people spend the full day in the seats they claim at the start.

Tamaris is built for a large group, with capacity for up to about 150 people. That means you get space, stability, and proper facilities, but you should not expect a small, intimate sailing trip. Music plays lightly in the background, and there is a full bar for drinks that are not part of the package.

Coffee and croissant on the first cruise

The first hour is spent cruising away from Split toward Nečujam Bay. A coffee and croissant are served during the ride, which is a pleasant way to start, though it is not a full breakfast.

You can use this time to settle into your seat, watch the coast slip away, and learn how the day will work. The English-speaking crew gives instructions for the swimming stops and handles the included snorkeling equipment.

Tamaris has two air-conditioned salons, so you have shelter from strong sun or wind. The open decks are better for views, but the indoor areas are useful during the long stretches between stops. Charging sockets, clean toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and safety deposit boxes add practical comfort that smaller boats often lack.

The onboard Wi-Fi is a nice extra, though the real point of the cruise is to put your phone away for a while. Bring a camera if you want photographs, but protect it carefully around the swim stops.

Swimming above the Nečujam shipwreck

Nečujam Bay is the first active stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The main attraction is a small wreck beneath the surface, where you can look for fish and other underwater life.

The wreck is not a large dramatic vessel. Think of it as a modest sunken boat that gives the snorkeling stop a clear target. If you are a strong swimmer, you can make the most of it, but the exact location may not be obvious at first. Pay close attention to the crew’s directions before setting off.

This is one place where the supplied snorkeling equipment matters. You do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel, although you should bring a towel and beachwear. A €10 deposit has been mentioned for the gear, so carry cash in case that arrangement applies on your departure. The tour information lists snorkeling gear as included, but the deposit detail is worth checking when you board.

The sea may be calm and clear, but this is still an open-water activity. You need to be comfortable swimming from the boat to the wreck area. If that sounds like too much effort, you can simply swim near the boat or enjoy the stop from the deck.

Cruising toward Maslinica on Šolta

After Nečujam, the boat spends roughly 45 minutes cruising toward Maslinica. This is a good transition between the water-based activities and the island visit.

Maslinica is a small fishing village on the western side of Šolta. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you enough time for a short walk, a coffee in a local café, or a look at Marchi Castle and its park.

Do not treat this as a full island tour. You will get a taste of Maslinica rather than a detailed visit to Šolta. The value is in the change of pace: after the organized boat routine, you can step ashore, stretch your legs, and enjoy the village’s easygoing feel.

The castle and park provide a bit of character beyond the waterfront. If you want coffee, do not spend the whole hour standing at the first convenient table. Start with a quick walk, then choose a café if time allows. The stop is short enough that a slow meal or ambitious sightseeing plan will not fit comfortably.

Some people would prefer more than an hour here. I understand that. Maslinica is the kind of place that rewards lingering, but the day is designed to cover three separate locations, so the schedule keeps moving.

Blue Lagoon lunch beside the water

The Blue Lagoon is the final major stop and the longest, with about two hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. It sits on Drvenik Veliki Island and is the visual high point of the day, with clear turquoise water and a beach setting.

Lunch is served at a private restaurant on the beach rather than on the boat. That is a useful arrangement because you can sit down properly, eat with a view, and avoid balancing a plate on a moving deck.

You choose from fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option, served with a side dish and salad. Fresh fruit follows as dessert. The food is simple rather than elaborate, but it fits the setting and is a meaningful part of the $74 price.

The fish is generally a grilled whole fish, which can include plenty of bones. If you choose it, take your time and do not expect a neat boneless fillet. Chicken is a safer choice if you want an easier meal, while the vegetarian plate gives non-meat eaters a clear option.

The lunch hour can arrive late because the Blue Lagoon is the final stop. On some departures, food has been served around 2:45 p.m. The early coffee and croissant will not carry everyone that far, especially children, so pack a small snack. You can buy some extra food such as chips onboard, but it is smarter to bring something you know you will eat.

Two hours for swimming and shade

Once lunch is over, you have free time around the Blue Lagoon. You can swim from the beach, use the snorkeling gear, order a cocktail, walk around the bay, or retreat to the shade of the old pine trees.

The sea here is the reason this stop is so popular. The water is clear enough for easy swimming and casual snorkeling, although the beach can be rocky underfoot. Water shoes would be useful, but they are not listed among the required items, so bring them only if you already have room.

A practical trick is to use both sides of the stop. The beach restaurant is convenient for lunch and drinks, but the water beside the boat may be deeper and easier for swimming than the rocky shallows near shore. You can return to Tamaris after eating and swim from the back of the boat if the crew permits it at that point in the schedule.

The two-hour stop sounds generous, but lunch takes part of it. If you want a proper swim, do not linger too long over the meal. This is also the point where many people wish they had more time, so decide early whether your priority is snorkeling, swimming, sun, or a cocktail.

What is included for $74

At $74 per person, this is good value for a full eight-hour outing if you plan to use the inclusions. You are paying for the boat, crew, three destinations, breakfast snack, snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruit, and unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade.

The local wine is included throughout the day, as are water and lemonade. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra at the onboard bar. Bring cash because card acceptance onboard is not guaranteed.

The boat itself helps justify the price. Four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, indoor salons, a bar, and safety deposit boxes make this more comfortable than a basic island-hopping boat. The hull is stable, and the facilities are kept clean.

Still, value depends on your expectations. If you want a quiet sailing trip with personal attention, a vessel carrying up to 150 people may feel too large. If you want an efficient day with reliable facilities and food included, the larger boat is a strength.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option also make it easier to fit into a changing Split schedule. Check the available departure time when booking, since the start time can vary.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this for anyone who wants to see several coastal stops without arranging ferries, restaurants, and snorkeling separately. It works especially well for first-time visitors to Split who want a single day on the water.

Families can enjoy it too, although parents should bring snacks for the late lunch and keep an eye on children during the swim to the wreck. The boat’s toilets, showers, indoor seating, and food service make the day easier with children than a small open speedboat.

Solo visitors can fit in comfortably because the crew handles the structure of the day and there are shared spaces onboard. Couples and groups will appreciate the mix of swimming, village time, lunch, and deck space.

This is less suitable if you dislike fixed schedules, crowds, or organized seating. You also need to be comfortable with basic open-water swimming if you want to reach the shipwreck and make full use of the snorkeling stops.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack light, but bring the items that matter:

• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Towel and beachwear
• Comfortable clothes
• Camera
• A small snack, especially for children
• Cash for possible snorkeling deposits and extra drinks

Arrive early if the top deck matters to you. Only around 20 sunbeds are available there, while most seats are inside or on lower decks. You may still have a comfortable place onboard, but you should not assume you can claim a sunbed later in the morning.

Wear clothes that work for both a boat ride and a swim. A light layer is useful in case the cruise feels cool, while sunscreen remains important even when you are sitting in the shade.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Šolta cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized full day from Split with several stops and most costs covered upfront. The strongest features are the clean, stable Tamaris, friendly English-speaking crew, useful onboard facilities, and the easy combination of shipwreck snorkeling, Maslinica, and Blue Lagoon swimming.

Think twice if you need long, unhurried visits at each place. Maslinica gets about an hour, the Blue Lagoon shares its two hours with lunch, and the shipwreck requires a swim that may not suit everyone. Arrive early, bring a snack, and choose your seating with care. With those points in mind, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend a day around Dalmatia.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at Max Nautica, stand number 8 on Split Riva Promenade. The small white stand is beside the sea, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point on Split’s Riva Promenade.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts eight hours. Check the available start time when booking.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour is conducted in English by an English-speaking crew.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at a private beach restaurant at the Blue Lagoon. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with a side dish and salad, followed by fresh fruit dessert.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade are included. Coffee is served with the morning croissant. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the swimming stops. A €10 deposit has been noted for the equipment, so check the arrangement when boarding and carry cash.

What should I bring?

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

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave strictly on time because of the port schedule and the planned route.