Blue Lagoon and hidden gems of island Šolta

The best part of this day is the freedom of a private speedboat. You can reach several islands in one outing, swim at Blue Lagoon, stroll through a Šolta village, and finish with another snorkeling stop instead of spending the whole day in one crowded resort.

I like the easy mix of water time and village time. I also like that the price covers the boat, skipper, fuel, bottled water, safety gear, wind jackets, and snorkeling equipment. The main concern is that the quality of the day may depend heavily on the skipper and the lunch arrangement. One reported outing had little explanation, equipment that was not clearly provided, and a shortened finish.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon comes first: You get time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in one of the area’s best-known swimming spots.
• Šolta adds a local pause: Maslinica gives you a chance to walk around and stop for coffee before returning to the water.
• Lunch is by Stomorska Bay: You pay separately for food, and a restaurant table may be arranged in advance.
• The boat is private: The quoted $742 price covers a group of up to seven people, not seven separate fares.
• The final snorkeling stop is less predictable: It is described as a quiet spot, but conditions and crowd levels can change.
• This is an active day: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a willingness to handle a fast boat.

A full day on the Adriatic, starting with the boat

This tour begins at 9:00 AM at a prearranged meeting point and returns around 6:00 PM. The exact meeting place depends on the option you book, so I would confirm it before the morning of your trip.

You meet an English-speaking skipper and board a private speedboat. The boat ride is part of the attraction, not just transportation. As you move away from the coast, you get broad views across the Dalmatian islands, with the wind and open water setting the tone for the day.

The private format matters most if you are traveling with family or a small group of friends. You are not sharing the boat with a large excursion crowd, and the group limit of seven makes it easier to keep the day together. At the same time, a private boat does not automatically mean a fully customized tour. Your skipper still controls the route, timing, and pace, so ask early about how much time you will have at each stop.

The boat includes fuel, safety equipment, bottled water, snorkeling gear, and wind jackets. Still, one account of the trip reported that the water, jackets, and safety equipment were not obvious or clearly offered. I would ask the skipper to point out the safety gear before leaving and confirm that snorkeling equipment is available in the sizes you need.

Blue Lagoon: the strongest swimming stop

The first main stop is Blue Lagoon Beach near Drvenik Island. This is the part of the day most likely to please everyone in your group, since you can choose between swimming, snorkeling, and simply lying near the water.

The water is the reason to come. The lagoon setting creates a sheltered-feeling place for a long swim, and the provided snorkeling equipment lets you look for fish close to shore. One family-focused account found this stop especially good for children who wanted to swim and watch fish, though children must stay with an adult at all times.

You should treat Blue Lagoon as a popular stop, not a private cove. The area can attract other boats, especially in the height of summer. Bring your own mask if you care strongly about fit, but the tour does provide snorkeling equipment. A towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential, since the day offers plenty of time in direct sun.

The schedule does not state exactly how long you stay here. That is worth asking about when you meet the skipper. A short stop will feel rushed if you want both swimming and snorkeling, while a longer stop may be perfect for your group if water time is the main reason you booked.

Maslinica on Šolta: a short look at island life

After Blue Lagoon, the boat makes a short run to Maslinica on Šolta. Here, you get free time to explore the village and stop for coffee.

This pause gives the day a useful change of pace. Instead of moving from one swimming site to another, you can walk around, look at the waterfront, and see a little of daily island life. I like this kind of stop because it helps you understand that Šolta is more than a backdrop for a boat trip.

Keep your expectations modest. The visit is not presented as a guided historical tour, and the skipper may not give a detailed explanation of what you are seeing. One reported outing included little information about the village, so you may need to ask questions yourself. If local context matters to you, ask the skipper what he recommends seeing and how much walking time you have before leaving the boat.

The free time is also useful for coffee, especially if your group wants a break from the sun. You pay for food and drinks on the islands, so carry a payment method and allow for those extra costs.

Stomorska Bay: lunch with a view, but check the plan

The next stop is Stomorska Bay, where you have lunch at one of the seaside restaurants. Traditional Dalmatian specialties are part of the appeal, but meals are not included in the tour price.

A waterfront lunch can be one of the nicest parts of a long boat day. You get shade, a proper seat, and time to slow down after the morning in the water. It also gives you a chance to try local food instead of relying only on snacks brought aboard.

There is one practical issue to clarify. A reported outing had a restaurant table reserved without the group’s approval, and the meal was disappointing. I would ask the skipper before sitting down whether the restaurant is optional, what kind of food is available, and whether you may choose another place in Stomorska.

This matters because the tour price does not cover lunch or drinks. If you are traveling with seven people, a restaurant bill can add a noticeable amount to the day’s cost. You may prefer to agree on a spending limit, review the menu first, or ask if you can make your own choice.

The itinerary allows time in Stomorska, but it does not specify the length of the lunch stop. If you want to explore the bay as well as eat, ask how much time is set aside. The skipper may need to keep the boat on schedule for the final snorkeling stop and the return journey.

The final snorkeling stop and the question of crowding

After lunch, you head to a spot described as a quieter place for snorkeling and fun in the water. This is an appealing idea because it gives the day a second chance to feel relaxed after the busy Blue Lagoon.

The exact location is not named, and that is important. You cannot judge in advance how easy it will be to enter the water, how much room there will be, or what marine life you might see. Conditions, boat traffic, and weather can change the experience from one day to the next.

One outing included a shipwreck stop that felt overcrowded, with boats moving close to swimmers. That does not prove every trip uses the same site or has the same problem, but it is a useful safety reminder. Stay close to the boat or the area your skipper identifies, keep watch for other vessels, and do not swim into a busy channel.

Ask directly if the final stop is the intended quiet snorkeling location and how long you will stay. If your group prefers a calm swim over a particular attraction, say so early. The private format gives you a better chance of discussing preferences, but it does not guarantee every request can be met.

What the $742 group price really buys

The price is $742 for a private group of up to seven people. If seven people fill the boat, that works out to about $106 per person before lunch, drinks, and personal expenses. A group of four would pay about $186 per person, so the value changes sharply with group size.

For a full group, the price can make sense if you want a private boat, a nine-hour schedule, and transport between several islands without arranging separate boats yourself. Fuel and the skipper are included, as are bottled water, safety equipment, wind jackets, and snorkeling equipment.

For a small party, the cost is harder to justify unless privacy is a major priority. You are paying for the boat and the day, not for an included meal or a guided cultural program. The experience is strongest for people who value swimming, scenery, and flexible time on the water.

I would compare the price with the cost of a shared boat trip, but do not compare only by the number of stops. A shared excursion may cost less, yet give you less room and less say in the pace. This private trip gives you a more personal setting, though the actual level of flexibility depends on the skipper.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

Nine hours on a speedboat is a long day in the sun. You should be comfortable with wind, spray, frequent boat movement, and several transitions between boat, beach, village, and restaurant.

Pack these essentials:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• High-protection sunscreen
• A phone or camera in a waterproof case
• Money for lunch, coffee, drinks, and personal purchases
• Any medication or personal items you need for a full day away from shore

Wind jackets are listed as included, but I would not rely on them as your only warm layer. Conditions can feel cooler during the boat ride, even on a sunny day. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with serious back problems, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The boat and swimming stops also make this a poor fit if you want a slow, fully accessible sightseeing day. The tour is built around getting on and off a boat, swimming, and moving between islands.

What can affect the quality of the day

The route itself is attractive, but the human side of the trip matters. You will spend many hours with one skipper, and the skipper’s communication can shape the whole experience.

I would ask three questions at the start:

• How long will we stay at each stop?
• Is the lunch restaurant optional, and can we choose where to eat?
• Is the final snorkeling stop safe for swimming today?

Also ask the skipper to show you the safety equipment, wind jackets, snorkeling gear, and bottled water. These items are part of the advertised package, and it is reasonable to confirm them before the boat leaves.

Keep an eye on the return time. One reported trip ended more than an hour early, with a fast run back and no discussion about adding time elsewhere. Most boat schedules need some flexibility, but you should not assume that unused time will automatically be replaced with another stop. If you care about receiving the full day, ask what happens if the boat returns early.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Croatian schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the weather and meeting point before you go.

Who will enjoy this Šolta boat trip most

I would choose this outing for a group that wants a full day of water, island scenery, and a few easy stops on land. It suits families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want their own boat rather than a large shared excursion.

It works best if you:

• Want several islands in one day
• Enjoy swimming and snorkeling more than formal sightseeing
• Like having lunch by the sea
• Are happy to pay separately for food and drinks
• Prefer a private group setting
• Can handle a fast boat and a long day outdoors

I would look elsewhere if you need detailed guiding, guaranteed restaurant choice, a carefully timed cultural itinerary, or full accessibility. The village stops are brief and lightly explained, and the final snorkeling location is not specified in advance.

Should you book Blue Lagoon and Šolta?

Book it if your priority is a private day on the water with Blue Lagoon, Šolta villages, lunch by the sea, and more than one chance to snorkel. The value is strongest when six or seven people share the $742 price.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, the expected stop lengths, the lunch arrangement, and the equipment on board. I would also make clear that you want to use the full scheduled day and ask how the skipper handles crowded swimming areas.

This is not the right pick for a detailed island tour or a guaranteed food experience. It is a boat-and-swimming day first, with a light taste of village life added along the way. If that balance suits you, it offers a practical way to see several Dalmatian islands without organizing the route yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at 9:00 AM at a prearranged meeting point and returns to the original starting point around 6:00 PM. The meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The boat is reserved for a private group of up to seven people.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks on the islands are not included. Lunch is planned at a seaside restaurant in Stomorska Bay, and you should confirm the restaurant arrangement with the skipper.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, bottled water, wind jackets, fuel, and the professional English-speaking skipper are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You should also bring money for lunch, drinks, coffee, and personal expenses.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with mobility limitations?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for babies under one year old, pregnant women, or people with serious back problems.