Split Boat Trip Half-Day: Blue Lagoon, Trogir & Čiovo

The best part of this Split boat trip is its mix of clear-water swimming and old-town exploring. You spend time on the sea, not just looking at it from a ferry, then finish in Trogir, a compact UNESCO-listed town with Greek, Roman, medieval, and Game of Thrones connections.

I like the small boat, limited to 12 people, and the stop at Borkko beach bar on Čiovo. The pace also sounds well judged, with enough time to swim, snorkel, relax, and walk through Trogir. The trade-off is that a speedboat ride can feel bumpy, and the route may change in rough weather.

• Thirty-minute speedboat ride: Reach the Blue Lagoon quickly from Split instead of spending much of the day in transit.
• Shallow Blue Lagoon waters: Swim above sand and crushed shells that give the sea its striking blue color.
• Čiovo beach-bar stop: Relax beside the water at Borkko, with time for a swim or a drink.
• Small group of 12: The boat feels more personal and less crowded than a large excursion vessel.
• Trogir’s UNESCO old town: Walk through a town shaped by more than 2,400 years of settlement.
• Helpful named guides: Past groups have singled out Nino, Theresa, Frankie, and Franco for their friendly approach, good pacing, and local information.

A Small Speedboat With a Big Sea Day Ahead

This trip is a good choice if you want more than a standard sightseeing cruise from Split. You get a lively ride, several chances to swim, a little snorkeling, a beach-bar break, and a proper visit to Trogir.

The boat carries up to 12 people, which matters. You are not packed into a large party vessel, and the skipper can keep the group together without turning every stop into a major production. Several guides and skippers have earned praise for creating a relaxed mood, playing music, and keeping the schedule moving at a comfortable pace.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. From Split, the first transfer to the Blue Lagoon takes about 30 minutes by speedboat. You can expect wind, spray, and a quicker, more active trip than you would get on a slow passenger boat. If you have never taken a speedboat, give yourself a little time to settle in. One past passenger needed a few minutes to get comfortable, but found the skipper safe and capable.

The boat has room for only 12 people, but this is still an open-air sea trip. Bring a light jacket or other warm layer, even on a hot day. Wind on the water can make the ride feel cooler than the quay in Split.

Blue Lagoon: Swim Over Sand and Shells

The Blue Lagoon sits on the southeastern side of Drvenik Island. Its shallow water and seafloor of sand and crushed shells help create the bright blue appearance that gives the spot its name.

This is the tour’s main swimming stop. You can get into the water, float, and use the supplied goggles to look for underwater life. The setting is more about clear sea, sunlight, and easy swimming than dramatic scenery on land. If you want a calm place to cool off, this is likely the strongest part of the outing.

The shallow water makes the lagoon approachable for confident swimmers who prefer not to deal with depth right away. Still, the tour is not designed for people with mobility problems, back problems, serious medical conditions, or for wheelchair users. Children under three and pregnant women are also not accepted.

The included snorkeling equipment consists of goggles. That lets you look below the surface, but the equipment list does not promise fins or a full snorkel set. If snorkeling is important to you, ask the operator what is available before departure, or bring anything you consider essential.

Plan to bring your own towel and swimwear. Food and drinks are not included, so pack refreshments unless you plan to buy something during the Čiovo stop. A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are practical additions, though sunscreen is not specifically listed among the included items.

Necujam Bay and the Underwater View

The route also includes Necujam Bay, another chance to see the sea from the water rather than from a crowded waterfront. The exact timing between the Blue Lagoon and Necujam is not specified, so the order or length of each water stop may vary.

This part of the trip suits you if you like variety. You are not spending the whole outing at one beach. Instead, the boat links several bays and islands, giving you changing views and more than one place to swim or use the goggles.

The water is the main attraction here, so expectations should stay realistic. This is not a dedicated marine-life expedition, and no special underwater equipment is promised. Think of it as casual snorkeling during an island trip, with the freedom to look around when conditions are good.

A skipper may alter the route if the sea is rough or the weather turns poor. That is sensible on a small speedboat, but it means you should not treat every stop as guaranteed in exactly the advertised order.

Čiovo’s Borkko Beach Bar Stop

After time in the water, the trip heads to Čiovo Island and Borkko beach bar. The bar sits directly beside the sea, making this the easiest stop for a slower break.

You can swim again, sit by the water, or buy a drink. Food and beverages are not part of the $69 price, so budget separately for anything you want at the bar. This stop gives the day a useful change of rhythm. After the noise and movement of the boat, you can pause without having to leave the coast.

The beach-bar setting also makes Čiovo different from the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon is about natural swimming conditions and bright water. Borkko is about comfort, music, a drink, and a casual seaside mood. If you want an organized trip with some downtime built in, that contrast works well.

Do not expect a long, private beach stay. This is one stop in a multi-part route, and the group will continue to Trogir. Past passengers appreciated the way the schedule gave each place enough time without dragging out any one stop. That balance is important on a short excursion.

Trogir, a Town Built for Wandering

Trogir gives the trip a strong finish because it changes the subject completely. After islands, bays, and swimming, you walk through a compact historic town surrounded by channels.

Trogir is often compared with Little Venice. Its settlement reaches back about 2,400 years to the Greek colonization of this coast, and the old town has UNESCO protection dating from 1997. You do not need a full day to get a sense of the place. The historic center is compact enough for a focused walk, though the tour does not specify exactly how much free time you receive.

This is where an English-speaking guide can add real value. Theresa was praised for setting a comfortable pace and explaining Croatian island history. Frankie was appreciated for adjusting information to the group’s interests. Names such as Nino and Franco also appear in connection with friendly hosting, good music, and a capable approach to the boat ride.

If you have an interest in television locations, the city also connects with Game of Thrones filming sites and the story of the Unsullied. That detail gives the walk an extra hook, but Trogir is worth visiting even if you have never watched the show. Its older streets and surrounding water are the main reason to come.

Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. The information provided does not describe the exact surfaces, route, or walking distance, but an old-town visit naturally involves walking rather than simply viewing Trogir from the boat.

What the $69 Price Really Covers

At $69 per person, the trip offers a fair package for a small-group boat outing from central Split. The price includes transportation by speedboat, an English-speaking captain and crew, goggles, insurance, and VAT.

The boat transfer is the costly part to arrange independently. You also receive a route linking the Blue Lagoon, Necujam Bay, Čiovo, and Trogir without having to coordinate boats or ferry schedules yourself. For a visitor who wants several coastal stops in one outing, that convenience adds value.

You still need to pay for food and drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also excluded, so you must reach the Gray Line office on Split’s Riva promenade. It is next to the entrance to Diocletian’s cellars, a central location that should be easy to combine with time in the old city.

The main question is not simply price. It is how much you value a small boat and an organized route. If you want to spend the day on a large vessel with lots of facilities, this is not that kind of trip. If you prefer a limited group, quicker transfers, and several short experiences in one day, $69 is reasonable.

Guides, Music, and the Feel of the Ride

The strongest personal element is the crew. Several specific names have received praise: Nino for his hosting, Theresa for her pacing and Croatian history, Frankie for adapting to group interests, and Franco for good music and a friendly atmosphere.

That does not mean you should expect one particular guide on every departure. The information identifies these people from different outings, not as a guaranteed crew lineup. Still, it tells you what kind of service the operator aims for: informal, social, and attentive rather than stiff or heavily scripted.

Music is part of the mood, according to the supplied feedback. That can make the boat feel festive, especially on a sunny day, but it may not suit anyone looking for a silent nature cruise. The small boat also means you will be close to the other people in your group. For solo visitors and couples who like meeting people, that can be a plus. For anyone wanting privacy, it may feel more social than expected.

Safety is another practical point. One first-time speedboat passenger found the experience slightly uncomfortable at first but did not feel unsafe, noting the skipper’s experience and controlled driving. Sea conditions can change, so the operator reserves the right to alter the route if the water is rough.

Who Should Book This Split Boat Trip?

I would choose this trip if you want a compact taste of Dalmatia without spending the whole day in one place. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, friends, and solo visitors who like a small group and an active schedule.

It is especially useful during a short stay in Split. You can leave from the Riva, see several coastal spots, and visit Trogir without arranging separate transport. The mix of water and history also helps prevent the day from becoming repetitive.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, get uncomfortable on open water, or need a highly accessible activity. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, children under three, or people with back problems and certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Pack light, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Warm clothing for the boat ride
• Food and drinks
• Any personal snorkeling gear you prefer

Pets are not allowed. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still shifting.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want clear water, a small speedboat, and Trogir in one outing. The best features are the limited group size, the lively but relaxed crew style, and the change from swimming at the Blue Lagoon to walking through a historic town.

Skip it if you want a quiet, private boat charter, a long beach stay, or a fully predictable route in every kind of weather. For most able-bodied visitors who enjoy a little speed and variety, this is a well-priced way to see more of the Split coast than you could manage on foot.

FAQ

How much does the Split boat trip cost?

The price is $69 per person. It includes speedboat transportation, an English-speaking captain and crew, snorkeling goggles, insurance, and VAT.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Gray Line office on Split’s Riva promenade, next to the entrance to Diocletian’s cellars. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What places does the boat trip visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island, Necujam Bay, Čiovo Island, Borkko beach bar, and the old town of Trogir.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You should bring refreshments or budget for purchases at the Čiovo beach bar.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and food and drinks. Snorkeling goggles are included.

Can the route change?

Yes. The provider may change the route if bad weather or rough sea conditions make the planned route unsuitable.

Who cannot join this activity?

The trip is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Pets are not allowed.