Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Island Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of this cruise is simple: you get three very different swims without arranging ferries, taxis, meals, or beach gear yourself. The Blue Lagoon supplies the brightest water and the most fun jumping platform, while Šolta and Čiovo give the day some variety.

I like the easy all-in price, with breakfast, lunch, drinks, sunbeds, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment included. I also like the crew’s friendly service, with Mario, Bepo, Bapo, and Ivana singled out by name in feedback. The main catch is the large boat and long stretches at sea, and the advertised shipwreck stop may no longer happen because the wreck has reportedly been removed.

Key points to know before you book

• Three swim stops in one day: Visit Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo, with roughly 75 minutes at the first and final stops and two hours at the lagoon.
• Lunch is more useful than fancy: Choose a beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger with fries.
• Drinks are included: Water, lemonade, and wine are available through the day, though coffee and other drinks may cost extra.
• The boat suits social groups: Expect music, sunbeds, and a lively shared outing rather than a quiet private charter.
• The shipwreck detail needs checking: The original plan includes Nečujam shipwreck, but recent information says it has been removed.
• The meeting point matters: Find stand 11 on Split’s Riva promenade, and arrive early because the waterfront can be confusing.

Starting from Split’s Riva promenade

You meet the crew in front of stand 11 at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, the main Riva promenade. This is central and convenient, but do not treat the promenade as one obvious boarding spot. One person had trouble telling the berths and stands apart and nearly missed departure, so give yourself extra time.

Once aboard, you settle into a sightseeing boat with a sundeck, sunbeds, WiFi, snorkeling equipment, and a bar service. The boat is described as comfortable and well kept, but it is a shared cruise with a large group. One review refers to about 100 people on board, so expect company, music, and a social mood rather than an intimate sail.

The first hour is spent cruising away from Split. That sounds long on paper, especially at the beginning of the day, but it gives you time to find a seat, take in the coast, and get comfortable on the water. The return ride takes about 75 minutes, so bring something to read or simply treat the boat as part of the outing.

The crew serves breakfast donuts and a welcome drink early on. This is a light start, not a full breakfast, but it is a useful touch before swimming. The boat ride was smooth for several people who normally feel uneasy at sea, and the crew helped one passenger who became seasick at the beginning. If you know you are sensitive to motion, sit where the boat feels steady and tell the crew early.

Šolta and the Nečujam shipwreck question

The first island stop is Šolta, where the planned swimming area is Nečujam. The scheduled stop lasts about 75 minutes and includes breakfast, swimming, and snorkeling. The water gives you a gentle introduction to the day, with time to get used to the temperature before the more famous Blue Lagoon stop.

The original appeal here is the Nečujam shipwreck, an abandoned vessel surrounded by fish and clear water. You are supposed to swim and look around it with the provided equipment. That detail makes this stop different from a standard beach break.

There is an important update, though. A recent booking experience said the shipwreck had been removed and that the boat stopped at another attractive spot instead. Because the supplied tour details still describe the wreck, you should confirm its current status before booking if this is the main reason you want the cruise. The first stop remains useful for swimming, but the exact underwater attraction may have changed.

The snorkeling gear is included, although it may be basic. One person described it as a diving mask with a nose cover rather than a full snorkel setup. You can still see fish and the clear water, but serious snorkelers should bring their own equipment if underwater viewing is a priority. A deposit is required for the supplied gear, so keep that small extra cost in mind.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The cruise continues to the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island. This is the visual centerpiece, with clear turquoise water and a broad area for swimming. The boat stops for about two hours, giving you more time here than at either of the other locations.

You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, stretch out on a sunbed, or jump from the upper level into the water. The jumping is a big part of the fun, though it is optional. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable getting into open water from the boat.

The Blue Lagoon can feel busy, especially during the main summer season. This is not a private cove reserved for your group. The benefit is that you get a well-known swimming area without working out local transport or hiring your own boat. The tradeoff is shared space, music, and a crowd on deck.

Lunch is served during this part of the day. You choose from three main options:

• 100 percent beef burger with fries
• Tuna steak burger with fries
• Vegetarian burger with fries

The tuna burger receives the most consistent praise, and several people specifically recommended it. The beef option also works well for a straightforward meal. The vegetarian burger has received a more mixed reaction, so choose it because it suits your diet, not because you expect a creative plant-based dish.

This is practical boat food rather than a long restaurant meal. It is filling, included in the price, and served at a useful point in the day. If you want a second lunch, that is not included. You can buy extra items on board, but the standard package covers one meal.

Drinks include unlimited water, lemonade, and wine. The lemonade is closer to lemon squash than fresh juice, and the wine is casual rather than premium. Wine service can make the deck livelier as the day goes on. That may suit a group of friends, but families with very young children should know this is not an alcohol-free outing. One useful detail: wine may not be served until after lunch, so do not expect it immediately after boarding.

Čiovo, Borko Beach Bar, and the final swim

The final stop is on Čiovo, with about 75 minutes for free time, swimming, and snorkeling. This stop has a different feel from the Blue Lagoon because you can get off near Borko beach bar and spend part of the time on shore.

Borko is the place to order a drink in an attractive cove beside the beach. Some people particularly enjoy the hammock nets and the chance to move between the water, sand, and bar. You may need separate money for anything you order there, although a recent experience noted that the bar accepts credit cards.

This final stop is a good change of pace after two water-based breaks. You can keep swimming, sit with a drink, or enjoy the cove without having to stay on the boat. I would not count on a long beach visit, however. Seventy-five minutes passes quickly once you account for getting ashore, ordering, swimming, and returning to the boat.

A few people would prefer more time at the first stop or longer swimming breaks overall. That is the normal compromise of a three-stop cruise. You see more places, but none becomes a full beach day. If you want one quiet cove for several hours, a small private boat would fit better.

Food, drinks, music, and the feel on board

The strongest part of this outing is the way the basic comforts are bundled together. Breakfast, lunch, drinks, sunbeds, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment reduce the small costs that can add up on an island day.

The food is better than you might expect from a group boat, especially the tuna burger. It is not a locally sourced tasting menu, despite the polished description. It is a burger-and-fries lunch designed to be easy to serve to a large group. That is not a criticism. You are paying for a day on the water, not a fine dining cruise.

Music helps create a holiday mood, and many people enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. The bar service is another strong point. Mario is praised several times for being friendly and attentive, while Bepo, Bapo, and Ivana also receive warm comments for helping the day run smoothly.

The crew seems to be used to mixed groups. Families with children, solo passengers, older adults, and large family groups can all fit into the format. One family spanning four generations had a good time, and solo passengers found it easy to enjoy the shared setting.

Still, this is not a silent nature trip. The boat can be full, and wine service may make the atmosphere more energetic. If you value personal space, calm conversation, or a private guide, you may find the group size tiring. If you enjoy meeting people and want a ready-made social day, the same setup is a plus.

Is the $81 price good value?

At $81 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to swim at several locations and would otherwise pay separately for a boat, meals, drinks, and equipment. You are getting about eight hours on the water, three stops, a light breakfast, one lunch, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling gear, sunbeds, WiFi, and an English-speaking crew.

The value improves for visitors who want a simple package. You do not need to research ferry schedules to Šolta or Čiovo, find a Blue Lagoon boat, pack a full lunch, or arrange beach transport. The day is planned from start to finish.

The price looks less attractive if you dislike group excursions or will not use the food and drinks. You also need to allow for the snorkeling deposit and any purchases at Borko beach bar. Extra lunch is not included.

I would compare this with the cost of a private boat before deciding. A private option may give you more control and space, but it will not normally match this package price for one person. For couples, families, or solo visitors who want an easy water day, the included extras make the $81 reasonable.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several islands without complicated planning. It suits people who like swimming, casual snorkeling, boat music, and a full day with a set schedule.

It is also a good fit for:

• Families who want meals and drinks handled in advance
• Solo visitors who like a social group atmosphere
• Couples looking for a relaxed day outside Split
• Friends who enjoy jumping from the boat and spending time at a beach bar
• Older family members who prefer organized transport and onboard seating

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also disappoint you if the shipwreck is your main goal, because its current status is uncertain.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a reusable cup if you want to cut down on disposable plastic. The schedule gives you plenty of swimming time, but you will want to be ready when each stop begins. The boat will not wait while you return for forgotten gear.

My verdict: book it for an easy island day

I would book this cruise if I wanted a good-value, all-day swim outing from Split rather than a quiet or private sailing experience. The Blue Lagoon is the main reward, Čiovo adds a pleasant beach-bar stop, and Šolta gives the day a third setting.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the friendly crew, tasty tuna burger, smooth organization, and practical inclusions. Mario, Bepo, Bapo, and Ivana are names worth remembering if they are working your boat, since the service is a major part of the experience.

Check the shipwreck detail before paying, arrive early for stand 11, and expect a large shared boat with music and wine. If those conditions suit you, this is an enjoyable way to get three island stops into one day without doing the planning yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Split island cruise?

The activity lasts about eight hours, although the timing information describes the full day as roughly eight to nine hours. It begins and ends at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda on Split’s Riva promenade.

Where do I meet the crew?

Meet the guide in front of stand 11 on the Riva promenade at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda. Arrive early because the waterfront has separate stands and berths that can be confusing.

What food is included?

Breakfast donuts are included, followed by lunch with your choice of a 100 percent beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger. All lunch choices come with French fries. An extra lunch is not included.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, lemonade, and wine are included during the cruise. Coffee and other drinks may be available to buy on board, and drinks at Borko beach bar are separate.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use, but a deposit is required. The equipment may be basic, so you can bring your own if you want a more substantial setup.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.