From Split: Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Trogir Speedboat Tour

The best part of this half-day speedboat trip is its mix of places. In about four and a half hours, you see UNESCO-listed Trogir, swim in the clear water of Blue Lagoon, and finish in Maslinica, a quiet fishing village on Šolta. It packs a lot into a short outing without asking you to hike or keep up a hard pace.

I like the small boat size, usually 8 to 12 people, and the pleasing change of scene from stone streets to open sea. I also like that snorkeling equipment and insurance are included. The main drawback is time: one hour in Trogir and one hour at the final swimming stop can feel tight, and the engine noise may make commentary hard to hear.

Key points

• Three very different stops: UNESCO-listed Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on Šolta.
• Small-group speedboat: Boats carry about 8 to 12 people, making the trip more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Easy water time: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or sit at a seaside bar without a demanding physical schedule.
• Trogir is rushed for serious sightseeing: One hour allows a brisk walk through the old town, but not a full museum visit and a leisurely meal.
• Bring your own listening strategy: Engine noise can make spoken explanations difficult, especially if the guide is facing away from the group.
• Good value for a short stay: At $88 per person, transportation, crew, snorkeling equipment, and insurance are covered, but food and drinks are extra.

A fast ride from Split to three Adriatic scenes

This tour works because it gives you a quick taste of several sides of Dalmatia. You begin at the semiSUBMARINE Split booking stand, board a speedboat, and leave the city behind. The first ride lasts about 30 minutes, with views of Split and the islands along the way.

The speedboat is part of the attraction, not just a way to get from one stop to another. You feel the wind, see the coast from the water, and cover ground quickly. That matters when your Split schedule is short and you want more than a standard city walk.

The boats carry 8 to 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the open-water thrill of a fast boat without the scale of a large group vessel. Still, a speedboat has limited room, so pack lightly and keep your belongings secure.

The tour is described as relaxing and physically easy. You need to handle boarding, walking through old stone streets, and getting in and out of the water, but there is no long hike or strenuous activity. It is a good match for someone who wants a coastal outing without giving up an entire day.

Trogir: one hour among medieval stone lanes

Your first stop is Trogir, often called the Little Venice of Dalmatia or the Stone Beauty. Its old town sits on a small island and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The setting is compact, which helps when you have only an hour, but it is also full of details that reward a slower visit.

I would spend the first few minutes simply walking through the lanes and squares. Look for the Town Gate, Town Hall, Ćipiko Palace, and Trogir Museum. The old center is a maze of pale stone, with narrow passages opening into small public spaces.

The Cathedral of St. Lovro is the key sight for many visitors. Its portal was carved by Master Radovan in the 13th century, and it gives you a clear sense of Trogir’s Romanesque-Gothic character. With only an hour, you may need to choose between going inside major sights and keeping to the streets.

Two Venetian fortresses help explain Trogir’s importance as a naval base. Fortress Kamerlengo sits at the western end of the islet. Today, it functions as a multimedia center with an open-air cinema and a stage for cultural events.

The practical catch is the schedule. One hour is enough for an orientation walk and photos, but it is not enough for a full museum visit, a careful look inside the cathedral, and a relaxed restaurant meal. If Trogir is your main reason for booking, you may prefer a longer town visit on another day.

You can eat traditional Dalmatian food in Trogir, but the timing may not work well. One person who took the trip found the stops in Trogir and Šolta rushed and had no chance to sit down for food or a drink. I would treat lunch as optional here, not as a central part of the plan.

Blue Lagoon: clear water and an easy swim

After Trogir, the boat takes about 15 to 30 minutes to reach Blue Lagoon, depending on how the timing is described in the schedule. This is the tour’s main water stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling.

Snorkeling equipment is meant to be provided, and the water is described as transparent enough for looking below the surface. Bring your own mask if you have one and prefer a reliable fit, but the included equipment keeps you from having to pack a full kit.

You can swim, float, or stay on the boat and sunbathe. There is also a pebble beach bordered by pine trees, plus a bar and restaurant near the sea. That gives you choices. You are not forced into the water, and you can make the stop as active or as lazy as you like.

One important point: confirm the snorkeling equipment with the crew when you board. A past participant said it was advertised but never offered during the trip. That may have been a one-off problem, but it is a useful reminder to ask early rather than discover the issue after reaching the lagoon.

Blue Lagoon is also the best place to use your camera. The combination of open water, small islands, the boat, and the pine-lined shore gives you the classic Dalmatian coastal views. If the weather is clear, this is likely to be the most scenic part of the outing.

The hour can pass quickly. If you want a long snorkel, a beach swim, and time for food or a drink, you may need to choose one or two. I would put on sunscreen before boarding and keep a dry change of clothes handy for the ride that follows.

Maslinica on Šolta: a gentle final stop

The last stop is Maslinica, a small fishing village on the island of Šolta. The village is surrounded by small islands and is known for seafood, beaches, and local wine. It is a calmer finish than Trogir and gives you a final chance to swim or sit by the water.

The schedule allows about an hour at a local bar, where you can take a break and swim. You may also find a seaside restaurant for a meal. The village is well suited to a slow drink, a few photographs, and a short walk rather than a packed sightseeing checklist.

Maslinica is especially appealing if you like places that feel connected to the sea. The stop is not presented as a major museum or monument visit. Its value comes from the setting, the small-island views, and the chance to end the trip in a less urban place.

Again, time is the limiting factor. An hour is enough for a drink and a swim, but it may not allow a proper seafood meal if the restaurant is busy or if you want to explore the village first. If you plan to eat, check the time with the crew before ordering.

What the boat ride is really like

The boat ride gives the day its rhythm. You begin with a 30-minute run from Split, continue between Trogir and Blue Lagoon, then take another shorter ride toward Šolta before returning to Split. The listed travel segments total roughly 80 minutes, with the rest divided between sightseeing and water stops.

The engine noise is worth considering. One participant found it difficult to hear the guide because the engine was loud and the guide sometimes spoke while facing away. Sit close to the guide when possible, and ask questions directly if you miss an explanation.

The crew speaks Croatian and English. A guide named Denny received particular praise for making the trip enjoyable, and another participant described the crew as friendly and the driver as careful. The overall mood may include music, and one outing had a DJ on board, so do not expect a silent, lecture-heavy cruise.

That mix will suit some people more than others. I would book it for scenery, swimming, and a social boat ride. I would not book it mainly for detailed historical interpretation, since the short stops and engine noise can limit how much you hear.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, the price is reasonable if you value convenience and variety. Your fee covers the speedboat, captain and crew, snorkeling equipment, and insurance. You are paying for direct transport between several coastal stops, not just a boat ride to one beach.

Food, drinks, and hotel pickup are not included. You need to reach the booking stand in Split yourself, and you should budget separately for a restaurant meal, drinks, or snacks. Since the stops are short, carrying a small snack may be more practical than relying on a full meal during the tour.

The value is strongest for a first visit to Split or a short stay. You get an introduction to Trogir, a swim at Blue Lagoon, and a look at Šolta without arranging separate ferries or transfers. If you already plan to visit Trogir independently, the tour becomes less valuable because its main advantage is the combination of places.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Weather still matters for any open-water outing, so check the forecast and keep clothing suitable for changing conditions.

What to bring for the four-and-a-half-hour trip

Pack light, but bring the things that make a boat day easier:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• A change of clothes
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• A phone or camera with a secure case

Wear swimwear under your clothes if you want to make the most of the Blue Lagoon stop. A change of clothes is useful after swimming, especially before the return ride.

Food and drinks are not included, so bring money for the bar or restaurant. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and explosive substances are prohibited. Children under 3, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users should not book this activity.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact coastal sampler from Split. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy small-group outings, and anyone with only half a day free. The physical demands are modest, and you can choose how much to swim or walk.

It is also a good choice if you want variety. Trogir provides architecture and old streets, Blue Lagoon provides water time, and Maslinica provides a quieter village stop. Few four-and-a-half-hour activities offer such different settings.

I would be more cautious if you want deep historical commentary, a long beach session, or a leisurely seafood lunch. The tour moves on a fixed schedule, and you may feel hurried in Trogir or Šolta. Families with very young children and anyone who cannot manage a speedboat or pebble beach should choose another outing.

Should you book the Split speedboat tour?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic introduction to the islands and nearby coast, especially during a short stay in Split. The small boat, clear-water swim, UNESCO-listed Trogir, and final stop in Maslinica make the $88 cost fair for a varied half-day.

Skip it if your priority is extended time in one place. You will get only about an hour in Trogir, about an hour at Blue Lagoon, and about an hour at the final stop. Ask about snorkeling gear as soon as you board, sit where you can hear the guide, and treat lunch as optional. With those expectations, this is a pleasant way to see more of Dalmatia without a demanding day.

FAQ

How long does the Split speedboat tour last?

The activity lasts 270 minutes, or 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the semiSUBMARINE Split booking stand.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on the island of Šolta.

Is Trogir a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Yes. Trogir is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included. It is sensible to confirm with the crew when you board.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you pay separately at restaurants or bars during the stops.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.