Split: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Speedboat Tour – Small group

The best thing about this tour is the variety packed into five hours. You get an old stone town, a bright swimming stop, and a quiet island harbor without committing to a full day at sea. The speedboat keeps the distances manageable, and the small boat means you are not lost in a crowd.

I like the easy start at the Smile Travel office on Marmontova 5, especially if you need to leave luggage in Split. I also like the balance between guided transport and free time. You can wander Trogir, swim at Blue Lagoon, and choose your own pace in Maslinica. The main drawback is simple: the ride can be bumpy, and the popular swim stops may feel crowded in summer.

Quick reasons to book

• Three very different stops: Medieval Trogir, Blue Lagoon Beach, and the peaceful harbor of Maslinica each offer a different side of the Dalmatian coast.
• A small boat with up to 10 participants: This feels more personal than a large excursion boat and makes boarding and moving around easier.
• Useful luggage storage in Split: Contact the operator ahead of time if you need to store bags while you tour.
• Swimming and snorkeling are built into the day: Snorkeling equipment and safety gear are included, so you do not need to bring your own mask.
• Fast transport, with a price to match: At $94 per person, you pay for speed, three destinations, fuel, crew, and a short but active day.
• Weather can change the plan: Maslinica may be replaced, and poor conditions can cancel the trip with a choice of another date or a full refund.

A compact taste of Dalmatia from Split

This is not a lazy boat cruise. It is a quick coastal outing with a lively ride between stops. The boat carries a maximum of 10 participants, and the operator describes the group as small, though the booking information also says the group may be limited to 10 rather than exactly 10.

That size matters. You will spend less time getting people on and off the boat, and the crew can keep the day moving. You also have a better chance to ask questions or get help with snorkeling gear. The tradeoff is that a small speedboat offers less room than a larger vessel, so pack lightly and keep loose items secure.

The tour begins at the Smile Travel office on Marmontova 5 in Split. This is a central, practical meeting point, and you do not need to hunt around the waterfront for the correct boat. The office can store luggage during the trip, but you should contact the company in advance if you need that service.

The advertised duration is five hours. The exact order of stops can change between morning and afternoon departures, and sea conditions can also affect the route. That flexibility is sensible in the Adriatic, but it means you should not plan a tight connection immediately after returning to Split.

Speedboat travel: fun, fast, and not especially gentle

The speedboat is the heart of the experience. It cuts travel time between the stops and gives you open views of the coast rather than a long, slow crossing. The boat includes fuel, a licensed skipper, English-speaking staff, music, passenger insurance, and life jackets.

You should expect motion. One person described the ride as bumpy but entirely in keeping with a speedboat, which is the right way to think about it. On a calm day, the speed makes the journey exciting. On a rougher day, you may spend more time bracing yourself than admiring the view.

Wear practical clothing and bring a change of clothes. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, swimwear, a towel, and weather-appropriate layers all belong in your day bag. Keep electronics in a protected pouch. The tour includes safety equipment, but the boat is not designed for passengers who need easy mobility or a very stable ride.

The activity is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people over 70. Those limits are worth taking seriously. Even fit passengers should be comfortable with a fast, open-water ride.

Trogir: one hour in a stone-built museum town

Trogir is the cultural anchor of the outing. The town sits on Čiovo Island and is known for its 2,000-year history and UNESCO protection. The old center is compact, which makes a short visit possible, though not leisurely.

You get free time rather than a long formal walking tour. That suits Trogir because the pleasure is in wandering: look down narrow lanes, study the old stone buildings, and pause in the small squares. The town is often described as a museum town, and you can understand why as soon as you begin walking through its historic center.

The planned stop is roughly one hour to 75 minutes, depending on the timing of the day. That is enough for a first look and some photographs. It is not enough for a slow visit to every church, tower, and courtyard. If Trogir is high on your Croatia list, you may prefer to return on another day and give it several hours.

The timing also means you should not lose the first 20 minutes looking for a café or trying to cover too much ground. I would use the stop for a focused stroll through the historic core. Let the town’s scale work in your favor, then return to the boat on time.

For many people, Trogir is the most memorable stop because it gives the trip more substance than a series of beach breaks. You get architecture and local history before changing into swimwear for the next part of the day.

Blue Lagoon Beach: the main swim and snorkel stop

After Trogir, the tour heads to Blue Lagoon Beach near Drvenik Veli Island. This is the stop built around the water. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photographs, and look for marine life close to shore.

The stop is planned for about 75 minutes, although the practical time can be closer to an hour if the boat is running late or the route changes. That gives you enough time for a proper swim, but not for a long, relaxed beach afternoon. Change quickly and keep an eye on the departure time.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets and other safety gear. This is a useful part of the package because you do not need to rent equipment at the beach. Still, bring your own mask if you care about fit, and bring water because food and drinks are not included.

Blue Lagoon is popular for a reason, but popularity is also the catch. During the busy summer season, you may share the water with many other boats and beachgoers. Do not arrive expecting an empty cove. The appeal is the clear sea, the chance to get in the water quickly, and the convenience of having a swim stop included in a short tour.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the safest way to use the life jacket and snorkeling equipment before entering the water. The crew provides safety gear, but you remain responsible for choosing an activity that suits your comfort level.

A cocktail or other drink may be available at the stop, but food and drinks are not part of the tour price. Budget for refreshments if you do not want to go five hours without buying anything.

Maslinica on Šolta: a quieter final stop

Maslinica offers a different mood from Blue Lagoon. This coastal village on Šolta is known for its harbor, traditional stone houses, olive groves, and calmer feel. The stop allows you to swim, stroll, sit by the water, or try local food at your own cost.

This is the place where the schedule feels most flexible. You can take a walk through the village, enjoy the harbor views, or find a spot to slow down before the ride back to Split. It is less about checking off a major sight and more about getting a taste of island life.

The planned visit is about one hour to 75 minutes. That is enough for a short walk and perhaps a swim, but not enough to explore Šolta in depth. If you want a long lunch, keep an eye on the clock. Food is not included, and waiting for a full restaurant meal could leave you rushing back to the boat.

Maslinica is also the least certain part of the route. Weather and sea conditions may lead to an alternative destination. That is not a flaw in the operator’s planning. Small boats must respect the water, and a fixed route is less important than a safe one.

What $94 includes, and where the value lies

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands. You are paying for a licensed skipper, a high-quality speedboat, fuel, English-speaking staff, music, insurance, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, and transport to three destinations. You also get a small group rather than a large sightseeing boat.

The value depends on what you want from your day. If you mainly want a beach and can arrange your own transport, a cheaper option may make sense. If you want Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica in one compact outing, the speedboat saves time and removes the need to coordinate several ferries or taxis.

The luggage storage adds practical value for people checking out of a Split hotel or heading toward the airport. One booking party used the office storage so they could go from the tour to the airport afterward. Contact the company before the day if you need to use this service.

Food and drinks are extra. That is easy to overlook when comparing prices, so bring water and some cash or a card for a snack, drink, or meal in Maslinica. The tour is active enough that you will probably want something by the end.

The cancellation terms are traveler-friendly. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. If bad weather cancels the trip, you receive the option of another date or a full refund.

How the crew shapes the day

The crew handles the driving, safety, timing, and basic assistance. The staff speak Croatian and English. The available feedback gives particular credit to the hosts, with Doris singled out as helpful and service-minded.

You should expect practical guidance rather than a long historical lecture. The stops are largely self-guided, so the crew gets you there and tells you when to return. That setup works well if you like freedom. It is less suitable if you want a detailed guide walking beside you in Trogir or explaining every cove.

The meeting arrangement is another small strength. You meet at the office, where staff help direct you to the boat. That is less stressful than arriving at a busy harbor and guessing which vessel belongs to your booking.

The crew also has to balance different wishes. One person may want to swim, another may want to walk, and another may want to eat. The short stops mean the group needs to leave together, so this is not a private charter where you control every minute.

The real tradeoffs: crowds, timing, and comfort

The strongest parts of the tour are also its limits. Three destinations in five hours sounds efficient, but it leaves little room for delays. Trogir gets roughly an hour, and each water stop may also be close to an hour in practice.

The Blue Lagoon and other swimming areas can be crowded, especially in the high season. You still get clear water and a pleasant place to swim, but you should not expect solitude. Maslinica usually provides the calmer atmosphere, though the exact destination can change.

The boat ride may be bumpy. This is not the right choice if you dislike speed, open water, or sudden movement. It is a better match for someone who sees the ride as part of the fun.

The weather policy is important. Strong wind or rough sea can force a route change or cancellation. A flexible day in your schedule gives you the best chance of enjoying this tour without stress.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this outing if you have limited time in Split and want a quick introduction to both historic towns and island water. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors comfortable joining a small group, and families with children old enough for the boat ride. The supplied information includes children aged five and eight using life jackets on the speedboat, but younger children under four are not accepted.

It is also a good fit if you are leaving Split soon and need luggage storage. The office meeting point and return to the same location keep the day simple.

I would think twice if you want a slow cultural tour, a quiet beach, a long meal, or a private schedule. You should also skip it if you have back problems, mobility limitations, are pregnant, or are over 70, since the activity specifically excludes those groups.

Should you book the Split speedboat tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety in a short window. Trogir gives you historic streets, Blue Lagoon gives you the swim, and Maslinica gives you a quieter island pause. The small boat, helpful crew, included snorkeling gear, and luggage storage make the $94 price reasonable for a busy half-day.

Skip it if you need guaranteed calm water, long time at any one stop, or a fully guided historical experience. For everyone else, this is a lively and practical way to sample the Dalmatian coast from Split, provided you pack for sun, water, and a bumpy ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Split?

Meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova 5 in Split. The tour also returns to the Smile Travel office.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is five hours. Stop lengths and the order of destinations can change depending on the departure time and sea conditions.

Which destinations does the tour visit?

The standard route includes Trogir on Čiovo Island, Blue Lagoon Beach near Drvenik Veli Island, and Maslinica on Šolta Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and other safety gear are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and budget for anything you want to buy during the stops.

Can I store luggage during the tour?

Yes. Luggage storage is available through the activity provider. Contact the company in advance if you need to store luggage.

Is the itinerary always the same?

No. The order of the stops may differ between morning and afternoon tours. Maslinica may also be replaced with another destination because of weather or sea conditions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if bad weather causes the tour to be canceled.

Who should not take this speedboat tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people over 70.