All-inclusive Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Day Tour with Lunch

The best part of this 10-hour boat day is the mix of sea time and island time. You get two proper swims, a hot lunch on board, and a walk through Maslinica, rather than spending the whole day simply racing from one photo stop to the next. The route gives you a good taste of central Dalmatia without asking you to plan ferries or find your own way around.

I like the small group of up to 15 people, which should make boarding and getting help easier than on a large excursion boat. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: coffee and doughnuts in the morning, lunch and drinks around midday, and seasonal fruit on the ride home. The main thing to consider is the sea. One past passenger described the return to Split as frightening in bad weather, and another found the boat ride very rough, so this is not a good pick if you are uneasy on open water.

At a glance

• Two swim stops: Spend about 90 minutes at Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo and another 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik.
• A real village visit: Maslinica gives you 90 minutes to walk its stone lanes and see everyday island life.
• Food is built into the day: Coffee, fresh doughnuts, lunch, selected soft drinks, unlimited water, and seasonal fruit are included.
• Small-group setting: The boat is limited to 15 participants, with an English-speaking crew and onboard restroom.
• Bring money for extras: Drinks and food at the Čiovo beach bar, souvenirs, and optional activities cost extra.
• Expect a full day: Check in at St. Nicholas Pier at least 30 minutes before departure for a 10-hour outing.

What this Split boat tour actually gives you

At $76 per person, this is priced as a full-day outing rather than a simple transfer to one beach. You are paying for a long cruise, fuel, taxes, insurance, food, drinks, crew service, and several stops. That matters in Croatia, where separate boat tickets, beach drinks, meals, and local transport can quickly add up.

The value is strongest if you want a ready-made day at sea. You do not need to work out which ferry reaches Šolta, how to connect to Čiovo, or where to find a boat for the Blue Lagoon. The tradeoff is control. You will have set departure and stop times, and 90 minutes may feel short if you prefer to linger in one place.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, with a full canopy for shade. That is useful during a long day in the sun. An onboard restroom also saves you from having to go ashore at every stop. Still, comfort depends partly on the sea. Calm water can make the cruise feel easy and scenic, while rough conditions can make the same route tiring.

Leaving Split with coffee and doughnuts

Check in at St. Nicholas Pier, also called Gat Svetog Nikole, at Obala Lazareta 1. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Staff in company T-shirts will meet you at the pier and guide you to the boat, so you are not left guessing among the harbor traffic.

The first hour is a sightseeing cruise. This is your chance to settle in, look back at Split, and watch the coast open up. The crew serves complimentary coffee and freshly made doughnuts, a small touch that makes the early start more pleasant. It is also a smart time to apply sunscreen, secure your hat, and decide where you want to sit before the boat gets moving.

Keep your expectations clear. This is a boat excursion, not a guided history tour of Split. The stated guiding language is English, and the focus is on the sea, swimming, and island stops rather than long lectures about landmarks.

Čiovo and the relaxed first swim

The first main stop is Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo, where you have about 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and free time. The water is described as clear, and the stop is meant to ease you into the day rather than throw you straight into a packed schedule.

You can swim from the shore or boat area, use a snorkeling mask, and have a drink at the beach bar. The bar is not included in the price, so keep some money with you if you want anything there. The included drinks on board do not cover personal purchases at this stop.

This is a good place to keep things simple. You can swim, sit in the shade, and enjoy the island pace without feeling pressure to see a major sight. If you want to snorkel, bring your own gear or use a tour mask. A €10 deposit is required for the provided snorkeling mask, so have that ready.

The stop may feel less memorable than the Blue Lagoon, but that is not necessarily a flaw. Starting with Čiovo gives you time to get comfortable with the boat and water. It also breaks up the cruise before lunch. If you dislike beach bars or prefer quiet coves with no commercial touch, this is the least authentic part of the day.

The Blue Lagoon near Drvenik

After about 30 minutes of cruising, the boat reaches the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik. You have another 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, and looking for marine life.

This is the visual centerpiece of the day. The appeal is the clear, bright water and the chance to spend real time in it, not just stop for a quick photograph. Bring water shoes if your feet are sensitive, along with a towel and a secure phone case if you plan to take pictures from the water.

The Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the experience is shaped by weather, water conditions, and how many boats arrive at the same time. The tour gives you a useful block of time, but you should not expect a private bay. The value here is access and convenience: you get there by boat, have lunch nearby, and do not need to arrange equipment or transport yourself.

Lunch is freshly prepared and served on board, with water and selected soft drinks available. Seasonal fruit comes later on the return trip, so the food is spread across the day instead of arriving all at once. The details of the lunch menu are not specified, so bring a small snack only if you have strict dietary needs or tend to get hungry between meals.

Maslinica, the most local part of the day

The cruise to Maslinica takes about 25 minutes. Once there, you have around 90 minutes for a break, photos, a walk, and free time on Šolta.

Maslinica is the part of this trip that gives the schedule some cultural balance. After two swim stops, you can walk through narrow stone streets, see traditional houses, and get a feel for a working Dalmatian island village. It is not presented as a major museum visit or a formal historic tour. Instead, you get time to wander and notice the small details of local life.

I would use this hour and a half without trying to force in too much. Walk slowly, look into the side streets, and take a break near the waterfront if you find a suitable spot. The stop is long enough for a pleasant visit, but not long enough for a detailed exploration of all of Šolta.

Maslinica also helps answer a common question about boat tours: will the day be only beaches and swimming? Here, the answer is no. You get a short but useful look at an island settlement, which makes the experience feel broader than a standard swimming cruise.

The ride back to Split

The return sightseeing cruise lasts about 80 minutes. Seasonal fruit is served by the crew, giving you something light after lunch and a day in the sun. This is a good time to sit under the canopy and watch the coast pass by.

The long return is also where sea conditions matter most. A rough ride can feel much longer than it does on calm water. If you are prone to motion sickness, take sensible precautions before departure, sit where the movement feels gentlest, and tell the crew if you need help. The supplied information does not promise a smooth ride, and past feedback includes a clear warning about rough conditions and a scary return during bad weather.

This is not a reason to reject the tour outright. Boat conditions change, and one unpleasant day does not describe every departure. But you should be comfortable accepting some uncertainty. Check the forecast before you go, and bring a dry change of clothes in case spray or choppy water leaves you wet.

What is included, and where the budget stops

The $76 price covers more than transport. Included are:

• A full-day cruise on a spacious boat
• Fuel surcharge, taxes, and insurance
• Coffee and freshly made doughnuts
• Freshly prepared lunch
• Unlimited water and selected soft drinks
• Seasonal fruit on the return journey
• An English-speaking crew
• Onboard restroom facilities
• Snorkeling mask use with a €10 deposit

You still pay for personal expenses, souvenirs, optional activities, and anything ordered at the Čiovo beach bar. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point in central Split yourself.

For the right person, the price is fair. You receive a complete day with several destinations and food already arranged. If you would rather choose your own restaurants, stay at one beach for hours, or return whenever you like, an independent ferry day may offer better freedom, even if it requires more planning.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and friends who want a simple way to see several coastal locations. It suits people who enjoy swimming but also want a village stop, and it works well for anyone who prefers a small boat group over a large organized crowd.

It is less suitable for wheelchair users, since the activity is specifically listed as not accessible for wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed. You should also think carefully about the boat motion if you have strong motion sickness or dislike open-water travel.

Pack a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and snorkeling gear. Even with drinks provided, a personal water bottle may be useful. Wear clothes that can handle spray, and bring a light cover-up for the village walk and the ride home.

The all-inclusive label should be read sensibly. It covers the main food and drinks, but not every purchase you might make. Bring cash or another payment method for the beach bar and personal spending.

Timing, flexibility, and cancellation

This is a 10-hour commitment, so do not place it on a day when you need to catch a flight or make a tight evening reservation. The group is limited to 15 participants, which keeps the experience more personal, but the boat still follows a shared schedule.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are arranging several days in Split and want to keep plans flexible.

The meeting point is straightforward, but the 30-minute early arrival rule matters. The boat cannot wait for people who are still crossing the harbor, so give yourself time to reach Obala Lazareta 1.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and three-island day?

Book it if you want a full, organized day with two swim stops, a proper lunch, and a short visit to a traditional island village. The strongest features are the small group, the food and drinks included, the shade on the boat, and the balance between water time and Maslinica.

Skip it if your ideal island day means one quiet beach, a long restaurant meal, or complete control over the schedule. Also skip it if rough seas would make the return stressful. For everyone else, $76 is a reasonable way to cover a lot of central Dalmatia in one day, with enough practical support that you can focus on the water instead of the logistics.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Check in at St. Nicholas Pier, or Gat Svetog Nikole, at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding.

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts 10 hours, including the cruise and island stops.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and crew service are provided in English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 15 participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Freshly prepared lunch is served on board.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water and selected soft drinks are included. Coffee is served in the morning, and seasonal fruit is provided on the return journey. Drinks at the Čiovo beach bar are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit. You can also bring your own snorkeling gear.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the pier independently.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. Cancellation up to 24 hours before departure qualifies for a full refund.