Split: 3 Island & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this Split boat trip is its easy rhythm: cruise, swim, eat, cruise again. You visit Maslinica on Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and St. Fumija Bay, with enough time at each stop to swim or snorkel without spending the whole day racing between islands.

I like the wooden ship Junior, built in 1903, and the genuinely useful all-day setup: breakfast, a generous lunch, fruit, drinks, toilets, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling gear. The main drawback is that the advertised bar is centered on wine, water, and juice, so beer or a wider cocktail selection should not be assumed.

Key points before you book

• Three water stops: Swim at the Blue Lagoon and St. Fumija Bay, with a village walk and lunch stop at Maslinica.
• Food from the start: Expect a chocolate croissant with coffee and juice in the morning, then tuna, chicken, or a vegetarian lunch with sides and fruit.
• A proper old boat: Junior is a wooden sailing ship dating from 1903, with open deck space, shade, modern restrooms, and a limited number of deckchairs.
• Jumping and snorkeling: The upper deck is used for optional jumps into the sea, while masks and floating mattresses are provided.
• Good value at $106: The price covers a nine-hour cruise, meals, drinks, equipment, and crew service, not just transport between stops.
• Arrive early: Staff meet you beside the large white boat Jaffa at 8:40 a.m. Look for white Junior polo shirts, then allow time to walk about 50 meters to the boat.

A full Adriatic day aboard Junior

This is a long day on the water, but the schedule is sensibly broken up. You leave Split at 9 a.m. and return to Obala Lazareta after roughly nine hours. Between stops, you get long stretches to watch the Dalmatian coast slide by, sit in the sun, or find shade and refill your glass.

I like this format for visitors who want more than a quick speedboat ride but less than a formal sailing trip. You are not simply dropped at a beach and left to arrange your own food. The crew serves breakfast and lunch, keeps drinks available, and supplies the basic gear needed for the swimming stops.

The ship has room to move around, though the best deckchairs go quickly. The upper deck is the place to claim if you want sun and a clear view. The lower deck offers shade, but the breeze can feel cool after swimming, especially later in the day.

Leaving Split with coffee and a croissant

Meet the staff at Obala Lazareta at 8:40 a.m., beside the large white boat Jaffa. Look for the crew in white polo shirts marked Junior on the front and back. The Junior itself may be moored about 50 meters away, so do not arrive at the last minute.

I would arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat must leave at 9 a.m. and cannot wait for late arrivals because other boats use the harbor schedule. The meeting instructions are clear once you know what to look for, though the exact position of the boat can feel confusing in a busy port.

Once underway, breakfast gives the morning a pleasant start. You get a chocolate croissant, hot coffee, and apple or orange juice. It is not a full hotel buffet, but it is enough to settle you before the first long cruise.

The first sightseeing cruise lasts about two hours. That may sound like a lot before the first stop, but it gives you time to settle into the ship and enjoy the Adriatic views. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, breathable clothing, and a towel. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun, wind, and salt water.

Maslinica: a village stop with lunch and swimming

Maslinica is the first main stop, on the island of Šolta. The schedule allows about an hour for lunch, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling. This is a useful change of pace because you can step ashore and see a small fishing village rather than spending every stop in open water.

The village provides a chance to stroll, browse small shops, or find an ice cream. You also get a look at the quieter side of island life, with a cove setting that feels more personal than the wide swimming areas later in the day.

Lunch is prepared on board with fresh local ingredients. You choose tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, served with a side such as coleslaw and bread. Fresh seasonal fruit is also included, and portions are often large enough to keep you well fed through the afternoon.

I would keep your expectations in the right place. This is a generous boat lunch, not a restaurant tasting menu. The tuna and chicken have received especially strong praise, while the vegetarian meal provides a practical choice rather than an afterthought. If you care about your exact meal selection, pay attention when the crew takes orders or uses wristbands to identify choices.

The one-hour stop passes quickly. You can walk through Maslinica, swim, or eat, but you may not have time for all three at a leisurely pace. That is not a flaw so much as a reason to choose your priority before stepping ashore.

The Blue Lagoon: clear water and the busiest swim

After another sightseeing cruise of about 45 minutes, the ship reaches the Blue Lagoon area for roughly 90 minutes. This is the stop most people picture when they book the trip: pale water, open views, and a broad place to swim away from Split.

You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment and floating mattresses, or simply swim near the boat. The upper deck provides an optional jump into the water, but you can stay at sea level if that is more comfortable. Safety equipment is provided, and the crew gives directions about where and when to swim.

The Blue Lagoon can look different from the photographs depending on weather, light, and sea conditions. Some days the color is strikingly blue. On other days, the later stop at St. Fumija Bay may look clearer or more appealing. I would enjoy the setting without expecting one fixed shade of water.

One practical point matters here: the boat may stop near the Blue Lagoon rather than reaching a specific patch of water that you have seen in a brochure. That does not remove the swimming opportunity, but it can affect expectations.

Ninety minutes is a good amount of time. You have enough time to swim, snorkel, float, dry off, and return to the boat without feeling rushed. If you want a deckchair afterward, board promptly. There are only a limited number, and they are claimed early.

St. Fumija Bay: a calmer final swim

The last major stop is Sveta Fumija, or St. Fumija Bay, after another 45-minute cruise. You get about an hour here for swimming and snorkeling. By this stage, lunch is settled, the ship has found its pace, and the final swim feels like a relaxed finish rather than another major outing.

The bay is valued for its clear water and sheltered feel. It is also a good place to use the floating mat if you want to stop actively swimming. The snorkeling gear lets you look for small marine life in the shallows, though this is not a specialist wildlife tour and the underwater sights will depend on the day.

I like having this third water stop because it keeps the day from becoming one long visit to a single famous location. You get different views of the coast and three chances to swim. If your main goal is beach time, though, remember that only Maslinica gives you a village walk. The other two stops focus on the sea.

Food, drinks, and what all-inclusive really means

The included food is a major reason the $106 price works. You get a morning croissant, hot coffee, and juice, followed by a substantial lunch with a meat, fish, or vegetarian choice. Seasonal fruit is served later, and some departures have also included ice cream.

The open bar remains available during the cruise. The stated choices are white wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice. Several descriptions of the experience also refer to beer, but other information specifically says that only wine is served among the alcoholic drinks. I would plan on wine, water, and juice, then treat beer as uncertain rather than part of the deal.

This distinction matters if you are comparing boat trips based on drinks. The offer is generous, but it is not a full cocktail bar. Wine is served freely, sometimes in large glasses, so pace yourself. One afternoon on the water can feel longer than expected when sun and alcohol combine.

The crew may bring drinks around, or you can visit the downstairs bar. That flexibility is useful because you do not need to abandon your seat every time you want water. It also means you can keep the day relaxed instead of treating each service as a formal meal break.

Comfort, shade, toilets, and deck space

Junior is not a bare-bones excursion boat. It is a wooden sailing ship built in 1903, with modern restrooms, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, shade, and plenty of places to sit. The boat feels spacious enough to walk around, and the open layout helps you find a position that suits the weather.

The ship is comfortable, but you should not expect a private lounge chair. Deckchairs are limited, and the popular sun spots go early. Bring a towel and consider choosing your preferred place soon after boarding, especially if you want a chair for the long return cruise.

The lower deck is useful when the sun becomes too strong. After swimming, though, it can feel cool in the sea breeze. A light cover-up is sensible even in summer. The upper deck gives better views and supports the optional jumps, but it offers less protection from the sun.

The crew speaks English and handles the practical parts of the day, including food choices, swimming instructions, and timing. Rino has been singled out for strong guiding on some departures, while the wider Junior crew is known for being friendly and attentive.

Is nine hours too long?

For most people who like being on the water, the nine-hour length is a strength. You are not squeezing three stops into a half-day. There is time for meals, swimming, a village walk, and unhurried cruising.

Still, this is not the right choice if you dislike boat travel or want a short, high-energy excursion. The return journey includes a sightseeing cruise of about 100 minutes, so after the final swim you will still have a substantial ride back to Split.

Families with teenagers may find the mix especially appealing. The upper-deck jump, snorkeling equipment, floating mats, food, and open bar give everyone something to do. Couples and friends can use the same structure for a relaxed day with little planning.

The trip also works well for anyone who wants swimming without renting equipment or organizing lunch. It is less suited to someone seeking a quiet, private sail, a specialist snorkel guide, or a broad selection of alcoholic drinks.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and light, breathable clothing. Wear something comfortable for walking through Maslinica, though most of the day is spent on the boat or in the sea.

Arrive before 8:45 a.m. and identify the Junior staff before moving to the boat. Keep your booking details handy, because the crew gathers the group before leading everyone to the ship.

The tour can be canceled if strong winds, large waves, storms, or other bad weather make the route unsafe. In that case, you receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible.

Is the Junior cruise worth $106?

At $106 per person, I consider this strong value if you plan to eat and drink on board and want three water stops. The price includes a nine-hour cruise, breakfast, a proper lunch, fruit, an unlimited bar, snorkeling gear, a floating mattress, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and crew service.

You are paying for convenience as much as scenery. You do not need to arrange island transport, find lunch, rent a mask, or carry enough water for the whole day. That package can cost more than a cheaper boat ticket once you add meals and equipment.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick look at the Blue Lagoon or if you do not drink wine. In that case, a shorter excursion may suit you better. Also remember that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Obala Lazareta.

Should you book this Split island cruise?

I would book it if you want a full, sociable day on the Adriatic with three swimming opportunities, reliable meals, and a comfortable boat. The crew, food portions, spacious ship, and steady schedule make this more than a simple transfer between photo stops.

I would skip it if you want a private sailing experience, a quiet small-group trip, or beer and cocktails as a firm part of the bar. For everyone else, Junior offers a practical way to see Maslinica, the Blue Lagoon, and St. Fumija without much planning. Arrive early, claim a good deck position, pace the wine, and keep your expectations flexible about the exact color of the Blue Lagoon.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at Obala Lazareta in Split, next to the large white boat Jaffa.

What time should I arrive?

Staff are at the meeting point from 8:40 a.m. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before the 9 a.m. departure.

How do I find the correct boat?

Look for staff wearing white polo shirts marked Junior on the front and back. The boat Junior may be moored about 50 meters from the meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about nine hours, returning to Obala Lazareta after visiting Maslinica, the Blue Lagoon, and St. Fumija Bay.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes a croissant, hot coffee, and apple or orange juice. Lunch includes tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish with a side and bread, followed by fresh seasonal fruit.

What drinks are included?

The stated open bar includes white wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice. Beer is mentioned in some tour descriptions, but it is not consistently confirmed, so do not rely on it.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a floating mattress are included. Safety equipment is also provided.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point at Obala Lazareta.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The provider may cancel in strong winds, large waves, storms, or other unsafe conditions. If the tour is canceled for weather, all passengers receive a full refund.