From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

REVIEW · SPLIT

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

  • 3.811 reviews
  • 9 hours
  • From $91
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Operated by Dubrovnik Local Guide · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 3.8 (11)Duration9 hoursPrice from$91Operated byDubrovnik Local GuideBook viaGetYourGuide

A full day at sea can be a gamble, but this one is built around the big moments. You get a quick hit of UNESCO Trogir, then the real payoff: swim time at the Blue Lagoon with snorkeling gear and onboard water fun. The route also includes a sailing-by stop where you can spot Gospe od Prizdinice on nearby Čiovo.

I especially like the “no-stress” food and drink setup. Breakfast rolls in early, lunch is served en route to the lagoon, and drinks stay included through the day. One thing to keep in mind: the schedule can shift with the captain and weather, and the lunch quality can feel more basic than you might expect for the price.

Key highlights worth knowing

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Key highlights worth knowing

  • Blue Lagoon swimming window: about 2 hours to cool off, sunbathe, and snorkel
  • UNESCO Trogir, but short: roughly 1 hour for sights like Kamerlengo Tower and St. Lovre Cathedral
  • Šolta + Nečujam and the Kontessa wreck area: a dedicated stop around the shipwreck site
  • Waterslide use onboard: included during the Blue Lagoon stretch
  • Drinks included all day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea, plus a licorice tasting

Split to Trogir to Blue Lagoon: what kind of day this really is

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Split to Trogir to Blue Lagoon: what kind of day this really is
This cruise is a classic “big circles” day trip: one historic town stop, one main beach-lagoon stop, and one darker/quirkier stop near a shipwreck. If you want a structured day where you never have to plan transport, this works. You’re basically trading flexibility for convenience—your time is packed, and you move between each highlight by boat.

The pacing also tells you who this suits. It’s great if you’re here for water time and quick views more than deep museum-style exploring. It’s less ideal if you’re the type who wants slow wandering, longer meal breaks, or total certainty that every minute lands exactly on schedule.

The meeting point is Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B, look for the Bura Travel flag. There are two start options: boarding around 08:30 from Slatine or 09:15 from Split, depending on the departure you choose.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Split

Getting underway: boarding times, Čiovo views, and a simple breakfast

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Getting underway: boarding times, Čiovo views, and a simple breakfast
The day starts with a boat that’s already set up for a relaxed morning. If you depart from Slatine, you’re boarding around 08:30, and if you start in Split you board around 09:15. Either way, the morning’s goal is to get you moving early enough to reach Trogir by late morning.

Right after departure, the cruise sails along the south side of Island Čiovo, where you can see Gospe od Prizdinice, often described as one of the oldest churches on the island. Even if you don’t plan to jump off and explore, this is a nice “Croatia coastline” moment that makes the boat ride feel like part of the experience, not just transit.

During the sail, you get coffee/tea and croissants for breakfast. Practical tip: if you’re very specific about coffee or tea timing, don’t count on it being perfectly timed to your hunger. Some operators run smooth; some days feel more chaotic. Build in a little margin.

Also note you’ll have WiFi onboard, which helps if you want to plan what to do during your one-hour window in Trogir.

Trogir’s one-hour sprint: Kamerlengo Tower, St. Lovre, and the pretty details

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Trogir’s one-hour sprint: Kamerlengo Tower, St. Lovre, and the pretty details
Your Trogir stop is scheduled for about 11:00 to 12:00, giving you roughly an hour in the UNESCO-protected city. This is short, but it’s enough to get the “big postcard hits” if you move with purpose.

The itinerary commonly focuses on a few signature sights:

  • Kamerlengo Tower (a great viewpoint stop if you like that photo-from-high angle)
  • St. Lovre Cathedral
  • Stops connected to the Three of Love and the Kairos relief

Here’s the real value of this approach: Trogir’s historic core is compact. One focused hour can still feel satisfying because the streets are walkable and the architecture is dense. The drawback is obvious—if you love reading inscriptions, taking extra routes, or lingering in side streets, you’ll finish before you’re ready.

If you want souvenirs, snacks, or a second coffee, don’t plan on using Trogir time for a long sit-down meal. Treat it like a guided-or-self-guided walking loop, then get back on board with energy saved for the swim day.

Lunch on the way to the lagoon: included, but manage expectations

Between Trogir and Blue Lagoon, you’ll sail and get freshly made lunch. There are typically three meal choices (fish, meat, or vegetarian), and drinks are included during the day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea.

This is one of the reasons the cruise feels like a value on paper. You’re not doing extra-ticket add-ons just to eat. You’ll also get fruit later on the return trip to Split.

That said, the food is not positioned as fine dining. Plan for a straightforward, boat-friendly lunch rather than a dramatic culinary experience. If you’re the kind of eater who needs a solid, satisfying portion every time, you might want to eat breakfast well and consider a small backup snack you can keep handy for peace of mind (as long as you’re mindful of onboard rules).

Blue Lagoon: the main event, with snorkeling and the waterslide

The heart of the day is the Blue Lagoon stretch, roughly 13:00 to 15:00 (about 2 hours). This is when you’ll do the swimming and sun time that makes people book this cruise in the first place.

What you’ll likely have access to here:

  • Snorkeling equipment (there is a 10 EUR safety deposit required for snorkeling gear, which is not included)
  • Onboard water slide use (included)

If you’re wondering how to time your two hours, I’d do this:

  1. Get in early if the water feels inviting and you want an easier entry
  2. Use snorkeling for a focused period—don’t burn your whole time fiddling
  3. Then relax. Two hours goes fast once you start floating and chatting

A key practical point: expectation control. Some cruise days feel more “lagoon-perfect” than others depending on weather and light, and the boat position can change what you see. Also, snorkeling gear can be more limited than the marketing vibe suggests, so if you’re picky about fit, you may need to take a little extra time and be flexible.

Šolta and Nečujam: the Kontessa wreck area and a different kind of swim

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Šolta and Nečujam: the Kontessa wreck area and a different kind of swim
After Blue Lagoon, you head toward Island Šolta, with the stop at bay Nečujam. You’ll be moored near the sunken ship Kontessa, and you’ll have time to explore the wreck area.

The flow typically looks like this:

  • A sailing stretch from Trogir toward Šolta after the lagoon stop
  • Liquorice tasting during the approach
  • Then more water time, including snorkeling around the shipwreck around 16:00 to 17:00

This is a fun twist because a wreck stop changes the mood. Instead of just “swim and float,” you’re looking around for details and trying to find what’s visible from where the boat is anchored.

The catch is that shipwreck exploring is still water-level reality. Visibility depends on conditions, and you can only see what you’re close enough to see. If you expected the wreck to look like a movie set from a convenient distance, plan for something more variable—some days it’s clear and interesting, other days it’s more subtle.

Onboard vibe: drinks, WiFi, random seating, and the “captain decides” factor

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Onboard vibe: drinks, WiFi, random seating, and the “captain decides” factor
One of the easiest parts of the day is that drinks are included throughout: water, wine, and homemade iced tea. That’s a big deal on a boat because you don’t have to hunt for a bar purchase to keep the day going.

People often focus on the swimming, but onboard atmosphere matters too. The crew tends to be friendly and helpful, and music is typically part of the day. WiFi also helps if you want to post photos while your memories are still hot.

Two practical things you should know:

  • Seating order is random, so if you want to sit together, arrive early enough to ask if possible and keep expectations realistic.
  • The itinerary might vary due to the captain’s decisions or weather. That means you could see slight timing differences even if the plan looks neat on paper.

Some days run like clockwork. Other days feel looser. If punctuality is your top priority, treat this as a “floating day trip” rather than a rigid tour.

Price and value: is $91 fair for this 9-hour mix?

At $91 per person for about 9 hours, you’re paying for a bundled day: transportation by boat, guided sightseeing time, lunch, drinks, and activities like the waterslide and snorkeling access (with a deposit).

The value is strongest if you would otherwise:

  • pay for a boat or ferry day anyway
  • want your meals handled
  • prefer a built-in plan that prevents transport stress

Where the price can feel less matching is if you’re expecting top-tier food every stop, or if you need consistent timing. Some people also feel the “included” snorkeling or waterslide experiences don’t always match what they imagined from photos. That doesn’t mean the day is bad—it means you should book with the right mental model: it’s a fun, active day, not a luxury yacht experience.

Think of it like this: you’re mostly buying time in the water plus a short dose of Trogir. If that’s your style, the cost can make sense.

Who should book this cruise (and who should consider a different plan)

This tour is a good fit if you:

  • want one town stop plus one or two serious swim moments
  • like the idea of lunch and drinks handled
  • enjoy casual group tours where the boat carries you between experiences

You might want a different option if you:

  • get cranky when schedules shift due to weather or boat decisions
  • expect very high-end meals
  • need very complete snorkeling gear fit and timing to work flawlessly
  • are hoping for lots of time in Trogir beyond the quick UNESCO loop

It can also help to know that this is an active day. Even when snorkeling is offered, you still need to be comfortable moving in and out of the water and handling short windows.

Should you book the Split Islands & Blue Lagoon cruise?

I’d book it if your priority is a full day of coastal scenery plus a real swim-and-recharge break at the Blue Lagoon, with the added bonus of Trogir and a wreck-area stop near Šolta.

I’d hesitate if you’re the type who:

  • plans around strict minute-by-minute timing
  • wants the lunch to feel like a restaurant meal every time
  • expects perfect snorkeling setup for every person without any friction

If you do book, come prepared: sunscreen, a towel, swim gear you’re comfortable using, and a flexible attitude. The day’s best parts are the ones you’ll feel in the water and the short moments you’ll get in Trogir before the boat moves on.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

There are two common start options: boarding in Slatine around 08:30 or boarding in Split around 09:15.

How long is the cruise?

The experience runs for about 9 hours, with return to Split around 18:30 and return to Slatine around 19:00.

How much time do you spend in Trogir and the Blue Lagoon?

You typically get about 1 hour in Trogir and about 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served during the ride to the Blue Lagoon, with three meal choices.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included during the day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea, plus licorice tasting.

Do you need to pay extra for snorkeling gear?

Yes. Snorkeling gear requires a 10 EUR safety deposit, which is not included.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B, and look for the Bura Travel flag.

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