Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Island Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of this cruise is the variety. In one day, you get three island stops, clear swimming water, a boat ride along the Dalmatian coast, lunch, and drinks without having to arrange separate ferries or restaurants. The Blue Lagoon is the visual highlight, but the final stop at Borko beach bar gives the day a welcome change of pace.

I like the generous food and drink package, especially the breakfast donut, choice of lunch burgers, and unlimited water, lemonade, and wine. I also like the friendly crew, with Mario, Bepo, and Ivana among the staff praised for their care and good service. The main drawback is the large boat and long sailing periods, and the advertised shipwreck stop may no longer be part of the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Three different stops: Šolta offers a quieter swim, the Blue Lagoon brings bright turquoise water, and Čiovo adds a beach bar and hammocks.
• Lunch is included: Choose a beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger, all served with french fries.
• The shipwreck may be gone: The Nečujam wreck was removed, so the exact first swimming location can change.
• Drinks are part of the fare: Water, lemonade, and wine are available onboard, though wine service may begin after lunch.
• Expect a social boat day: The vessel is comfortable and spacious, but it can carry a large group.
• Meeting point matters: Find stand 11 on Split’s Riva promenade, not simply a berth number.

A full day from Split, with almost everything covered

At $81 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full day on the water with food included. A separate boat ride, lunch, beach drinks, and transport between three coastal stops could easily cost more, and this package removes much of the planning.

The price also covers snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, WiFi, and an English-speaking crew. You pay a deposit for the snorkeling equipment, and extra lunch is not included, so keep that small distinction in mind. The food is not a formal restaurant meal, but the burgers and fries make a practical lunch after swimming.

The schedule lasts about eight hours, although the written timing adds up to slightly more than eight hours once each sailing segment and stop is counted. You should expect a substantial day, not a quick half-day outing. That matters if you have evening plans in Split.

The boat itself is one of the better features. It has a sundeck, music, seating, sunbeds, and enough room for people to spread out. Still, this is a shared group cruise rather than a private charter. If you want quiet coves and personal service with only a few people onboard, this is not the right format.

Meeting the boat on Split’s Riva

The day begins at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, the waterfront promenade usually called the Riva. Your meeting point is in front of stand 11.

Give yourself time to find the correct stand. One passenger arrived early but confused berths with stands and had to hurry at departure time. The crew helped by calling and waiting, but it is better not to depend on that kindness. In a busy waterfront area, the boat’s exact position matters.

Once aboard, the crew serves breakfast donuts and a welcome drink. This is a simple start, but a useful one. You can get settled before the first long sailing period, and the sweet breakfast gives you something to eat before the first swim.

The first cruise lasts about an hour. That is a fair amount of sitting before reaching the islands, so choose a seat with care if you are sensitive to sun or motion. Several people found the ride smooth, but one passenger did feel seasick early in the trip and was helped by the crew. If boats usually bother you, sit where movement is gentler and bring any medication you normally use.

Šolta and the changing shipwreck stop

The first island is Šolta, with about 75 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The original plan centers on the Nečujam shipwreck, an unusual underwater feature surrounded by fish and clear water.

Here is the important update: the shipwreck has reportedly been removed, so you may not swim through it. The boat can instead stop at another attractive swimming area. This does not erase the value of the stop, but you should not book the cruise mainly for the wreck.

Šolta works well as a first water stop because it gets you into the rhythm of the day. You can jump from the boat, use the provided mask and snorkel equipment, and see what the water offers below the surface. The equipment is basic rather than high-end. One passenger described it as a simple mask with a nose cover, but still found it useful for looking at fish in the clear water.

The 75-minute window is enough for a swim and some time on deck, though some people would prefer longer here. If you want a full snorkeling session, you may feel the time pass quickly. The stop is better suited to a refreshing swim than to a serious underwater exploration.

The Blue Lagoon earns its place in the schedule

After another hour of cruising, the boat reaches the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island. This is the visual centerpiece of the day, with clear turquoise water and plenty of room for swimming from the boat.

You can jump from the vessel into the lagoon, swim around the boat, or stay on deck and enjoy the view. The water color is the sort of sight that makes the long first sailing period worthwhile. Several passengers singled out jumping from the boat as the most memorable part of the cruise.

The stop lasts about two hours, making it the longest water break. That extra time matters. You are not forced to rush from swimming to lunch and back again. You can take a swim, dry off on a sunbed, eat, and return to the water.

Lunch is served during this stop. You choose from three main options:

• 100 percent beef burger with french fries
• Tuna steak burger with french fries
• Vegetarian burger with french fries

The tuna burger receives the strongest praise and is a good choice if you like fish. The beef burger suits anyone wanting a familiar, filling meal after a morning in the sun. The vegetarian option is available, though it may not please every diner in your group.

The lunch is best understood as a casual boat meal, not a carefully plated seafood lunch. Even so, the food is a real advantage at this price. You do not have to leave the water, search for a restaurant, or pay beach prices during the central stop.

Drinks include water, lemonade, and wine. The lemonade is closer to lemon squash than fresh-squeezed juice. Wine may be served after lunch rather than from the start, so do not expect unlimited wine during the morning sailing. Coffee and some other drinks may be available for purchase.

Čiovo and Borko beach bar

The final stop is on Čiovo, with about 75 minutes of free time, swimming, and snorkeling. This stop feels different from the Blue Lagoon because you get a beach setting rather than only an open-water swim.

Borko beach bar sits beside a pretty cove. You can have a drink, swim from the beach, or relax on hammock nets while taking in the view. This is a smart final stop because it lets you slow down after the active swimming earlier in the day.

The bar is separate from the included onboard drinks, so bring a payment method if you want something additional. The bar has accepted credit cards, according to recent trip information, but it is still wise to carry a little backup cash in Croatia.

Some people find the final stop shorter than the first and would prefer the time to be distributed differently. Still, 75 minutes gives you enough time for a swim and a drink without turning the stop into another long beach day.

The combination of water, bar, and hammock nets gives Čiovo a more social feel. It is a good match for couples, families, and solo people who enjoy meeting others on a shared outing. If you prefer natural quiet, this will feel more organized and lively than remote.

What the crew adds to the experience

The strongest human feature of this trip is the crew. Staff members are repeatedly described as friendly, attentive, and quick to help. Names that come up include Mario at the bar, Bepo or Bapo as a guide, and Ivana for explanations and general care.

You should not assume every named staff member will be working on your departure, but the service style appears consistent. The crew serves drinks, explains the routine, helps with equipment, and keeps the day moving.

That matters on a large boat. A group of roughly 100 people can sound excessive, especially if you are picturing a small island boat. In practice, the boat has enough space for many people to spread out, and the crew keeps the stops organized. Still, you will notice the group at boarding, meal service, and popular swim points.

The atmosphere includes music and a bar, and the wine can make the mood more festive as the day goes on. Families with young children should know that the social side can become lively. One family found the trip suitable for four generations, from a two-year-old to someone nearly 70, while another family appreciated the crew but noticed that some younger people became tipsy.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this experience if you want to see several coastal locations in one day without managing ferry timetables. It suits people who value convenience, swimming, music, simple food, and a friendly shared atmosphere.

It is particularly useful for:

• First-time visitors to Split with only a few days available
• Families who want meals and drinks handled onboard
• Solo visitors who enjoy a social boat setting
• Couples looking for an easy day beside clear water
• Swimmers who want several chances to jump from the boat
• Older family members who prefer a structured day with seating and staff support

You should think twice if your main goal is a quiet private boat, serious snorkeling, or a guaranteed shipwreck visit. The snorkeling gear is basic, the boat can be crowded, and the wreck stop may have changed. The day also involves several long sailing sections, especially at the beginning and end.

The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users. Swimming is optional, but the experience is built around entering the water, so it works best if you are comfortable around boats and swimming areas.

Practical advice for a better day

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the ride home. Even on a warm day, the return cruise can feel cooler after several swims.

A reusable cup is a smart extra. Drinks are served throughout the day, and using your own cup can reduce disposable plastic. It also helps you keep track of your drink on a busy boat.

Choose your lunch before the day if you are eating with a group. The tuna burger is the safest recommendation for fish lovers, while the beef burger is the familiar option. If you need more food than the included lunch, budget separately because an extra lunch is not part of the package.

Do not treat the shipwreck as guaranteed. The route may use a different swimming location, and the exact condition of sea attractions can change. The Blue Lagoon and Čiovo stop are the more dependable reasons to book.

Finally, watch the timing. The first and last boat rides are long enough that some people may find the day tiring. The reward is that transport, meals, drinks, and three coastal stops are all handled in one outing.

Is the $81 price worth it?

For $81, the package offers a lot: breakfast, a full lunch, unlimited basic drinks, snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, WiFi, an English-speaking crew, and roughly eight hours on the water.

The value is strongest when you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and lunch. It is also useful for families because the main costs are clear before departure. You can still spend extra at Borko beach bar or on additional drinks, but the essentials are covered.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not swim, or dislike group excursions. In that case, you may pay for features you will not use. The vessel is comfortable, but it is not an intimate sailing trip.

Book it for a well-paced day of swimming, scenery, food, and easy logistics. Skip it if the removed shipwreck is your main reason for going or if you need a small, quiet boat. For most visitors who want a simple way to experience the water around Split, the Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Čiovo make this a practical choice.

FAQ

How long does the Split island cruise last?

The activity is advertised as lasting about eight hours. The schedule includes sailing from Split, stops at Šolta, the Blue Lagoon, and Čiovo, and the return cruise to Split.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet the English-speaking guide at stand 11 on the Riva promenade, at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda in Split.

What food is included?

Breakfast donuts are included. Lunch includes your choice of a 100 percent beef burger, tuna steak burger, or vegetarian burger, each served with french fries.

Are drinks included?

Water, lemonade, and wine are included onboard. The lemonade is described as similar to lemon squash, and wine may be served after lunch. Extra drinks at Borko beach bar are not part of the package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use, though a deposit is required. The equipment is basic and includes a mask-style setup for viewing the water and fish.

Is the shipwreck stop guaranteed?

No. The Nečujam shipwreck has reportedly been removed, so the first swimming stop may take place at another attractive location around Šolta.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. This activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.