Split: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small Group Speedboat Tour

The best part of this outing is the speedboat ride itself. You skim between Split, Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Šolta with the wind in your face, music playing, and much more coastline passing by than you could see from a bus. I like the mix of old-town wandering and easy swimming, and I like that the final stop, Maslinica, gives you a quieter harbor instead of another packed beach.

The tradeoff is time. Seventy-five minutes at each stop sounds generous, but Trogir can easily absorb a full afternoon, and you may want longer in the water at the Blue Lagoon. The boat seats require you to straddle them, the ride can get choppy, and rocky beaches make water shoes a smart addition.

Quick take: what makes this trip worth considering

• A real speedboat experience: Four boat legs, each lasting 15 to 30 minutes, make the transport part of the fun rather than dead time.
• Trogir in a compact visit: You get time to stroll narrow stone lanes, see ancient buildings, and reach the waterfront, though serious history fans may want a separate visit.
• Blue Lagoon for swimming: Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, and snorkeling gear if you prefer your own, since the tour supplies snorkels and goggles but availability can vary.
• Maslinica’s slower finish: This fishing village on Šolta offers a pebble beach, harbor cafés, restaurants, and lounge bars.
• Small-group feel: A captain and host typically accompany about 12 people, a much more personal setup than a large party boat.
• Good value at $88: Transportation, crew, safety gear, and snorkeling equipment are included, but food and drinks are extra.

The speedboat is part of the attraction

This is not simply a boat used to shuttle you from one stop to another. The fast ride is one of the main reasons to choose this tour.

The route begins at the Toto Travel office beside St. Francis Church, facing the sea. After check-in, you board for the first 30-minute run toward Trogir. The boat has open-air seating, and you should expect wind, spray, and a firm seat designed for speed rather than lounging.

That setup makes the ride exciting, but it also affects comfort. You need to hold on, especially when the sea is choppy. One person specifically warned against wearing a cap because it could blow away, and that is sound advice. Keep loose items secured, and do not expect a smooth ferry ride.

The boat normally carries about 12 people with a captain and a host. That is small enough for the crew to keep an eye on everyone and offer suggestions at each stop. Names change by departure, but past trips have included guides and hosts such as Luca, Carlo, Andrew, Grgo, Tome, Ante, Mario, Frano, and Petra.

The host gives general information about the places you visit and explains safety matters. This is not a formal guided tour, so you explore independently once the boat drops you off. I see that as a strength if you like freedom, but it matters if you want a detailed walking tour of Trogir.

Trogir: 75 minutes among old stone lanes

Trogir is the cultural anchor of the day. This town is more than 2,300 years old, and its compact center is made for wandering. Narrow cobbled streets twist between stone buildings, small cafés, shops, and historic corners that appear as you turn each bend.

You will have about 75 minutes here, including time for photos, a walk, lunch if you choose, and views along the waterfront. That sounds reasonable for a first look, and it lets you experience the town without committing your whole day.

I would use the time carefully. Start with a quick walk through the old center, then continue toward the seaside promenade. If you stop for a meal, watch the clock. Several people wished for more time in Trogir, and one found the town so appealing that the allotted period felt short after lunch.

The tour does not provide a licensed guide for the town. Your host may point out places and share local information before you set off, but you will not receive a structured explanation at every building. If history is your main interest, return to Trogir on your own from Split and give it several hours.

For a short island-style excursion, though, Trogir works well. It adds architecture and local life to a day that could otherwise be only beaches and cocktails. You might find a café, small shop, or artist’s studio tucked into a lane, so leave some time for unplanned wandering.

Blue Lagoon: clear water, rocky shore

After Trogir, a 15-minute speedboat ride brings you to the Blue Lagoon. This is the stop most people picture when they book the tour: clear water, open views, swimming, snorkeling, and time beside the sea.

You get about 75 minutes here. The tour provides snorkels and goggles, along with safety equipment, but bring your own mask if you care about fit or want to avoid relying on shared equipment. A few past departures had limited or unavailable snorkeling gear, and one low-season trip did not provide it as described.

The water can be beautiful and transparent, especially when the weather is calm. It is a good place to swim, float, or look below the surface near the rocky shoreline. The beach itself is not soft sand. Bring sandals or proper water shoes, since stones can make entering the water uncomfortable.

The famous Shkoy beach bar is part of the appeal in the warmer season. You can get a drink, sunbathe, and enjoy the view, but food and drinks are not included in the $88 price. The bar may also be closed outside the main season. In April, October, and November, you should be prepared for a quieter stop with fewer facilities.

The Blue Lagoon can feel busy in peak summer. In the quieter months, the issue may be the opposite: a closed bar, fewer services, or water that looks less inviting in poor weather. That is not a flaw in the boat operator, but it is a reason to set realistic expectations. The sea and weather decide much of what this stop feels like.

Some people wanted more swimming time, while others found 75 minutes sufficient. I would agree with the middle ground: it is enough for a proper swim, but not enough if you want a long beach afternoon. Put on your swimwear before the tour, since changing options at the beach bar may be limited.

Maslinica on Šolta offers the calmest stop

The final destination is Maslinica, a small harbor settlement on Šolta. After the energy of the speedboat and the open-water stop, this is where the day slows down.

You have another 75 minutes for coffee, swimming, sightseeing, or lunch. A pebble beach sits near the village, and restaurants and lounge bars line the waterfront. The harbor makes an easy place to sit with a drink, while the beach offers a final chance to get in the water.

Maslinica is not a major sightseeing center. That is precisely why some people like it. You get a quieter taste of island life, with boats in the harbor and a less pressured pace. A past visitor particularly liked the beach on the left just before entering town, while another enjoyed the restaurant Konoba Sagitta.

Food and drinks are your responsibility here. The official arrangements do not include lunch, even though some past participants described buying meals during the stops or believed lunch was included. Plan to pay separately and ask your host for current suggestions. If you want a full meal, keep track of the return time.

The stop feels best when you treat it as a pause rather than a list of sights. Walk the harbor, take a swim, have coffee, or order a simple local meal. You will not get a long island tour in 75 minutes, but you will get a pleasant break before the 30-minute ride back to Split.

Timing makes the half-day format useful

The full outing lasts 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. That includes about 90 minutes of speedboat travel and roughly 225 minutes divided among the three main stops.

This is a useful length if you want to see the coast but still have part of the day free in Split. It also works well for people who find a full-day boat trip too long. You get a taste of several places without spending an entire day under the sun.

The schedule can run as a morning or afternoon departure, and the order of stops may change. That matters because the feel of the Blue Lagoon, Trogir, and Maslinica can vary with the light, crowds, and weather. Do not build a tightly timed dinner or transport connection immediately after returning.

The 15 to 30-minute boat legs break up the land stops, but they also reduce the time available for exploring. At Trogir, you may wish you had another hour. At the Blue Lagoon, you may want another swim. At Maslinica, 75 minutes generally feels more relaxed because the village is compact.

What the $88 price really covers

At $88 per person, the tour offers fair value if you want transport to several coastal locations without arranging ferries, taxis, and separate bookings. The speedboat is the costly and enjoyable part of the day, and you also receive an English-speaking crew, safety equipment, and snorkeling gear.

The price does not cover food or drinks. That means your actual cost will be higher if you buy lunch in Trogir, a cocktail at Shkoy, coffee in Maslinica, or seafood by the harbor. Carry water, since staying hydrated matters on an open boat.

You are also paying for convenience. Reaching Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Šolta independently would take more planning and would not give you the same direct boat experience. If you already have a rental car and plenty of time, you could visit Trogir separately and save the boat tour for another day. If your goal is to sample the coast in one compact outing, the price is easier to justify.

The high transport ratings fit the experience. Most praise centers on safe driving, punctual departures, friendly hosts, and the sheer pleasure of the boat ride. The value is strongest for active adults and couples who want movement, water, and variety rather than a slow cruise.

Comfort, safety, and who should skip it

This is an active trip, even though it lasts only half a day. The boat moves quickly, the seats require a straddling position, and the return journey can be choppy. If you have back problems, are pregnant, have mobility impairments, or use a wheelchair, this tour is not suitable.

For everyone else, preparation makes a big difference:

• Wear swimwear beneath your clothes.
• Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, sandals, and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Add beach shoes for rocky entrances.
• Secure hats, phones, and loose belongings on the boat.
• Bring a little extra money for food and drinks.
• Do not bring pets.

The crew handles safety equipment and explains basic procedures. Still, listen closely before the boat leaves and follow instructions when entering or leaving the vessel. The ride is fun because it is fast, not because it is risk-free.

Weather also matters. Summer offers the best chance of warm swimming and an open beach bar, but it can bring heavier crowds. Spring, autumn, and winter can provide a more peaceful Trogir and Maslinica, yet the Blue Lagoon facilities may be closed and swimming less appealing.

How this compares with a large party boat

The small-group setup gives this trip a different mood from a large excursion vessel. You are not spending the day with hundreds of people, loud entertainment, and fixed meal service. The boat can move quickly between stops, and the host can offer simple suggestions tailored to the group.

That does not mean the experience is quiet. Music has been part of some rides, and the speed can feel like a small roller coaster when the sea is lively. You get social energy without the scale of a party cruise.

I would choose this tour if you want a balance of sightseeing and swimming. I would skip it if you want a formal historical tour, long uninterrupted beach time, or a slow, shaded boat ride.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

Book it if you have about half a day, want to see more than Split, and like the idea of a fast boat ride as much as the destinations. The strongest combination is Trogir’s stone lanes, the Blue Lagoon swim, and Maslinica’s quiet harbor.

Go in with clear expectations. Trogir is a short visit, the Blue Lagoon may be rocky or crowded, food costs extra, and the host is not a licensed guide. Bring water shoes, secure your belongings, and leave room in your schedule for a bumpy return.

I would especially recommend it for first-time visitors to the Split area who want a broad coastal sample without committing to a full day. If you prefer depth over variety, spend a separate day in Trogir or choose a longer island trip. At $88, this is a lively and efficient introduction to the nearby coast, with the speedboat ride providing much of the fun.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. Boat rides between stops take about 15 to 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Toto Travel office next to St. Francis Church, facing the sea, in Split.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on Šolta Island. The order may change between morning and afternoon departures.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should budget separately for meals, coffee, cocktails, or other purchases.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels and goggles are listed as included, along with safety equipment. Availability has varied on some past departures, so you may wish to bring your own if you have suitable equipment.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or medical concerns?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. The speedboat seats require you to straddle them, and the ride can be choppy.