Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

The best thing about this Split outing is its mix of sea time and historic streets. In five hours, you get a fast ride along the Dalmatian coast, swimming and snorkeling in Blue Lagoon, a relaxed stop at Borkko Beach Bar, and an hour in UNESCO-listed Trogir. I like the small group size, capped at 12, and the easy half-day length. You can fit it into a busy Split schedule without giving up an entire day.

I also like that the guides keep the mood light without turning the boat into a lecture. Guides including Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, and Ivan are often praised for friendly hosting, music, safety, and just enough local information. The main drawback is the speedboat ride itself: wind can make it bumpy, and strong weather may cancel the trip. Trogir also gets only about an hour, which may feel short if you want to see more than the harbor area.

Key points at a glance

• Three distinct stops: Swim at Borkko Beach Bar, snorkel in Blue Lagoon, and walk through historic Trogir.
• A genuinely small boat group: The tour accepts no more than 12 people, making boarding and swimming stops easier to manage.
• Five hours is a useful compromise: You get a proper taste of the coast without losing a full day in Split.
• Friendly crew style: Guides such as Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, and Ivan are praised for humor, music, safety, and measured commentary.
• Bring your own beach kit: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and consider water shoes because the boat floor can become slippery.
• Weather affects the plan: Strong wind can cancel the tour, and Borkko Beach Bar may be replaced by Maslinica on Šolta Island.

Why this five-hour trip works from Split

Split gives you Roman walls, busy waterfront cafes, and plenty to do on land. Still, the Adriatic is the reason many people come to Dalmatia, and this trip lets you reach the water quickly without arranging ferries, taxis, and separate beach stops.

The schedule is straightforward. You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office, check in, and walk to the boat with your English-speaking guide. The first ride lasts about 30 minutes, followed by roughly an hour at Borkko Beach Bar, an hour at Blue Lagoon, and an hour in Trogir. The final boat ride back to Split takes another 30 minutes.

That gives you about one hour on the boat each way and three hours at the stops. It is a good balance for anyone who wants several sights but does not want a long, tiring day at sea. The trip is active, but it is not a serious sporting excursion. You can swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy the coast from the boat.

The small group matters here. A maximum of 12 people means less waiting when the boat arrives, more room to move around, and a better chance of hearing the guide. It also helps the tour feel social without becoming a packed party boat.

The speedboat ride and views along the Dalmatian coast

The boat ride is part of the attraction, not just transport between stops. From the sundeck, you can look back toward Split and out across the Central Dalmatian coast and islands. The views are best treated as a moving panorama, with open water, rocky shores, pine trees, and small bays appearing between stops.

The ride can be smooth, but it is still a speedboat. Wind and waves may produce sharp bumps, especially on the open stretches. The tour is not recommended for people with back problems, mobility problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or children under five. If you know you are sensitive to motion or sudden jolts, this is worth considering before you book.

The crew helps set the tone. Different boats may have different pairings, but names often associated with the experience include skipper Paško, guide Linda, and guides and skippers such as Simon, Luka, Ivan, Mate, Domagoj, and Gabriel. You should not assume you can request a particular person, but the repeated praise for friendly crews, safe driving, humor, and good music is a useful clue about the style.

Music is part of the ride. It adds a holiday feel, though one passenger found it a little loud for conversation. If you want a quiet coastal cruise, this may not be your ideal boat trip. If you like a relaxed, upbeat outing, the music helps keep the journey lively.

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island

After about 30 minutes, the boat reaches Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island. You have about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing among pine trees. The setting combines a beach stop with a casual bar atmosphere, so you can choose between getting in the water and staying dry with a view.

This is a useful first stop because it eases you into the day. You are not thrown straight into a full schedule of sightseeing. Instead, you get time to settle in, look around, and enjoy the coast at a slower pace.

The beach bar is not included in the tour price, and food and drinks are not included. Bring money if you want to buy something there. The tour includes water, although one booking report raised a concern that water was not available on that occasion. I would bring a refillable bottle anyway, especially in the hot months.

The itinerary can change with the season and weather. Borkko Beach Bar may occasionally be replaced by Maslinica, a charming village on Šolta Island. That is not a bad substitute, but it changes the character of the stop. Borkko gives you a beach-bar setting, while Maslinica offers a village atmosphere and another view of island life.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

Blue Lagoon is the heart of the outing. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel in clear water beside sandy beaches. The water color is the main attraction, and the stop gives you the classic Adriatic experience that many people hope to find near Split.

Goggles are supplied, along with the boat’s safety equipment. You can look below the surface and spot marine life, though this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling tour. Think of it as a pleasant chance to see the underwater world and cool off, rather than a guided marine excursion.

The hour goes quickly. If you want to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and take photos, you will need to choose how you use the time. I would get your towel and sunscreen ready before arrival, then enter the water early rather than spending half the stop organizing your things.

The boat’s sundeck is another good place to enjoy Blue Lagoon. You can stay aboard and take in the water from above if you do not want to swim. One practical warning is that the boat floor can be slippery, particularly when people return from the water. Swimming shoes may help, but take care when walking across the deck.

Blue Lagoon can be busy, especially during the popular summer months. This tour does not promise a private bay. Its value is that you reach the stop by speedboat, have a planned hour there, and avoid arranging the transport yourself. For a quieter swim, an early or later departure may feel better, but starting times depend on availability.

One hour in UNESCO-listed Trogir

The final stop is Trogir, a historic town and harbor built on an island and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After two water-based stops, this hour gives the trip some cultural weight.

Trogir is compact enough for a short visit. You can walk near the harbor, see old stone buildings, and get a taste of the town’s historic center. The stop is best for first impressions rather than a detailed visit to every church, square, and alley.

I like this change of pace. A full day of beach stops can blur together, but Trogir adds streets, architecture, and a sense of place. You also get a different view of the coast from the harbor before returning to the boat.

The limitation is time. One hour is enough to stroll and take photographs, but not enough for an unhurried museum visit or a serious historical tour. If Trogir is high on your Croatia list, plan to return independently for a longer visit. One passenger specifically wanted more time there, which is understandable.

The guide may offer information about the places you visit, but this is not a dedicated Trogir walking tour. The emphasis is on seeing the town as one part of a larger coastal day.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, this is priced as an accessible half-day boat outing rather than a luxury charter. The fee covers the speedboat, skipper and guide service, snorkeling goggles, safety equipment, and water. Food and drinks are extra.

The value is strongest if you want variety. Booking separate transport to Čiovo or Šolta, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir would take more planning and could cost more once you add taxis, ferries, and beach time. Here, the route is organized and the boat handles the longer stretches quickly.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want one quiet beach. In that case, a simple beach day may suit you better. This tour charges for movement and variety, so you should want all three parts: swimming, a casual coastal stop, and Trogir.

The 4.8 rating from more than 3,400 bookings and the 91 percent perfect score for transport point to a well-liked operation. I would still keep expectations practical. A shared speedboat is not a private yacht, and the music, wake, wind, and tight schedule are part of the deal.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this for a couple, small group of friends, or solo visitor who wants to see more of the coast without spending a full day away from Split. It also suits people who like a simple mix of activity and downtime: swim for a while, ride the boat, walk through an old town, and return before the evening.

It is especially useful early in a Split stay. You get an overview of the nearby coast and can decide later if you want to return to Trogir or spend more time on the islands.

You should think twice if you dislike fast boats, struggle with back pain, need wheelchair access, or are pregnant. Children under five cannot join. The tour also depends on the sea. Strong wind can lead to cancellation, a full refund, or a move to another date or available trip.

If you are booking for friends or family, make one joint reservation. Separate bookings may place your party on different boats. That small planning detail matters when the group wants to spend the day together.

Practical preparation for the boat

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a secure way to carry small items. You will be moving between boat, beach, and town, so keep your day bag light.

I would also bring a refillable bottle, even though water is listed as included. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy something at the beach bar or eat before and after the tour.

The meeting point is the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office to check in and meet your guide rather than waiting outside and hoping you have found the right group.

For comfort, protect yourself from the sun during the rides as well as at the beaches. The sundeck offers the best views, but it also leaves you exposed. When returning from a swim, walk carefully because wet surfaces may be slippery.

The tour is conducted in English. Commentary is generally part of the experience, but the balance depends on the crew. Some guides, including Linda, Simon, and Ivan, are praised for mixing useful information with humor and allowing plenty of quiet time to enjoy the ride.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

I would book it if you want a compact coastal sampler rather than a slow, private cruise. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Borkko Beach Bar or a possible Maslinica stop, and Trogir gives you three different experiences for $70, and the five-hour schedule leaves room for dinner or another Split activity.

Book with realistic expectations. The speedboat may bounce, Blue Lagoon may be busy, Trogir deserves more than an hour, and food and drinks cost extra. But if you pack wisely, accept the weather risk, and enjoy a lively shared boat, this is a strong-value way to get beyond Split for half a day.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including two 30-minute speedboat rides and about one hour at each main stop.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet your guide at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in and a greeting from the tour guide.

What places does the boat visit?

The standard route includes Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island, Blue Lagoon, and the historic town of Trogir. Depending on the season and weather, Maslinica on Šolta Island may replace Borkko Beach Bar.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling goggles and safety equipment are included. You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Water is listed as included, though one booking report indicated that water was not available on that occasion.

Can children and pregnant women join?

Children under five, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility problems, and wheelchair users are not considered suitable for this tour.

What happens if the weather is too windy?

Strong wind may cause the tour to be canceled. You can receive a full refund or reschedule for another date. The booking may also be exchanged for another available trip.