From Split: Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Trogir Speedboat Tour

Fast boat, three very different stops. This half-day trip packs Trogir’s stone lanes, the Blue Lagoon’s clear water, and Šolta’s small harbor into one easy outing from Split. I like the mix of culture and swimming, and I like that the small speedboats carry only 8 to 12 people. The main drawback is time: Trogir and Šolta can feel rushed, especially if you want lunch or a proper look around.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. You get open views of Split and the islands, wind in your hair, and a lively atmosphere that may include music. I also value the practical format: transportation, a captain, crew, insurance, and snorkeling equipment are included. Still, bring your own patience and ask clearly for the snorkeling gear, since one recent passenger was not offered it.

Key points to know before booking

• Three stops in 270 minutes: You visit UNESCO-listed Trogir, swim at the Blue Lagoon, and finish near the fishing village of Maslinica on Šolta.
• Small speedboat groups: Boats hold 8 to 12 people, making the trip more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Strongest praise goes to the boat and crew: The boat has been described as being in very good condition, with a careful driver, good music, and clear explanations.
• Swimming time is the relaxed part: The Blue Lagoon includes about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, with a pebble beach and pine trees nearby.
• Food costs extra: Lunch, drinks, and anything you buy at the coastal bar or restaurant are not included.
• Not suitable for everyone: The trip excludes children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people with mobility impairments.

Why this half-day boat trip works in Split

If you have only a short stay in Split, this tour gives you three flavors of Dalmatia without requiring a full day away from the city. You get a compact old town, a swimming stop, and a quiet island harbor, all in one 4-hour-30-minute outing.

I like this balance. Trogir gives the trip a cultural purpose, while the Blue Lagoon and Šolta keep it from becoming a day of walking in the heat. You are not locked into one type of activity, and none of the stops requires strenuous exercise.

The speedboat also saves time. A regular boat can make the journey feel like transportation first and sightseeing second. Here, the ride is part of the experience, with broad views across the water and the chance to see Split from a different angle.

The boats carry 8 to 12 people. That is small enough for a friendly group, though not private. You should expect engine noise, spray, and a lively setting rather than a quiet yacht cruise. One practical point matters: the engine can make it difficult to hear spoken information, so sit where you can see the guide and ask questions when the boat is stopped.

The first 30 minutes: leaving Split by speedboat

The meeting point is the booking stand at semiSUBMARINE Split. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the starting point.

Once aboard, the first ride lasts about 30 minutes. This is a good time to settle in, protect your eyes from glare, and take in the views of Split and the nearby islands. The boat ride has received some of the warmest praise, especially for the condition of the boat, the careful driving, and the upbeat mood.

Music may be part of the atmosphere. One recent outing included a DJ, which suited the speedboat setting but may not appeal to anyone hoping for a calm, quiet cruise. I would think of this as a social ride with scenery, not a silent nature trip.

Bring a light layer even on a warm day. The boat’s speed creates a breeze, and weather can feel different on the water than it does on the dock. Sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a change of clothes are all sensible choices.

One hour in Trogir, Dalmatia’s Stone Beauty

Trogir is the most substantial cultural stop. The town sits on a small island and is often called the Little Venice of Dalmatia or the Stone Beauty. Its tight streets, squares, towers, and carved facades make it easy to understand why the old town has UNESCO World Heritage status.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a brisk walk and a few important sights, but not enough for a slow museum visit, a long meal, and every attractive lane. I would arrive with a simple plan rather than trying to see everything.

Start with the Cathedral of St. Lovro. Its portal was carved by Master Radovan in the 13th century, and it is one of Trogir’s key works. Even if you do not study every architectural detail, the carved stone gives the town a strong sense of place.

Continue through the old streets toward the Town Gate, Town Hall, Ćipiko Palace, and Trogir Museum. The town is compact, so you can cover a lot on foot. The pleasure comes from looking up as you walk: balconies, doorways, coats of arms, and worn stonework appear at almost every turn.

Trogir’s two Venetian fortresses also help explain the town’s position on the Adriatic. Fortress Kamerlengo sits at the western end of the island and once served as a naval base. Today, it is used as a multimedia center, open-air cinema, and stage for cultural events.

The short stop has one clear weakness. If you want to sit down for traditional Dalmatian food, have a leisurely drink, or visit several interiors, one hour is tight. A recent passenger specifically wished for more time in Trogir and less time at the beach. I agree that the old town is the place where extra minutes would be most useful.

My advice is to save lunch for after the main walk, or accept that you may only have time for a quick snack. Food and drinks are not included, so budget separately.

The Blue Lagoon: one hour for swimming and snorkeling

After Trogir, the boat heads toward the Blue Lagoon. The ride is listed at about 30 minutes, and the stop gives you roughly an hour to swim, snorkel, or simply sit in the sun.

This is the most relaxed section of the trip. The water is described as very clear, and snorkeling equipment is meant to be provided. You can look below the surface, swim from the boat, or use the nearby pebble beach surrounded by pine trees.

I like that you are not required to be athletic. The activity is physically light, and you can choose your own pace. If you prefer not to snorkel, sunbathing on the boat or relaxing by the beach is perfectly in keeping with the outing.

There is also a bar and restaurant on the coast near the water. That gives you an option for a drink or meal, but you will pay for it yourself. Since the overall schedule is short, do not assume there will be time for a full lunch here.

One detail deserves attention. Snorkeling equipment is included in the advertised package, but one recent passenger said the gear was never offered. I would ask the crew for it as soon as you arrive, rather than waiting until the end of the swimming stop. Equipment availability and how it is handed out can affect how much time you actually get in the water.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the busiest-feeling stop simply because it is the tour’s main summer swimming location. The appeal is easy to understand: clear water, a beach, pine trees, and a break from city streets. The tradeoff is that this is a popular type of Croatian coast experience, not a guaranteed private cove.

Maslinica on Šolta: a small harbor to finish

The final stop is Maslinica, a small fishing village on the island of Šolta. The boat ride from the Blue Lagoon takes about 20 minutes, followed by approximately one hour at a local bar and swimming area.

Maslinica is a pleasant change of pace. Instead of old-town monuments or an organized swimming site, you get a small harbor surrounded by little islands. It is the kind of place where a cold drink, a swim, or a plate of seafood makes more sense than a packed sightseeing schedule.

The village is known for seafood, beaches, and domestic wine. I would use this stop to slow down, especially if the first half of the tour has felt busy. You may find that the hour passes quickly if you want both a swim and a meal.

That time limit is the main issue. Two passengers felt that Trogir and Šolta deserved more time, and one said there was not enough time to eat or drink there. If your ideal island visit includes sitting over lunch, this tour may leave you watching the clock.

Still, Maslinica is a smart final stop because it ends the day gently. You can take photographs, enjoy the harbor, and swim without needing to climb through another long list of monuments.

Timing, group size, and the real pace

The total duration is 270 minutes, or 4 hours and 30 minutes. The planned sections include a 30-minute ride to Trogir, one hour there, another 30-minute ride to the Blue Lagoon, one hour for swimming, a 20-minute ride to the final local bar, and another hour before returning to Split.

That schedule is full. Every stop has a purpose, but you will not have much spare time if the boat leaves promptly. I would not book this expecting an unhurried island day. I would book it for variety and efficient sightseeing.

The 8 to 12-person boat size is a useful middle ground. You get a more personal feel than on a large excursion vessel, and the crew can usually keep the group moving. The tradeoff is that your comfort depends partly on the other people aboard and on how well everyone follows the timing.

The crew has earned especially positive attention for its good mood, careful driving, and explanations. Denny was singled out by name for making the trip enjoyable. Another passenger praised a lovely guide but had trouble hearing her because she looked away while speaking and the engine was loud.

That tells you what to expect: the crew can add a lot to the outing, but commentary is easier to follow when the boat is stationary. If hearing the history matters to you, stay close to the guide at Trogir and ask for key points again when you are ashore.

Is the $88 price good value?

At $88 per person, I see this as fair value if you want several experiences in one half-day. Transportation by speedboat, captain and crew, snorkeling equipment, and insurance are included. You are paying for access to three locations and for the time saved moving between them.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long beach session. You could spend about an hour swimming, but a large part of the outing is used for boat transfers and Trogir. Food and drinks are extra, and the coastal stops invite you to spend more.

I would compare the price with your priorities. If you would otherwise arrange separate transport to Trogir, find your own boat to the Blue Lagoon, and organize an island stop, this package is convenient. If you already have several days in Split and can visit Trogir at your own pace, the short one-hour stop may feel limiting.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make it easier to fit the trip into an uncertain schedule. Check the available starting time before booking, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the basic information.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

I think this suits you best if you:

• Have limited time in Split and want several highlights in one outing
• Enjoy a mix of history, swimming, views, and short boat rides
• Prefer a small group to a large excursion vessel
• Want a relaxing activity without demanding physical exertion
• Like an upbeat atmosphere with music and a social crew
• Are happy to buy your own lunch and drinks

I would think twice if you need wheelchair access, have a mobility impairment, are pregnant, or are bringing a child under three. The trip is not designed for those needs.

You should also reconsider it if you want long, quiet visits. Trogir deserves more than an hour, and Šolta can tempt you to stay for a full meal. This is a sampler, not a slow island holiday.

Pack swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a change of clothes, and weather-appropriate clothing. Alcohol, drugs, and explosive substances are not allowed. The tour operates with Croatian and English-speaking crew.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a lively, efficient way to see more of the Split area without spending a full day away. The best parts are the well-liked speedboat ride, the mix of Trogir and the sea, the careful driving, and the easy swimming stop.

Skip it if your priority is an unhurried meal in Trogir or Šolta, or if snorkeling is the only reason you are going. Ask directly for the equipment, keep your expectations realistic about the short stops, and treat the tour as a scenic sampler. At $88, it is a good fit for curious first-time visitors with limited time, but not the right choice for a slow coastal escape.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Trogir tour?

The tour lasts 270 minutes, or 4 hours and 30 minutes. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica on the island of Šolta. It returns to the semiSUBMARINE Split meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although you should ask the crew for it when you reach the Blue Lagoon.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy them at restaurants or a local bar near the coastal stops.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is the booking stand at semiSUBMARINE Split.

Who cannot join this activity?

The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.