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

REVIEW · BLUE LAGOON TOURS

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

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  • 9 hours
  • From $91
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A day on the water, done right. This Split-area island hop pairs a proper swim stop at the Blue Lagoon with a timed wander through Trogir, a UNESCO city, all in one day with drinks onboard. You also get Island Šolta and a chance to look for the sunken ship Kontessa.

I especially like the way the day is structured around water time first and sightseeing second. You get coffee and croissants before you reach Trogir, then a boat-delivered lunch while you’re sailing to the main swim stop, plus snorkeling support at the wreck site. The crew also tends to be friendly and hands-on, which matters when you’re juggling swim breaks and changing light on the water.

One thing to keep in mind: the captain can adjust the timing based on weather and onboard decisions, so don’t treat the schedule like a train timetable.

Key points worth knowing before you book

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Key points worth knowing before you book

  • Blue Lagoon swim block: about two hours for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling gear on hand
  • Trogir in one hour: a tight walking plan plus optional climbs and cathedral time
  • Šolta and Kontessa: mooring near the wreck, then extra snorkeling time in the bay
  • Drinks included all day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea, with a licorice tasting stop
  • Food is simple but filling: you get a real lunch and fruit, though meal specifics can vary by departure
  • Snorkeling gear deposit: you’ll need a 10 EUR safety deposit to use the gear

From Split to Slatine: the day starts before the sightseeing

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - From Split to Slatine: the day starts before the sightseeing
This cruise works because it blends two kinds of Croatia you may want in one trip: classic coastal towns and time in the sea. It runs from either Slatine (early boarding) or Split (later boarding), and the whole flow is built to get you to the first big stop without wasting the day sitting in transit.

The meeting point is Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag. If you’re catching the Slatine start, boarding runs 08:00 to 08:30. If you’re starting from Split, boarding runs 09:00 to 09:15. Either way, it’s a straightforward, one-boat day—no split-group shuttles or complicated transfers.

Random seating is part of the deal. So don’t over-plan your view. Instead, bring patience. On a boat day, you’ll constantly re-choose your spot as the sun and wind move.

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

The pre-Trogir cruise: coffee, croissants, and a church you’d miss on land

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - The pre-Trogir cruise: coffee, croissants, and a church you’d miss on land
On the way to Trogir, you sail next to the south side of Island Čiovo. This is where you can spot the church Gospe od Prizdinice, listed as one of the oldest churches on Čiovo. It’s not a long stop. It’s a passing “look while you can” moment, but those quick visual rewards add up on a day like this.

Breakfast is simple and onboard: coffee or tea and a croissant served during the morning voyage. It’s designed to keep you moving, not to turn into a long café breakfast. If your priority is a full breakfast spread, calibrate expectations. One departure reported coffee/tea not arriving as expected, so if that matters to you, I’d plan to drink what you need early.

Trogir in 60 minutes: what you can actually see

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Trogir in 60 minutes: what you can actually see
You arrive in Trogir at 11:00, and you stay until 12:00—an hour of sightseeing in the UNESCO-protected core. That short time is both a strength and a limitation. It’s a strength because you won’t get bogged down. It’s a limitation because you won’t cover everything.

Your hour can include a climb up Kamerlengo Tower or a visit to St. Lovre Cathedral. You can also visit the Three of Love and the Kairos relief. These are the kind of names you remember because they’re specific, not generic sightseeing dots.

Practical takeaway: if you want the tower view, decide early and build your path while you’re still fresh. The climb and the time needed to admire details can eat minutes quickly. If you’re more into interiors and religious art, swap the tower for the cathedral and keep moving.

Trogir is the cultural anchor of the whole day. Even with the short window, it gives the trip contrast against the sun-and-swim focus of the rest of the schedule.

Blue Lagoon: the main event, with drinks and snorkeling support

Then comes the reason most people book this cruise: the Blue Lagoon swim time. You depart Trogir at 12:00 and sail toward the lagoon, with lunch served onboard during the journey.

You get about two hours at the Blue Lagoon, from 13:00 to 15:00. That’s enough for a relaxed swim, sunbathing, and a couple of snorkeling tries—especially if you’re not trying to treat it like a training session.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat also offers water entertainment onboard. You’ll likely see the waterslide in action or have access to it depending on conditions. Still, one departure reported the slide not being available in the form advertised, with inflatables instead. So if the slide is a key item on your checklist, treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

During the Blue Lagoon time, drinks are included for the whole day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea. This matters more than it sounds. On hot Adriatic trips, hydration and shade breaks are what keep you enjoying the sea instead of just surviving it.

Lunch onboard: three meal types, plus a reality check

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Lunch onboard: three meal types, plus a reality check
Lunch is served as you sail from Trogir to the Blue Lagoon, and you can choose between three meal types. The listed options include fish, meat, and a vegetarian menu, plus fruit later as a snack.

In real life, lunch tends to be more “simple meal” than “chef’s special.” One person described lunch as pasta rather than a straightforward fish or meat plate. Another enjoyed fish risotto and called it very tasty. That spread tells you the best approach: don’t assume the meal will match your exact mental picture from the menu words. Do assume you’ll be fed.

Fruit snacks appear later too. Fresh fruit is served on the return to Split, and at least one departure also noted a good, abundant watermelon afternoon snack.

Šolta and Nečujam: mooring near Kontessa and the shipwreck story

After Blue Lagoon, you travel to Island Šolta. The first stop is Nečujam, where the boat moors close to the sunken ship Kontessa. You also get a licorice tasting stop around 15:00 to 15:45.

What I like here is the switch in vibe. The day shifts from open-water swimming toward something more hands-on. You can explore the shipwreck and then later do snorkeling in the bay around Kontessa from about 16:00 to 17:00.

A balanced warning: the shipwreck experience can land differently depending on expectations and water conditions. Some people were disappointed and felt the wreck didn’t match what they had hoped. Others found the snorkeling around the wreck time enjoyable, especially when you can get down and look around calmly.

If you’re sensitive to getting out to a specific viewing spot, note this tour is a boat ride where attractions can be reached by swimming rather than by easy access points. That’s not stated as a formal accessibility policy, but it’s a real operational factor you’ll want to consider if mobility or comfort in the water is an issue.

Drinks, music, and the boat vibe on Adriatic time

This tour includes drinks during the whole day: water, wine, and homemade iced tea. There’s also a licorice tasting as part of the later schedule. WiFi use is included too, which can help if you need to share photos quickly or update plans for the evening.

A lot of the enjoyment comes down to boat atmosphere. Multiple people highlighted the crew’s helpful, friendly manner. That’s especially important on a day where timing can adjust and where people are constantly getting in and out for swimming and snorkeling.

One more detail that affects your vibe: seating is random. So you might end up near the crew or near a quieter corner depending on where you land. If you care about calm views, show up early for boarding at your start point so you can get your preferred section faster.

Timing and what can change: why this feels easy even when it isn’t exact

The listed itinerary is a good guide, but it explicitly says the schedule might vary due to captain decisions or weather conditions. That’s a normal reality on the Adriatic, but this tour is still a structured day with anchor stops.

In plain terms:

  • You have a set sightseeing block in Trogir (one hour).
  • You have a set swim block at Blue Lagoon (about two hours).
  • You have a set wreck/norkle time at Nečujam (snorkeling around Kontessa).

The pressure point is “how tight it feels” if the boat shifts slightly. One departure even ended about an hour earlier than the planned return time. So if you have dinner reservations back in Split, avoid picking something that depends on an exact 18:30 return without buffer.

Back to Split, you generally arrive at 18:30, and back to Slatine around 19:00.

Value for $91: good value if you want a full-day water + town combo

From Split: Islands & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks - Value for $91: good value if you want a full-day water + town combo
At about $91 per person for a 9-hour day, this cruise often makes sense if you want:

  • One main swim stop (Blue Lagoon)
  • One UNESCO town hit (Trogir)
  • One shipwreck story stop (Kontessa)
  • Meals and drinks included

That combo is the core value. You’re paying for convenience and time efficiency. You’re not arranging separate boat transfers to each stop, and you’re not building your own day around timing.

Where value may feel uneven is when expectations are very specific:

  • If you want a very elaborate meal experience, the lunch can feel basic.
  • If you want a water slide every time regardless of sea conditions, it may not always appear as expected.
  • If you want the shipwreck to look like a perfect postcard, the experience can disappoint depending on how it’s presented and what conditions allow.

Still, for many people, the Blue Lagoon swimming and the quick, memorable hour in Trogir are worth the price even if one element isn’t perfect.

What to bring so you enjoy every stop

This is a sea-focused day, so pack for wet and sunny conditions. I’d plan for:

  • Swimwear and a change of clothes for the ride back
  • A towel (unless you already know your preference for handling wet gear)
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Water shoes if you’re the type who prefers grip when stepping in and out
  • A swimsuit-friendly small bag for phone and essentials

And don’t ignore the snorkeling gear note: there’s a 10 EUR safety deposit required to use the snorkeling equipment. That cost isn’t huge, but it’s still money you should keep ready.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This cruise is a great match if you want a single ticket for a full Adriatic day: swim time, a UNESCO stop you can say you saw, and a shipwreck moment that breaks up the standard beach routine.

It may be less ideal if:

  • You’re very strict about schedules matching the printed times.
  • You’re picky about food style and want a consistent “fish/meat plate” every time.
  • You’re uncomfortable with swimming access in open water areas, since some viewing/snorkel spots depend on being in the water.

If you’re flexible and you care more about time on the sea than perfection in each detail, this works well.

Should you book the Split & Blue Lagoon cruise with lunch and drinks?

I’d book it if your priority is a one-day combo: Blue Lagoon swimming, a quick Trogir UNESCO hit, and Šolta’s Nečujam and Kontessa. The price becomes reasonable when you factor in meals, ongoing drinks, and a full day of activities that would otherwise take planning.

I’d hesitate if your must-haves are very specific and unchangeable. The tour can adjust for weather and captain decisions, and the “included extras” can vary by departure. Also, if you care a lot about the exact look of a shipwreck or the exact form of a water slide, this trip is more about the experience of being out there than a guaranteed photo-perfect moment.

If you want a relaxed, social boat day with plenty of water time and real structure, this is a solid bet.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B. Look for the Bura Travel flag.

What are the starting times?

There are two options: boarding in Slatine from 08:00 to 08:30, or boarding in Split from 09:00 to 09:15.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 9 hours.

What are the main stops during the day?

The key stops are Trogir, the Blue Lagoon, and Nečujam on Island Šolta (for the Kontessa shipwreck area).

What time do you arrive in Trogir, and how long do you have there?

You arrive in Trogir at 11:00 and stay until 12:00, for one hour of sightseeing.

What is included in the price?

Included items are coffee and croissant (breakfast), lunch (fish/meat/vegetarian menu plus fruit snack), drinks (water, wine, homemade iced tea, and licorice tasting), waterslide use, and WiFi use.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is offered, but there is a safety deposit of 10 EUR for using the gear.

Are drinks included all day?

Yes. Water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included during the whole day.

Does the itinerary always run exactly on schedule?

The itinerary might vary due to captain decisions or weather conditions.

When do you return to Split and Slatine?

You return to Split at 18:30 and to Slatine at 19:00.

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