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

A Croatian boat day, with three big hits. What makes this one appealing is the mix of Blue Lagoon swim time, a focused stop in Trogir, and a chance to check out the Kontessa shipwreck area on Šolta. I like the built-in breaks, coffee and croissants early, then a proper lunch in the middle of the day. One possible drawback to plan for: timing can run off by a bit, and a couple of onboard details (like water slide use and meal specifics) may not match the brochure perfectly.

You can join either from Slatine in the morning or from Split a little later, and the day stays simple because you are fed and watered onboard. Drinks like water, wine, and homemade iced tea are included, so you can keep moving without hunting for cash or kiosks. Still, seating order is random, so if you care about sitting together, show up early and be ready to adapt.

Key highlights that matter in real life

• Blue Lagoon swim block: about 2 hours to swim, sunbathe, and use snorkeling gear
• Trogir UNESCO hour: a quick hits version of Kamerlengo Tower and St. Lovre Cathedral
• Čiovo church views en route: sailing past the Gospe od Prizdinice area gives you a scenic warm-up
• Šolta and Kontessa shipwreck: you dock close and get time for snorkeling and exploring the wreck zone
• Drinks included all day: water, wine, homemade iced tea, plus a licorice tasting stop

A 9-hour route that bundles three islands worth visiting

This cruise is built for people who want the big-ticket Dalmatian moments in one day. You are not just watching the coast from a deck chair, you are also getting two real water breaks: one at the Blue Lagoon and another around the Kontessa shipwreck area on Šolta. That matters because Croatia trips often turn into rushed photo stops, while this one spends time where you actually go in the water.

I also like how the day is “structured but not stressful.” You get a gentle start with coffee and croissants onboard, then you hit Trogir for an hour, then the day shifts back toward water time. Add drinks included throughout, plus WiFi onboard, and it is a pretty low-effort way to spend a summer day near Split.

Boarding times, where you meet, and why “random seating” is a big deal

You have two departure options, and they change how early your morning starts. If you board from Slatine, boarding runs from 08:00 to 08:30, and if you board from Split, boarding runs from 09:00 to 09:15. The cruise length is about 9 hours, and you head back to Split at 18:30 and to Slatine at 19:00.

Meeting is at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B, and you should look for a Bura Travel flag. This is one of those small details that can save you stress. Arrive a bit ahead of boarding, because once the group settles, it is hard to get oriented quickly.

Also, seating is random. That means you should not count on sitting with your exact friends or family group. If you are the type who wants to sit near the front for photos or for cooler air, plan to get on early. If you do not mind where you end up, you will probably enjoy the ride more.

The Čiovo sail-by and the Gospe od Prizdinice moment

On your way toward Trogir, the route passes along the south side of Čiovo. This is the kind of coastline that looks best from the water, because you get angles you cannot replicate from shore. The cruise highlights a church area tied to Gospe od Prizdinice, described as one of the oldest churches on Čiovo.

Even if you do not remember the details of every hillside landmark, you are likely to enjoy this phase because it is a calm warm-up. You are not yet in the thick of snorkeling planning or trying to time a small-town walk. It is also when the crew serves your early coffee or tea with croissants, which makes the whole day feel smoother.

Trogir in one hour: what to see and how to not waste it

You reach Trogir around 11:00, and your stop runs until 12:00. That is a short window, but it is a smart one if you know what to aim for. Trogir is protected as a UNESCO site, and this stop is designed for quick viewpoints and signature sights rather than a long meander.

Here is what is included or specifically mentioned as part of the sightseeing time:

• Kamerlengo Tower
• St. Lovre Cathedral
• A stop at Three of Love
• Kairos relief

To get value from this hour, do not try to “cover everything.” Pick one main climb or entrance, then build a second photo stop nearby. If you start by aiming for either Kamerlengo Tower or St. Lovre Cathedral, you can then use the rest of the hour for the smaller listed spots like the Three of Love and the Kairos relief.

One practical note: one hour can feel especially tight if you stop for coffee, struggle with stairs, or keep waiting for the group to regroup. Come with comfy shoes and a short game plan, and you will enjoy the stop more.

Blue Lagoon: the swim block is the main event

Arrival at the Blue Lagoon comes after the Trogir hour, with lunch on the way. Your Blue Lagoon time runs roughly 13:00 to 15:00, which is about two hours.

This is where most people feel the “worth it” part of the day. You get time for swimming and sunbathing, and you also have snorkeling equipment available. There is also a water slide onboard listed as part of the experience. In practice, if your top priority is the slide, I would treat it as a “should be there” item, not a guarantee, because onboard experiences can vary with how the crew sets up and how conditions play out.

Snorkeling tip that will keep you comfortable: keep your expectations realistic. You are snorkeling from a tour setup, not from your own gear and boat at your own pace. If you want more than a quick look, you might spend extra energy, so plan to also enjoy the simple swim and the sun time.

For what to bring, think like a beach day plus a boat day:

• A swimsuit you can swim in comfortably
• A towel or quick-dry option, if you do not want wet clothes later
• Water shoes if you are sensitive underfoot
• Sunscreen, because you are outdoors most of the day
• A plan to keep your phone dry and handy for photos

Lunch and drinks onboard: included, but quality and variety can swing

Lunch is served on the way from Trogir to the Blue Lagoon. The meal is described as freshly made, and you can choose between three types. The menu is listed broadly as fish, meat, and vege.

Drinks are included throughout the day, including water, wine, and homemade iced tea. There is also a licorice tasting later in the afternoon.

Here is the important value insight: when a tour includes lunch and drinks for a set price, you should expect them to be functional, not restaurant-level fine dining. I like the included drinks because they remove the “find cash, find a bar, wait in line” friction. But if you are a picky eater or someone who really expects a specific meal style, be ready for the idea that lunch might not land exactly like you pictured.

Some people are happiest when they treat lunch as part of the boat-day rhythm. The better approach for you is to focus on the overall package value: you are paying for time on the water, Trogir sightseeing, and multiple swim windows, not for a gourmet lunch.

Šolta at Nečujam and the Kontessa shipwreck stop

After Blue Lagoon, you sail to Nečujam on the island of Šolta. Your stop is scheduled around 15:00 to 17:00, with two pieces to the afternoon:

• A stop that includes liquorice tasting around 15:00 to 15:45
• Snorkeling in the bay around the shipwreck Kontessa from 16:00 to 17:00

The boat moors close to the sunken ship Kontessa, and you can explore the wreck area. If you like “science-meets-adventure” travel, this is a fun concept because you are not just visiting beaches. You are looking at a real underwater structure.

The catch: wreck expectations can be tricky. Shipwrecks are not always the dramatic, movie-like scene you imagine. Your best mindset is curiosity, not certainty. Even if the wreck view is modest, snorkeling time here still adds contrast to the Blue Lagoon portion of the day.

Also, you should assume the wreck area is part of the “go in the water” experience. If you dislike any kind of splashing or you want strictly dry sightseeing, this may not feel like your kind of outing.

What you get included, and what you should pay extra for

Included items:

• Breakfast (coffee/tea and croissants)
• Lunch (three choices listed as fish, meat, vege menu) plus a fruit snack
• Drinks all day (water, wine, homemade iced tea)
• Waterslide use (listed onboard)
• WiFi use
• Snorkeling equipment
• Licorice tasting

Not included:

• Safety deposit of 10 EUR for snorkeling gear

That safety deposit is the one extra cost you should plan for. If you want snorkeling time to feel smooth, keep that amount in mind before you step onboard.

Group vibe, crew energy, and the reality of schedules

This is the sort of tour where the crew can make or break the experience. The tone in the day is generally described as friendly and helpful, and that helps when timing shifts happen. Still, it is wise to treat the written times as targets, not promises. Your itinerary can vary based on the captain’s decision or weather conditions.

This matters because:

• If the day runs behind, your Trogir hour can feel even shorter
• If conditions change, water activities might be adjusted
• If you are hungry or thirsty, delays can feel bigger when you are expecting a fixed lunch time

My practical advice: keep your expectations focused on the big pieces you are buying. You are paying for the combination of Blue Lagoon swimming, a Trogir UNESCO stop, and the Šolta shipwreck snorkeling experience.

If you arrive with that mindset, schedule changes hurt less.

Value check: is the $91 price fair?

At around $91 per person for a 9-hour cruise, the value depends on what you care about most.

If you value:

• Two swim blocks
• A Trogir sightseeing stop
• Lunch plus drinks included
• Snorkeling gear availability

Then this price can make sense, because you are covering transportation by boat, time at multiple destinations, and food and drinks in one bundle.

If you care most about:

• Consistent meal quality and exact lunch style
• A guaranteed water slide setup
• A perfectly timed itinerary with zero variation

Then you might feel like it is overpriced when details drift. In that case, you may want to compare similar tours and look for the ones that emphasize consistency in food and onboard activities.

Who this cruise suits best

This is a great fit if you want:

• A full day on the water without doing logistics
• A solid taste of Croatia’s coastal highlights in one trip
• Snorkeling time plus a wreck stop, not just a swim beach
• Drinks included so your day feels carefree

It might be less ideal if you:

• Hate short sightseeing windows
• Expect a high-end lunch experience
• Want a strictly predictable schedule down to the minute
• Need fully dry, step-by-step shore access without water activity

Should you book this Blue Lagoon, Trogir, and Šolta cruise?

Book it if you are mainly chasing the water time, want Trogir’s top sights without planning, and like the idea of lunch plus drinks already handled. The itinerary is built around the right priorities for a one-day trip from Split.

Skip it or compare options if your trip is food-obsessed, schedule-obsessed, or you are counting on every listed onboard activity to be exactly as written. In that case, the concept is still good, but you will feel the downsides more.

If you do book, do it with the right mindset: treat it as a fun Croatia boat day with a couple of built-in surprises, then spend your energy enjoying the swim stops, not policing the clock.

FAQ

What time does the tour start if I board in Slatine?

Boarding in Slatine runs from 08:00 to 08:30.

What time does the tour start if I board in Split?

Boarding in Split runs from 09:00 to 09:15.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Gat sv. Nikole, berth 6A or 6B, and you should look for the Bura Travel flag.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 9 hours.

What meals and drinks are included?

Breakfast includes coffee/tea and croissants, lunch is included, and drinks included are water, wine, homemade iced tea, plus a licorice tasting.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes, lunch is included, with a choice among three meal types.

Can I snorkel, and is equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is provided and is included in the tour.

Is there an extra fee related to snorkeling gear?

Yes, there is a 10 EUR safety deposit for using snorkeling gear.

How much time do you get in Trogir?

You have about 1 hour for sightseeing around Trogir.

Does the itinerary ever change?

Yes. The itinerary might vary based on the captain’s decision or weather conditions.