Split: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Speedboat Tour – Small group

The Adriatic rewards a fast start. This five-hour speedboat outing packs Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica into one lively half-day, giving you old stone streets, clear swimming water, and a quiet island harbor without arranging three separate trips. I like the small group size and the chance to store luggage at the Smile Travel office. The main catch is simple: popular summer stops can feel crowded, and the boat ride can be bumpy.

You meet at Marmontova 5 in Split, where the crew gets everyone organized before the boat pulls away. I also like the mix of activities: sightseeing in Trogir, swimming and snorkeling at Blue Lagoon, then slower island time in Šolta. Just remember that five hours goes quickly, so this is a sampler of the coast, not a leisurely full-day island escape.

Five things to know before booking

• Three very different stops: Trogir supplies old stone streets, Blue Lagoon offers swimming and snorkeling, and Maslinica brings a quieter harbor atmosphere.
• Small boat, lively ride: The speedboat is limited to 10 participants, with space for 12, so you avoid the feel of a large excursion boat.
• Useful luggage storage: You can leave bags at the Smile Travel office, a smart option if you are heading to the airport afterward.
• Swimming gear is included: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and other safety gear are supplied, so you need not pack your own mask.
• Five hours means careful pacing: Each stop is short enough for a first look, but not long enough for a full Trogir visit or a relaxed island lunch.
• Weather controls the plan: Maslinica may be replaced, and rough conditions can cancel the trip with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Starting in Split with a small boat

The tour begins in front of Smile Travel at Marmontova 5, a central meeting point in Split. You should arrive ready to move, since the group walks to the boat after checking in and storing any luggage you do not want on board.

The luggage service is one of the more practical touches here. It is especially useful if you are leaving Split later in the day and need to connect with the airport. Contact the company in advance if you need storage, rather than assuming there will be room for an unplanned bag.

The boat carries a small group, listed as no more than 10 participants, and the boat itself has room for 12. That gives the trip a more personal feel than a large ferry excursion. You will hear English or Croatian from the host and skipper, and music is included during the ride.

A speedboat gets you between destinations quickly, but speed has a tradeoff. The ride is exciting and gives you open-water views, yet the boat can bounce over waves. One passenger described the motion as bumpy but expected for this kind of boat. If you have back problems, are pregnant, have mobility limitations, or are over 70, this outing is not considered suitable. Children under four cannot join.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, water, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry change of clothes. A light layer is sensible too, since the boat ride can feel different from a sunny beach stop.

Trogir: one hour among old stones

The first major stop is Trogir, a 2,000-year-old town on Čiovo Island and a UNESCO-protected site. You have free time rather than a guided historical walk, so the visit works best if you want to wander and choose your own pace.

Trogir is compact enough for a quick introduction. You can walk through its old streets, look at the stone buildings, and take in the town’s historic character before returning to the boat. It is often described as a museum town, and that comparison makes sense: the appeal is concentrated in its buildings, lanes, and views rather than in one single attraction.

I like this stop because it breaks up the water time. After riding across the coast, you get a chance to stretch your legs and see a side of Dalmatia that has nothing to do with beaches. The tradeoff is the clock. About an hour gives you a useful first look, but you will need to keep moving if you want to see much of the old center.

If Trogir is a major reason for booking, consider returning on another day for a longer visit. On this tour, treat it as an attractive introduction rather than a full town tour. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than beach sandals here.

The route may run in a different order in the morning and afternoon. That does not change the character of the stop, but it can affect how much energy you have for walking, swimming, or eating later in the trip.

Blue Lagoon: the main swim stop

After Trogir, the boat heads to Blue Lagoon Beach on Drvenik Veli Island. This is the part of the trip built for getting wet. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, watch marine life, and take photos from the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are life jackets and safety gear. That is useful if you want to look beneath the surface without bringing your own equipment. The water is described as clean and clear, though the exact visibility and comfort will depend on the day and sea conditions.

Blue Lagoon is also the most popular stop, so do not picture a deserted cove. In summer, it can be busy, and the beach has a social, active feel rather than the quiet mood of a remote island. That is not necessarily a fault. If you want easy swimming, a short boat ride, and a scenic place to cool off, the popularity reflects the setting.

The planned stop is about 75 minutes in the schedule, while some departures may provide closer to an hour at the swimming locations. That distinction matters. You will have enough time for a swim and some snorkeling, but changing clothes, taking photos, and relaxing on shore can quickly use up the visit.

A cocktail is listed among the possible activities at Blue Lagoon, but food and drinks are not included in the price. Bring water and budget separately for anything you buy. If you want the best use of the stop, put your swimsuit on before leaving Split and keep your towel easy to reach.

Maslinica: a gentler finish on Šolta

The final destination is Maslinica on Šolta Island, a coastal village with a picturesque harbor, traditional stone houses, and olive groves. Compared with Blue Lagoon, it is meant to feel slower and more peaceful.

You have free time to walk, swim, relax, or try local cuisine. This is where the trip gets its most local flavor, even though the visit remains brief. Maslinica gives you a chance to see an inhabited island village rather than only a designated swimming site.

I like the contrast between the three stops. Trogir is built around old architecture, Blue Lagoon around the sea, and Maslinica around a calm harbor setting. That variety helps the tour feel like more than a repeated series of swim breaks.

Still, do not make firm plans around Maslinica without checking the weather. The company may replace it with another destination if conditions require it. The route can also change depending on the departure time.

Food is not included, so you will pay separately if you choose to eat in Maslinica. With only about an hour, a full meal may feel rushed. A quick local bite or drink makes more sense if you want to preserve time for walking and swimming.

What the $94 price really buys you

At $94 per person, the tour costs more than taking a local bus to one destination or riding a standard ferry. The value comes from combining several places in one half-day and avoiding the work of comparing ferry times, finding swimming spots, and arranging transport between islands.

Your price covers the small-group excursion, English-speaking staff, a licensed skipper, speedboat transport and fuel, music, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, passenger insurance, taxes, and fees. That is a useful bundle for someone with limited time in Split.

The boat is the key value point. You are paying to move quickly across open water, which lets you see Trogir, Drvenik Veli, and Šolta in a single outing. A ferry-based plan would likely require more planning and would not give you the same direct movement between swim and sightseeing stops.

The price makes less sense if you want long visits, a guided tour of Trogir, or a quiet beach with very few people. You may also spend extra on food and drinks. Compare the tour with the cost of separate transport, then ask yourself how much you value convenience and a small boat.

The high transport satisfaction attached to this experience fits the product. The speedboat is central to the fun, and the crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and reassuring. Doris is specifically noted for being helpful and service-minded, while another departure had two kind hosts handling the boat and group.

How the timing affects your day

The advertised duration is five hours, which makes this easier to fit around a day in Split. You get a compact coastal outing rather than losing an entire day to island travel.

The listed plan includes roughly 30 minutes of boat travel between several sections and about 75 minutes at each major stop. In practice, exact stop times can shift. The boat must account for sea conditions, loading, docking, and the order of destinations.

That means you should avoid scheduling an important appointment immediately after the advertised return time. Weather can slow the route, and the itinerary may change. The return is to the Smile Travel office on Marmontova 5, with the same office also serving as the starting point.

The short format is ideal if you have only one free morning or afternoon in Split. It also works well for an arrival or departure day, especially if you use the luggage storage and have enough buffer before your onward transport.

Comfort, safety, and who should book

This is a good fit for adults, older children, couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a quick taste of the Dalmatian coast. Families with children over four can join, and life jackets are available. One family particularly valued the safety equipment for children aged five and eight.

You should book it if you enjoy boat rides, do not mind a little bouncing, and want variety more than long, unhurried stops. You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, need extra physical support, or want a quiet beach experience away from summer crowds.

The small group helps. With up to 10 participants, the crew can keep the atmosphere friendly and personal, and you are not lost in a large crowd. But a small boat does not remove the crowds at Trogir or Blue Lagoon. The stops themselves remain popular.

Weather is the biggest variable. The activity may be canceled in bad conditions, with an alternative date or full refund offered. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Is the speedboat tour worth booking?

Book it if you want a fast, well-organized introduction to three very different coastal places and value transport more than long visits. The best parts are the small group, friendly crew, included snorkeling gear, luggage storage, and the efficient combination of town, beach, and island village.

Skip it if your priority is a detailed Trogir visit, a secluded beach, or a full meal on Šolta. For most people with only a short stay in Split, the $94 price is fair because it saves planning time and covers a lot of coastline in five hours. Pack for swimming, expect some bumps, and treat each stop as a carefully chosen sample rather than the whole story.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova 5 in Split. The tour also returns to this office.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts five hours. Exact timings can change due to the weather, sea conditions, and the order of the stops.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Trogir on Čiovo Island, Blue Lagoon Beach on Drvenik Veli Island, and Maslinica on Šolta Island.

How many people are in the group?

The activity is limited to 10 participants. The speedboat has room for 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and other safety gear are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and budget separately for anything you purchase.

Can I store luggage during the tour?

Yes. Luggage storage is available at the activity provider’s office, but you should contact the company if you need storage.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The order of the stops may differ between morning and afternoon departures. Maslinica may also be replaced with another destination because of weather or sea conditions.

Who should not join this activity?

The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people over 70.