Private Speedboat Tour: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands from Split

The Adriatic looks best from a fast boat. This private five-hour trip from Split combines UNESCO-listed Trogir, the clear water of Blue Lagoon, and the quieter coves of Čiovo, with an optional stop at Maslinica on Šolta. I like the freedom of having a private boat and the chance to shape the route around swimming, sightseeing, or a little of both.

I also like the small-group price. At $777 for up to 10 people, the cost works out to about $78 per person when the boat is full. The main consideration is time: five hours goes quickly, and Trogir has no guide included, so you will need to explore the town on your own.

This is a good fit if you want a polished half-day on the water without joining a large group. The boat has shade, safety equipment, fuel, bottled water, and snorkeling masks, but you should bring your own towel, sunscreen, drinks, snacks, and cash.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You get the boat and crew to yourselves, which makes the route more flexible than a standard group cruise.
• Trogir adds culture to the water day: You can walk through this historic island town before switching from stone lanes to sea views.
• Blue Lagoon is the main swimming stop: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen for swimming, snorkeling, and time on the sandy beach.
• Čiovo keeps the pace relaxed: Its coves offer a quieter setting after Trogir and Blue Lagoon.
• Maslinica is optional: If your group prefers a peaceful harbor, olive groves, and a slower coastal stop, ask to include Šolta.
• The speedboat is practical, not just flashy: A fast ride lets you cover several coastal stops in five hours, though the ride may not suit people with back problems or pregnant women.

Leaving Split from the West Coast

Your meeting point is in front of Hotel Ambassador or near a gas station on Split’s west coast. That is a useful detail to check before you leave your accommodation, since the boat does not depart from a vague city-center point.

The boat is a luxury speedboat operated by KARLA luxury rib. The crew handles the boat, fuel, and safety equipment, while a sun shade gives you some relief from the strong Dalmatian sun. Bottled water is included, but I would still bring extra water and snacks because food and drinks beyond the included bottle are not part of the price.

A private departure changes the feel of the trip. You are not trying to keep up with a large party or waiting for strangers to finish lunch. Your group can place more emphasis on Trogir, swimming, coves, or Maslinica, depending on the conditions and the time available.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. This is a five-hour tour, so every extra stop reduces time elsewhere. If your group wants a long Trogir visit, an extended lunch, and several swims, you may need to accept a shorter stay at one or more places.

Trogir: stone lanes before salt water

Trogir is the cultural anchor of this outing. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its old streets, stone buildings, and compact historic center. You can walk through the narrow lanes, look around the old town, and get a taste of Dalmatian history before returning to the boat.

There is no guide in Trogir, so the stop works best if you are comfortable exploring independently. You will not have someone explaining every building or leading you from one sight to the next. That can be a drawback if you want a detailed historical tour, but it also gives you freedom to wander at your own pace.

I would use this stop to stretch your legs and get your bearings. The day is built around the sea, and Trogir provides a welcome change from sitting in the boat. Keep your visit focused, though. Five hours is not enough for a slow museum crawl followed by a full swim session.

If Trogir matters most to you, say so at the start. A private group has a better chance of shaping the stop around its interests than a fixed coach or shared boat group.

Blue Lagoon on Drvenik Veliki

Blue Lagoon is the trip’s main pleasure stop. The setting is designed for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and taking in the clear Adriatic water around Drvenik Veliki island.

A snorkeling mask is included, along with the required boat safety equipment. The mask is a useful extra, but you should not expect a full collection of personal snorkeling equipment. If you are particular about fit, bringing your own mask may be more comfortable, though the supplied gear gives you a simple way to get into the water without extra planning.

The beach is described as sandy, and you can spend time on shore as well as in the water. That matters because not everyone in a group wants to swim for the whole stop. One person can sunbathe, another can snorkel, and someone else can simply enjoy the view from the boat’s shade.

Bring sunscreen and apply it before you leave Split. The boat’s sun shade helps, but it does not replace sun protection, especially when you are moving between the boat, beach, and water. A hat and sunglasses are also worth packing, along with a towel and dry beachwear.

The clear water is the reason to book this route, but Blue Lagoon may not feel private in the emotional sense. It is a well-known stop, and the appeal is its easy swimming setting rather than solitude. The private part of your experience is the boat and group, not ownership of the lagoon.

Čiovo and its quieter coves

After Blue Lagoon, the route can continue to Čiovo, an island connected to the Trogir area. Here, the focus shifts from a famous swimming site to smaller coves and a more flexible coastal pause.

Čiovo is useful because it gives your group room to adjust the day. If everyone still wants to swim, you can look for a cove and continue enjoying the water. If you are ready for food, you can use the island as a chance to find local cuisine, though meals are not included in the tour price.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat. A fixed itinerary can feel rushed when one stop suits your group better than another. Here, you can tell the crew what kind of afternoon you want, within the limits of the five-hour schedule.

Do not treat the word hidden too literally. The coves are described as quieter places to explore, but the tour does not promise a deserted beach or a secret swimming cove. Think of Čiovo as a less structured part of the route, where the pleasure comes from choosing how to spend your time.

Optional Maslinica on Šolta

Maslinica gives you another possible mood for the day. Located on Šolta, it is known for a peaceful atmosphere, olive groves, and a scenic harbor. If your group prefers a calm coastal stop to another swim, this is the option to discuss with the crew.

Maslinica may appeal most to people who want variety. Trogir supplies old-town streets, Blue Lagoon supplies swimming, and Maslinica offers a gentler harbor setting. You can see more of the Dalmatian coast without turning the day into a long sightseeing program.

The tradeoff is simple: adding Maslinica means less time at another stop. Since the tour lasts only five hours, ask yourself what you value most. For a group of keen swimmers, Blue Lagoon and Čiovo may be enough. For a group that wants to see several places and enjoy a harbor walk, Maslinica can be a smart addition.

The route is described as customizable, but the exact order and stops will depend on timing and the day’s conditions. Treat the optional visit as a planning choice, not a guarantee that every location can receive a long stop.

What the speedboat adds to the day

The speedboat is the practical heart of this experience. Reaching Trogir, Drvenik Veliki, Čiovo, and possibly Šolta in half a day requires efficient transport. A faster boat lets you spend more of the outing at the places themselves instead of treating the journey as the entire activity.

A speedboat also gives you a strong sense of the coast as you move between islands. You will see the water from a low, open position rather than through a bus window. The sun shade is important here, since the boat’s open design puts you close to the weather.

The same design can make the ride less comfortable for some people. This experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously. A fast boat can be exciting, but it is not the right transport for every body or every family.

Smoking is not allowed on the boat. That is another practical point to settle before booking if anyone in your group smokes.

What is included, and what you still need

The package covers the main operating costs:

• Luxury speedboat ride
• Boat crew
• Fuel
• Sun shade
• Safety equipment
• Snorkeling mask
• Bottled water
• Insurance

You pay separately for food, drinks beyond the included bottled water, souvenirs, and personal expenses. There is no guide in Trogir, so you also do not pay for a guided walking tour as part of this arrangement.

Pack lightly but sensibly. I would bring a towel, swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, snacks, a camera or phone, cash, and your passport or ID card. Keep documents and phones protected from spray. The supplied information specifically advises bringing money and documents for purchases and island stops.

Cash may be useful for food, drinks, or small purchases, but no specific amount or payment method is provided. For that reason, do not assume every stop will handle cards in the way you prefer.

Is $777 good value for a private group?

The price is $777 for the entire group, with up to 10 people allowed. At full capacity, that is about $77.70 per person. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, so the value improves sharply when you can fill most of the boat with family or friends.

What you are paying for is not just transport. The price includes a private boat, crew, fuel, insurance, and the freedom to adjust the route. That can be worthwhile if you dislike fixed group schedules or want to combine swimming with sightseeing in one outing.

The value is weaker if you want a guided Trogir visit, a full meal, or a long day on the water. None of those are included. You also need to buy your own food and drinks, and five hours is a compact schedule for several islands.

I would view this as a private coastal sampler, not a complete Dalmatian day trip. It gives you a taste of Trogir, Blue Lagoon, Čiovo, and possibly Maslinica without requiring a full-day commitment. For a group celebrating a special occasion or simply wanting the boat to itself, that convenience may justify the cost.

Practical comfort and timing tips

Start with your priorities before boarding. Tell the crew if Trogir is essential, if swimming is the main goal, or if Maslinica matters to your group. The more clearly you explain your preferences, the easier it is to use the flexible format well.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. Bring a towel and a dry layer for the ride back to Split. Sunglasses and a hat are not decorative extras here, since the sun reflects off the water and the boat’s shade cannot cover every seat.

Keep lunch expectations realistic. Local cuisine may be available on Čiovo, but food and drinks are not included. If you do not want to spend time looking for a meal, bring snacks and water as advised.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some useful flexibility, especially when your Split plans are still changing. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this private boat tour?

I would recommend this outing to groups of friends, families with older children, couples traveling with another couple, and anyone who prefers a private arrangement to a crowded boat. It suits people who want a mix of swimming and sightseeing, rather than a full museum day or a long guided history tour.

It is also a good choice for confident swimmers and sun lovers. The Blue Lagoon stop gives you time in the water, while Čiovo and Maslinica offer alternatives for people who want coves, food, or a quiet harbor.

I would hesitate if your group includes someone with back problems, a pregnant passenger, a wheelchair user, or a baby under one year old. I would also look elsewhere if you need a guide in Trogir or want a fully planned meal-inclusive excursion.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can fill the boat, want a private half-day, and care more about freedom than a fixed schedule. The strongest combination is Trogir for old-town atmosphere, Blue Lagoon for swimming, and Čiovo for a relaxed coastal finish.

If you have only five hours and want to see several sides of the Dalmatian coast, this is an efficient choice. Just keep the limits in mind: no Trogir guide, no included meal, extra costs for food and drinks, and a speedboat ride that may not suit everyone.

For a full boat of friends or family, the price is easier to justify. For a small group, compare the per-person cost carefully before booking.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts five hours. You should check the available starting times for your chosen date.

Where does the tour meet in Split?

The meeting point is in front of Hotel Ambassador or in front of a gas station on Split’s west coast.

Which places can the tour visit?

The route includes Trogir, Blue Lagoon on Drvenik Veliki, and Čiovo. You can also request a visit to Maslinica on Šolta, depending on the customized plan and available time.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The boat is reserved for a private group of up to 10 people.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, apart from bottled water provided on the boat. You should bring drinks and snacks or budget for food during the stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

A snorkeling mask is included. You should bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and other beach items.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Smoking is also not allowed on the boat.