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

The Adriatic is best seen at speed. This five-and-a-half-hour boat trip links Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and a third island stop without making you plan ferries or taxis. I like the mix of culture and swimming, and I like the small maximum group of 12, which should feel far less crowded than a large excursion boat. The main catch is that lunch is not included, and the ride may not suit anyone over 65 or anyone who dislikes brisk boat travel.

I also like the generous one hour and 15 minutes at each stop. You get enough time to walk around Trogir, swim or snorkel at Blue Lagoon, and slow down in Maslinica or visit Labadusa Beach if the seasonal route goes to Čiovo. Weather can cancel the trip, but you can move to another date or receive a full refund.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: UNESCO-listed Trogir, Blue Lagoon swimming time, and a quiet island village or beach.
• Small speedboat group: The boat carries no more than 12 people, keeping the outing personal and easy to manage.
• Snorkeling equipment included: You can use the provided gear during the swimming stop without arranging it separately.
• Seasonal route changes: Maslinica is usually visited in the pre-season and post-season, while high-season trips more often go to Čiovo and Labadusa Beach.
• Five and a half hours well used: The tour combines sightseeing, open-water travel, swimming, and free time without taking your whole day.
• Strong current feedback: The experience has a 5.0 rating from 16 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it.

Why this Split boat tour works

Split has plenty of day trips, but this one earns its place by giving you several kinds of scenery in a short stretch of time. You begin in the city, head to an old stone town, then trade church towers and lanes for clear water and island air.

The route is especially useful if you have only a few days in Split. Instead of arranging a bus to Trogir and a separate boat trip to the islands, you handle both in one outing. The speedboat also cuts down on travel time, leaving more of the day for actual stops.

The small-group setup matters. With a maximum of 12 people, the boat should be easier to board, easier to hear the English-speaking staff on, and less cramped than a large sightseeing vessel. You still need to remember that this is a speedboat, not a slow sightseeing cruise. The ride itself is part of the fun, but it can feel lively on the water.

The price is $96.12 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach the coast, but fuel, the skipper, safety equipment, passenger insurance, snorkeling equipment, taxes, and transportation are included. I see the price as reasonable if you value convenience and want three stops in one half-day. It is less attractive if you prefer to spend a long, unhurried day at one beach or if you are looking for a meal-inclusive excursion.

Meeting the boat in central Split

The meeting point is Marmontova ul. 5, 21000 Split. The tour returns to the same place, which keeps the start and finish simple for a day in the city.

Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking, and the activity is available with a mobile ticket. The meeting point is near public transportation, another help if you are staying outside central Split.

The operator is Smile Travel. An English-speaking crew and licensed skipper are included, along with music and life jackets. The safety gear is important on a fast-moving boat, and passenger insurance is part of the price as well.

The stated duration is approximately five hours and 30 minutes. The three stops total about three hours and 45 minutes, leaving the rest for boat travel between Split and the islands. That balance is worth noting. You will get a taste of several places, not a full historical tour of Trogir or a whole afternoon on one beach.

Trogir: 75 minutes among old stone streets

The first stop is Trogir, a 2,000-year-old town protected by UNESCO. The boat makes a panoramic drive around Split and its surroundings before reaching the town, so the trip begins with views rather than a simple point-to-point transfer.

Trogir is often called a museum town because of its historic buildings and cultural importance. You have free time here, with no admission ticket included or required for the basic stop. That means you can choose your own pace instead of following a fixed walking lecture.

For me, 75 minutes is enough for a useful first look. You can walk the old streets, study the stone buildings, take photographs, and get a sense of the compact center. You may find yourself wishing for more time if you want to enter several sights or sit down for a relaxed coffee.

That is the trade-off. This tour gives you an introduction to Trogir rather than a thorough visit. If Trogir is one of your main reasons for coming to the Split area, plan a separate visit. If you want to see it as part of a wider coast day, the stop is well judged.

The crew can help explain the places along the way. The strongest praise in the feedback focuses on the guides explaining each place clearly and keeping the mood friendly and enjoyable. No guide names are provided, but that personal attention appears to be an important part of the outing.

Blue Lagoon: a full hour and 15 minutes in the water

After Trogir, the boat heads to Blue Lagoon Beach at Krknjasi Bay on Drvenik Veli Island. This is the tour’s main swimming stop, with time for snorkeling, sunbathing, and photographs.

The stop lasts 75 minutes. That gives you time to get into the water without feeling that the boat is leaving five minutes later. Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes the stop easier if you did not bring your own gear.

The appeal here is simple: clear sparkling water, open sea, and a break from town streets. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling gear, or stay on the beach and enjoy the Mediterranean sun. The stop is built around free time, so you are not tied to a group activity once the boat arrives.

The practical caution is that Blue Lagoon is popular. The description presents it as one of the Adriatic’s most popular beaches, so you should not expect solitude. The stop is about access to beautiful water and a convenient swim, not about finding an empty cove.

There is no lunch included. Pack something suitable if you need more than a snack during the five-and-a-half-hour outing, though the tour information does not specify whether food can be bought at each stop. Bring sun protection and a towel if you plan to swim, since the included equipment is snorkeling gear rather than a full beach kit.

Maslinica: a slower island pause

The third scheduled stop is Maslinica on Šolta Island. This coastal village has a picturesque harbor, traditional stone houses, and olive groves. Compared with Trogir, it offers less of a formal sightseeing hit and more of a calm island pause.

You have another 75 minutes here. Use it to walk around the harbor, look at the stone houses, or relax near the water. The stop also allows time for swimming and unwinding, so you can decide if you want another dip after Blue Lagoon or prefer to stay dry.

Maslinica makes the route feel more authentic and less like a checklist of famous sights. It is a place to slow down, but do not expect a long village visit. With only 75 minutes, you will get a pleasant taste of the setting rather than a full exploration of Šolta.

The route changes with the season. In the pre-season and post-season, the tour usually visits Maslinica. In high season, when temperatures are higher, the boat more often goes to Čiovo, where the beach stop is Labadusa. This is a useful adjustment: the operator is responding to the fact that many people want a cooler, more beach-focused break during the hottest part of summer.

Because the exact third stop depends on the season, check the expected route before booking if Maslinica is especially important to you. The experience remains an island-hopping tour either way, but a quiet harbor village and a beach stop offer different kinds of afternoons.

What the small boat changes

A maximum of 12 people is one of the clearest advantages here. Small groups usually make departure, seating, and communication easier, and the crew can give more direct attention than they could on a packed boat.

The boat is described as high quality, with fuel included. The licensed skipper handles the route, while English-speaking staff help with the experience and explanations. Music is also included, giving the ride more of a holiday feel than a plain water taxi transfer.

Still, you should choose this tour for the boat ride as much as the destinations. Speedboats move quickly and can feel more exposed to wind and waves than larger vessels. The tour information specifically says it is not recommended for people over 65. That is a clear sign to think about comfort, balance, and tolerance for fast boat movement before you book.

Safety equipment and life jackets are supplied. The experience also includes passenger insurance and taxes, so the advertised price covers more than just transport between beaches.

Value at $96.12 per person

At $96.12, the tour sits in the mid-range for a half-day coastal outing. The value comes from combining three stops with a licensed skipper, fuel, crew, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, insurance, and a small group.

You are paying for time saved as much as for the boat. Getting to Trogir and then arranging independent island visits could require separate transport, schedules, and planning. Here, one booking links the destinations and returns you to the original meeting point.

The price is less compelling for a visitor who already has access to a boat or wants to spend the day at one beach. It also does not cover lunch, so you should budget for food separately if needed.

The current feedback is unusually strong: a 5.0 rating from 16 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The most specific praise centers on the guides. One review describes the places as beautiful and the explanations as clear, while also praising the team for being friendly and enjoyable. That combination matters because a boat trip can easily become a simple transport service. Here, the crew appears to add useful context and a pleasant atmosphere.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this tour if you want a compact introduction to the Split coast and do not want to organize several trips yourself. It suits people who like variety: one historic town, one major swimming stop, and one quieter island setting.

It is also a good choice for active visitors who want to swim and snorkel but still care about architecture and local scenery. The included snorkeling equipment removes one small planning task, and the free time at each stop lets you choose how active you want to be.

Families and couples may appreciate the small group, though the information only says most people can participate and does not provide child-specific details. You should confirm any special needs before booking.

I would hesitate if you dislike fast boats, need a full meal included, or want long hours at one destination. The tour moves on after 75 minutes at each stop. That rhythm keeps the day varied, but it can feel rushed if you prefer slow travel.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Since the trip requires good weather, Smile Travel may cancel it and offer another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon tour?

Book it if you want three coastal highlights in half a day and value a small group over the lowest possible price. The combination of Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and a seasonal island stop gives you a good first look at the area without consuming your whole day.

Skip it if you want a slow, beach-only outing, a guaranteed Maslinica visit in summer, or a meal included in the price. For most visitors who enjoy a mix of old stone towns, swimming, and speedboat scenery, this is a well-balanced way to see more of the coast from Split.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon and three-island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Marmontova ul. 5, 21000 Split, Croatia, and finishes back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the speedboat tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Which places does the tour visit?

The scheduled stops are Trogir, Blue Lagoon Beach at Krknjasi Bay on Drvenik Veli Island, and an island stop. Maslinica on Šolta is usually visited in the pre-season and post-season, while high-season trips more often go to Čiovo and Labadusa Beach.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

Most people can participate, but the activity is not recommended for people over 65.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.