Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

Sea, sun, and a fast boat make a fine half-day. This five-hour trip packs three very different stops into one easy outing from Split: pine-shaded Borkko Beach Bar, the clear water of Blue Lagoon Bay, and the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir. I like the small group of up to 12 people and the way the tour mixes swimming with sightseeing instead of giving you five straight hours on a beach.

I also like the lively but relaxed atmosphere created by guides such as Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, and Mate. Music, friendly jokes, and helpful safety checks are part of the ride. The main consideration is comfort: a speedboat can bounce in wind, music may be loud, and one hour in Trogir may feel short if you want a proper historical visit.

Key points before you book

• Three stops in five hours: Borkko Beach Bar, Blue Lagoon Bay, and historic Trogir.
• Small boat, small group: The tour is limited to 12 participants, which makes boarding and swimming stops easier than on a large excursion boat.
• Best for sea time: You get about an hour for swimming and snorkeling at both Borkko and Blue Lagoon.
• Trogir is a quick taste: The final stop gives you time to walk and see the old town, but not to study every church and lane.
• Speedboat comfort matters: Wind can make the ride bumpy, and the boat floor may become slippery when wet.
• Strong overall value: At $70, you are paying for transport between several coastal stops, equipment, water, and a guide in one compact outing.

Why this half-day trip works so well from Split

Split is a fine base for seeing Dalmatia, but its waterfront and popular beaches can feel crowded in summer. This tour gets you out onto the Adriatic without asking you to spend an entire day on a boat.

The route gives you three different moods. Borkko Beach Bar is casual and social. Blue Lagoon is for swimming and snorkeling. Trogir adds stone streets, harbor views, and a dose of Croatian history. That variety is the key reason I think the tour offers more than a simple beach transfer.

You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office, check in, and walk to the boat with your guide. The first ride takes about 30 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy views of Split and the nearby islands, but short enough that the outing gets to its first stop quickly.

The boat itself is part of the fun. It is fast, open to the sea, and equipped with a sundeck. You can expect music during the ride, along with short explanations from the guide rather than a nonstop lecture. That balance suits a swimming trip. Several guides have been praised for keeping people comfortable and safe while still making the ride entertaining.

Borkko Beach Bar: pine trees, drinks, and a relaxed start

Your first planned stop is Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo Island. You have roughly one hour here for free time, swimming, and snorkeling.

The setting is informal: pale sand, pine trees, beach bars, and open views across the water. It is a good first stop because you can choose your own pace. You might grab a drink, sit in the shade, walk along the shore, or get straight into the water.

Food and drinks are not included in the $70 price, so budget extra money if you want something from the beach bar. The relaxed setting is part of the appeal, but it also means this is not a guided cultural visit. You are here to slow down and enjoy the coast.

The stop can be especially appealing if you do not want every minute organized. Guides such as Linda and Mateo have been praised for keeping the mood easy while still sharing useful information. Other guides, including Simon and Paško, have added music and humor to the boat portions.

There is one seasonal change to note. Depending on the time of year and the weather, the tour may visit the village of Maslinica on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach Bar. That is not a fault, but it means the exact first stop is not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on the beach bar, ask about the expected route before departure.

Blue Lagoon Bay: the main swimming stop

The second ride takes you to Blue Lagoon, the part most people are likely to remember. You get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the sundeck.

The water is clear and bright, with sandy areas around the bay. You can use the supplied goggles to look below the surface, though the tour is not presented as a specialist snorkeling trip. Think of it as a chance to see the underwater world and cool off in a beautiful setting, not a wildlife expedition.

I like that the tour leaves a full hour here. A quick ten-minute photo stop would not be enough to make the trip worthwhile. With more time, you can swim, climb back aboard, dry off, and settle into the sun without feeling rushed every second.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day. The tour is designed to take you away from Split’s city crowds, but popular coastal bays are rarely private in summer. The small group helps, yet you should still expect other boats and swimmers in the area.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and ideally a dry bag for small personal items. The boat floor can become slippery when wet, so take care when moving around after swimming. One useful tip from the trip feedback is to watch your footing even if you wear swimming shoes.

The water and safety equipment are listed as included. Goggles are supplied, and life and safety equipment are on board. Water is also listed as included, although one participant reported that it was not provided on their trip. I would bring a refillable bottle just in case. It costs little and avoids a thirsty ride home.

Trogir: a quick history lesson by the harbor

The final stop is Trogir, a city on a small island protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You have about one hour for sightseeing before returning to Split.

Trogir is a useful counterpoint to the swimming stops. Its old center is compact, with stone lanes, historic buildings, and harbor views. After a morning of beaches and salt water, walking through an old town gives the trip a needed change of pace.

One hour is enough to get a feel for the place. You can walk through the central streets, take photographs, see the harbor, and enjoy the old stone setting. It is not enough for a slow museum visit or a careful look at every historic building.

That time limit is the clearest weakness in the schedule. If your main reason for booking is Trogir, you may want a separate visit with several hours available. If you see Trogir as a pleasant final stop after swimming, the hour works well.

Guides vary in how much history they share. That can be a positive. Some people want context and local stories, while others prefer to explore alone. The most successful guide style on this outing seems to be short explanations followed by free time.

The ride back to Split is part of the experience

After Trogir, the boat ride back takes about 30 minutes. This is when you can sit on the sundeck, look back at the islands, and enjoy the coastline from the water.

The boat moves quickly, which allows the tour to cover several locations in half a day. It also means the ride is not always gentle. On a windy day, expect some bumps and spray. Strong wind can lead to cancellation, rescheduling, or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your plans if the forecast looks rough.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Many people enjoy it, and guides have even taken requests for Croatian rock. If you want quiet conversation, though, the music can get in the way. This is more of a social boat trip than a silent sightseeing cruise.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names that come up repeatedly include Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, Mate, Ivan, Domagoj, Gabriel, Lorenzo, and Mateo. The most praised qualities are friendliness, humor, clear safety attention, and knowing when to talk and when to let the scenery take over.

What the $70 price really buys you

At $70 per person, this tour is priced fairly for a five-hour coastal outing. You are not paying only for a boat ride to one beach. The cost covers a speedboat, skipper, guide, snorkeling goggles, safety equipment, and the route between three destinations.

The value is strongest if you want variety and do not have your own boat. Arranging separate transport to Čiovo, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir would take more planning and may cost more once transfers are added. Here, the route is planned for you and the boat returns you to Split the same day.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to sit on one beach. You will spend time boarding, cruising, and moving between stops. A full-day beach stay or a public ferry trip may suit you better if the boat ride is not part of the appeal.

Food and drinks are extra, so add that to your budget. Water should be available, but because one participant reported otherwise, carrying your own bottle is sensible.

The small group also adds value. With no more than 12 people, the experience should feel less crowded than a large party boat. It is easier to hear the guide, find space on the boat, and get help when getting in or out of the water.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want a mix of swimming, scenery, and historic streets. It is particularly useful when you have only a few days in Split and want to see more of the coast without giving up an entire day.

It suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy an active boat ride. You do not need to be an expert snorkeler, but swimming is a major part of the schedule. Bring a towel and expect to get wet.

This is not a good choice for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back problems, mobility problems, or other medical conditions that make a bumpy speedboat uncomfortable. The activity is also not suitable for people who need step-free access.

If you are booking for friends or family, make one joint reservation. Separate bookings may place you on different boats, and the operator does not guarantee that separate reservations will stay together.

The tour is offered in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your schedule depends on weather, but they do not remove the need to check the forecast before your boat day.

My practical verdict on the five-hour route

The strongest feature is the balance. You get beach time, a famous swimming bay, a historic town, and a fast ride along the Dalmatian coast. None of the stops is long enough for a full day, but that is exactly why the outing works for someone who wants variety.

The best moments are likely to be the Blue Lagoon swim and the views from the boat. Borkko adds a friendly beach-bar mood, while Trogir gives the day some cultural substance. The route avoids the problem of a boat trip that feels like nothing but transport.

The tradeoffs are clear. You may encounter wind, rougher water, loud music, wet and slippery surfaces, and a crowded Blue Lagoon during the busiest season. Trogir receives only one hour, and the Borkko stop may be replaced by Maslinica.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a social, active half-day on the water and like the idea of combining three different stops for $70. It is especially good when your Split itinerary is tight, you want a small group, and swimming matters as much as sightseeing.

Skip it if you need a quiet cruise, have back or mobility concerns, or want several hours to explore Trogir. For most visitors who want a lively taste of the Dalmatian coast without committing to a full day, the timing, variety, and price make this a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including the boat rides between Split, the stops, and the return to the Booker Travel Agency office.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet your guide at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in before heading to the boat.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo Island, Blue Lagoon, and the historic town of Trogir. Depending on the season and weather, Maslinica on Šolta Island may replace Borkko.

How much free time is available at each stop?

The schedule provides about one hour at Borkko Beach Bar, one hour at Blue Lagoon, and one hour in Trogir. The remaining time is used for the two boat rides.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Goggles are included, along with safety equipment. You should bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price. Water is listed as included, but carrying your own bottle is a sensible precaution.

Can the boat ride be bumpy?

Yes. Wind can make the speedboat ride bumpy. Strong wind may cause the tour to be canceled, rescheduled, or exchanged for another available trip.

Is the tour suitable for young children or people with mobility concerns?

It is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back problems. It is also not recommended for people with mobility problems or other medical conditions that make the ride unsuitable.

Can separate bookings be placed on the same boat?

The operator recommends making one joint reservation for everyone in your group. Separate bookings may be assigned to different boats.