Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

Small boat, big Adriatic views. This five-hour trip gives you a brisk taste of Dalmatia, mixing swimming and snorkeling with a beach-bar stop and time in UNESCO-protected Trogir. I like the small-group limit of 12, which makes the boat feel more personal than a large excursion vessel. I also like the careful balance of water time, sightseeing, and open-sea cruising.

The main consideration is the ride itself. A speedboat can be bumpy when the wind picks up, and the short schedule leaves only about an hour at each stop. Music adds to the holiday mood, though it may be too loud if you want easy conversation on board.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: Relax at Borkko Beach Bar, swim in Blue Lagoon, then walk through historic Trogir.
• Five hours for $70: A useful half-day choice if you want several coastal experiences without giving up an entire day.
• Small group of up to 12: You get a more intimate boat outing and less crowding than on a large vessel.
• Blue Lagoon is the main event: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and use the supplied goggles to explore the clear water.
• Skippers shape the mood: Guides such as Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, and Ivan have been praised for safety, humor, music, and sensible commentary.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can cancel the trip, and Borkko Beach Bar may be replaced by Maslinica village on Šolta Island.

Why this five-hour outing works so well

Split is a fine base for coastal exploring, but the city itself does not give you the full Adriatic picture. This tour gets you out onto the water quickly, then uses the nearby islands and mainland coast as a compact sampler.

At $70 per person, the value comes from combining transport, three stops, a skipper, safety equipment, and snorkeling goggles in one booking. You are not paying for a full-day island expedition, but you are getting enough variety to fill a morning or afternoon without the usual commitment of a longer cruise.

The schedule is also easy to understand. You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office, check in, and walk to the boat with your guide. The first and final boat rides each take about 30 minutes, while Borkko Beach Bar, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir receive roughly one hour apiece.

That hour-long pattern is the strength and weakness of the trip. You get a taste of each place and keep moving before the day becomes repetitive. But if you want a long lunch, a serious swim, or a detailed visit to Trogir, you may wish for more time.

Leaving Split by speedboat

The first half-hour on the Adriatic is part of the attraction. From the water, you get a different view of Split, with the city receding behind you as the coast and islands open up.

A speedboat makes the route feel lively rather than slow. It also covers ground efficiently, which explains how the tour can fit three destinations into five hours. Expect wind, spray, and some wake bumps. On a calm day, the ride should feel smooth; in stronger wind, it can become noticeably rough.

The boat has been described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with a sundeck for sitting or sunbathing. Music is commonly part of the atmosphere. That suits a relaxed beach outing, although you may find it harder to chat with the rest of your group when the volume rises.

Safety is taken seriously, with safety equipment provided and a skipper at the helm. The crew names vary by departure, but the staff praised most often include Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, Ivan, Mate, Domagoj, and Gabriel. Their style seems to range from light commentary and jokes to useful background about the stops. You should not expect a long formal lecture, which is probably a good fit for a swim-focused trip.

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island

The first stop is Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island. The setting combines pale sand, pine trees, beach-bar service, and time for swimming or snorkeling.

This is the social stop. You can settle into the laid-back club atmosphere, order something if you wish, and enjoy the contrast between the boat ride and a fixed place on shore. Food and drinks are not included, so bring spending money if you want something from the bar.

I like the way this stop gives the trip some variety. Blue Lagoon is all about the sea, while Borkko offers a more casual beach scene. The pine trees provide welcome visual relief from open water and sun, although the exact amount of shade available to you will depend on how busy the bar is.

One important detail: the beach-bar visit is not guaranteed in every season or under every set of conditions. Sometimes the route includes Maslinica village on Šolta Island instead. Maslinica offers a different kind of stop, with a charming village setting rather than a beach club. That change may disappoint anyone specifically planning on Borkko, but it keeps the tour flexible when conditions or seasonal operations change.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a swim, a quick look around, or a drink, but not enough for a slow beach day. I would treat Borkko as an introduction to the coast, not the main reason to book.

Swimming and snorkeling in Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece of the outing. The water is described as turquoise and clear, with sandy beaches and room for swimming, snorkeling, or simply stretching out on the sundeck.

The tour supplies goggles, so you do not need to pack a full snorkeling kit. Bring your own if you prefer a better fit, but the included equipment is useful for a short look beneath the surface. The tour does not promise a formal marine-life presentation, so think of snorkeling here as casual underwater exploring rather than a guided wildlife session.

This is where the tour’s short format pays off. You reach the water after the first stop, then have a full hour to cool off and relax before heading to Trogir. Many people consider this the highlight because the clear sea, warm sun, and open boat deck deliver exactly what they expect from a Dalmatian coast excursion.

Still, Blue Lagoon is not a secret swimming cove. Its fame means it can feel busy, especially in the main summer period. The tour helps by using a small boat, but you should not expect total solitude.

The boat’s entry and exit point may also require care. One person specifically noted that the floor can be slippery, especially around wet feet and swimming shoes. Move slowly, hold on where possible, and do not rush back on board. The sea looks inviting, but the practical details matter.

If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew. The guides have been praised for helping people feel comfortable in the water, but the tour is not a swimming lesson, and you should bring any personal flotation aid you require.

One hour in UNESCO-protected Trogir

Trogir gives the tour its cultural side. This historic city and harbor sits on an island and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its important built heritage.

You have one hour for sightseeing. Use it to walk rather than search for a full museum visit or an extended meal. The compact setting makes a short visit worthwhile, but you will need to keep an eye on the departure time.

Trogir is a useful counterpoint to the beach stops. After swimming and sun, you can step into stone lanes, look around the harbor, and absorb the old town atmosphere. The approach by boat is part of the pleasure, since you first see the settlement from the coast before walking through it.

The limitation is clear: one hour is brief. Some people would prefer to stay longer in Trogir, especially if they want to sit down for lunch or explore at a slower pace. If Trogir is your main interest, book a dedicated visit instead. If you want a quick cultural stop added to a sea day, the timing is sensible.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and easy to remove if you plan to swim later. Your towel, sunscreen, and swimwear should remain easy to reach, not buried under everything else in your bag.

Guides, music, and the small-group feel

The crew can make or break a speedboat excursion, and this one receives especially strong praise for its people. Simon and Paško have been singled out for humor, music, safety, and a good balance of commentary. Linda is praised for being organized and for taking photographs with a professional camera on some departures. Luka, Ivan, Mate, Gabriel, Domagoj, and others are also noted for making people feel welcome.

Those names are useful examples, not a promise of who will operate your boat. The assigned team changes, but the pattern is clear: expect a friendly, informal style rather than a highly scripted sightseeing tour.

The group limit of 12 is important. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the crew can keep a better eye on everyone during swimming stops. It also makes the boat ride more sociable, though personal space will still be limited compared with a private charter.

Music is part of the identity of the outing. It can turn the return ride into a small floating party and lets the crew respond to the mood of the group. If you prefer quiet scenery and long conversations, that may be a drawback. If you enjoy a little Croatian rock or upbeat background music, it adds character.

Make one joint booking if you are traveling with friends or family. Separate reservations may place you on different boats, even if you select the same tour.

What the $70 price really buys you

At $70, this is a strong value if you want transport between several coastal stops and do not want to arrange ferries, taxis, and beach visits yourself.

The price includes:

• Speedboat transport
• A live English-speaking guide
• Safety equipment
• Snorkeling goggles
• Water, according to the tour details

Food and other drinks are not included. One recent booking reported that water was not available despite it being listed as included, so I would bring a refillable bottle anyway. It costs little and avoids relying on a supply that may vary.

The tour is also useful for short stays in Split. You can fit it into a free half-day and still have time for the city before or after. For a five-hour outing, three stops, and a small group, the cost feels fair.

The value drops if you dislike quick transitions or want a quiet private experience. A private boat gives you more control over timing, but it will cost more. A large ferry-based excursion may be cheaper, but you lose the small-group feel and the speed of this route.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a mix of swimming, coastal scenery, a beach bar, and a short historic-town visit. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage a fast boat and open-water stops.

It is especially useful if you have only a few days in Split. You get a taste of the Dalmatian coast without committing an entire day to a distant island.

This is not a good choice for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back or mobility problems. It is also a poor fit if you need a smooth, gentle ride, since wind can make the speedboat bumpy.

The route may be cancelled when the wind is strong. If that happens, you can receive a full refund, reschedule, or exchange the booking for another available trip. It is sensible to avoid placing this tour on the one day when missing it would ruin your entire holiday.

Practical tips for a better day

Pack light. You need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a small bag that can handle spray. Keep sunglasses secure, and bring water even though it is listed as included.

Apply sunscreen before boarding. The sundeck exposes you to strong sun, and the boat ride can make the breeze feel cooler than it really is.

Arrive at the Booker Travel Agency office for check-in. Enter the office so the staff can confirm your booking and introduce you to the guide.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider your usual precautions. The tour data specifically warns that wind can make the ride bumpy, and speedboats react more sharply to waves than larger boats.

Do not plan a formal lunch during the tour. Food and drinks are not included, and the one-hour stops are designed for short breaks rather than a long sit-down meal.

Finally, let the guide know if you need help getting into the water or back onto the boat. The crew’s friendly approach is one of the tour’s strongest features, and clear communication makes the experience safer for everyone.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient half-day on the Adriatic. The mix of Blue Lagoon swimming, Borkko or Maslinica, and Trogir gives you more range than a simple beach transfer, while the small group and friendly crews add real value.

Skip it if you want long, unhurried time in one place, a silent boat ride, or a guaranteed beach-bar itinerary. For most active visitors staying in Split, though, $70 is a sensible price for five hours of sea views, clear water, and a compact taste of the Dalmatian coast.

FAQ

How long is the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

The tour lasts five hours, including the boat rides and free time at Borkko Beach Bar, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office, where you check in and meet your guide.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide operates in English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 12 participants.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Goggles are included. The tour also provides safety equipment.

Is water included?

Water is listed as included, although one booking reported that water was not available. Bringing your own bottle is a sensible backup.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A personal water bottle is also practical.

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. Strong wind can lead to cancellation. You can then receive a full refund, reschedule, or exchange the booking for another available trip.

Is Borkko Beach Bar guaranteed?

No. Depending on the season and weather, the route may visit Maslinica village on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach Bar.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back problems. It is also not recommended for people with certain mobility or medical conditions.