Split: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands hopping with Lunch & Drinks

Catch three Adriatic moods in one day. This $76 cruise from Split combines easy swimming stops with the fishing-village charm of Maslinica, and I like that breakfast, lunch, fruit, water, juice, and wine are included. The crew also earns strong marks, with hosts such as Anja, Nana, Ivo, and Robert praised for their warmth and clear instructions.

I especially like the free coffee and doughnuts during the first cruise, plus the useful mix of beach time and island time. The main caution is that the boat can feel cramped if the operator changes vessels, and one reported change meant less time at the Blue Lagoon. Sea conditions can also alter the route.

The day at a glance

• Coffee and doughnuts begin the cruise: The morning starts with a simple breakfast while you look back toward Split’s coast.
• Borkko Beach gives you the best early swim: This sheltered Čiovo bay offers clear water, snorkeling, inflatables, and a relaxed beach-bar setting.
• Krknjaši Blue Lagoon is the star water stop: You get about 100 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and drinks.
• Maslinica adds real island character: Šolta’s stone houses, marina, Marchi castle, and quiet streets provide a welcome change from beach time.
• Food is covered from morning to afternoon: A burger lunch, fries, drinks, and seasonal fruit make the price easier to justify.
• The schedule is active but not rushed: The full outing lasts 510 minutes, including long cruises back and forth across the Adriatic.

Why this Split cruise works

Split is a fine base for seeing Croatia’s coast, but a day of island hopping can become expensive once you add boat transport, meals, drinks, and beach rentals. This trip puts the main costs in one package for $76 per person. That makes it a sensible choice if you want a full day at sea without arranging several separate pieces.

I like the balance here. You are not kept on the boat all day, and you are not sent from one hurried photo stop to another. The schedule gives you 90 minutes at Borkko Beach, 100 minutes around Krknjaši Blue Lagoon, and another 90 minutes in Maslinica. Those blocks are long enough to swim, dry off, eat, or wander without constantly watching the clock.

The cruise itself is part of the experience. You spend about an hour reaching the first stop, then shorter stretches between the islands, followed by an 80-minute return to Split. Bring a warm layer for those open-water rides. The sun may be strong at the stops, but the wind can make the boat ride feel cool.

Leaving Split with coffee and doughnuts

The meeting point is St. Nicholas Pier at Split Port, at Obala Lazareta 1. Look for the Gray Line sign and staff members wearing matching shirts. That detail matters in a busy port, where several boats may be loading at once.

Once aboard, the crew serves coffee and fresh doughnuts during the first hour. It is a small touch, but a good one. You can settle in, enjoy views of Split’s coast, and avoid needing to buy breakfast before departure.

The morning cruise takes you toward Čiovo. The boat provides a chance to sit back before the swimming begins, though you should not expect a quiet private charter. This is a shared excursion with a social summer feel, which suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy meeting people and spending a day outdoors.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Anja is repeatedly singled out for her cheerful help and clear explanations, while Nana and Ivo are praised for keeping the mood friendly. Robert also receives special credit for his service. The individual crew member on your departure may differ, but the pattern is clear: expect an outgoing team that pays attention to the group.

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo

Your first stop is Borkko Beach Bar, in a sheltered bay on Čiovo. You have about an hour and a half for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a stop at the bar.

This is the most straightforward water stop of the day. The sheltered setting can make it feel less exposed than the open lagoon, and the clear, shallow water is useful for families and anyone who wants an easy first swim. You can also use the provided inflatables and snorkeling equipment. Goggles require a refundable €10 deposit.

The name Beach Bar may suggest a long stay on a sandy beach, but keep your expectations flexible. The main attraction is the bay and its water, not a major resort complex. I would come prepared to spend most of this stop swimming or sitting near the shore rather than planning a long meal at the bar.

For a family, this first stop often works well because everyone can choose their own pace. One person can swim, another can relax, and children can use the inflatables. Water shoes are worth packing because rocky Adriatic entries can be uncomfortable for bare feet.

Krknjaši Blue Lagoon: water, lunch, and paddleboards

After roughly 30 minutes of cruising, the boat reaches Krknjaši Blue Lagoon near Drvenik. The water is known for its bright turquoise color and good visibility, and this is the place most people picture when they book the excursion.

You get about 100 minutes here, but that time includes lunch and drinks. Plan your order early if you want the longest possible swim. The meal is a choice of beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger, served with French fries. Water, juice, and wine are available without an extra charge during and after lunch.

The food is more useful than fancy. It is a filling meal for a long day outdoors, and several people praise both the quality and generous setup. The possible weakness is speed. One report notes that lunch took a long time because there was one cook and a small fryer. If the boat is busy, you may need to choose between lingering over lunch and maximizing your water time.

The boat also carries a stand-up paddleboard and inflatables. Their availability gives you more to do than simply swim from the boat. Snorkeling equipment is available as well, though you will need to leave the €10 refundable deposit for the goggles.

I would pay close attention to the crew’s instructions here. One complaint was that the Blue Lagoon stop was not clearly reached after a boat change, leaving a passenger feeling that the main swim had been missed. The route may also change in rough seas or bad weather. If the lagoon is important to you, confirm with the crew where you are and when the swimming period begins.

There is also a small point of expectation. One person felt the final swimming location was not exactly what they would call a Blue Lagoon. The water stop can still be enjoyable, but names used for popular coastal sites are sometimes applied loosely. Book this for a good day on clear Adriatic water, not for a guaranteed postcard-perfect scene at every moment.

Maslinica on Šolta brings the pace down

The cruise then continues for about 25 minutes to Maslinica on Šolta. This is the most village-like stop and gives the day a welcome change of rhythm.

Maslinica is known for stone houses, a small scenic marina, and fishing-village character. You have about 90 minutes to walk, take photos, visit Marchi castle and its park, sit for coffee, or find another place to swim. The choice is yours, and that freedom is important after a morning organized around boat timing.

I would use this stop to wander rather than treat it as another forced beach visit. The village offers a look at island life that a pure lagoon excursion would miss. The castle and park add a little cultural interest, while the marina gives you an easy place to pause and watch the boats.

Do not assume the swimming spot will be obvious. One person wanted clearer information about where to find the beach at the third stop and felt there was not enough time once the location was understood. If swimming is your priority, ask the crew to point out the quickest route before leaving the boat.

Maslinica is also a good break from the sun. Even a short walk through the stone streets can make the day feel less repetitive. You are not simply collecting beaches. You are seeing how a small Šolta settlement differs from the more purpose-built beach setting on Čiovo.

The return cruise and fresh fruit

The ride back to Split takes about 80 minutes. After a day of sun and salt water, that may feel long, but it gives you time to sit down, talk, and watch the coast pass by.

The crew serves seasonal fruit on the way back. It is a modest but welcome finish, especially after fries and a burger at lunch. You should still bring your own water bottle if you prefer to carry water between stops, even though unlimited water is included during the meal period and the listed drinks are covered.

This is also the time to keep your warm layer handy. The return can feel cooler than expected, and the trip specifically recommends warm clothing, a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and water shoes.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76, the value depends on how much of the package you would otherwise buy separately. You receive a full-day boat trip, three island-area stops, coffee and doughnuts, lunch with fries, unlimited water, juice and wine during and after lunch, seasonal fruit, paddleboard use, inflatables, and crew service.

That is a strong package for someone who wants convenience. You do not need to hunt for lunch on an island, pay separately for drinks, or arrange transport to Čiovo, Drvenik, and Šolta. The included food also makes budgeting easier for families.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want long, uninterrupted swimming. You spend nearly three hours cruising in total, and lunch takes part of the Blue Lagoon stop. Boat comfort also matters. A vessel change once resulted in a smaller, more crowded boat, so the experience can vary according to the boat assigned that day.

There are no listed extra costs for lunch, fruit, paddleboards, inflatables, or the main drinks. The refundable €10 goggles deposit is the one practical payment to remember. Pets are not allowed, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Who should book this day on the Adriatic?

I would recommend it to families with older children, couples, and friends who want a simple full-day outing from Split. The three stops give you variety, and the included meal and drinks remove much of the usual hassle. The warm, playful approach from the crew is another reason this works for a mixed group.

It is also a good fit if you want more than a swimming trip. Maslinica gives you a village walk, Marchi castle, and a marina, while Borkko and Krknjaši focus on the sea.

I would hesitate if you need step-free access, dislike shared boat excursions, or want a quiet private experience. I would also think twice if your sole goal is open-water swimming, since lunch, cruising, and village time all reduce the hours spent in the water.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies help if your Split plans may shift, but weather can still change the route on the day.

Should you book the Borkko and Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized day that mixes swimming, food, island scenery, and friendly crew service for one clear price. The strongest reasons are the three distinct stops, the included meals and drinks, and the chance to see Maslinica rather than spending the whole day at a single beach.

Go in with realistic expectations. The boat may be busy, lunch may take time, and rough weather or a vessel change can affect the plan. If you pack water shoes, a towel, sunscreen, warm clothing, and a little patience, this is a good-value way to sample Dalmatia’s coast without building the day yourself.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from St. Nicholas Pier at Split Port, Obala Lazareta 1. Look for the Gray Line sign and staff wearing shirts with the same sign.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours. The cruise returns to Obala Lazareta 1 in Split.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes coffee and doughnuts. Lunch includes a choice of beef burger, tuna burger, or vegetarian burger with French fries. Seasonal fruit is served later in the day.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, juice, and wine are included during and after lunch.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

The tour provides snorkeling goggles, but a refundable €10 deposit is required. You should also bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, warm clothing, and water shoes.

Can I use a paddleboard?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard and inflatables are included for use during the stops.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may change because of bad weather or rough sea conditions. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and pets are not allowed.