Split: 3 Island & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

A full day on the Adriatic can be money well spent. This 9-hour cruise from Split combines three swimming stops, a visit to the fishing village of Maslinica, meals, drinks, and snorkeling gear aboard the wooden boat Junior, built in 1903. I especially like the generous food portions and the relaxed pace, with about an hour at each main stop. The open bar and meals included in the $106 price also make budgeting easy.

The main consideration is that this is a long day on the water, and the boat’s drinks selection is narrower than some people expect. The listed options are white wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice. Some past descriptions mention beer, but you should not book this trip expecting a full cocktail bar or a guaranteed beer service. The Blue Lagoon may also look less intensely blue on some days, depending on weather and light.

Five things to know before you book

• The boat is the experience: You spend the day aboard Junior, a wooden sailing ship built in 1903, with shaded areas, modern restrooms, Wi-Fi, and room to move around.
• Three water stops break up the day: Maslinica, the Blue Lagoon area, and St. Fumija Bay each offer time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Breakfast arrives early: Expect a chocolate croissant, coffee, and juice after departure.
• Lunch is substantial: Choose tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, served with a side, bread, and fresh seasonal fruit later in the day.
• Sun chairs go quickly: The deck has only a limited number of loungers, so board early if having one matters to you.
• Arrive before 8:40 a.m.: Staff in white Junior polo shirts meet you near the large white boat named Jaffa. The boat may be about 50 meters away.

Starting from Split’s waterfront

The meeting point is at Obala Lazareta, close to the waterfront and the port area. Staff begin gathering passengers at 8:40 a.m., and departure is scheduled for 9:00. Arriving at least 15 minutes early is not just polite advice here. The crew cannot wait for late arrivals because other boats and stops follow a fixed timetable.

Look for staff wearing white polo shirts marked Junior on the front and back. They will gather the group and lead you to the boat. The boat itself may be moored roughly 50 meters from the meeting point, so allow a few extra minutes to walk along the waterfront.

I like this simple check-in system, but the exact meeting point can feel confusing if you arrive in a crowded port area. Finding the white shirts and the large white Jaffa boat is the safest plan. Keep your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and camera in an easy-to-reach bag rather than buried in luggage.

A historic boat with room to relax

The Junior is a wooden boat built in 1903, and that gives the day more character than a standard modern speedboat trip. You are not simply being moved from one bay to another. The boat itself becomes part of the outing, with open deck space, shaded seating, a bar area, safety equipment, and modern restrooms.

The boat is designed for a comfortable full day rather than a quick transfer. You can walk around, change your view, and settle into either sun or shade. Several people appreciated that the boat did not feel overly packed, though the limited deckchairs can disappear quickly after boarding.

The upper deck is the place to aim for if you want sun, wide sea views, or the chance to jump into the water at approved stops. The lower areas offer more shade, which is welcome during the hottest part of the day but can feel cool when the boat is moving and the sea breeze picks up. Bring a light, breathable layer even in summer.

Snorkeling equipment and floating mattresses are supplied. The gear makes the swimming stops more enjoyable, especially if you want to look at fish and underwater rock formations without bringing your own equipment. You should still pack a towel, since one is not listed among the included items.

Breakfast arrives soon after departure

The day begins with a practical breakfast of a croissant, hot coffee, and apple or orange juice. Several people specifically enjoyed receiving a large chocolate croissant, which is a welcome touch for an early start.

This is not a full hotel-style breakfast, so eat accordingly if you need a larger morning meal. Still, coffee and a pastry take the edge off before the first long cruise segment. The early sailing time also gives you a chance to settle in while Split recedes behind you.

The first sightseeing cruise lasts about two hours. That is a sizable stretch before the first planned stop, but it lets you enjoy the Adriatic from the deck rather than rushing between islands. Use this time to claim a comfortable seat, apply sunscreen, and listen for the crew’s instructions about swimming and the day’s schedule.

Maslinica, the gentle first stop

Maslinica is a fishing village on the island of Šolta, and it offers a change of pace from the open water. The stop lasts about an hour and combines lunch, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling.

The village is set around a small cove, with a quieter seaside feel than Split. You can use the time for a short walk and a look at the harbor, or stay close to the boat for a swim. There are also places to buy drinks or ice cream if you want something beyond what is served onboard, though purchases ashore are not included.

Maslinica is a good first stop because it gives you options. You are not forced into nonstop swimming. You can stretch your legs, take photographs, browse the village, or get into the water. If you want a calm day rather than a party boat, this flexible hour helps.

The boat then continues with a 45-minute sightseeing cruise. This is another chance to take in the island views and enjoy the wooden ship under way.

The Blue Lagoon and the best swim

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about an hour and a half, making it the longest water stop of the day. Here you can swim, snorkel, float, or jump from the second level of the boat if conditions and crew instructions allow it.

The water is often the visual highlight, with clear shallows and bright tones around the islands. Still, keep your expectations sensible. The color can vary with sunlight, wind, and sea conditions. One person found the Blue Lagoon less blue than expected, while the later stops looked better. That is not a fault with the cruise, but it is useful to know before you arrive expecting a picture-perfect color every minute.

The longer stop gives you time to do more than take a quick swim. You can try the snorkeling equipment, use a floating mattress, take photographs from the boat, and warm up in the sun afterward. Families and groups of friends will appreciate having several ways to use the time.

Safety equipment is provided, and the crew gives guidance around the swimming areas. You should follow their directions carefully, particularly if you are considering a jump from the upper deck. This is a swimming stop, not a place to take unnecessary risks.

St. Fumija Bay offers a quieter finish

After another 45-minute sightseeing cruise, the boat reaches St. Fumija Bay for about an hour of swimming and snorkeling. This stop is often a strong finish because the day has already settled into an easy rhythm. You know where to find the bar, how the equipment works, and how much time remains.

The bay gives you another chance to swim in clear water away from the city. If the Blue Lagoon is crowded or does not look as colorful as you imagined, St. Fumija may be the more satisfying stop. Conditions change, so there is no guarantee which location will be your favorite.

Once the hour is over, the return sightseeing cruise lasts about 100 minutes. Fresh seasonal fruit may be served on the way back, and this is a good time to relax, dry off, and watch the islands slide past. After a full day of sun and swimming, most people will be ready for a quieter ride back to Split.

Lunch is generous, simple, and useful

Lunch is prepared onboard with fresh local ingredients. The main choice is usually tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, served with a side dish and bread. Coleslaw is also mentioned frequently, and portions are large enough to fuel an active afternoon in the water.

I like the practical nature of this meal. You do not lose time searching for a restaurant on an island, and you can eat while enjoying sea views. The food is not presented as fine dining, and it should not be judged by that standard. It is a generous boat lunch designed to keep you going through swimming, snorkeling, and time in the sun.

The tuna and chicken receive especially strong praise, while the vegetarian option has included vegetable burger patties. The quality can vary from one serving to another, so keep your expectations at the level of fresh, filling excursion food rather than a restaurant tasting menu.

Fresh fruit is included later in the day. Some accounts also mention ice cream, but the core inclusions specifically promise seasonal fruit, so consider ice cream a possible extra rather than something to count on.

What the open bar really includes

The unlimited open bar is one of the biggest reasons this cruise offers good value. Listed drinks include red wine, white wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice, available throughout the journey. Crew members may bring refreshments around the boat, and you can also visit the downstairs bar.

The wine service has been a major part of the relaxed atmosphere. White wine is particularly suitable on a warm day at sea, and several people appreciated that drinks were available without needing to pay separately each time. This can add up quickly on a nine-hour outing, especially for a group.

Do not assume the phrase open bar means spirits, cocktails, or a full selection of alcoholic drinks. One description says beer was available, while another specifically notes that only wine was served. The safest expectation is wine and soft drinks, with beer not guaranteed.

Because drinks are available all day, pace yourself. One person felt there was some over-serving near the end and suggested stopping alcohol service earlier. You can enjoy the easygoing atmosphere without turning the last part of the cruise into a rough ride home.

How the $106 price works out

At $106 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but the price includes far more than a boat ride. You receive a nine-hour cruise, breakfast, a substantial lunch, fruit, an unlimited bar, snorkeling equipment, a floating mattress, Wi-Fi, safety equipment, and use of the boat’s restrooms.

A cheaper trip may charge separately for meals, drinks, or snorkeling gear. Here, the all-inclusive structure makes the final cost easier to predict. If you plan to drink wine, eat onboard, and spend several hours swimming, the package can compare well with paying for each item separately.

The value is strongest for people who want a complete day on the water without arranging several separate activities. It is less attractive if you prefer a short, quiet boat ride, dislike group excursions, or want to spend most of the day exploring villages on foot.

The experience has a rating of 4.6 from 1,430 reviews, which fits the overall picture: strong value, friendly service, generous food and drink, and attractive swimming stops, with a few expectations to manage.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This trip suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want an easy day at sea. Teenagers in particular have plenty to do, from snorkeling and floating to jumping from the second deck under crew guidance.

It also works well if you want to see several coastal locations without packing and unpacking for an island trip. The schedule gives you a village stop, two swimming stops, and plenty of time cruising between them.

You may want another type of excursion if you need a very quiet boat, a small private group, serious historical commentary, or a wide range of alcoholic drinks. The emphasis here is swimming, scenery, food, and a sociable day aboard a larger excursion boat.

Bad weather can cancel the outing. Strong winds, large waves, or storms may make the route unsafe, in which case passengers receive a full refund. The cruise also has no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach Obala Lazareta yourself.

My verdict: book it for value and swimming time

I would recommend this cruise if you want a full Adriatic day with almost every major cost covered. The strongest reasons to book are the historic Junior, the three well-spaced stops, generous lunch, unlimited listed drinks, and the chance to swim in several different bays without arranging transport yourself.

Arrive early if you want a sun chair, bring a towel and light layer, and treat the Blue Lagoon’s color as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed. If you are happy with wine and soft drinks instead of a broad bar menu, this is a practical, enjoyable choice for seeing the islands from Split.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts 9 hours, departing from Split at 9:00 a.m. and returning to Obala Lazareta later the same day.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Obala Lazareta, next to the large white boat named Jaffa. Staff wearing white Junior polo shirts will guide you to the boat.

What time should I arrive?

Staff begin waiting at 8:40 a.m. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before the 9:00 a.m. departure because the boat cannot wait for late arrivals.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes a croissant, coffee, and apple or orange juice. Lunch offers tuna steak, chicken, or a vegetarian dish with a side dish and bread. Fresh seasonal fruit is also included.

What drinks are included?

The listed open bar includes white wine, red wine, water, apple juice, and orange juice. Beer and other alcoholic drinks are not guaranteed by the stated inclusions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a floating mattress are included. Swimming and snorkeling are available at Maslinica, the Blue Lagoon, and St. Fumija Bay.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point at Obala Lazareta.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The provider may cancel the cruise in strong winds, large waves, storms, or other unsafe conditions. If the tour is canceled for bad weather, all passengers receive a full refund.