Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

The Adriatic is best enjoyed at speed. This five-hour trip packs Borkko Beach Bar, Blue Lagoon, and UNESCO-listed Trogir into a lively half-day from Split, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views. I like the small group size, limited to 12 people, and the useful mix of water stops and historic sightseeing.

I also like that the tour does not spend the whole day on a boat. You get roughly an hour at each main stop, and guides such as Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, and Ivan are often praised for making the ride friendly and well organized. The main drawback is the speedboat ride itself: wind can make it bumpy, music may be loud, and five hours can feel short if Trogir captures your interest.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: Enjoy a beach bar on Čiovo, swim in Blue Lagoon, then walk through historic Trogir.
• Small speedboat group: The boat carries no more than 12 participants, which keeps the outing more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Strong swimming focus: Borkko and Blue Lagoon each allow about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
• A fast, scenic ride: The boat takes about 30 minutes each way, giving you broad views of Split and the Central Dalmatian coast.
• Good half-day value: At $70 per person, you get transport, a guide, snorkeling goggles, safety equipment, and water.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can cancel the trip, and windy days may produce a rough ride.

Why this Split boat tour works so well

Split is surrounded by excellent water, but reaching the best swimming spots on your own can take planning. This excursion handles the boat, route, safety gear, and timing, leaving you to bring a swimsuit and enjoy the day.

The format is especially useful if you have only a few days in Dalmatia. In five hours, you get a taste of island life, a famous swimming bay, and one of Croatia’s most attractive old towns. You are not committing a full day to a single beach, yet you still get enough time in the water to make the boat ride worthwhile.

I see the small group as one of the tour’s biggest advantages. With a maximum of 12 people, boarding and getting off should be simpler than on a large vessel. The size also helps the guides keep an eye on the group during swimming stops. Several visitors specifically praised the crews for making people feel safe and comfortable, including less-confident swimmers.

The mood is casual rather than lecture-heavy. Guides usually share information about the places you pass and visit, but the emphasis stays on fun, music, swimming, and scenery. That suits you if you want useful background without spending half the trip listening to a formal history talk.

Leaving Split for Čiovo

The meeting point is the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in and to meet your guide before heading to the speedboat.

The first ride lasts about 30 minutes. This is not just dead time between stops. From the water, you get changing views of Split, the nearby islands, and the Central Dalmatian coast. The boat ride is part transportation and part entertainment, with music and open views from the boat’s sundeck.

A speedboat gives you access to places that would take longer by road or regular ferry. It also brings more motion. On a calm day, the ride can be smooth and exciting. If the wind picks up, expect wake bumps and a rougher crossing. Sit where you feel most comfortable, hold on when the boat accelerates, and do not assume every day on the Adriatic will be perfectly still.

The boat floor can also become slippery around the swimming stops. One useful tip from the trip is to take care when climbing back aboard, especially if you wear swimming shoes.

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

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo is the first main stop, with about one hour of free time. The setting combines white sand, pine trees, beach bars, and swimming, so it feels more like a casual seaside club than a formal sightseeing stop.

This is a good place to settle into the day. You can swim, snorkel with the provided goggles, sit in the shade of the pines, or order something at the beach bar. Food and drinks are not included, so bring payment if you want to buy refreshments.

The beach bar is also the most social stop. Music and a relaxed atmosphere are part of the appeal, and the guides often help set the tone. The trip has been praised for its cheerful crews, with names including Simon, Paško, Linda, Mate, Luka, and Ivan appearing often in positive accounts. You may not receive the same guide on every departure, but the pattern is clear: the crew is a major part of the experience.

Do not expect a quiet, untouched cove. The beach bar brings facilities, music, and other people. That is a plus if you like a drink, a little atmosphere, and an easy place to spend an hour. If your idea of paradise is complete silence, this will be the least peaceful stop.

There is also a seasonal change to note. Depending on conditions and time of year, the route may visit the village of Maslinica on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach Bar. That alternative means you should treat the exact first stop as weather and season dependent.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

After Borkko, the boat continues to Blue Lagoon for another hour. This is the part most people are likely to picture when they book the tour: clear water, sandy beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and a sunny deck for relaxing.

The color of the sea is the attraction. You can jump in directly from the boat, swim in the bay, or use the goggles to look below the surface. The snorkeling is recreational rather than a full guided marine-life excursion. You might see fish and underwater life, but the tour does not promise a particular species or a formal snorkeling lesson.

An hour is enough for a proper swim, but it is not generous if you want to do everything slowly. You may spend a few minutes getting changed, gathering your goggles, and climbing in and out of the boat. If swimming is your top priority, get ready quickly and use the stop well.

The boat’s sundeck gives you another option. You can dry off, sunbathe, and watch the coast instead of staying in the water. Bring sunscreen and reapply it, since the sun reflects strongly off the sea and the open boat offers limited shade.

Blue Lagoon is also where the tour can feel busiest. The bay is popular, and the appeal of clear water naturally draws boats. The trip lets you avoid spending the whole day in the city, but it does not guarantee a private cove. You are buying access to a famous swimming setting, not solitude.

Trogir: one hour in a UNESCO town

The final stop is Trogir, a historic city on an island connected to the mainland by bridges. Its cultural importance has earned it UNESCO World Heritage protection, and the town provides a welcome change from swimming and speedboat noise.

You get about one hour for sightseeing. That is enough to walk through the old center, admire the harbor, and get a feel for Trogir’s historic setting. It is not enough for a slow museum visit, a long meal, and extensive wandering, so keep your pace sensible.

Trogir is a strong choice for the last stop because it gives the day some depth. The tour is not only about pretty water and beach bars. You also see a place shaped by centuries of Adriatic trade, stone buildings, narrow streets, and harbor life.

The time limit is the clearest weakness here. If you enjoy historic towns, you may wish for longer. One account specifically noted that Trogir deserved more time. I agree that this stop can leave you wanting another hour, especially if you pause for photographs or want to sit down for a drink.

Still, the short visit works for a half-day trip. You get an introduction, then can return to Split and decide if Trogir deserves a separate visit later. That is better than skipping the town entirely.

The ride back along the Dalmatian coast

The return journey takes about 30 minutes. By this point, you may be wet, sun-tired, and ready for a quiet ride, or still enjoying the music and speed.

Several accounts praised the boat’s cleanliness, space, music, and handling. Others found the music too loud for easy conversation. This is a small but real difference in expectations. The atmosphere leans social and upbeat, not peaceful and contemplative.

The return is a good time to use the sundeck if the sea is calm. Look back toward the islands and coast, and keep your camera secure. Spray and sudden movement are normal possibilities on a speedboat.

The guides generally balance commentary with free time. Some, including Linda, have taken photographs during the outing, which can be a pleasant extra if offered. Do not treat professional photos as a guaranteed part of the package, but it may be worth asking your guide.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, I consider the tour good value if you want several experiences in one morning or afternoon. You are paying for a five-hour speedboat outing, a live English-speaking guide, safety equipment, snorkeling goggles, and water. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Čiovo, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir.

The value is strongest for couples, solo visitors, and small groups who do not want to rent a boat. A private boat would cost far more, while public transport would not give you the same route or swimming access.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want one long beach day. You could prefer a slower, cheaper plan with more time in one place. This tour charges for movement and variety, not for hours spent lying on one beach.

Food and drinks are extra. Although water is listed as included, one account indicated that it was not available as expected. I would bring your own refillable bottle rather than rely entirely on the stated provision. Also carry money for the beach bar or Trogir.

Who should book this excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A short break from Split’s streets and city heat
• A small-group boat rather than a large cruise vessel
• Swimming and snorkeling without planning your own transport
• A lively outing with music and friendly guides
• A first look at Trogir without spending a full day there
• A trip that works well in a busy Croatia itinerary

It suits active adults, couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around water and boat movement. The five-hour length is also handy if you have an evening reservation or another activity planned.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, have back or mobility problems, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a child under five. The tour is not recommended for those groups. The boat can be bumpy in wind, and boarding for swimming requires mobility.

You should also be honest about your tolerance for speed and sun. This is not a gentle ferry ride. You may get spray, wake movement, loud music, and a hot open deck. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a dry bag if you have one.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

Wind is the main factor that can change the day. Strong wind may cancel the trip, in which case you can receive a full refund or reschedule. On a merely windy day, the boat may still operate but the ride can be rough.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. If you are booking for friends or family, make one joint reservation so the whole group is assigned to the same boat. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will ride together.

Check the starting time before booking because availability changes. Arrive at the Booker Travel Agency office for check-in rather than going directly to the boat without confirmation.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced sampler of the Dalmatian coast rather than a slow, single-destination beach day. The route gives you three useful contrasts: a social beach bar, a beautiful swimming bay, and a historic town. The small group, short duration, and consistently praised crew make the $70 fare easy to justify.

Skip it if you dislike fast boats, want silence, need a fully accessible outing, or would rather spend several unhurried hours in Trogir or at the beach. For most visitors with limited time in Split, though, this is an efficient and enjoyable way to get out on the Adriatic without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour last?

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

What places does the tour visit?

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

How much time do you get at each stop?

You get about one hour at Borkko Beach Bar, one hour at Blue Lagoon, and one hour in Trogir. The speedboat rides take about 30 minutes each way.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling goggles and safety equipment are included. You should bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Water is listed as included, but it is sensible to bring your own bottle because availability may vary.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet your guide at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in and to be greeted by the tour guide.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with mobility needs?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, or people with certain mobility limitations.

What happens if strong wind cancels the tour?

If strong wind causes a cancellation, you can receive a full refund, reschedule for another date, or exchange the booking for another available trip.