From Trogir & Split: Half Day Speedboat Tour with Blue Lagoon

The best part of this five-hour speedboat tour is its mix of sea time and island life. You get a clear-water swim at Blue Lagoon, a stroll through old Maslinica, and another chance to swim on Ciovo, all in one half-day. Guides such as Claudia, Toma, Ria, Marco, Klaudija, and Silenski have been praised for friendly hosting and local tips.

I like the small maximum group of 14 and the choice of morning or afternoon departure. I also like that snorkeling and safety gear are included, so you can step aboard without packing a boatload of extras. The main drawback is simple: this is a weather-dependent outing, and the schedule leaves limited time for each island.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different stops: Blue Lagoon is for swimming, Maslinica is for a village walk and a drink, and Ciovo brings another swim or beach-bar break.
• Small-group boat: The tour accepts no more than 14 people, which makes the ride more personal than a large excursion boat.
• About five hours: It gives you a useful taste of the Dalmatian Coast without taking your whole day.
• Morning or afternoon choice: You can fit the trip around sightseeing in Trogir or Split.
• Swimming gear included: Snorkeling and safety equipment are provided.
• Strong guest satisfaction: The experience carries a 4.9 rating from 103 reviews, with 98 percent of customers recommending it.

A fast ride from Trogir into the Dalmatian Coast

Ria Tours keeps this outing focused. You board for a half-day ride around three island stops, with the speedboat making the distances manageable. The boat itself has been described as newer, well maintained, and spacious enough for a comfortable ride.

That matters because the boat is not just transport. It is where you spend much of the experience, moving between swimming spots and villages with open-water views around you. The speed gives the tour a sense of occasion, but the schedule remains relaxed rather than packed with constant activity.

The small group is another real advantage. With a limit of 14 people, you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the crew can keep an eye on the group during swims. Several guides have been praised for making sure everyone was comfortable, including families with children and solo visitors.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The right choice depends on your plans in Trogir or Split, but also on the kind of day you want. A morning trip leaves your afternoon open for old-town wandering. An afternoon ride can be a pleasant change of pace after sightseeing, especially if you prefer swimming later in the day.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. It is near public transportation, and the activity is listed as suitable for most participants. Still, remember that it is a boat-and-swimming trip, so you should be comfortable getting in and out of the water if you want to enjoy the main stops fully.

Blue Lagoon and Krknjasi Bay: 80 minutes in clear water

The first stop is Blue Lagoon, also called Krknjasi Bay, near Drvenik Veli. You have about 1 hour and 20 minutes here, making it the longest stop of the day.

This is the place to make the most of the included snorkeling equipment. You can swim directly from the boat in clear sea, look below the surface, and enjoy the coast without needing a separate beach transfer. The long stop gives you enough time to swim at an unhurried pace instead of rushing in, taking one quick look, and climbing back aboard.

I would treat this as the tour’s main water stop. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if possible, since there is no specific changing facility listed. One person specifically wished the trip had clearer information about where to change, so plan for a practical, boat-based setup rather than a full marina changing room.

You should also bring a towel and sun protection, although these are not listed as included. The tour does provide safety equipment, which is reassuring, but the supplied information does not specify exactly what equipment is provided or how much shade is available on the boat.

The Blue Lagoon stop is also where the speedboat format pays off. You are not spending the whole morning on a slow ferry simply to reach one swimming area. The ride gets you to the water quickly, then gives you a substantial block of time to enjoy it.

Maslinica: a slower hour on Solta

After the swimming stop, the tour changes mood at Maslinica on Solta Island. You have about one hour to wander through this charming 15th-century village, then stop for coffee or a glass of wine if you wish.

Maslinica works well in the middle of the day because it gives you a break from the boat. Instead of spending every minute swimming, you get a little time on land, with a chance to stretch your legs and see a small seaside settlement. The village has been described as having the feel of a storybook setting, but you should keep expectations sensible: this is a one-hour visit, not a full historical tour of Solta.

The stop is also useful for refreshments. A coffee or glass of wine gives you a chance to enjoy the setting at your own pace. Food and drinks at Maslinica are not stated as included, so budget separately if you want more than the refreshments supplied during the boat ride.

The hour passes quickly. If you want both a walk and a drink, avoid lingering too long at the first café you see. You may prefer to walk first, get a feel for the village, and then sit down with whatever time remains.

This is one of the strongest parts of the route for people who want more than a beach outing. The combination of swimming and a village visit gives the day some variety. It also makes the tour a better choice for mixed groups, where one person wants water time and another prefers exploring on foot.

Ciovo Island: the final swim and beach-bar stop

The last stop is Ciovo Island, with about one hour for another swim or a drink at a pleasant beach bar. After the activity at Blue Lagoon and the walk through Maslinica, this final stop feels flexible.

You can take one more refreshing swim in clear water, or stay dry and finish the trip with a drink. That choice is useful if you have had enough sun or if the group includes people with different energy levels. The tour does not force every person into the same activity at every stop.

Ciovo is also a good place to leave room for local food, though you should pay for any meal yourself. One customer singled out fried calamari at Ciovo, so it may be worth checking the beach-bar menu if lunch fits your schedule. The supplied details do not promise a meal stop or include food in the price, so think of this as an optional purchase, not part of the package.

The final hour is not a full island tour. You are stopping for the coast and the swimming area, not for an extended visit to every corner of Ciovo. That is fine for a half-day trip, but it is important to understand what you are booking. This experience gives you snapshots of three places rather than a deep visit to one island.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is a major part of the tour’s appeal. Claudia and Toma have been praised for creating a calm, friendly atmosphere on a small boat. Ria has also been singled out for good energy and music, while Marco, Klaudija, and Silenski received praise for hosting, driving, and keeping the day enjoyable.

The exact crew depends on the departure, so you should not assume that a particular guide will be present. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: the staff are expected to be welcoming, attentive, and willing to share advice about what else to do in Croatia.

That personal touch matters more on a small boat than it would on a large cruise. If the water is choppy, if someone needs help with equipment, or if the group wants to understand what it is seeing, a good host can make the difference between a pleasant outing and a tiring one.

The guide role is not limited to steering. Several people appreciated historical information and practical local suggestions. You should expect light commentary rather than a formal museum-style lecture. The emphasis is on enjoying the coast, with enough background to make the places more meaningful.

Music may be part of the atmosphere, depending on the crew and conditions. It has been appreciated as part of the relaxed feel, but this is not a silent nature cruise. If you want a fully quiet outing, keep that in mind.

Is $81.03 a fair price?

At $81.03 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water, but the price is reasonable if you value convenience and a small group. You are paying for a five-hour boat experience, transport between three coastal stops, crew service, refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and safety gear.

The value improves if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate trips. Reaching Blue Lagoon, Solta, and Ciovo independently could take more planning, and a half-day boat outing lets you see all three without organizing separate ferries or taxis.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want one long swim. In that case, a beach day may give you more water time for less money. This tour is aimed at variety: one major swim, one village stop, and a second swim or beach-bar break.

Remember that coffee, wine, fried calamari, and other food purchases are not stated as included. You should also plan for your own towel and personal beach items. The included gear covers an important part of the activity, but not every expense connected with a day by the sea.

The 4.9 rating from 103 reviews and 98 percent recommendation rate point to a consistently well-received experience. Ratings are not a guarantee of perfect weather or a perfect seat on the boat, but they support the idea that the tour delivers what it promises: a friendly, scenic, well-paced half-day on the water.

Who will enjoy this half-day boat trip?

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to the islands around Trogir and Split. It gives you a taste of the coast without requiring a full-day commitment.

It is also a good match for couples and solo visitors. The small group makes it easier to meet people, while the three-stop route gives a solo visitor a simple way to see more of the area without arranging transport alone.

Families can enjoy it too. A family with children aged 8, 9, and 10 had a good experience swimming, snorkeling, and exploring, even on a warm late-October day. That does not mean every child will enjoy a speedboat, so think about your children’s comfort with sun, wind, and boat travel before booking.

The tour may be less suitable if you want extensive historical sightseeing. Maslinica offers a pleasant village walk, and the crew may share background about the area, but most of the day is built around the sea.

It is also not the best choice for someone who dislikes a fixed schedule. Each stop lasts roughly an hour, with the Blue Lagoon stop lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes. You have freedom within each stop, but you cannot simply stay longer in the place you like most.

Weather, swimming, and useful planning tips

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being stuck on an uncomfortable or unsafe ride, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your plans.

The tour can be booked up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, provided you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Because the route includes two swimming opportunities, wear swimwear beneath easy-to-remove clothing. The information does not specify where you can change, so do not count on a private changing cabin. Pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a dry bag if you have one.

Snorkeling and safety equipment are included, but the supplied details do not identify the exact items. If you have a favorite mask or snorkel, you may prefer to bring it, though you should confirm what is allowed or available before departure.

The experience is offered in English and is close to public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the maximum group size is 14. Those details make the trip fairly easy to fit into a stay in either Trogir or Split, though the precise meeting point should be checked when you reserve.

Should you book Ria Tours?

Book this tour if you want a compact, friendly introduction to the Dalmatian islands with real time for swimming and a small-group feel. The route is well judged: Blue Lagoon gives you the clear water, Maslinica adds a village and café break, and Ciovo finishes the day with another swim or a casual drink.

I would especially choose it if you have only a few days in the area, want both scenery and activity, and like having a guide handle the transport. The strong rating, included equipment, flexible departure times, and repeated praise for the crew all support its value.

Skip it if you want a full historical tour, a long stay on one island, or a completely weather-proof plan. For most people who want a scenic half-day on the water, though, this is a well-paced and practical choice.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the tour operate?

The experience is based in Trogir and visits islands around the Dalmatian Coast. It is described as being available from Trogir and Split.

Which places does the tour visit?

The stops are Blue Lagoon, also called Krknjasi Bay, Maslinica on Solta Island, and Ciovo Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling and safety equipment are included.

How many people can join the boat tour?

The maximum group size is 14 travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.