Split: Blue Lagoon, 3Islands, Boat Trip, Mediterranean lunch

The best part of this Split boat trip is the variety. In one long day, you get three islands, two excellent swimming areas, a shipwreck, and a proper Dalmatian lunch rather than a short cruise that barely leaves the harbor. The turquoise water at the Blue Lagoon is the headline act, but the meal at Čiovo and the wreck at Šolta give the day more substance.

I especially like the included grilled meal and the easy swimming setup, with a hydraulic jumping ramp, waterslide, sundeck, and shaded places on the vessel. The main drawback is the length: this is a full day on the water, and the ex-military boat has an active, group-excursion feel rather than a quiet private-yacht mood.

Quick take: what makes this cruise worth considering

• A true island-hopping route: Visit Čiovo, Drvenik, and Šolta in one day from Split.
• Lunch is part of the fare: Choose grilled fish, vegetables, or meat prepared in a Dalmatian style.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 90 minutes: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and the waterslide.
• A sunken pirate ship adds a story to the swim: Snorkel around the wreck in Nečujam Bay on Šolta.
• The boat is built for water play: Use the hydraulic ramp for jumping, then dry off on the sundeck or under shade.
• The crew gets strong marks for friendliness: The helpful team suits families and groups of friends especially well.

Setting out from Split’s Riva promenade

You meet at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55, along Split’s Riva promenade. Look for boat excursions stand number 7, opposite Caffe Bar Biberon. This is a handy starting point if you are already in central Split, but hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the promenade on your own.

The route begins with about 75 minutes of sightseeing from the harbor. That first stretch matters because it gives you time to settle in, find a seat, and see the coast from the water before the swimming stops begin.

The vessel is a comfortable ex-military cruise boat. That description tells you something about the mood: this is a sturdy boat designed for a lively day outdoors, not a sleek little craft for a private escape. You can find shade or a spot on the sun deck, though the best positions may be claimed early on a busy departure.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, beachwear, and snacks. Juice and water are available without limit on board, but alcoholic drinks are not included. The experience is offered in English, and the boat is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Čiovo: lunch, beach time, and a proper Dalmatian plate

The first main stop is Čiovo, at beach bar Borko. You have around two hours here, which is generous by boat-trip standards. The restaurant sits close to the shore, so lunch does not require a long walk or a complicated change of location.

This stop combines food and free time well. You can swim before eating, settle down for lunch, or return to the water afterward. The cove and beach create a more relaxed opening to the day than dropping straight into a crowded swimming stop.

Lunch includes a choice of grilled fish, grilled vegetables, or grilled meat. The food is prepared in a traditional Dalmatian style, which gives the meal more local character than a standard sandwich or buffet. If you do not eat fish, the vegetable and meat choices make the trip easier to recommend.

The wording about lunch is worth reading carefully. Your included meal is covered, but an extra lunch is not. Alcoholic drinks are also separate, while juice and water are included on the boat. If you have a large appetite after swimming, bring a few snacks for later in the day.

Čiovo is also the stop where the tour feels most social. You have time to talk, eat, swim, and enjoy the beach without racing straight back to the boat. Families and groups of friends should find this two-hour pause useful. If you want complete solitude, however, a popular beach bar stop may not be your ideal island experience.

Cruising toward the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik

After Čiovo, the boat makes a shorter sightseeing cruise of about 30 minutes before reaching the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Island. The water is the main attraction here, with clear turquoise color suited to swimming, photos, and looking for marine life.

You get about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon. That is enough time to do more than take a quick picture from the boat. You can swim, snorkel, watch the water below the surface, or simply sit in the sun and enjoy the setting.

The boat’s waterslide gives this stop a playful edge. It is a small feature, but it changes the rhythm of the day. You are not limited to a formal swim from a ladder. You can make the stop active, especially if you enjoy jumping and sliding into the water.

There is also a hydraulic ramp for jumping from the boat. This setup will appeal to confident swimmers and older children, while anyone who prefers a quieter swim can use the water access in a more conventional way. The key practical point is that this is a water-focused stop, not a sightseeing visit on land. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and keep sunscreen close.

The Blue Lagoon can be the busiest-feeling part of the route because it is famous and easy to reach by boat. You should expect a social swimming stop rather than a private cove. Still, 90 minutes gives you a fair amount of time in the water, and the mix of swimming, snorkeling, and boat activities offers more value than a brief photo stop.

Nečujam Bay on Šolta and the sunken pirate ship

The last major stop is Šolta, where the boat reaches Nečujam Bay after roughly 25 minutes of cruising. You have about one hour here for photos, a walk, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.

The wreck is the unusual feature. The tour includes snorkeling around a sunken pirate ship, with aquatic life in the surrounding water. This gives the final stop a clear purpose beyond simply sitting at another beach. You can look below the surface, explore the wreck area, and then spend time in the bay.

The wreck is not a full scuba expedition, and no scuba equipment or instruction is listed. Think of it as a surface-snorkeling encounter suited to a casual underwater look. If you bring your own mask, you may prefer it, but the supplied information confirms snorkeling as part of the experience without spelling out equipment details. Ask the crew what is provided before departure if that matters to you.

Šolta also gives you a change of pace. Čiovo is built around lunch and beach time, while the Blue Lagoon is the big swimming spectacle. Nečujam Bay is calmer in structure, with time for a short walk and a final look around before the long ride back.

The ride home and the real length of the day

After Šolta, the return cruise takes about 100 minutes. This is the longest uninterrupted ride in the schedule, so plan for a slower final stretch. Use it to sit in the shade, dry off on the sun deck, take in the passing coast, or simply rest after a day of swimming.

The experience is described as lasting eight hours, while the full route description presents it as roughly nine hours. The listed cruising and stop times add up to a little more than eight hours, so you should plan your day as a full-day outing rather than rely on a tight eight-hour calculation.

The boat returns to the same Riva meeting point at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55. That makes the end simple if you are staying in central Split. It also means you should avoid booking another fixed-time activity immediately afterward.

What the price includes at $68

At $68 per person, the value depends on how much you use the day. The fare covers the boat, the three island stops, the Blue Lagoon, snorkeling at the wreck, the waterslide, the hydraulic jumping ramp, shade and sun-deck access, unlimited juice and water on board, and lunch at the restaurant.

That is a solid bundle for a full day. A separate boat ride, a restaurant meal, and several paid swimming stops could quickly approach the same cost, especially in the busy summer season. The included meal is particularly useful because it saves you from searching for food during a tightly timed island route.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet cruise or a short visit to one island. You pay for a packed day with several moving parts, so the tour works best when you plan to swim, snorkel, eat, and use the boat’s water features.

You also need to budget for anything outside the included package. Hotel transport is not provided. Alcohol is extra, and additional food is not covered. Snacks are worth packing even with lunch included, since the day is long and swimming can make you hungry.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see several Croatian island settings without arranging separate ferries or taxis. It is especially suitable for families and friends who like a mix of food, swimming, photos, and simple water fun.

The friendly, helpful crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A captain even joined the water fun by jumping off with participants, which gives you a good sense of the relaxed, hands-on character of the outing. That kind of atmosphere can make the boat feel welcoming, though it may be less appealing if you want formal guiding and quiet observation.

You should also consider it if local food matters to you. The grilled fish, meat, and vegetables give the day a clear Dalmatian flavor, and the meal takes place right by the shore on Čiovo.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone who dislikes long boat rides, group activities, or a fixed schedule. You spend substantial time cruising between stops, and the route leaves little room to linger wherever you personally like. The experience also depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Practical ways to enjoy the day

Arrive at the Riva meeting point with enough time to find stand number 7 and get oriented before boarding. Since the meeting point is opposite Caffe Bar Biberon, checking the location in advance is sensible, especially if the promenade is busy.

Wear swimwear beneath light clothing. You will have several chances to enter the water, and changing on a boat is less convenient than changing before departure.

Pack:

• A towel and sunscreen
• Snacks for the long day
• Beachwear and a swimsuit
• Any preferred snorkeling gear you want to use
• A small bag that can handle getting wet

Choose your seating based on your priorities. The sun deck is best for views and drying off, while shaded positions are more comfortable during strong midday sun. If you are sensitive to heat, do not treat shade as an afterthought.

Use the water activities according to your comfort level. The waterslide and hydraulic ramp are optional features, not obligations. You can enjoy the stops by swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, or staying aboard.

The experience has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Split plans may change, but weather still controls whether the boat can safely run.

Should you book the St. Damian island cruise?

Book it if you want a busy, social day on the water with lunch already arranged. The strongest reasons are the three-island route, the Blue Lagoon swimming stop, the pirate-ship snorkeling, and the choice of grilled Dalmatian food. The crew’s friendly style also makes it a good fit for families and groups.

Skip it if your ideal Croatian outing is a quiet private boat, a long walk on one island, or an unhurried meal. This trip covers a lot of ground, and its value comes from variety rather than solitude.

For $68, the package is appealing because it combines transport, food, water activities, drinks, and several stops in one fare. Bring snacks, expect a full day, and choose it for active fun rather than a slow cruise.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The meeting point is on Split’s Riva promenade at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 55. Find boat excursions stand number 7, opposite Caffe Bar Biberon.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point on Split’s Riva promenade.

How long does the experience last?

It is listed as an eight-hour activity, while the full route description presents the day as roughly nine hours. Plan for a full day on the water.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Čiovo, Drvenik, and Šolta. The Blue Lagoon is near Drvenik Island, and the Šolta stop takes place in Nečujam Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the restaurant includes grilled fish, grilled vegetables, or grilled meat prepared in a traditional Dalmatian style.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited juice and water are included on board. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, snacks, sunscreen, and beachwear.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.