Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

The best part of this five-hour speedboat tour is its variety. In one half-day, you get open-sea views, swimming in the Blue Lagoon, a relaxed beach-bar stop on Čiovo, and time to wander historic Trogir. It gives you a taste of the Dalmatian coast without committing to a full-day boat trip.

I like the small group size, limited to 12 people, and the carefully divided hour at each main stop. I also like the friendly guide teams, with names such as Simon, Paško, Linda, Luka, Ivan, and Mate appearing often in the tour’s schedule. The main drawback is that a speedboat ride can be bumpy in wind, and strong weather may cancel the trip.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: Swim at Blue Lagoon, relax at Borkko Beach Bar, and explore UNESCO-listed Trogir.
• A true small-group outing: Boats carry no more than 12 participants, making the ride more personal than a large excursion boat.
• One hour at each destination: You get enough time for a swim or short visit, though Trogir may feel brief to history lovers.
• Music and a social mood: Guides often add music and humor, though the volume may make conversation harder.
• Good value at $70: The price covers the speedboat, safety equipment, goggles, and water, but not food or drinks.
• Weather matters: Wind can make the ride rough or lead to cancellation, and Borkko Beach Bar may be replaced by Maslinica village.

A fast ride from Split to the Dalmatian coast

You meet at the Booker Travel Agency office, check in, and are introduced to your guide and skipper. From there, the speedboat heads out for roughly 30 minutes, giving you broad views of Split and the coast before the swimming stops begin.

This first ride is part of the attraction, not just transport. You are out on the Adriatic rather than sitting in a coach, and the sundeck gives you a clear view of the Central Dalmatian coast and nearby islands. The boat is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, but remember that speedboats respond quickly to waves. In windy conditions, expect some jolts.

The mood is usually light. Several guide teams, including Simon and Paško, Ivan and Luka, and Linda with different skippers, have been praised for keeping the trip fun while explaining enough about the places you pass. Music is a regular part of the ride. That adds energy, especially on the open-water stretches, but one passenger found it too loud for easy conversation.

I would choose a seat based on your priorities. If you want views and sun, the sundeck is the obvious choice. If you are sensitive to spray or bumps, listen carefully to the crew and use the safer seating area they recommend. The supplied information does not promise a specific boat layout, so do not expect the same seating arrangement every time.

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo

The first stop is usually Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island, with about an hour to swim, snorkel, or relax among pine trees. The setting combines a beach club atmosphere with a natural Adriatic shoreline. You can take a drink, sit beneath the trees, or head into the water instead.

This is a useful opening stop because it lets you settle into the day. You are not rushed straight into a major sightseeing visit. The white-sand beach, pine shade, and beach-bar setting offer an easy choice for different moods: stay dry with a drink, swim near shore, or use the provided goggles for a look below the surface.

Food and drinks are not included in the $70 price. That matters here, since Borkko is the place where you may be tempted to buy something. Carry money for refreshments, and do not confuse the included water with a full drinks service. Water is listed among the inclusions, but one booking comment reported that it was not provided, so I would confirm this before departure and bring a bottle if you want certainty.

The stop is also subject to change. Depending on the season and weather, the boat may visit Maslinica village on Šolta Island instead of Borkko Beach Bar. That replacement is not a bad alternative, but it changes the feel of the day. You would get a charming village stop rather than the pine-tree beach-bar experience described above.

Blue Lagoon: the tour’s main swimming stop

After Borkko, the boat continues to Blue Lagoon for another hour. This is the centerpiece for many people, and it is easy to understand why. The water is clear and turquoise, the beaches are sandy, and the protected bay offers a calmer place to swim than the open sea.

You can jump in for a swim, snorkel with the supplied goggles, or stay on the sundeck to sunbathe. The tour provides snorkeling equipment in the form of goggles, along with safety equipment. It does not promise fins, so bring your own only if you want them and have room for them.

I would treat this as a swimming and relaxation stop rather than a serious snorkeling excursion. The description promises a chance to see marine life, but you should not expect a guided underwater tour or specialist equipment. The real value is the chance to get into clear water without organizing a separate beach transfer from Split.

One hour is enough for a proper swim, especially if you get ready before the boat arrives. It can feel short if you want a long snorkel, extensive sunbathing, and time for photographs. Still, the tight schedule lets the tour include two other destinations in the same morning or afternoon.

Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel, and apply sunscreen before boarding. The sun deck is a major feature of the trip, but there is little point in having a beautiful sea view if you spend the whole stop looking for shade or drying off. Also take care on the boat’s wet floor. One passenger specifically warned that it can become slippery, particularly after swimming.

One hour in UNESCO-listed Trogir

The final destination is Trogir, a historic city built on a small island and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here the day changes gear. After beach time and fast boat rides, you get approximately one hour to walk through the old town and harbor area.

Trogir is valuable because it adds culture to what could otherwise be only a swimming outing. Its compact historic center makes a short visit practical. You can enjoy the stone lanes, harbor views, and old buildings without needing a full day to get oriented.

The time limit is the main issue. If you like architecture, museums, or slow café stops, an hour may not be enough. One person specifically wanted longer in Trogir. I agree that this is the stop most likely to leave you wishing for more time, especially if the town is busy or you want to sit down for a drink.

My advice is to keep your visit simple. Walk rather than trying to cover every sight. Take in the harbor, follow the old streets, and leave room to return to the meeting point on time. The guide may provide background information, but this is not presented as a long guided walking tour. You are mainly getting a short independent look at Trogir before returning to the boat.

The ride back to Split

The return journey takes about 30 minutes. This is a good time to use the sundeck, dry your towel, and watch the islands slide past. The route offers panoramic views of the coast, and the open-water ride gives you a different perspective from the one you had leaving Split.

The crew’s style varies, but the strongest pattern is a relaxed combination of useful commentary, jokes, music, and attention to safety. Simon and Paško have been singled out for balancing information with humor, while Linda has sometimes carried a professional camera and taken photographs for the group. If your guide offers photos, ask about them directly rather than assuming they are part of every departure.

The boat returns to the Booker Travel Agency office. Since the tour lasts five hours, it fits neatly into a travel day. You can schedule it around a morning or evening plan, but keep in mind that weather can affect the timing or cancel the trip altogether.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, this is a strong value if you want several coastal experiences in one outing. You are paying for a speedboat ride, a small group, three stops, safety equipment, snorkeling goggles, and an English-speaking guide. Organizing the same combination independently would mean arranging transport to islands, finding a way to Blue Lagoon, and getting to Trogir separately.

The small boat is important to the value. A group capped at 12 feels more manageable than a large vessel carrying dozens of people. You spend less time waiting for people to board and can hear the guide more easily, although music can sometimes compete with conversation.

The price does not include food or drinks. Bring money for Borkko Beach Bar or any refreshments in Trogir. Water is listed as included, but because one comment raised a concern about its availability, I would bring your own bottle as a sensible precaution.

You should also understand what this is not. It is not a private charter, a full historical tour of Trogir, or a serious snorkeling expedition. It is a fast, social coast sampler. For many visitors, that is exactly the point.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see more than one place but have only half a day. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy a social group, and families with older children who are comfortable around water and speedboats.

It is especially good for people who value variety. You can swim at Blue Lagoon, relax at a beach bar, and walk through an old town without having to plan separate excursions. The guides also help keep the day easy, with crews such as Ivan and Ivan, Mate and Domagoj, and Sanja and Paško noted for making people feel safe and welcome.

The tour is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet day. Music and the speedboat create a lively atmosphere. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is extended time in Trogir or long, unhurried snorkeling.

It is not recommended for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back problems, mobility difficulties, or other medical conditions that could make the ride uncomfortable. Strong wind can make the boat trip rough. In severe conditions, the operator may cancel, offer another date, or provide a full refund.

If you are booking for a group, make one joint reservation. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will be assigned to the same boat. That is a small detail, but it can make a big difference when the boat holds only 12 people.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Wear swimwear beneath your clothes so you can use the swimming stops without a changing-room search.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen. These are not optional extras on a boat-and-beach day.
• Carry money for food and drinks, since those are not included.
• Bring a water bottle even though water is listed in the package.
• Use care on the wet boat floor, which may be slippery after swimming.
• If you want Trogir time, decide in advance which sights matter most to you.
• Expect a bumpy ride if the wind picks up.
• Make one reservation for your whole group.
• Ask your guide about photographs if you are paired with someone such as Linda, who has sometimes brought a professional camera.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The tour is conducted in English.

Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

I would book this tour if you want a lively half-day on the water and like the idea of combining swimming, scenery, a beach bar, and Trogir. At $70, the small group and three-part route give you a lot for the time and money.

I would skip it only if you need a gentle ride, dislike group outings, or want a full historical visit to Trogir. Check the wind forecast, pack for swimming, and accept that the Borkko stop may be replaced by Maslinica. With those conditions in mind, this is a practical way to sample the Dalmatian coast from Split without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including about 30 minutes by speedboat from Split to the first stop and about 30 minutes for the return journey.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet your guide at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office to check in and meet the tour guide.

Which places does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Goggles and safety equipment are included. The tour does not state that fins or other specialist snorkeling equipment are provided.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Water is listed as included, though one booking comment reported that water was not provided, so bringing your own bottle is sensible.

Is the tour suitable for young children or people with mobility issues?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back problems. It is also not recommended for people with mobility problems or other medical conditions that could make the ride unsuitable.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

Strong winds may cause cancellation. In that case, you can receive a full refund, reschedule for another date, or exchange the booking for another available trip from the operator’s list.