Split: Blue Lagoon, Shipwreck and Šolta with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Split boat trip is the mix: you snorkel over a small shipwreck, wander a quiet island village, then spend the afternoon in the bright waters of the Blue Lagoon. The 27-meter Yacht Tamaris gives you air-conditioned salons, showers, toilets, Wi-Fi, and a proper bar, so this is more comfortable than a basic speedboat outing.

I like the clear all-in price, with coffee, a croissant, lunch, fruit, and unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade included. I also like the gentle pace and helpful crew, who keep the day moving without making it feel rushed. The main drawback is seating: only about 20 sunbeds are available on the top deck, and lunch comes late, often around 2:00 or 2:45 p.m.

Key points to know before you book

• The shipwreck stop is a real snorkeling stop: You swim over a submerged small boat in Nečujam Bay, with gear available from the crew.
• Maslinica gives you an hour on land: Explore the fisherman village, stop for coffee, and see Marchi Castle and its park.
• Lunch is served beside the Blue Lagoon: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with a side dish and salad.
• The boat is built for a full day at sea: Tamaris has three decks, two air-conditioned salons, four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and a bar.
• Top-deck space is limited: Arrive early if you want a sunbed or an outdoor seat with a view.
• The price covers the basics well: At $74 per person, the included food, drinks, fruit, equipment, and eight-hour cruise make this a strong value for a full day from Split.

Why this Split cruise works so well

This is a full-day island outing rather than a quick boat transfer. You leave Split behind and spend roughly eight hours moving between bays, open water, and the small port of Maslinica. The schedule gives you three different kinds of stops, which helps the day feel varied.

The cruise is operated by Max Nautica from a meeting stand on Split’s Riva Promenade. Look for stand number 8, a small white stand beside the sea, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave on time because of port schedules, so this is not the morning to linger over a second coffee.

At $74, the tour is priced fairly for what is included. You are not just paying for transport between islands. The package covers a light breakfast, snorkeling gear, lunch with a drink, fresh fruit, and unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola cost extra, but the included drinks handle the basics.

This is a good choice if you want to see several Dalmatian stops without arranging ferries, restaurants, and equipment yourself. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, private sailing trip. The boat can carry a large group, reportedly up to around 150 people, so expect a social day rather than a secluded one.

Morning coffee and the cruise from Split

Once aboard Tamaris, you receive coffee and a croissant while the boat heads toward Nečujam Bay. That small breakfast is useful, but it is not a full meal. Bring something extra for children or for anyone who gets hungry early, since lunch is at the final stop and may not arrive until mid-afternoon.

Tamaris is a day cruiser with three decks. Two indoor salons are air-conditioned, while the open deck has a bar and the upper level has sunbeds. There are four toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, and safety deposit boxes for valuables. Charging sockets have also been noted aboard, though you should still bring a portable charger if your phone battery is weak.

The boat’s size matters when the sea gets lively. A larger, stable vessel generally feels less jumpy than a small speedboat, and the indoor areas give you somewhere to sit out of the sun. On the other hand, a large boat means more people competing for the best outdoor spots.

If you want the top deck, arrive early and board promptly. The upper level has only about 20 sunbeds, and seats selected early may remain yours for much of the day. Otherwise, you may spend the cruise in one of the lower indoor or open-deck areas. Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, beachwear, and comfortable clothing.

Snorkeling over the Nečujam shipwreck

The first stop is Nečujam Bay, about an hour after leaving Split. Here you can swim and snorkel over a submerged shipwreck. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, making this an easy first water stop for anyone who did not pack their own mask and fins.

Set your expectations correctly. The wreck is a small boat beneath the water, not a large historic vessel with cabins to explore. Its appeal comes from seeing a sunken object and the underwater life around it, not from a major archaeological site.

The exact location can be difficult to spot from the boat. If you are not a strong swimmer, listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and stay within your comfort range. Some people have found that clearer direction to the wreck would help, since it can take time to locate and the swim may be longer than expected.

This stop is best for confident swimmers who enjoy a short look beneath the surface. You can also treat it as a regular swimming stop if the wreck does not interest you. Bring your own mask if you have one you prefer, but the supplied gear means you do not need to buy equipment for the day.

After about an hour, you return to the boat for another scenic cruise. This is a good time to rinse off in one of the showers, get water, and settle into a shaded seat before the next stop.

An hour in Maslinica on Šolta

Maslinica, on the island of Šolta, changes the rhythm of the day. Instead of swimming straight from the boat, you step ashore in a small fisherman village with a slower, more local feel. You have about an hour to walk around, take photographs, or sit in a café with a freshly brewed coffee.

Marchi Castle and its park are the main points of interest. The castle adds a little architecture to what is otherwise a short village visit, and the park gives you a pleasant place to walk before returning to the harbor.

One hour is enough to get a feel for Maslinica, but not enough for a long wander. If you want coffee, photographs, and the castle, keep an eye on the time. This is a quick taste of Šolta, not a full island tour.

The stop also gives you a break from the boat. You can stretch your legs, walk on solid ground, and see how a small island port differs from the more heavily visited center of Split. If you prefer swimming to sightseeing, you may find this stop slightly short on water time, but it adds useful variety to the itinerary.

Lunch beside the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the final and longest stop, with about two hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. The boat uses a private beach restaurant, so you do not need to hunt for a table after arriving. That makes a big difference during a busy summer afternoon.

You choose from three main dishes: fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option. Each comes with a side dish and salad, followed by fresh fruit for dessert. The food is simple rather than elaborate, but it fits the setting and is included in the tour price.

If you choose fish, be prepared for a whole grilled fish with bones. It can be tasty, but deboning it takes patience, especially if you are hungry or trying to eat quickly. Chicken is a straightforward choice, and the vegetarian meal gives non-meat eaters a proper alternative rather than just a side dish.

Lunch timing is the main practical issue here. Since Blue Lagoon is the last stop and lunch is served after arrival, you may not eat until around 2:00 or 2:45 p.m. Have a small sandwich or snack with you, particularly if you are traveling with children. Packaged snacks such as chips may also be available for purchase aboard.

After lunch, you have free time in and around the bay. Swim in the clear water, use the snorkeling gear, take a walk, or sit beneath the old pine trees near the beach. You can also buy cocktails or other extra drinks at the bar, but those are not part of the included package.

The beach itself can be rocky underfoot. Water shoes may be useful, although they are not listed as required equipment. One practical option is to return to the boat after lunch and swim from the back, where the water is deeper and the entry may feel easier than the rocky beach.

What the boat facilities mean for your day

The strong point of Tamaris is comfort. A day on the sea can become tiring when there is nowhere to sit out of the sun, no place to rinse off, and no clean toilet nearby. Here, you have all three, plus air conditioning and Wi-Fi.

The bar is available for paid extras, including beer and cocktails. Prices have been described as reasonable, with cocktails around €8, but bring cash because card payment may not be accepted aboard. The included local wine, water, and lemonade are served without an extra charge.

The crew speaks English and gives instructions about the stops and swimming areas. The boat uses a planned boarding system, seating groups one at a time rather than allowing a large crowd to push aboard. Staff uniforms may not always make it obvious who works on the boat, so ask directly if you need help.

Music may play lightly in the background. The atmosphere can shift between relaxed and lively depending on the group, but the large boat provides enough separate areas that you can usually find a quieter corner indoors.

The main limitation is outdoor seating. Much of the seating is inside, and the sunbeds on top are limited. If sitting in full sun is important to you, arrive early. If you prefer shade or air conditioning, this arrangement may actually work in your favor.

Who will enjoy this eight-hour outing

I would recommend this cruise to anyone who wants a simple way to experience several island settings in one day. It works especially well for couples, solo visitors, and families who value an organized schedule and included meals.

Solo travelers can easily meet people aboard, and the crew keeps the day social without requiring anyone to join a group. Families should plan for the late lunch, bring sunscreen and towels, and make sure children are comfortable with swimming and boat time.

It is also a useful option in the shoulder season. Swimming conditions depend on the weather, but the sea can remain warm enough in early November, and a sunny day makes the cruise especially pleasant. Always check the forecast before departure and bring a light layer for the ride back.

You may want another type of trip if you dislike large groups, need complete control over your schedule, or want to spend most of the day on one quiet beach. The Maslinica stop lasts about an hour, and the Blue Lagoon stop about two hours, so this is a moving tour with several planned sections.

Practical advice before leaving Split

Bring a sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and beachwear. Keep valuables secure in the boat’s safety deposit boxes, and take a small bag that is easy to carry between the boat, beach, and village.

Arrive at stand number 8 at least 30 minutes early. Early arrival is especially useful if you want a top-deck sunbed, since the supply is limited. Remember that the departure is strict, not flexible.

Do not count on lunch to solve your morning hunger. Coffee and a croissant are included, but a snack is sensible. Cash is also useful for the onboard bar, as card payments may not be accepted.

The tour includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time when booking, since the exact departure time can vary.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Šolta cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized full day with swimming, snorkeling, a village visit, lunch, and drinks included for $74. The clean, stable boat and generous facilities are a real advantage, and the crew’s clear instructions help the day run on schedule.

Go in with realistic expectations about the shipwreck and lunch. The wreck is small, the beach can be rocky, and the fish may contain many bones. Blue Lagoon time can also feel short, especially if you want both a leisurely meal and a long swim.

My practical choice would be to arrive early, claim a shaded outdoor seat or a top-deck spot, pack a snack, bring cash, and use the boat’s deeper-water swimming area after lunch. With those small preparations, this is a good-value way to see the islands around Split without spending the day arranging the details yourself.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

Meet at stand number 8 on Split’s Riva Promenade. It is a small white stand beside the sea, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours and returns to the same meeting point in Split.

What islands and locations does the cruise visit?

The trip stops at Nečujam Bay for the shipwreck, Maslinica on the island of Šolta, and the Blue Lagoon on Drvenik Veliki Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included for the stops at Nečujam Bay and the Blue Lagoon.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive coffee and a croissant in the morning, lunch with a choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, a side dish and salad, fresh fruit dessert, unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade.

Are beer and cocktails included?

No. Beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola are extra. Cash is recommended for purchases at the onboard bar because card payment may not be accepted.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and beachwear.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The boat must leave strictly on time, and early arrival gives you a better chance of getting a preferred outdoor seat or one of the limited top-deck sunbeds.