Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

The best part of this five-hour speedboat trip is the variety. You get a beach bar on Čiovo, a clear-water swimming stop in Blue Lagoon Bay, and an hour in historic Trogir, all without giving up a full day. I like the small group size, capped at 12, and the relaxed guide style reported with names such as Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, and Ivan. You get useful comments without being trapped in a nonstop lecture.

I also like the value at $70, since transport, safety gear, goggles, and water are included. The main catch is the speedboat ride itself: wind can make it bumpy, and the open boat offers little escape from sun or spray. Strong weather can also change or cancel the route, with Maslinica on Šolta sometimes replacing Borkko Beach Bar.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: A pine-lined beach bar, Blue Lagoon swimming, and UNESCO-listed Trogir give the half-day a good mix.
• Small boat, livelier ride: Groups are limited to 12, but speed, wake, music, and wind are part of the package.
• One hour at each destination: The timing works well for a taste of every stop, though Trogir deserves longer if you want serious sightseeing.
• Blue Lagoon is the star: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your own sense of timing for swimming and snorkeling.
• Guide quality matters: Past departures have included Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, Ivan, Mate, and others, with strong marks for humor, safety, and organization.
• Weather decides the day: Wind may make the crossing rough, alter the itinerary, or lead to a cancellation and refund or rescheduling.

What this Split speedboat tour is really like

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. It is a short Adriatic outing built around moving quickly between three places, getting wet, and enjoying the ride. From the Booker Travel Agency office in Split, you check in, meet your English-speaking guide and skipper, and walk to the boat.

The route begins with about 30 minutes on the water. That opening ride gives you broad views of Split and the Dalmatian coast before the first stop. The boat is a practical way to cover several destinations in a morning or afternoon, but you should expect engine noise, wind, wake bumps, and music rather than the hush of a traditional sailing trip.

The group limit of 12 is important. You are not being packed onto a large excursion vessel, and the smaller setting makes it easier to hear the guide, get help boarding, and settle into the boat. It also means the day can feel social. Several guides have been praised for keeping the mood light, playing music, and giving just enough information.

That style suits you if you want scenery and swimming more than a formal lesson in Dalmatian history. If you prefer a slow, detailed tour with long visits at each location, the five-hour format may feel brisk.

Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo

The first scheduled stop is Borkko Beach Bar on Čiovo Island, reached after the initial speedboat ride. You get about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing among pine trees, with a beach-bar setting rather than a completely undeveloped cove.

The appeal is the mix of easy leisure and sea time. You can cool off in the water, sit beneath the trees, or buy a drink if you wish. White sand and beach-club touches give this stop a casual holiday feel. It is a good first break after the ride because you can choose your pace instead of being pushed straight into sightseeing.

Food and drinks are not included, so bring money if you want something from the bar. The tour includes water, although one recent booking note reported that water was not provided on that departure. I would bring a refillable bottle anyway and confirm the arrangement at check-in.

The stop is not designed as a long cultural visit. You get one hour, which is enough for a swim and a drink, but not enough for lingering over lunch. You may also visit Maslinica on Šolta Island instead of Borkko, depending on the season and weather. That is not a downgrade so much as a route change, but it means you should avoid planning your day around one exact beach bar.

Blue Lagoon Bay: the main swimming stop

After Borkko, the boat heads to Blue Lagoon Bay. This is the heart of the outing, and you get roughly an hour to swim, snorkel, or stretch out on the sundeck.

The water is the reason this stop earns its billing. You can expect clear, bright water and sandy stretches, with views that make the short ride worthwhile. Goggles are supplied, so you can look below the surface without bringing your own mask. The snorkeling is casual rather than a specialist marine excursion, but it adds something to a simple swim.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular destination, and the tour is built around enjoying the setting rather than finding a private patch of coast. The one-hour stop gives you enough time to get in, cool off, and relax, but you will want to organize yourself quickly. Have your towel and sunscreen ready before the boat arrives.

The sun deck is a pleasant option if you do not want to swim the whole time. You can sit back, take in the islands, and watch the coast slide past. On the other hand, the open deck means strong sun exposure. Apply sunscreen before departure, not only after you reach the lagoon.

One useful practical warning comes from the boat itself. The floor may become slippery, especially around the swimming area. Swimming shoes can help on the shore or in the water, but take care when walking aboard in wet footwear. Hold on as you move, particularly if the boat is rocking.

Trogir gives the trip a cultural finish

The final destination is Trogir, a historic town and harbor on a small island, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You get about an hour to walk around and take in its stone streets, waterfront views, and old-town character.

This is what keeps the outing from being just a beach transfer. Trogir gives you a change of pace after the water stops. Instead of sunscreen and swimwear, you get lanes to wander, old buildings to view, and a chance to see why this compact town matters to Croatia’s past.

An hour is enough for a look around and some photographs. It is not enough for a thorough visit to every church, museum, and historic corner. One person specifically wanted longer in Trogir, and I think that is a fair concern. The tour works best if you treat the stop as an introduction, not as a complete Trogir tour.

Wear footwear that works for walking on stone streets, even if you spend most of the day in sandals. Keep your sightseeing focused. A short circuit through the old center and harbor area will give you more than trying to cover every side street.

The speedboat ride, music, and guides

The boat is part of the attraction. You get broad views from the sundeck, quick crossings between islands, and a stronger sense of the Adriatic than you would from a coach. Several departures have been praised for clean, spacious boats, smooth handling, and a good balance between information and free time.

The ride can also be noisy. Music is often used to create a party-like mood, and some people enjoy the soundtrack as much as the scenery. If you want to talk with the people beside you, the music may occasionally be too loud. Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to wind, but do not expect a sheltered cabin.

Skippers and guides vary by departure. Names connected with especially well-liked outings include Linda, Simon, Paško, Luka, Ivan, Mate, Domagoj, Gabriel, Sanja, and Lorenzo. The recurring strengths are friendly handling, jokes without too much forced entertainment, clear organization, and attention to comfort on the boat.

That matters more than it may sound. A good skipper makes a bumpy crossing feel controlled, and a good guide tells you when to swim, where to meet, and how long you have. Linda has also been noted for taking photographs with a professional camera on some departures. That is a pleasant extra, but it is not listed as a guaranteed service, so do not book solely for photos.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want transport to several coastal stops in one half-day. The price includes the speedboat, safety equipment, goggles, and water according to the stated inclusions. You also avoid arranging separate boat transport to Čiovo, Blue Lagoon, and Trogir.

The value comes from time saved. A public transport plan would require more coordination, and a private boat would normally cost far more per person. Here, you pay for a fixed route, a skipper, and a compact group rather than for total freedom.

The tradeoff is that the itinerary is shared and tightly timed. You do not choose to stay longer at Blue Lagoon, skip the beach bar, or spend an afternoon in Trogir. Food and drinks are extra, so budget for anything you want at Borkko Beach Bar and carry basic water regardless of the stated inclusion.

With a reported rating of 4.8 from 3,406 ratings and 91 percent perfect marks for transport, the experience has a strong track record. Still, those numbers cannot change the basic nature of the trip. You need to enjoy boats, sun, short stops, and a little motion to get the full value.

Who should book it?

I would choose this for a first visit to Split when you want to see more of the coast without surrendering a whole day. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who like joining a small group, and families with older children who can handle a speedboat and swimming schedule.

It is especially good for you if Blue Lagoon is high on your list but you also want a historic stop. The combination gives you photographs, water time, and a small cultural visit in one outing. The five-hour length also leaves room for dinner or an evening walk in Split.

I would be cautious if you are pregnant, have back or mobility problems, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a child under five. The trip is not recommended for those conditions. Strong wind can make the boat uncomfortable, and sometimes the operator cancels or changes the route. In that situation, you can receive a full refund, reschedule, or switch to another available trip.

Make a joint reservation if you are traveling with friends. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will be assigned to the same boat. At the Booker Travel Agency office, enter the agency rather than waiting outside, since that is where check-in and the guide meeting take place.

What to pack for the five-hour outing

Keep your packing simple and useful:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, applied before boarding
• Money for food or drinks
• Comfortable footwear for Trogir
• A refillable bottle
• A light layer for wind
• Dry storage for a phone and other small items

You do not need to bring snorkeling goggles, as they are supplied. Still, if you have a preferred mask, you may find your own more comfortable. Keep valuables to a minimum because this is a wet, open-boat day.

My recommendation

Book this tour if you want a fast, social, good-value taste of the Dalmatian coast rather than a slow island day. The strongest combination is the clear water at Blue Lagoon, the easygoing beach-bar stop, and the change of mood in Trogir.

Skip it if you dislike speedboats, need lots of time at each place, or want a quiet and private boat experience. For everyone else, the five-hour format is well judged. You get three distinct settings, a small group, and enough swimming time without giving up your entire day in Split.

FAQ

How long does the Split Blue Lagoon speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including about 30 minutes of speedboat travel at the start and another 30 minutes on the return. You get roughly one hour at Borkko Beach Bar, one hour at Blue Lagoon, and one hour in Trogir.

What destinations does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Goggles and safety equipment are included. Swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the sundeck are available during the water stops.

Is food included in the $70 price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Water is listed as included, but one departure reported that it was not provided, so bringing your own bottle is sensible.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at the Booker Travel Agency office. Enter the office for check-in, where the guide will greet you before you go to the boat.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Strong wind can lead to cancellation, and the ride may be bumpy in windy conditions. If the operator cancels, you can receive a full refund, reschedule for another date, or exchange the booking for another available trip.