REVIEW · CROATIA
From Trogir/Kaštela: Private Blue Lagoon Speedboat Cruise
The best part of this private boat trip is the variety packed into one half-day: a swim in the famous Blue Lagoon, a walk through Maslinica on Šolta, and a quieter stop at Duga Bay. You get open-water views of Trogir and Kaštela, plus the thrill of moving between islands by speedboat rather than sitting on a large tour boat.
I like the private group setup, which gives up to eight people their own boat and a more relaxed pace. I also like the mix of stops: Blue Lagoon gives you the classic turquoise-water photo, while Maslinica and Duga Bay offer a little more local flavor and breathing room.
The main catch is that Blue Lagoon can be crowded, especially when several boats arrive together. If you want a completely quiet beach day, this is not the right promise. The trip works better if you see the lagoon as one stop in a varied island outing.
Key points to know before booking

- Three very different stops: Swim and snorkel at Blue Lagoon, walk around Maslinica, then relax at pine-shaded Duga Bay.
- Private boat for up to eight: The $624 group price works out to about $78 per person when eight people share it.
- Short, lively boat rides: The listed rides take about 20 minutes to Blue Lagoon, 10 minutes to Maslinica, and 15 minutes to Duga Bay.
- Maslinica is the cultural pause: You get an hour to walk through the village, browse, and find food at your own expense.
- Bring your own beach kit: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and cash are all useful.
- The skipper provides the essentials: Life jackets, snorkels, bottled water, and the speedboat are included.
A private speedboat day from Trogir or Kaštela

This is a five-and-a-half-hour outing built around swimming, simple island exploring, and the pleasure of being on the water. You can start from Obala kralja Tomislava 5 or Obala bana Berislavića 23, depending on the option you book, and you return to the same meeting point.
The boat is private for your group, with an English-speaking skipper. That matters most when your group has different ideas about the day. Some people can swim, some can stay on the beach, and others can spend the free time walking around Maslinica without having to fit into a large group’s routine.
The price is $624 for up to eight people. At full capacity, that is about $78 each, which is a fair way to split a private boat and skipper for most of a day. For only two or three people, the per-person cost becomes much higher, so the value is strongest for families or groups of friends who can fill the boat.
Food is not included. You should plan to buy something in Maslinica or eat before you leave. Bring cash as well as sunscreen and a towel. Bottled water is provided, and the boat supplies life jackets and snorkeling equipment.
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Leaving Trogir with Kamerlengo Fortress in view

The opening ride gives you a pleasant orientation to the coast. As you leave Trogir or Kaštela, you can look back toward the old town and see Kamerlengo Fortress from the water. The view changes quickly once the boat heads out, with the Kaštela and Trogir shoreline opening behind you.
The first ride is listed at about 20 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a proper sea crossing, but short enough that the day does not get eaten up by transport. On a speedboat, the ride itself is part of the experience, not just a way to reach the next stop.
A speedboat also means wind, sun, and spray. You should protect your eyes and skin, and keep your hat secure. The boat is described as safe and comfortable, but this is still a boat ride, not a silent transfer. If you prefer very calm transport, the speed and motion may take some getting used to.
Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy surroundings

The first stop is Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veli Island. You have about an hour and a half here for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and beach time.
The water is the star. You can swim in clear turquoise water, use the supplied snorkel, or stay on the white sand beach and take in the setting. The point is freedom rather than a formal activity session. You decide how much time goes to swimming, looking below the surface, or sitting at the beach bar.
This is also the most famous stop, which brings a drawback. Blue Lagoon can feel crowded, and the classic name raises expectations. I would not book this outing solely for a private, empty cove. The lagoon is attractive, but its popularity means you may share the view and swimming area with other boats.
That said, the stop earns its place in the program. You get the clearest chance to enjoy the sea, and the one-and-a-half-hour stay gives you enough time to swim without rushing straight back onto the boat. The snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange separate gear.
If you are not a confident swimmer, a life jacket is included. If you would rather not enter the water, you can relax on the beach or at the beach bar. That flexibility makes the first stop workable for mixed groups.
Maslinica on Šolta brings a slower hour

After Blue Lagoon, the boat takes about 10 minutes to Maslinica on Šolta. The stop lasts about an hour, and the pace changes from beach time to village time.
Maslinica is the only settlement and port on the west side of Šolta. You can walk through the old village, look at the harbor, browse local shops, and find something to eat. The stop gives you a better sense of everyday island life than a swim-only cruise can provide.
I especially like this part of the route because it gives your eyes a break from the water. The old village and port offer streets to wander, places to take photos, and a chance to see how the island community is arranged. You are not being hurried through a long guided tour. You simply have free time to look around.
An hour goes quickly. If you want lunch, shopping, and a proper walk, you will need to choose your priorities. Food is not included, so the price of anything you eat or buy comes out of your own pocket. Cash is worth carrying for this reason, as well as for general small purchases.
Maslinica is also the strongest stop for visitors who want more than a beach day. Blue Lagoon gives you the postcard scene. Maslinica gives you a village, a port, and a small taste of island life.
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Duga Bay offers the calmest finish
The final boat ride takes about 15 minutes to Duga Bay on the south side of Čiovo Island. You have about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and rest.
Duga Bay is described as a peaceful place where you can swim in the bay or sit in the shade of pine trees. After the bright sun and activity at Blue Lagoon, this stop works well as a quieter final pause. You can cool off in the water, find shade, and let the day slow down before the return ride.
The bay also helps balance the crowded feel that Blue Lagoon can sometimes have. I would still keep expectations sensible: the experience does not promise an empty cove. But the setting is intended for rest, and the pine shade gives you an option that the exposed beach at Blue Lagoon may not.
This is another good stop for a group with mixed energy levels. Confident swimmers can use the water, while anyone ready for a break can stay under the trees. Snorkeling gear is available here too.
What the five-and-a-half-hour schedule feels like
The listed program gives you roughly 20 minutes to Blue Lagoon, 1.5 hours there, 10 minutes to Maslinica, one hour in the village, 15 minutes to Duga Bay, and one hour at the bay. The return ride completes the half-day outing.
In practice, you should treat the full duration as five and a half hours. Boarding, moving between swimming areas, and getting settled take time beyond the simple stop-by-stop figures. That is not a flaw. It is part of how a boat day works.
The schedule is nicely balanced. Blue Lagoon gets the longest stop because it is the main swimming location. Maslinica is shorter but gives you enough time for a walk and food. Duga Bay finishes with another hour in the water or shade.
You will not get a long, unhurried visit at every stop. The advantage is variety. In one outing, you see the coast from the boat, swim at a famous lagoon, walk around an island village, and relax in a bay.
The skipper and private-group advantage

The skipper is responsible for the boat, route, and basic support. An English-speaking guide is included, and the equipment provided includes life jackets, snorkels, and bottled water.
No individual skipper name is provided, so you should not book this expecting a named specialist guide or a long historical commentary. The heart of the experience is the route and the time on the water, not a lecture-heavy tour.
The private format is the bigger advantage. With up to eight people, you avoid sharing the outing with a large crowd on board. You can enjoy the boat with your own family or friends, and the skipper can keep the group’s needs in mind within the fixed route.
The private setup does not make the public beaches private. Blue Lagoon and the other stops can still have other people around. It simply gives you a more personal ride between them and removes the pressure of traveling with a large boatload.
What to pack for the boat

Keep your packing simple and practical:
- Swimsuit and towel
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Cash for food, drinks, or shopping in Maslinica
- Any personal medication or small items you need for five and a half hours
You receive bottled water, but you should arrange your own meal or snack. Since the stops focus on swimming, you will want a towel and dry clothing for the ride back.
Wear or carry sun protection even if the day looks mild. Open water gives you little natural cover on the boat. At Duga Bay, you can use the pine shade, but the speedboat rides and Blue Lagoon stop are more exposed.
The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. If someone in your group has mobility concerns, check the arrangements carefully before booking.
Who gets the best value from this cruise
I would recommend this trip to a group of friends or a family that wants a flexible half-day on the sea. It is especially suitable if your group wants both swimming and a little island walking, rather than spending every minute at a beach.
It also suits people staying in or near Trogir or Kaštela who want a straightforward way to reach several coastal spots without organizing separate boat transport. The two possible start points make the outing practical for different bases.
You should think twice if your main goal is complete solitude. Blue Lagoon is well known and may be crowded. You should also consider the cost if only two people are sharing the $624 total.
For families, the private arrangement can be useful because the day does not depend on strangers. Life jackets are supplied, and people who do not want to snorkel can enjoy the beach, village, or shade. Still, the boat format means everyone needs to be comfortable with the water and a moving speedboat.
Booking advice and final verdict
This cruise is a good choice if you want a polished introduction to the islands near Trogir and Kaštela, with a strong mix of swimming, scenery, and free time. Its best features are the private boat, the pleasant skipper service, the included snorkel equipment, and the route’s variety.
The honest warning is simple: Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and the $624 price makes the most sense when eight people share it. If your group can fill the boat and wants a lively day with three distinct stops, I would book it. If you want a quiet beach with no timetable, choose a smaller, more secluded outing instead.
FAQ
Where does the cruise start and finish?
The cruise can start from Obala kralja Tomislava 5 or Obala bana Berislavića 23, depending on the option booked. It ends back at the meeting point.
How long does the cruise last?
The activity lasts five and a half hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.
Which places does the boat visit?
The route includes Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veli Island, Maslinica on Šolta Island, and Duga Bay on the south side of Čiovo Island.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkels, life jackets, and bottled water are included.
Is food included in the price?
No. Food is not included, so bring cash and plan to buy anything you want during free time in Maslinica.
Can wheelchair users join this activity?
No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.
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