Split: Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Speedboat Tour – Small group

The best part of this five-hour speedboat trip is the mix: one historic town, one famous swimming stop, and one quiet island harbor. You get three very different slices of the Dalmatian coast without spending a full day at sea. I especially like the quick, exciting boat rides and the useful luggage storage option if you are leaving Split for the airport.

I also like the balance of free time. You can walk through Trogir, swim at Blue Lagoon, and slow down in Maslinica instead of being marched from one photo stop to the next. The main drawback is crowding at Blue Lagoon and the two swimming stops during peak summer, plus a bumpy ride when the sea is choppy.

Key points at a glance

• Three distinct stops in five hours: Historic Trogir, Blue Lagoon Beach, and Maslinica on Šolta Island.
• Fast coastal transport: Speedboat transfers take about 30 minutes between the main stops.
• Short but useful stop in Trogir: You get about 75 minutes to walk the old town and see its main sights.
• Swimming equipment included: Snorkels, safety gear, and life jackets are provided.
• Small-group setting: The tour is limited to 10 participants, with a boat designed for up to 12 people.
• Smart for departure day: Luggage storage is available at the Smile Travel office by request.

Three coastal experiences in one morning

This tour works because it does not try to make every stop the same. Trogir gives you stone lanes and medieval buildings. Blue Lagoon gives you clear water and time in the sun. Maslinica gives you a calmer harbor and a slower island feel.

You meet at the Smile Travel office at Marmontova 5 in central Split. From there, the crew takes you to the speedboat. The office can store luggage during the trip, but contact the company ahead of time if you need this service. That is a useful detail for anyone checking out of a hotel or connecting to a flight later in the day.

The advertised price is $94 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but the price includes fuel, a licensed skipper, English-speaking staff, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, passenger insurance, taxes, and the boat ride itself. You are paying for speed and a fixed route, not for a long independent beach day.

The boat is marketed as a small-group trip limited to 10 people, while the vessel has room for 12. That gives you a more personal setting than a large excursion boat, though you should not expect a private charter. The crew provides music during the ride, and the speedboat cuts down travel time between stops.

The ride from Split to Trogir

The first transfer takes about 30 minutes. You get an open-water view of the coast, but you should also expect movement. A speedboat is quick and fun, yet it can feel bumpy, especially when wind or waves pick up. Sit where you feel most comfortable, hold onto your belongings, and keep sunglasses and hats secure.

The crew speaks Croatian and English. Their role is mainly to handle the boat, explain the stops, and keep the schedule moving. Doris was specifically praised for being helpful and service-minded, and the crew received strong praise for being friendly and careful with passengers.

The speed is part of the appeal. A slower boat would turn this into a much longer outing, while the speedboat makes three stops possible within five hours. The tradeoff is comfort. If you have back problems, are pregnant, or dislike rough water, this is not the right type of coastal transport.

Trogir: 75 minutes among old stone buildings

Trogir is the cultural stop, and it gives the tour needed variety. The town sits on Čiovo Island and is protected by UNESCO. Its old center is compact, so you can see a good deal in about an hour, but you will need to keep your pace steady.

Use the first few minutes to get your bearings. Walk through the old lanes, look up at the stone façades, and pause in the small squares. Trogir is often described as a museum town because so much of its historic character remains concentrated in a walkable area.

Seventy-five minutes is enough for an introduction, a few photographs, and a short coffee or snack if you find a place serving quickly. It is not enough for a slow meal, a detailed museum visit, and a relaxed town walk. I would treat this as a first look rather than a full visit.

That timing is one of the tour’s clearest compromises. Trogir deserves more time if history and architecture are your main interests. On the other hand, the short visit works well if you mainly want to see the town before spending the rest of the day by the water.

The route order can change between morning and afternoon departures. That matters because the temperature, light, and crowd levels may differ at each stop. You should not plan a specific restaurant reservation or another activity immediately after the tour without leaving room for changes.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy beach

After Trogir, the boat heads toward Blue Lagoon Beach on Drvenik Veli Island. This is the stop built around swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and photographs. You get roughly 75 minutes here, although the usable time can feel shorter once the boat arrives and the group gets into the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and snorkel. You can look for marine life in the clear water, but conditions depend on weather, visibility, and how busy the area is. The attraction is the easy access to the sea, not a guided underwater excursion.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, water, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. A sun hat is useful during the waiting and boat portions, but secure it before the speedboat moves. Beachwear and weather-appropriate clothing are both listed as useful, which makes sense for a trip that shifts between hot sun, sea spray, and wind.

Blue Lagoon is also the place where you are most likely to encounter crowds. It is popular for good reason, but that popularity can take away some peace and quiet. You may find several boats arriving around the same time, especially in summer. If you want complete solitude, this is not the right promise. If you want a convenient, scenic swim stop with equipment provided, it works well.

Some departures may include a cocktail or a drink option, but food and drinks are not included in the standard package. Bring your own water and plan to buy food before or after the tour. Do not count on this five-hour schedule for a proper lunch.

Maslinica on Šolta Island

The final stop is Maslinica, a coastal village on Šolta Island. Its harbor, traditional stone houses, and olive groves create a quieter mood than Blue Lagoon. You have about 75 minutes to walk, swim, sit by the water, or look around at your own pace.

Maslinica is valuable because it gives you a taste of island life without requiring a full day on Šolta. The harbor is easy to explore, and the slower pace helps balance the noise and motion of the speedboat. You might find a place to try local food, but food is not included, and the time is limited.

The company notes that Maslinica can be replaced by another destination if conditions require it. This is not a minor detail. Sea and weather conditions control the route, and the crew has to put safety first. In poor weather, the entire trip can be canceled, with a choice of another date or a full refund.

If Maslinica matters most to you, confirm the route on the day rather than treating it as guaranteed. The same is true of the exact order of stops. Flexible expectations will make this trip easier to enjoy.

What the small boat changes

A 10-person limit changes the feel of the day. You spend less time getting people on and off the boat, and the crew can answer questions without speaking to a large crowd. It also makes the boat feel more social and personal than a full-size sightseeing vessel.

The boat is not a lounge. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun, wind, and spray. The speed makes the journey exciting, but it can also be tiring for anyone sensitive to motion. This is why the tour excludes people with back problems, mobility impairments, and pregnant women, and sets a minimum age of four and a maximum age of 70.

Children who are comfortable on boats may enjoy the trip. Life jackets were provided for two children aged five and eight on one outing, but families should still consider the roughness of the ride and the long periods in direct sun. The boat crew makes the trip safer with life jackets and safety equipment, but no boat can remove the basic movement of the sea.

The itinerary has four roughly 30-minute speedboat legs and three stops of about 75 minutes. That adds up to five hours. In real use, loading, docking, and sea conditions can shorten the time at a stop, so keep that in mind if you are measuring every minute.

Price, timing, and practical value

At $94, this tour makes the most sense for you if you want to see several places in one half-day and do not want to arrange boats, island connections, and snorkeling equipment on your own. The included fuel and skipper matter because speedboat costs can add up quickly when booked independently.

The price is also reasonable for departure day. The luggage storage option lets you leave Split with your bags at the office and continue toward the airport afterward. Contact Smile Travel before the tour if you need storage, since the service is available by arrangement.

The tour is less appealing if you prefer long, quiet visits. Trogir gets about an hour and a quarter, while each water stop gets a similar amount of time. You will see the highlights, but you will not have the freedom of spending an entire afternoon on one island.

The schedule also makes this a poor match for anyone who wants a guaranteed restaurant meal. Food and drinks are not included, and the itinerary moves quickly. Eat before departure or carry water and a small snack if permitted by the crew.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The company can also cancel because of bad weather and offer another date or a full refund. That is useful protection for a sea trip, but you should still avoid booking another fixed activity too close to the return time.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Split and want three different experiences without committing to a full-day island cruise. It suits couples, small groups of friends, and families with older children who enjoy fast boat rides and short active stops.

It is also a strong choice for first-time visitors who want an introduction to the coast. You get culture in Trogir, swimming at Blue Lagoon, and a quieter village stop in Maslinica. That range helps you decide which places deserve a longer visit later.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is a slow beach day, a private boat, a long meal, or guaranteed calm water. The popular stops can be crowded, and the boat ride can be bumpy. Anyone with back trouble, limited mobility, pregnancy, or strong motion sensitivity should skip it.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value variety, speed, and a small group more than long stays at any one place. The strongest parts are the friendly crew, the simple meeting point, the included snorkeling gear, and the chance to combine Trogir with two very different swimming and harbor stops.

For the best experience, bring water, sunscreen, a towel, a spare outfit, and realistic expectations about crowds. If the sea is calm and you like active sightseeing, $94 is a fair price for the amount of coastline covered. If you want peace and plenty of time, choose a slower island trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Split?

Meet in front of the Smile Travel office at Marmontova 5 in Split. The tour also returns to the same office.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts five hours. It includes speedboat transfers and stops in Trogir, Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, safety gear, and life jackets are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Can I store luggage during the tour?

Yes, luggage storage is available at the Smile Travel office. Contact the company in advance if you need to use it.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The order of the stops may change, and Maslinica may be replaced by another destination. If bad weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.