From Trogir: Blue Lagoon & Šolta Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this day is its easy mix of sea time and island life. You get three and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, or doing very little, then a shaded lunch and a visit to Maslinica on Šolta. It feels more like a full summer day than a rushed photo stop.

I like the comfortable 20-meter wooden boat, the friendly blue-shirted crew, and the simple value of having lunch and drinks included. I also like the choice at lunch: fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate. The main drawback is timing at the Blue Lagoon. Three and a half hours is generous if you want to swim, but it may feel long if you are not a beach person.

Key points at a glance

• A long Blue Lagoon stop: You have 3.5 hours for snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, the beach bar, and lunch.
• A shaded restaurant setting: Lunch is served beneath 100-year-old pine trees, with side dishes, salad, and unlimited local drinks.
• Maslinica with time to wander: The 1.5-hour stop gives you room for narrow lanes, cafés, a beach break, and views of Marchi Castle.
• A practical boat setup: The Solo has a sundeck, toilets, Wi-Fi, a sound system, and comfortable seating.
• Good preparation matters: Arrive 30 to 40 minutes early if you want the best choice of seats.
• A family-friendly format: The day combines organized transport, food, swimming, and free time without requiring you to plan each stop.

Starting beside Čiovo Bridge in Trogir

The meeting point is easy to identify once you know what to look for. The boat is called Solo, a 20-meter white wooden motorboat with brown details and a red sun roof. It waits across from Vila Sikaa Hotel, next to Čiovo Bridge, and the crew wears blue T-shirts.

I would arrive 30 to 40 minutes before departure. That is not just cautious advice. Early arrival gives you a better chance of choosing a comfortable seat, especially if you want shade or a particular view. The boat has a sundeck, but seating preferences matter on an eight-hour outing.

Once aboard, you receive a welcome drink and settle into a sightseeing cruise through the waters around Trogir. The first cruise lasts about 50 minutes. That gives you a relaxed start, with views of small islets and the coast before the main swimming stop.

The boat has toilets, Wi-Fi, and a sound system, useful touches on a full-day trip. It is still a motorboat excursion, not a quiet sailing trip, so you should expect the sound and movement of a working excursion boat rather than a private yacht.

Three and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main event. You get about 3.5 hours here, which is much more generous than the short swim breaks offered on many coastal boat trips. You can collect snorkeling equipment from the crew, enter the clear sea, relax on the beach, or sit at the beach bar with a drink.

The snorkeling is intended as a light, accessible activity. You can look for local marine life in the shallow coastal water without turning the stop into a serious expedition. Bring your own mask if you have one you prefer, but snorkeling gear is included.

This long stop works well for mixed groups. One person can swim while another sits in the sun. Children can enjoy the water, and anyone who has had enough of the heat can use the beach bar, restaurant area, benches, or toilets nearby. The Blue Lagoon area has useful facilities, though that also means it is not a deserted beach.

I like the flexibility here. You are not forced into a fixed sequence of swimming, lunch, and sunbathing. You can set your own pace within the stop. If you want to work on your tan, the beach and sundeck provide that option. If you want activity, snorkeling is ready to go.

The trade-off is that the lagoon can occupy most of your day. People who prefer constant sightseeing may find three and a half hours too much beach time. This trip suits you best if you enjoy having a proper swim and a slow lunch rather than collecting as many places as possible.

Lunch beneath 100-year-old pine trees

Lunch is served at a restaurant shaded by old pine trees, a welcome change from the direct sun. The setting gives the meal a distinctly Dalmatian feel, with the scent of pine, a slower pace, and a break from the boat.

You choose from fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish. The meal also includes side dishes and salad. Local wine, water, and lemonade are available without extra charges during the included meal and excursion service. Fresh fruit is also part of the day, with chilled watermelon served during the return boat ride.

The food is best understood as a practical included lunch, not a destination restaurant meal. Portions may feel modest if you arrive very hungry after swimming, and the meal is not presented as an elaborate culinary experience. Still, having food arranged for you adds real value. You avoid searching for a restaurant during a busy beach stop, and you can return to the water without a long break.

I would bring a small snack if you normally eat heavily after swimming, but do not expect to need to buy drinks throughout the day. Unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade make the package more useful than a bare boat transfer with a short swim stop.

The 30-minute ride to Šolta

After lunch, the boat takes about 30 minutes to reach Šolta. This is a pleasant transition from the open water and beach facilities of the Blue Lagoon to the more settled character of Maslinica.

The cruise itself is part of the pleasure. You can sit on deck, watch the islands pass, and let the day slow down. The boat’s sun roof gives you a way to escape the strongest sun, while the sundeck suits anyone who wants a clearer view and more direct warmth.

The tour is conducted in English, and the crew handles the main practical details. That makes the trip easy for you if you do not want to coordinate several ferries, a restaurant booking, and beach time on your own.

Maslinica: stone lanes and Marchi Castle views

Maslinica is a small fishing village on Šolta, and the 1.5-hour stop gives you enough time to see its compact center without pretending to cover the entire island. You can walk among small stone houses and narrow lanes, stop at a local café, or head toward the beach.

The village stop adds variety. After several hours focused on water, you get a little architecture, local atmosphere, and a chance to stretch your legs. The old fishing-village character is more important here than a long list of monuments. You are visiting for the pleasant setting and the change of pace.

One of the most recognizable sights is Marchi Castle, built in 1603. You can enjoy views of the historic building from the waterfront and nearby beach. The stop does not promise a full castle tour, so keep your expectations focused on seeing it as part of the village setting.

You can also swim at Maslinica if the Blue Lagoon did not satisfy your sea-time needs. This is a useful option for people who would rather spend the stop by the water than walk through the lanes. A café break works equally well if you have had enough sun.

The 1.5-hour limit is sensible, but it means you should choose what matters most. A quick walk, a coffee, and a beach look are realistic. A slow meal, extended swimming, and detailed exploration would not fit comfortably.

The return cruise and fresh watermelon

The final sightseeing cruise lasts about an hour before you arrive back at the Solo in Trogir. Chilled fresh watermelon is served on the boat, a small but welcome touch after a warm day outside.

The return trip gives you time to sit back rather than rush directly from the village to the meeting point. You finish where you started, beside Čiovo Bridge, which keeps the day simple for anyone staying in or near Trogir.

Because the full experience lasts about eight hours, check the available departure time when booking. The exact start time affects how the day fits with hotel check-in, dinner, or other plans in Trogir.

What the boat setup means for your day

The Solo is larger and more equipped than a basic open speedboat. The 20-meter wooden design offers a more relaxed ride, with a sundeck, red sun roof, toilets, Wi-Fi, and seating that several people found comfortable.

That setup matters because this is not a quick two-hour outing. You spend roughly 50 minutes reaching the Blue Lagoon, 30 minutes moving toward Šolta, and another hour returning to Trogir, before counting the stops. A toilet and shaded area make a real difference over that length of time.

The boat also has a sound system, so you should expect some onboard music or announcements. If you want a quiet escape, this may not be your ideal format. If you enjoy a social day on the water, the boat’s facilities support that mood.

The crew speaks English and provides the welcome drink, snorkeling equipment, food, and refreshments. The practical advantage is clear: once you board, most of the day’s basic needs are covered.

Value, service, and possible weak spots

The tour’s value comes from the amount bundled into one day. You receive transport by motorboat, an English-speaking crew, snorkeling gear, lunch, fresh fruit, unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade. You also get two substantial stops rather than a series of brief photo pauses.

Compared with arranging the same day independently, the package saves you from working out how to reach the Blue Lagoon, find a restaurant, and continue to Šolta. The included drinks are especially useful in the Croatian summer, when buying every bottle separately can quickly add up.

The experience is not perfect. Lunch is convenient and tasty, but it may not feel especially generous. The Blue Lagoon has beach facilities and a bar, which makes it comfortable but less private. And because the boat follows a set schedule, you cannot stay longer in Maslinica if you particularly enjoy the village.

The overall rating is 4.1 from 178 reviews, which suggests a generally strong experience with some mixed expectations. I would read that as a sign that the tour delivers what it promises, especially for its organization, friendly service, boat, and location choices, but may not satisfy someone seeking luxury food or a quiet, uncrowded beach.

Who should book this Blue Lagoon and Šolta cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a well-organized full day on the water and prefer a mixture of swimming, food, and light sightseeing. Families and groups with different interests should find the flexible Blue Lagoon stop useful.

It also suits first-time visitors to the Trogir area who want to see more of Dalmatia without planning separate transport. You can swim, snorkel, eat, walk through a small island village, and return to Trogir in one outing.

You may want another kind of excursion if your priority is serious snorkeling, a private boat, fine dining, or visiting several historic sites. This is a relaxed shared cruise, not a specialist marine tour or a private cultural guide.

Pack a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Arrive early for a better seat, and remember that the long Blue Lagoon stop is the heart of the day.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Check the available start times when booking.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the motorboat Solo across from Vila Sikaa Hotel, next to Čiovo Bridge in Trogir. The white wooden boat has brown details and a red sun roof, and the crew wears blue T-shirts.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish. Lunch includes side dishes and salad, along with unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included for the Blue Lagoon stop.

How much free time do you get at each main stop?

You get about 3.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon and 1.5 hours in Maslinica on Šolta.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has a sundeck, toilets, a sound system, Wi-Fi, and a sun roof.