Split/Trogir: Half-Day(5 hours) 3-Island Speedboat Adventure

The best part of this five-hour speedboat trip is the variety. You get bright, clear water at Blue Lagoon, a proper island village at Maslinica, and a final swim near Čiovo, all without spending a full day at sea. I like the clean, modern boat and the choice between sun and shade. I also like the small-group feel, with space for about 15 people on some departures.

I especially appreciate the practical touches: coffee and bottled water are included, snorkeling gear is available, and there is a shower on board. The trade-off is the speedboat ride itself. It can feel chilly when the boat is moving fast, even on a warm day, so bring a light jacket or towel for cover.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different stops: Blue Lagoon for swimming, Maslinica for a village walk, and Čiovo for a relaxed beach-bar stop.
• About 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon: Enough time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a drink on or near the boat.
• A comfortable modern speedboat: You get shaded seating, a fridge, storage, Bluetooth music, a shower, and snorkeling equipment.
• Departures from Split or Trogir: Meet at Mletački mul on Split’s Riva or in front of Kamerlengo Fortress in Trogir.
• Friendly named guides: Luka, Klaudia, Marco, Franco, Antonio, Tommo, and Siniša have all been praised for warm, helpful hosting.
• Weather controls the day: The captain may change the route or cancel for safety, with rescheduling or a full refund if the trip is canceled.

Three islands in five hours

This is a good choice if you want a taste of the Dalmatian coast but do not want to give up a whole day. The route covers Veliki Drvenik, Šolta, and Čiovo, with enough time at each stop to do more than take a quick photograph.

The tour runs in the morning or afternoon, with listed departures around 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Exact times depend on the date and option you book. An afternoon departure can give you a softer end-of-day light, while a morning trip leaves more time for other plans in Split or Trogir.

The route is active but not exhausting. You will spend roughly 15 to 40 minutes between stops, depending on where you board and the sea conditions. That means the boat ride is part of the experience, not just transport.

Leaving Split or Trogir by speedboat

From Trogir, the meeting point is in front of Kamerlengo Fortress. From Split, meet at Mletački mul on the Riva. Check your booking carefully because the starting point depends on the option you choose.

The first minutes give you wide views of Trogir or Split from the water. This is one of the tour’s simple pleasures. From the boat, the old towns read as a compact sweep of stone, towers, waterfront, and hills beyond. You get a quick orientation before the open-water ride begins.

The new luxury speedboat makes a difference here. It has a shaded area, onboard storage for belongings, a fridge, Bluetooth music, and a shower. You can sit in the sun or move into shade, which matters when the boat is carrying a small group for several hours.

The boat is not a silent sightseeing platform. At speed, wind and spray are part of the deal. If the outside temperature is below about 27 or 28 degrees Celsius, bring a light jacket. Even in hotter weather, a towel can serve as a useful windbreak.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

After about 15 to 20 minutes from Trogir, or 35 to 40 minutes from Split, the boat reaches Blue Lagoon at Krknjaši near Veliki Drvenik. From the Split departure, this is the longest initial ride, but it gets you quickly to the day’s main swimming setting.

You have about an hour and a half here. That is generous by speedboat-tour standards. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, sunbathe on the boat, or order a drink at a nearby beach bar if the stop allows for it.

The water is the star. The clear sea and calm setting make this the best stop for a proper swim. A natural sandy seabed is also noted at the later Čiovo stop, but Blue Lagoon is the place where most of your water time begins.

I like that you are not pushed back aboard after 20 minutes. Ninety minutes gives you time to get comfortable, cool off, dry in the sun, and swim again. Families can split up without turning the stop into a race, and confident swimmers can make better use of the snorkeling gear.

There are a few practical limits. The word lagoon may suggest a completely secluded patch of water, but this is a popular coastal stop. The exact feel depends on the day, season, and weather. Also, snorkeling gear is included, but food is not. Bring your own snacks if you need more than coffee and water.

Maslinica on Šolta, one hour on land

The boat then heads to Maslinica on the western side of Šolta, a small waterfront settlement with a slower rhythm. This stop lasts about an hour and changes the pace nicely after the water time.

Maslinica is known for its restored 16th-century castle, now used as a luxury hotel. Around it, you will find stone houses, a marina, and a waterfront suited to a short walk and photographs. The village is compact, so an hour is enough to see the main area without feeling hurried.

This is the most cultural stop of the day, though you should keep your expectations in proportion. You are not taking a formal historical tour of Šolta. The time is intended for a stroll, sightseeing, a drink, or a meal at your own expense.

The waterfront restaurants and beach bars add flexibility. You can sit down and watch the boats, walk along the shore, or simply enjoy the change from swimming. Some places may not be open in the pre-season, so do not build your whole lunch plan around this stop.

Maslinica is also where the tour feels most like island-hopping rather than a beach shuttle. You see a real settlement with local buildings and a working waterfront, then return to the boat for the next coastal stop.

Čiovo and the final swim at Duga Cove

The last main stop is listed as Branac Bay on Čiovo, with the itinerary identifying Duga Cove. The boat stops near Beach Bar Borkko on the southern coast of the island. Depending on conditions and the day’s exact route, this is the final chance to swim and relax.

You have about an hour here. The cove is described as having clear water and a natural sandy seabed, making it an easy place to get back in the sea after your walk around Maslinica. You can swim from shore, use the quiet setting to unwind, or spend time at the beach bar.

This stop works well because it is less structured. Blue Lagoon is the big swim, Maslinica is the village visit, and Duga Cove gives you a final unhurried hour. Some afternoon trips finish with a sunset swim, depending on the departure time and weather.

Cash is worth carrying. One beach club mentioned on the route accepts cash only, and food or drinks bought at stops are not included in the tour price. You may also want water shoes, especially if you prefer extra grip around rocky or uneven sections of the coast. The available information specifically recommends bringing them.

What the boat includes, and what it does not

At $68 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want several coastal stops without arranging separate boats or local transport. The price includes the cruise, bottled water, coffee, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, storage, shade, music, a fridge, and a shower.

That package matters more than it first appears. Coffee is a welcome touch on an early departure, while the fridge keeps drinks cold. Storage means you do not need to keep your bag on your lap. The shower is useful after swimming, particularly before returning to Split or Trogir.

Food is not included. You will need cash for snacks, restaurant meals, or beach-bar purchases. Since Maslinica gives you around an hour, you can eat there if the timing and opening hours suit you, but the tour is not built around a supplied lunch.

The boat has received especially strong praise for being clean, comfortable, and modern. A group of about 15 people has been described as comfortable, though the exact number can vary. A private group option is available if you want more control over the pace and company.

Guides, music, and the pace of the day

The guides are an important part of the experience. Names associated with the tour include Luka, Klaudia, Marco, Franco, Antonio, Tommo, and Siniša. You may not have any particular guide on your departure, but the repeated pattern is clear: expect English-speaking hosts who focus on directions, timing, safety, and a friendly atmosphere.

Luka has been singled out for clear information and attentive hosting, including stopping the boat so the group could watch dolphins. That kind of sighting cannot be promised, but a captain who is willing to pause when conditions allow can add a memorable moment.

The pace is well judged for a half-day outing. You spend the longest period at Blue Lagoon, take a one-hour land break in Maslinica, and finish with another hour by the sea. Boat legs range from roughly 15 to 30 minutes in the usual itinerary, with the longer ride from Split to the first stop.

Bluetooth music keeps the ride from feeling too formal. You should not expect a lecture-heavy cruise. The focus is swimming, scenery, and useful information about the stops. One practical improvement would be more commentary about landmarks passed along the way, but that matters less if your priority is time in the water.

Weather, comfort, and who should book

The skipper has final say on safety. Wind, waves, and storms can change the route, the timing, or the decision to operate at all. If conditions are unsafe, the tour can be adjusted or canceled, with the option to reschedule or receive a full refund when the operator cancels.

This is not a minor footnote. A speedboat is exposed to the sea, and the ride can be cold or bumpy when the weather turns. Choose a day with a clear forecast if you want the best chance of seeing all three stops as planned.

Bring a hat, towel, sunscreen, and cash. Add a light jacket in cooler conditions, and consider water shoes. Keep valuables to a minimum, even though storage is provided.

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who want a compact coastal sampler. It has worked for mixed-age groups, including children and older adults, and a five-year-old has reportedly managed the outing without becoming bored or frightened.

It is less suitable if you dislike fast boat rides, need wheelchair access, or want a slow, detailed historical tour. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the boat’s main appeal is moving between swimming spots rather than spending a long time at one island.

Booking details and final decision

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity returns to the same meeting area where you started, either around Kamerlengo Fortress in Trogir or at Mletački mul on Split’s Riva.

I would book this tour if you have only a few days in Dalmatia and want three distinct coastal experiences in one outing. The combination of a long Blue Lagoon stop, a proper village visit, and a second swim makes the $68 price reasonable, especially with coffee, water, equipment, and a modern boat included.

I would skip it only if you want a quiet beach day, a full island exploration, or guaranteed sailing conditions. For everyone else, choose the clearest forecast, carry a jacket and cash, and treat the itinerary as weather-dependent. You get a lively, practical introduction to the islands without committing an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You can start in Trogir in front of Kamerlengo Fortress or in Split at Mletački mul on the Riva. The meeting point depends on the option you book.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts five hours. Available starting times depend on the date and booking option, with morning and afternoon departures offered.

Which islands does the speedboat visit?

The route visits Veliki Drvenik, Šolta, and Čiovo. Stops include Blue Lagoon near Krknjaši, Maslinica, and Duga Cove or Branac Bay near Beach Bar Borkko.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. You can swim at Blue Lagoon and the Čiovo stop, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Life jackets are also included.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food is not included. You may purchase food or drinks at stops, so bring cash.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, sunscreen, and cash. If the temperature is below about 27 or 28 degrees Celsius, bring a light jacket for the boat ride. Water shoes are also a useful choice.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The captain can alter or cancel the tour if sea or weather conditions are unsafe. If the operator cancels, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.