From Split: Blue Lagoon and Trogir Half-Day Speedboat Tour

The best part of this $69 half-day speedboat tour is the contrast: one hour in stone-built Trogir, followed by clear water, swimming, and a beach stop on Čiovo. You get a quick taste of Dalmatia by sea without giving up a full day.

I like the limited group size, capped at 15 people, and the generous time in the water. I also like that the trip includes Trogir rather than treating the day as only a beach outing. The main drawback is that Trogir comes with free time but no dedicated town guide, and the open-air stops can feel crowded in peak summer.

Key points

• Trogir comes first: You get about an hour to walk the UNESCO-listed old town before the swimming stops.
• Blue Lagoon includes 90 minutes: The shallow water and shell-covered seabed give it a striking turquoise color.
• Okrug Gornji adds beach-bar time: Borkko beach bar offers music, drinks, and a place to relax by the water.
• Small boat, small group: The tour is limited to 15 participants, though the boat type can change for safety or operational reasons.
• Bring cash and your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, and beach bars have been reported as cash-only.
• Best for active half-day plans: Swimming, snorkeling, sun, and boat rides are the main event, not detailed sightseeing.

A fast start from Split’s Riva

You meet at Obala Lazareta 3, at the beginning of the famous Split Riva promenade. This location is central, but it can be a little easy to miss among the waterfront activity, so I would arrive early with your voucher ready on your phone or printed.

The boat ride begins with about 30 minutes on the Adriatic. From the water, you get a fresh view of Split’s coastline, and the ride itself is part of the appeal. Several people have praised the clean, modern feel of the boat and the fact that there is enough room to avoid sitting shoulder to shoulder.

This is a speedboat outing, not a sedate harbor cruise. You should expect wind, sun, spray, and a lively ride. Some skippers add music, which can make the trip feel more like a summer outing than a formal excursion. Ivan is one skipper named in the feedback, while Laura and her husband have also led trips in the past.

The group limit of 15 is useful. It gives the skipper room to speak with you and keeps boarding and leaving the boat fairly simple. Still, comfort depends on the boat assigned that day. The operator can change the boat type when needed, so do not assume every departure uses exactly the same vessel.

Trogir, one hour among old stone streets

The first scheduled stop is Trogir, reached after roughly 30 minutes by boat. You have about an hour of free time to walk around the UNESCO World Heritage old town.

Trogir is compact, which makes this short visit workable. You can wander through narrow stone lanes, look at Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings, and take in the waterfront setting without trying to cover a huge area. The town is often compared with Little Venice, though its character is distinctly Dalmatian, with pale stone, small squares, and layers of medieval and later architecture.

I like having Trogir at the start of the route. You see a cultural sight before settling into swimwear and beach mode. It also gives you a useful taste of the town if your schedule in Split does not allow a separate visit.

The tradeoff is the lack of a dedicated Trogir guide. Your English-speaking tour leader handles the boat portion, but the town visit is self-guided. That suits you if you like to set your own pace, find a gelato, and take photos without following a flag through the streets. If you want detailed stories about the cathedral, palaces, and local history, one hour without a town guide may feel thin.

Use your time simply. Walk the main lanes, pause in a square, and keep an eye on the clock. It is easy to lose a few minutes browsing shops or stopping for a drink, and the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Blue Lagoon, 90 minutes in clear water

After Trogir, the boat continues for about 30 minutes to Blue Lagoon. The lagoon lies among three small islets near Drvenik Island, where shallow water, sand, and crushed shells create its famous blue-green color.

This is the centerpiece for most people who book the tour. You have about 1.5 hours for swimming and snorkeling, which is enough time to get in the water, dry off, and still relax without feeling hurried. A snorkeling mask is included, though one useful tip is to ask for it directly when you arrive at the stop. Bringing your own mask is also sensible if you care about fit.

The water is clear enough for a look below the surface, and the seabed can include sea urchins. That matters if you are visiting with children or anyone nervous about stepping into the water. Water shoes are not listed among the required items, but the rocky and shell-filled areas mean you should watch your footing. One family found the sea urchins intimidating, while another participant cut a foot on the rocky beach.

Blue Lagoon is not a private swimming cove. In summer, other boats and beachgoers can make it busy. The attraction is the color and the chance to swim in open Adriatic water, not solitude. I would rate the stop highly for people who want a refreshing swim and lower expectations for a quiet, empty beach.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. There is no food or drink included, so pack water and a snack. If you plan to buy something at one of the stops, carry cash, since beach bars have been reported as cash-only.

Okrug Gornji and the Borkko beach stop

The next boat ride takes about 15 minutes to Okrug Gornji on Čiovo. You have roughly an hour here for another swim, snorkeling, or a slower break at Borkko beach bar.

This stop changes the mood. Blue Lagoon is mainly about water and scenery. Okrug Gornji gives you a more social beach setting, with soft lounge music, drinks, and a place to sit near the shore. You can order a cocktail, swim again, or simply let the hour pass in the shade if the sun has had enough of you.

I see this as a useful feature for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can get back in the sea, while anyone who has had enough water can stay by the bar. It also breaks up the day so that the trip does not feel like three straight hours of bouncing between swim spots.

The beach itself can be rocky rather than soft, and busy summer conditions are possible. If you dislike uneven footing, take care when entering the water. The stop is better understood as a relaxed beach bar and swimming break than as a pristine, empty island beach.

The ride back to Split

The final ride takes about 45 minutes, giving you a longer stretch on the water after the short hop between stops. The return is a good time to sit back, take in the coastline, and dry off after swimming.

Afternoon departures can offer a particularly pleasant return. One participant enjoyed sunset views on the ride back from Trogir to Split, although the exact light depends on the season and route timing. If you like warm evening color and a less early start, the afternoon option may suit you. A morning departure is better if you want stronger daylight for swimming and still have the evening free.

The schedule adds up to 270 minutes, or 4.5 hours. The listed sequence includes 30 minutes to Trogir, one hour there, 30 minutes to Blue Lagoon, 90 minutes swimming, 15 minutes to Okrug Gornji, one hour there, and 45 minutes back to Split. Sea conditions, boat operations, and the number of participants can affect the exact route.

Skippers may also make small changes for safety or local conditions. An extra snorkeling cove has been added on at least one outing, and there has even been a dolphin sighting that prompted a boat to pause. Those moments are possible bonuses, not promises, so book this for the planned route rather than for wildlife.

What the $69 price really covers

At $69 per person, I consider this a good value if you want transport between several coastal sights without arranging separate ferries, taxis, and beach visits. The price includes the speedboat, skipper, fuel, and a snorkeling mask. For a 4.5-hour outing, that is a fair package, particularly when you factor in the boat ride itself.

The price does not include food, drinks, or a guide in Trogir. That keeps the base cost clear, but you should budget for refreshments if you do not bring your own. The beach-bar stop is more enjoyable if you can buy something, and carrying a bottle of water is wise in the Croatian sun.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, and families who want variety. You get a historic town, two water stops, and a scenic cruise in one compact booking. The value is weaker if your main goal is a long guided visit to Trogir or an uncrowded beach day.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Late arrivals and no-shows on the booked day do not qualify for a refund, so leave extra time to reach the Riva meeting point.

Who should book this speedboat outing

I would choose this tour if you want to see more than Split but have only half a day. It works especially well for:

• Swimmers and snorkelers: You get 2.5 hours across Blue Lagoon and Okrug Gornji.
• First-time visitors: Trogir adds architecture and local character to the beach time.
• Small groups of friends: The speedboat, music, and flexible stops create an easygoing day out.
• Families with older children: The mix of town and water keeps the schedule varied, but watch children around rocky entries and sea urchins.
• Afternoon sightseers: A later departure may give you sunset light on the return.

I would skip it if you need step-free access, have serious back problems, are pregnant, or are traveling with a child under three. Wheelchair users cannot be accommodated, and the boat ride and beach access are not designed for limited mobility.

You should also skip it if you want a fully guided cultural tour. Trogir is your own walk, and the main emphasis is recreation on the sea. Finally, anyone prone to motion sickness should think carefully before choosing a speedboat, especially in rough conditions.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive early at Obala Lazareta 3. The meeting point is at the start of the Riva promenade, but one person had trouble locating the boat and nearly missed the departure. Have your digital or printed voucher ready at check-in.

Pack light, since you will be moving between boat and shore. Your essentials are:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• Water and snacks
• Cash for beach-bar purchases
• Water shoes if you dislike rocky or shell-covered seabeds
• Your own snorkeling mask if you want a guaranteed fit

Pets are not allowed. The operator can change the route or cancel if the sea is rough or the weather is unsafe. That is an important part of booking a speedboat tour in the Adriatic, where conditions can change quickly.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Trogir tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient mix of Trogir sightseeing and Adriatic swimming. The strongest features are the small group, comfortable boat, generous water time, and the useful inclusion of a UNESCO town rather than another identical beach stop.

Go in with clear expectations. Blue Lagoon and Okrug Gornji can be busy, Trogir is self-guided, drinks cost extra, and the sea entries may be rocky. For $69, though, you get a well-packed half-day with several distinct experiences and little planning on your part. Choose the morning for maximum daylight, or the afternoon if you like the chance of a sunset ride back to Split.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 3, at the very beginning of Split’s Riva promenade.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 270 minutes, or 4.5 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to 15 participants.

Is a guide included in Trogir?

No. You receive free time to explore Trogir, but a dedicated Trogir town guide is not included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the speedboat tour, skipper, fuel, and a snorkeling mask.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You need to bring or purchase your own food and drinks.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. Morning and afternoon departure options are available, subject to availability.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Water, snacks, cash, and water shoes may also be useful.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The operator may change the route, cancel the activity, or change the boat type because of bad weather, rough seas, or operational needs.