REVIEW · SPLIT
From Split: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Booker - travel agency · Bookable on Viator
Speedboats in Croatia make quick work of big scenery. This half-day tour strings together island swims and Trogir’s historic streets with minimal planning. It’s built for a fast, fun day: jump in, cool off, then hop off to walk around a real old town.
I like that it’s a small group (up to 12), so you’re not stuck with the “where do we even go?” crowd. I also love the mix: a beach stop at Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo, a Blue Lagoon swimming stop at Krknjasi Bay, and then the UNESCO town of Trogir.
One drawback to consider: the speedboat ride can be choppy and getting in and out of the water may be harder if you’re not comfortable with uneven steps or ladders.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Speedboat to islands: what the 5-hour pace really means
- Meeting at Marulićeva ul. 4 and how you’ll spend your time
- Stop 1: Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo for a lively beach break
- Stop 2: Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay on Veli Drvenik for swimming payoff
- Snorkel tip that saves time
- Stop 3: Trogir, the Stone Beauty, for walking and a real meal
- Who runs the day: crews that matter on speedboats
- One safety note you should take seriously
- Comfort and logistics: boats, boarding, and seasickness reality
- What’s included (and what you pay for on your own)
- Price and value: is about $72.56 worth it?
- Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
- Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands speedboat tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Split Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands speedboat tour?
- What does the tour cost?
- What stops are included in the itinerary?
- Is snorkeling included, and what gear do I get?
- Are food and drinks included?
- How big is the group?
- Where do I meet the group?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key things to know before you go
- Small group vibe: capped at 12 travelers for a more personal day on the water
- Speed-first itinerary: lots of movement, not a slow scenic cruise
- Snorkel basics included: goggles and safety gear come with the trip
- Blue Lagoon expectations: crystal-clear water is the star; snorkeling may be limited depending on conditions
- Trogir time is real: you get an hour in town for walking, photos, and food nearby
- Plan for bumpy water: fast rides mean comfort depends on sea state
Speedboat to islands: what the 5-hour pace really means
This tour is short by design. You’re on a boat for the “quick hits” part of the day, then you get focused time to swim and walk. If your goal is to see a lot without losing half your vacation to transit, this format makes sense.
The ride is fast, and that comes with tradeoffs. Expect some bounce when the sea is rough, and expect most of your comfort to come from where you sit and how quickly you get into the routine (swim, change, back onboard). One helpful pattern: when the group is actively swimming or moving, seasickness can feel less intense than it does on a long, steady ride.
Also note the day is weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, the operator offers a different date or a full refund, so you’re not stuck with a “maybe” all day.
Meeting at Marulićeva ul. 4 and how you’ll spend your time
The meeting point is Marulićeva ul. 4 in Split, and the tour ends back there. That’s a big practical win: you don’t need to figure out how to get yourself back across town after the tour.
The stops are spaced to keep energy up and decisions simple. Each main stop is about an hour, which means you’ll get enough time for a dip, a snack break if you want one, and then a quick reset before the next swim. If you’re the type who needs long lounging time on the beach, treat this as a swim-and-go day, not a full beach day.
Onboard, you’ll also want to be ready to move quickly at stops. Several visitors commented on easy boarding and clean, comfortable boats, but others mentioned steps and getting on/off can feel awkward depending on sea conditions and how boats are positioned near each stop.
Stop 1: Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo for a lively beach break
Čiovo is where the day warms up. Your first stop is Beach Bar Borkko, a piney, beach-bar area that feels like a proper place—something between a swim stop and a casual beach hangout. The vibe here is less about snorkeling and more about getting oriented, stretching your legs, and enjoying a bit of island atmosphere.
You’ll have about an hour here. That’s enough to swim a little, grab a drink if you want (food and drinks aren’t included in the tour price), and then get back to the boat feeling refreshed. One nice detail: for many people, the beach-bar stop is where the day stops feeling like a “schedule” and starts feeling like vacation.
If you don’t love beach crowds, you may want to arrive with a flexible mindset. You’re not booking a private cove; you’re booking a stop that’s popular because it’s convenient and fun.
Stop 2: Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay on Veli Drvenik for swimming payoff
This is the headline. The Blue Lagoon stop is tied to Krknjasi Bay on the east coast of Veli Drvenik, where the water is known for that clear, bright look that makes you want to jump in immediately.
You get about an hour at this stop. For me, the timing is the real value: it’s enough time to swim, snorkel, and still feel like you won’t be rushed for every activity. You’ll also have snorkeling equipment (goggles) provided, and safety equipment onboard.
What to expect underwater (real talk): snorkeling is more “a few fish and a fun look around” than a guaranteed underwater world tour. Some people loved it, while others noted that there may be limited sea life and that coral conditions aren’t what you’d hope for. Translation: come for the water color and the easy in-water experience, not for a reef safari.
How you enter the water can vary. Some boats anchor in a way that lets you jump in from the water nearby. Other times, you might swim from shore due to local anchoring or access limits. If you’re not a confident swimmer, ask the crew before your group gets moving so you know what the plan is for getting in and out.
Snorkel tip that saves time
Before the water part starts, check that your goggles fit comfortably and don’t fog immediately. It’s a small step, but it helps you get the “first few minutes” right instead of spending the best light fiddling with gear.
Stop 3: Trogir, the Stone Beauty, for walking and a real meal
Then comes the payoff on land: Trogir. This is a UNESCO town a few miles from Split, founded by Greek colonists long ago. The big thing here is the architecture mix—Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanesque—earning Trogir the nickname Stone Beauty.
You’ll get about an hour in Trogir. That’s not enough to do a museum deep-dive, but it’s plenty to do what makes Trogir worth visiting: wander the lanes, see the historic buildings up close, and eat something that doesn’t come from a snack bag.
In the day’s flow, Trogir works as a cool-down. After swimming and boat movement, the walking feels like a change of pace. People also liked that the Trogir stop ends the tour with a chance to shop a bit, grab lunch nearby, and take photos without feeling like you missed the best part.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is also the stop that helps everyone feel like they got more than just water time.
Who runs the day: crews that matter on speedboats
On a speedboat tour, the crew isn’t a detail. They control comfort, timing, and how safe you feel while moving fast on open water.
In the feedback, names came up repeatedly: Simon as a guide who kept the itinerary moving and checked in on safety, and skipper Domagoj as the driver who got everyone to the stops even when the sea got bumpy. Other guide names included Bepo and Luka, especially when families booked and wanted a day that worked for kids.
That matters because the difference between a fun speed day and a stressful one often comes down to how calmly the crew handles boarding, stop timing, and weather changes. In better conditions, the boat ride can feel energetic and smooth. In rougher conditions, it can feel more intense—so crew judgment is key.
One safety note you should take seriously
Most people described the crew as friendly and safety-focused. But a few negative comments raised concerns about reckless driving and lifejackets not being easy to access. Another theme was confusion around lifejacket use, with one report saying lifejackets were available for emergencies but not meant to be taken out normally.
So here’s my practical advice: on day-of, watch what the crew emphasizes, locate the safety gear, and if you need lifejacket use for comfort, ask early so there’s no surprise once the boat is underway. If you’re traveling with kids or you’re cautious about speedboat handling, this is a “ask questions before you go” situation.
Comfort and logistics: boats, boarding, and seasickness reality
This tour is designed for movement. That means you should expect:
- a faster, bouncier ride when waves are up
- quick stop transitions
- some physical effort getting on and off at swim points
Some visitors loved the boat comfort and cleanliness, including mention of a padded area in the stern for sunning and a clean ride overall. Others reported cramped conditions, no bathroom onboard, slippery surfaces, and awkward boarding steps across boats.
So I’d plan your body like it’s a water sports day, not a sit-and-relax ferry ride. Wear footwear you’re comfortable with around water, and keep your towel/bag secure so you’re not hunting for things while everyone’s moving.
If you get motion sick, keep expectations realistic. One family said the speedboat didn’t trigger seasickness because they weren’t stuck rocking in waves for long periods. Still, if the sea is choppy, you can’t control that. Consider bringing motion sickness medication and keep your head as steady as you can during faster stretches.
What’s included (and what you pay for on your own)
You get:
- the speedboat tour
- snorkeling equipment (goggles)
- safety equipment
- water
You do not get:
- food and drinks
That’s a simple math problem. The tour price includes the boating and the water gear, so you only need to budget for what you want to eat and drink during stops—especially at Trogir or at Beach Bar Borkko.
If you’re the type who wants a proper lunch, plan to treat Trogir as your meal stop. You’ll have enough time to find something casual in town, rather than relying on snacks only.
Price and value: is about $72.56 worth it?
At $72.56 per person for roughly five hours, this is priced like a true “half-day experience,” not just a short ride. The value comes from what’s bundled:
- transport by speedboat (so you save the hassle of coordinating island hopping on your own)
- snorkeling gear
- water
- a guided itinerary that strings together multiple swim-and-see moments
When you compare it to doing this independently, the biggest cost isn’t always money—it’s time and coordination. Getting to the right swim points, figuring out where to anchor, and staying on schedule is exactly what a guided speedboat tour handles for you.
The risk is mostly the day itself: if the sea is too rough for comfort, or if snorkeling conditions aren’t great, you may feel like the highlight was shorter than you hoped. But with good weather, this format is a strong deal for what you’re getting.
Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
This tour fits you if:
- you want a half-day on the water without planning
- you like swimming and quick snorkeling with gear included
- you also want a historic stop that’s more than just scenery (Trogir is the land anchor)
It’s not ideal if:
- you need long, calm beach time
- you struggle with boarding steps or uneven access into the water
- you’re very sensitive to speedboat motion or you’re traveling with very young kids who can’t tolerate bouncy rides
If you’re a careful traveler, do one more thing: ask the crew what the water entry will look like that day and how close boats will be able to get. That one question can prevent frustration.
Should you book the Split Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands speedboat tour?
I’d book it if you want a fun, time-efficient day built around swimming and a satisfying end in Trogir. The small group size helps, the included snorkel gear saves time, and the itinerary gives you enough variety that you’re unlikely to feel bored.
I’d hesitate if you’re strongly bothered by choppy rides, if you need bathroom facilities onboard, or if you know you’re uncomfortable with water access that may not be a simple ladder-in situation. If you fall into that group, ask careful questions first, and be ready to adjust expectations: this is a speedboat day, not a slow cruise.
If weather is good, you’re in for one of the more efficient ways to see the Split island coast and still end with a proper walk in a historic town.
FAQ
How long is the Split Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands speedboat tour?
It runs about 5 hours.
What does the tour cost?
The price is $72.56 per person.
What stops are included in the itinerary?
You visit Beach Bar Borkko on Čiovo, the Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay area, and then Trogir.
Is snorkeling included, and what gear do I get?
Snorkeling equipment is included, including goggles.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.
Where do I meet the group?
The meeting point is Marulićeva ul. 4, 21000 Split, Croatia, and the tour ends back at that same meeting point.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
