Blue Lagoon, Ciovo and Trogir Half-Day Boat Tour from Split

Blue Lagoon near Split (Drvenik Veli)

The Blue Lagoon is a shallow cove on the southeastern side of Drvenik Veli, sheltered by a pair of small islets. Its seabed of fine sand mixed with crushed shells reflects the sunlight, giving the water the brilliant turquoise colour that made it the most famous swimming spot near Split. The water is only a few metres deep in places, clear enough to see the bottom from the boat, and usually calm.

On this tour the Blue Lagoon is the first stop, reached after about 30 minutes of cruising along the coast. You can jump in from the speedboat, snorkel with the goggles provided and float in the warm water. The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is from June to September; arriving on the morning departure means fewer boats and the brightest colours.

Okrug Gornji on the island of Čiovo

Čiovo is the long island lying just south of Trogir, linked to the old town by a bridge. On its western side, the village of Okrug Gornji has one of the longest pebble beaches in the area, backed by pine trees and lined with cafés, with clear water that stays shallow near the shore, ideal for a relaxed swim.

The speedboat stops here for your second swim of the trip. You can snorkel along the rocks, lie on the beach in the sun or have a refreshment at one of the beach cafés at your own expense. It is a laid-back contrast to the lagoon, and an easy stop for families with children, since the gentle slope of the seabed makes the water easy to enter.

Trogir, the UNESCO old town

Trogir was founded by Greek settlers from the island of Vis in the 3rd century BC and has been lived in ever since. Its small island core, ringed by water, keeps a remarkable mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, which is why it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997. It is often called a museum town for how complete its old fabric is.

The highlight is the Cathedral of St Lawrence, whose carved stone portal, completed in 1240 by Master Radovan, is one of the masterpieces of medieval sculpture on the Adriatic. Nearby stand the town loggia and the Cipiko palace, and at the western tip of the island rises the 15th-century Kamerlengo Fortress overlooking the harbour.

Free time in Trogir

The boat moors on the Trogir waterfront, the palm-lined promenade facing Čiovo, so you can step straight into the old town. Use your free time to walk the narrow stone streets, see the cathedral square, buy an ice cream or simply sit by the water. The old town is compact, so you can cross it in under ten minutes and still have time to browse.

Is Trogir worth visiting? For most travellers to Split it is one of the best half-day escapes, and arriving by sea is the most beautiful way to see it. If you would like to enter the cathedral or climb its bell tower, small entry tickets are sold on site; your guide on board will tell you how much time you have before the boat leaves.

Cruising the coast between Split and Trogir

The ride itself is part of the experience. Leaving the Split waterfront, the speedboat runs west along the coast with the limestone ridge of Mosor and Kozjak behind the city, then follows the southern shore of Čiovo towards the open islands. Along the way you see small coves, pine-covered headlands and other islands of the Split archipelago on the horizon.

Speedboats are much faster than the larger excursion boats, which is how this tour fits three stops into half a day. The sea in this area is usually calm in summer, but if wind or waves make the route unsafe, the captain may change the order of the stops or adjust the route for your comfort and safety.