A day on the water, with real snorkeling. This 8-hour cruise from Split packs Nečujam Bay shipwreck snorkeling and Blue Lagoon beach lunch with drinks into one smooth route, plus a stop in the calm fisherman village of Maslinica. I also like how the boat runs with comforts that make the day feel easy, not cramped, with multiple decks and onboard facilities. One thing to plan for, the best sun spots on the sundeck are limited, so your timing at boarding matters.

What makes this itinerary work is the mix of moments: swim time over the wreck, a walkable village stop on Šolta, then the big payoff in the Blue Lagoon where lunch happens right on the shoreline. The crew is built around guiding you through each step, with clear instructions for snorkeling and an English speaking tour approach.

My main consideration is simple: the day moves at a cruise pace, so if you want long, slow beach time, you may wish for more hours at Blue Lagoon. Still, if you want variety plus included food and drinks, it is a strong value.

Key things to know before you go

• Nečujam Bay shipwreck snorkeling with provided snorkeling gear and a focused swim window
• Maslinica on Šolta for an hour of easy wandering plus Marchi Castle and its park area
• Blue Lagoon lunch on the beach with fish, chicken, or vegetarian choices, plus fruit dessert
• Unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade included, with extra drinks available for purchase
• Yacht Tamaris comfort: sunbeds, showers, toilets, safety deposit boxes, and Wi-Fi
• Limited sundeck spots: arrive early if you want more time in the sun

Why this Yacht Tamaris cruise makes sense from Split

Split’s shoreline is pretty, but the islands are where the day really pays off. This cruise uses Yacht Tamaris, a 27-meter day cruiser with three decks and space that helps you actually enjoy yourself. You are not stuck in a tiny boat with one view and one stop. Instead, you get a full loop around the best-known waters close to Split.

I like that the day is organized around water time. You start with a cruise toward Nečujam Bay, then you get a clear 1-hour window for swimming and snorkeling over a shipwreck. After that, you shift from sea to village, with Maslinica on Šolta. Then you finish where most people hope to end up, the Blue Lagoon at Drvenik Veliki, with lunch right at the bay and more swim time afterward.

The other reason this works for real life is what is included. Coffee and croissant kick off the morning. Lunch comes with drinks, and you also get fruit dessert. That matters because island days add up fast once you start buying snacks, bottled water, and beach meals one by one.

Meeting on Split Riva Promenade, and picking the deck that fits your style

You meet at stand number 8 on the Split Riva Promenade. It is a small white stand with a picture of the boat, located along the waterfront in the middle of Riva, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near bars including Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva. It is easy to find once you know the reference points, but you still want to arrive early.

The tour asks you to show up 30 minutes before departure so boarding stays smooth. If you care about sun, I strongly suggest arriving earlier than that. Many people like to queue first for a better position on the sundeck, where sunbeds can be limited.

Once you are onboard, you will quickly see the layout: two air-conditioned salons, an open deck with a fully equipped bar, and a sundeck. When the weather turns hot, the air-conditioned areas help. When you want views, you can stay outside. There are also showers and toilets on board, which is a big quality-of-life win after snorkeling and swimming.

Nečujam Bay shipwreck snorkeling: what to expect and how to enjoy it

Nečujam Bay is the first real water highlight. The schedule gives you about 1 hour here for swimming and snorkeling. You will get snorkeling gear included, and the crew guides you with clear instructions before you get in.

The shipwreck aspect is the draw, and it adds a layer of curiosity. A wreck tends to attract fish, and it turns snorkeling from “pretty water” into “something to look for.” Even when visibility is good, it helps to be patient. One practical tip: it may take a little time to spot where to focus, so don’t rush past the setup. Follow the crew directions and take a moment to get your bearings in the water.

Also, think about your comfort level. If you are not a strong swimmer, you might want to stay close to the easiest entry points and keep your breathing calm. The goal is relaxed exploration, not racing the clock.

After snorkeling, you can rinse off using onboard showers. That little step makes a difference because sea salt and sunscreen can make the rest of the day feel sticky if you skip it.

Šolta in one hour: Maslinica’s village feel and Marchi Castle

After Nečujam, the cruise heads to Maslinica on the island of Šolta. Your stop is about 1 hour for sightseeing and swimming.

This is not a long, museum-day kind of stop. It is a chance to change pace. Maslinica is a small fisherman village vibe, so the streets feel calmer than the main Split waterfront. You can use the hour to walk, look around, and enjoy the laid-back island feel without feeling rushed.

One specific thing you can aim for is Marchi Castle and its park area. The castle is worth a quick visit because it gives you a bit of history without demanding a full afternoon. Since the time is short, I recommend picking one main target and doing it well, rather than trying to do everything at once.

If you want to keep the balance, you can also treat Maslinica as a swim stop. The schedule allows swimming again here, so you are not only walking.

Blue Lagoon at Drvenik Veliki: lunch on the beach and real time to swim

Blue Lagoon is the final major stop and the one most people remember. The cruise schedule gives you about 2 hours here, including lunch, wine and other drinks, and free time to swim and explore the bay.

Lunch is served at a private restaurant on the beach, and it is included with drinks. You get three lunch choices: fish, chicken, or vegetarian. Each comes with a side dish and salad. After that, you get fresh fruit dessert.

Because the lunch is tied to your time window, timing can feel different than a typical restaurant meal. I would plan for lunch to run late in the day. A good practical move is to bring a simple snack you can eat before boarding or during the cruise if you expect to get hungry before lunch.

After lunch, the bay itself is the payoff. You can swim in the crystal-clear water, snorkel, and just relax under the shade of the 100-year-old pine tree forest in the area. The water quality is the point, and the bay setup makes it easy to go from eating to floating to wandering.

One more smart tip: after lunch, if you are still in a swimming mood, go back toward the boat to swim from the waterline where it is easier to step in and out. From the beach area, the ground can be rocky underfoot.

What you actually get for the money: drinks, food, and the extras

The headline value here is simple: a full day on the water with lunch and drinks included. The price is listed at about $74 per person, and that is what makes the trip appealing for a day you might otherwise spend piecing together with separate boat tickets, bottled water, and a beach lunch.

Included food and drinks:

• Coffee and croissant on board
• Lunch with drinks at the Blue Lagoon restaurant
• Fresh fruit dessert
• Unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade

Not included:

• Extra drinks like beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola

So yes, you can drink wine and keep hydrating, but you cannot assume specialty drinks are free. If you want beer or cocktails, budget a little extra.

On the food side, I like that there are clear options. Fish, chicken, and vegetarian keep the meal choices simple, and the sides and salad make the plate feel more complete than just a snack. A note from real-world experience with boat lunch timing: the meal can be basic, but for the setting, it usually hits the spot.

Boat comfort on Yacht Tamaris: Wi-Fi, toilets, showers, and sunbeds

A lot of island boat days suffer from one problem, discomfort. This one is designed to reduce it.

Yacht Tamaris is a 27-meter cruiser with:

• Two air-conditioned salons
• A spacious open deck with a fully equipped bar
• A sundeck for sun
• Four toilets and showers
• Professional Wi-Fi system

The Wi-Fi is not always something I count on during day trips, but here it is included, which can help with messaging, maps, or just passing time between swims. There are also charging points for phones noted in onboard experience, so you can keep devices alive without guesswork.

One thing to know about sun: the sundeck is popular. Some people find that the process is strict about who goes up, and sunbeds can be limited. If you want guaranteed sun time, arrive early and try to get a top deck spot when boarding starts.

If the sun is intense, you can retreat into the air-conditioned salons. It is a nice reset after snorkeling, when you might feel overheated and want a cool-down before the next cruise leg.

Time management, sea conditions, and what the route really feels like

This is an 8-hour tour, with cruise segments between the stops. The structure feels balanced when you like activity but also want downtime.

A typical flow is:

• A sightseeing cruise on the way out
• Nečujam Bay for about 1 hour of swimming and snorkeling
• A cruise segment toward Šolta
• Maslinica for about 1 hour
• A cruise segment toward Drvenik Veliki
• Blue Lagoon for about 2 hours, with lunch in the middle
• Time cruising back toward Split

The day can feel like it passes quickly, especially if the water and views are good. That is not a problem, but it is why you should treat the hour at each stop as valuable. You do not want to show up late, miss the snorkeling setup, and then be stuck wishing you had gotten in the water.

Sea conditions matter for snorkeling, and this route is chosen for access to calm, clear water. Even so, if you are prone to seasickness, consider preparing with your usual remedy ahead of time. The boat is described as stable and comfortable, but your body still sets the final comfort level.

Who should book this cruise, and who might not love it

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A single day that covers shipwreck snorkeling, village time, and Blue Lagoon swimming
• Included lunch and drinks, so you can control your budget
• Onboard comfort like toilets, showers, and Wi-Fi
• A guided day that handles the schedule for you

It also works well for solo visitors because the day is structured and the crew is present to keep things organized. If you like meeting people, you will naturally chat during boarding, meal time, and between swims.

It might be less ideal if you want a long beach day with no schedule pressure. Blue Lagoon is the main “slow down” stop, but your time there is still limited by the cruise route.

Parents may want to plan ahead with snacks. Even with included lunch, some families find that the lunch sits closer to later in the afternoon than early, so having a little extra food can save the mood.

Should you book this Split Blue Lagoon and shipwreck cruise?

Yes, I think this is worth booking if your goal is a high-value, organized island day with real water time and an included meal. The biggest reason is the combination: shipwreck snorkeling plus Blue Lagoon in one trip, with lunch and unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade handled for you.

Book it if:

• You want snorkeling that is built into the schedule, not something you have to figure out
• You care about comfort on a larger boat with showers, toilets, and Wi-Fi
• You like the idea of finishing on a beach meal with time to swim and relax

Consider a different option if:

• You expect hours of unstructured beach time
• You are very sensitive to sun and know you will want a sundeck spot early, since the top deck areas can be limited

If you do book, show up early for boarding and plan for lunch timing. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and think about a small snack in case you get hungry before the Blue Lagoon meal.

FAQ

How long is the cruise from Split?

The tour duration is listed as 8 hours.

Where do I meet the boat in Split?

You meet at stand number 8 on the Split Riva Promenade, a small white stand with a picture of the boat, near Diocletian’s Palace along the waterfront.

What snorkeling is included, and do I get gear?

Snorkeling gear is included, and the itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling in Nečujam Bay and snorkeling time at Blue Lagoon.

What is included in lunch at the Blue Lagoon?

Lunch is served at a beach restaurant in the Blue Lagoon area with three choices: fish, chicken, or vegetarian. It comes with a side dish and salad, plus fresh fruit dessert. Drinks are also included with lunch.

Are drinks unlimited?

Unlimited local wine, water, and lemonade are included. Extra drinks like beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola are not included.

Does the tour return to the same meeting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sun hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear.