Split: Blue Lagoon, Nečujam & Maslinica with Food & Drinks

Three islands, one long, sun-soaked day.

This Split cruise balances proper island time with easy water play, thanks to snorkeling stops in turquoise coves and a relaxed yacht setup with comfort you notice right away. I love the included lunch plus unlimited local wine and drinks, because it keeps the day feeling like a true package, not a pay-as-you-go scramble. The one thing to weigh is that the onboard meal is simple, and a couple people noted portions or food variety could be a bit better, so go in expecting solid Mediterranean comfort, not a gourmet restaurant.

On a 27-meter motor yacht called Yacht Tamaris, the day runs smooth because there’s space to spread out. You get multiple decks, air-conditioned indoor rooms when the sun gets intense, and practical perks like showers and modern toilets. I also like that the crew runs a tight schedule with clear announcements, and named crew members like Stella, Sandra, Valenti, and Valentina show up in reviews as friendly, attentive people who make the day feel well cared for.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Yacht Tamaris comfort with sunbeds, showers, modern toilets, and Wi-Fi, so you are never stuck
• Nečujam Bay swim stop with included snorkeling gear and swim vests, plus a real chance to see underwater life
• Maslinica on Šolta for a slow, local break in a small fisherman village, with time for castle park strolls
• Blue Lagoon lunch with unlimited wine and drinks, followed by free swim time in clear water
• Watermelon served on the return, so the day feels like it ends with a treat, not a rush
• Extra drinks cost extra (beer, cocktails, Coca-Cola), and you should expect to pay cash on board

Yacht Tamaris Comfort on the Split Riva Departure

The meeting point is right where you want it for a day like this: Split Riva Promenade, stand number 8, a small white stand with a boat picture. It sits in the middle of the Riva, across from Diocletian’s Palace and near bars like Bobis, Romana, Biberon, and St Riva. You board from there, so plan to walk, not taxi, and arrive early.

I like that the operator asks you to come 30 minutes before departure. For a cruise day, this matters. You want time to get your towel squared away, check where you’ll lounge, and get your snorkeling gear deposit sorted without feeling rushed.

Once you’re onboard, the yacht layout is built for a full day. Yacht Tamaris runs on three decks: two air-conditioned salons, an open deck with a fully equipped bar, and a sundeck made for lounging. Reviews repeatedly mention that it can feel full, yet not chaotic. The practical reason is simple, there’s room to walk and an easy flow between decks.

From Coffee and Croissants to Nečujam Bay

The day starts with a small but smart perk while cruising out: coffee and a croissant. It’s not a big breakfast, but it sets the tone. You’re already moving, already seeing the coastline, and you’re not starving by the time you reach the first swim spot.

Then the yacht heads out toward Nečujam Bay. The transfer time is short enough that you stay in vacation mode, but long enough for the day to feel like a real cruise, not a series of quick stops.

One detail I appreciate is that snorkeling gear and swim vests are included. That’s huge for casual snorkelers. You do not need to hunt down equipment, and the gear is described as clean and in good condition.

Nečujam Swim Stop: Snorkeling in Turquoise Water

Nečujam is where the water day becomes the water day. You get about one hour here for swimming and snorkeling in a secluded bay setting. This is the kind of stop where timing matters: you want to be early enough to get in calmly, before the group energy builds.

In clear water, snorkeling turns into a real activity, not just floating. Reviews highlight seeing underwater life around the stops, and at Nečujam specifically you get that first taste of why people choose this cruise instead of just ferrying around islands.

Practical tip: Nečujam is a swim stop, not a sightseeing town. So if you want photos, take them, but keep your main focus on the water time. You will get plenty of views later, especially around Blue Lagoon.

Also, consider the footwear reality. One review calls out that beaches can be rocky and that sea urchins are possible. I’d treat that as a reason to bring water shoes, not a maybe. It makes getting in and out far less stressful.

Maslinica on Šolta: Fisher Village Calm and Castle Park Walks

After Nečujam, the cruise shifts to Maslinica on the island of Šolta. You get about an hour here for sightseeing and swimming. Maslinica is smaller and calmer than the big Split energy, which is exactly why this stop works.

This is the part of the day where you do something other than water. You can wander like a local, and you’ll spot the everyday rhythms of a fisherman village. There’s also a built-in option for a short walk: the Marchi Castle area and its park.

If you want a drink or a caffeine reset, the plan includes freshly brewed coffee from local spots. Some people also mention chilling at the beach bar Punta and using the time for a swim on the beach.

The one drawback to keep in mind is time. A few guests say they would have liked longer in Maslinica. With only about an hour, you have to choose between a slower stroll or a longer beach moment. If you love wandering, plan your route fast: castle area first, then settle into the shoreline.

Blue Lagoon Drvenik Veliki: Lunch, Wine, and Clear-Water Snorkeling

Blue Lagoon is the headline, and it earns it. The yacht arrives at Blue Lagoon on Drvenik Veliki, typically the final stop, and you get about two hours that combine lunch and free time in the water.

Here’s where the value becomes obvious: lunch is served in the heart of the action, and it is included. You get a traditional Mediterranean meal with options like grilled fish, chicken, and a vegan option. Gluten-free options are also noted as available. With lunch comes unlimited local wine, plus water and lemonade, and fresh fruit dessert.

The best part is that this is not just food and then goodbye. You eat, then you stay. You can grab snorkeling gear again and jump back in while the day is still bright and warm. Reviews also mention a shipwreck as a snorkeling highlight in the Blue Lagoon area, which is one reason people feel like the snorkel stop is memorable, not routine.

A small reality check: lunch is onboard, not in a separate restaurant. Several comments mention it is simple food, sometimes okay, sometimes less than special. But with the drinks included and the setting doing so much of the work, it still reads as good value.

Also, if you are someone who gets picky about meal timing or wants extra variety, consider bringing your own snacks. One review notes that bringing snacks onboard was a plus.

Snorkeling Gear Deposits and Simple Bring-What-You-Need Advice

This cruise makes snorkeling easy, but it still has a couple rules worth knowing.

You’ll have snorkeling gear and swim vests included. There’s also a 10 euro safety deposit for snorkeling equipment, returned after you use it. So bring cash or a card that works for that deposit amount, and do not walk away until you’ve noted the return process.

For what to bring, the list is straightforward and matches what will actually help you:

• sun hat
• towel
• camera
• sunscreen
• comfortable clothes
• beachwear

And I strongly agree with the water shoes idea for rocky entries. One guest explicitly recommends them due to uneven footing and possible sea urchins. That is the kind of detail that turns a good swim into a great one.

What You Get for Around $71, and Where Extra Costs Can Appear

At about $71 per person for an eight-hour day, this feels like a strong deal because the big-ticket parts are folded in.

Included highlights:

• coffee and croissant
• snorkeling gear and swim vests
• Mediterranean lunch with fish, chicken, vegan, plus gluten-free option
• fresh fruit dessert
• unlimited local wine with lunch and after lunch, plus water and lemonade
• Wi-Fi, showers, and safety deposit boxes
• fresh chilled watermelon on the way back

You are paying for time on the water with multiple swim and snorkeling stops, and for the onboard comforts that make it feel like a real cruise. Reviews repeatedly mention the yacht is spacious, modern, clean, and well maintained, with showers and locker-style storage that protect phones and wallets while you swim.

Where you might spend extra:

• extra drinks like beer, cocktails, and Coca-Cola are not included
• one review notes that extras are only payable by cash on board

So my advice is simple: if you want cocktails or beer, decide in advance what you want and bring the right cash. If you do not drink alcohol beyond what is included with lunch, you can sail through the day without surprise costs.

Crew Style, Timing, and the Little Things That Make or Break a Day

The best feedback in the reviews is not about fancy marketing. It’s about how the day is run.

Guests praise:

• friendly, professional English-speaking staff
• clear announcements over the microphone
• smooth timing at each stop
• not feeling overly crowded because there’s seating and space to move
• clean showers and toilets

Named crew members show up in compliments, including Stella (especially attentive, checking in regularly), Sandra (helpful and informative), and Valenti/Valentina (fun energy and quick support). You do not need to hunt down a specific person, but it tells you what kind of team this is.

Timing also matters. Stop durations are long enough to feel real, especially at Nečujam and Blue Lagoon, while the transit segments keep the day moving. If you are the type who hates waiting around, this schedule usually works.

Who This Split Blue Lagoon Cruise Fits Best

This trip suits you if you want an easy, full-day plan with two big themes: swimming and snorkeling, plus a built-in meal that does not require planning a restaurant.

It’s also a great match for:

• first-time visitors to Split who want islands without complicated logistics
• couples who want a relaxed day on the water
• solo travelers who still want social energy and support onboard
• families, including those traveling with strollers, because crew assistance and onboard seating get called out positively in reviews

If you are a foodie who needs a restaurant-level lunch with tons of sides, you might find the onboard meal a bit basic. If you want only pristine sand beaches and long village time, you might wish Maslinica lasted longer. But for most people, the combination of included food, clear water, and a comfortable yacht wins the decision.

Should You Book This Yacht Tamaris 3-Island Day?

Yes, with one clear mindset: treat it as a swim-and-snorkel day with a simple included lunch, in exchange for easy island hopping.

Book it if:

• you care more about time in the water than deep history
• you like having lunch and drinks handled for you
• you want comfort, including showers, modern toilets, and enough deck space

Consider other options if:

• you are very picky about food variety and portion size
• you expect Maslinica to be a long village visit, not an hour-style taste
• you want extra drinks and plan to drink beyond wine included with lunch, since beer and cocktails cost extra

If you want a practical tip before you go, arrive early, bring water shoes, and pick the deck spot you want for sun versus shade. Once you do that, the rest of the day is basically set up for you.