The Top 3 Boat Trips to Take from Split, Croatia

If you’re visiting Split and only planning to stay in the Old Town, eat your way around the restaurants and sit by the harbour (all excellent choices by the way), I’m going to encourage you to do one more thing… get out on the water.

Some of our favourite memories from Croatia happened on boat trips.

There’s just something about seeing the Dalmatian Coast from the sea that makes you realise how beautiful this part of the world actually is. Tiny islands, ridiculously clear water, hidden swimming spots and long lazy afternoons on board some very cool boats.

We spent three months in Croatia, between September and November, and I think we timed it perfectly. The weather was still warm enough to swim and spend the whole day outside, but without the peak summer crowds and eye-watering prices.

During our trip, we booked three completely different boat experiences. One was a full-day island hopping trip with swim stops, lunch included and more than enough wine. One was a sunset cruise with live music, which we actually took three times in one month. And one involved climbing aboard a pirate ship for a day at sea.

They all had a completely different vibe and I’d happily recommend each of them. So if you’re trying to decide which boat trip from Split is actually worth booking, here’s my honest guide based on our experience.

Quick Overview: 3 Best Boat Trips from Split

Trip	Duration	Best for	Price Range
3 Island & Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch & Drinks	Full day (~8hrs)	Couples & groups wanting a proper day out	Mid-range
Sunset Cruise with Live Music	~2 hours	Evening treat, all types of traveller	Budget-friendly
Columbo’s Pirate Ship “Santa Maria”	1.5 hours	Groups, fun-seekers, families, friends	Budget-friendly

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1. Full-Day Blue Lagoon & Island Hopping Cruise (With Lunch + Unlimited Drinks)

If you type “best boat trip from Split” into Google, chances are some version of this cruise is going to show up, and there’s a reason for that. You’ll spend the day cruising between three nearby islands with plenty of time to jump in and swim, relax on deck and take in those ridiculous Croatian coastline views. Lunch is included onboard, along with unlimited wine, soft drinks and water throughout the day.

And then there’s the Blue Lagoon. I know turquoise water gets massively overused in travel writing, but the colour here genuinely didn’t look real.

We did this trip in early October and the weather was perfect. Warm sunshine, comfortable temperatures and still absolutely warm enough for swimming. One thing I really liked about this trip was the pace. Sometimes full-day excursions can feel like being marched around on a schedule, but this never felt rushed. We had enough time at each stop to actually enjoy it before moving on.

What we loved

• The crew were brilliant, friendly, relaxed and attentive
• Lunch was surprisingly good (and generous) for an included boat meal
• Unlimited wine definitely helped create a fun atmosphere onboard
• The mix of swimming stops, island views and downtime meant the day never dragged
• Visiting in October meant the Blue Lagoon felt calm and nowhere near as crowded as peak summer

Good to know

• Duration: Around 8 hours
• Departure point: Split Riva promenade
• Included: Snorkelling equipment, lunch, wine, soft drinks and water
• Best for: First-time visitors to Split, couples, groups and anyone wanting a classic Croatia island hopping experience

Booking tip: Book this one in advance, particularly if you’re travelling in summer. We found GetYourGuide the most straightforward for booking, with clear availability and free cancellation on most dates.

Check availability and book the 3 Island & Blue Lagoon Cruise here →

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2. Split: Sunset Cruise with Live Music

This sunset cruise ended up being one of those unexpectedly lovely travel moments. In fact, we loved it so much that we did this trip three times in one month.

You board in the late afternoon and slowly cruise along the Split coastline as the sun starts to set over the Adriatic. You pass Marjan Hill, head out towards Kaštela Bay and just… relax. No island hopping, no snorkelling schedule, no rushing to the next stop.

Just good views, a drink in hand and a couple of hours to relax, enjoy the sound of the sea and watch the sun go down.

One thing I loved about this experience was the atmosphere onboard. The live music made such a difference. This isn’t a party boat and it’s not one of those loud sunset cruises where everyone’s trying to outdrink each other before dark.

It just allows you to see Split from the sea, which gives you a completely different perspective of the city, and I’d almost argue this is one of the nicest ways to experience it.

What we loved

• Such an easy activity to fit into your itinerary without losing a whole day
• Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks included (always a bonus)
• The views back across Split at sunset were genuinely beautiful
• Relaxed and family-friendly
• The live music gave the whole thing a really lovely atmosphere

Good to know:

• Duration: Around 2 hours
• Included: Wine, beer and soft drinks
• Best for: Couples, families, slower travel days or anyone who doesn’t want a full-day boat trip
• Top tip: This works brilliantly after a day exploring Split Old Town because it feels more like winding down than adding another activity

Booking tip: This one can often be booked at shorter notice than the full-day trips, but in peak summer, it’s still worth securing in advance. Shoulder season (September–October) we had no trouble booking a day or two ahead.

Book the Sunset Cruise with Live Music here →

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3. Split: Cruise on Columbo’s Pirate Ship “Santa Maria”

And now for something a little different. Look, when you spot a pirate ship moored right on the Riva promenade, you book it. That’s just the law.

The Santa Maria is one of Split’s most distinctive boats, and what it offers is deceptively simple: a relaxed 1.5-hour cruise with drinks, a swimming stop, and spectacular views of the Split coastline.

The route takes you along the coast of Split, past Marjan Hill as it rises above the city, and along to Kašuni Beach and Bačvice Beach, some of the prettiest stretches of the Dalmatian shoreline. The captain is wonderfully informative, pointing out landmarks and sharing snippets about what you’re seeing.

There’s a swimming and snorkelling stop near one of the beaches, snorkelling gear is provided, and the top deck is the place to be for photos. If the full-day trips feel like a lot, or you want something that slots neatly into an afternoon, this is the one.

What we loved:

• Views of Split from the sea are a completely different perspective to anything you’ll get on land
• Free drinks (white and red wine, juice and water) throughout
• That it fits into 1.5 hours, perfect as an afternoon add-on after a walking tour

Good to know:

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Snorkelling equipment included
• Drinks included: water, juice, red and white wine
• Small group sizes
• The pirate ship is moored on the Riva promenade all day, you can approach directly and buy tickets for around €30 on the spot

Booking tip: This is one of the few trips you can book on the day, just head to the quay, find the Santa Maria (you won’t miss it), and grab your spot directly. That said, if you want to guarantee a specific time slot, checking online in advance is always a sensible move.

Check availability and book the Pirate Ship Cruise here →

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Tips for Booking Boat Trips from Split

If you’re travelling in summer, book earlier than you think

If you’re visiting Split in July or August, don’t leave boat trips until the last minute. The popular island hopping tours, Blue Lagoon cruises and sunset experiences can sell out surprisingly far in advance.

We were here from September to November and had a lot more flexibility, but even then, I wouldn’t leave booking until the day before if there’s a specific trip you really want to do.

September and October are such an underrated time to visit Split

I know everyone talks about Croatia in peak summer, but honestly, shoulder season deserves more attention.

We visited from September to November, and it ended up feeling like the sweet spot. The sea was still warm enough to swim, the weather was lovely, and the atmosphere felt noticeably calmer than peak season. Across all three trips, nothing felt overcrowded and we never felt rushed.

Towards the end of November, it did start to get colder, and we did end up buying some jackets from Zara, but if your dates are flexible, I’d seriously consider late September or early October.

Don’t underestimate the Croatian sun

Even in November. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a light layer for the journey back if you’re doing an evening cruise, because it can feel cooler once the boat gets moving. Most trips include the essentials, but having a little cash on hand can still be useful for extras, tips or small purchases.

Browse all available boat trips from Split on GetYourGuide →
Or explore Split boat tours on Viator →

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Where to Stay in Split

If you haven’t sorted accommodation yet, Split’s Old Town, centred around Diocletian’s Palace, is the obvious base. You’ll be within easy walking distance of the Riva promenade, where all the boat trips depart from, and you’ll spend your evenings wandering through 1,700-year-old Roman ruins. It’s as good as it sounds.

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Getting to Split

Split Airport (SPU) is well connected to major European hubs, particularly in summer. Budget carriers including easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air all operate routes, and prices are reasonable if you book a few months out.

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Which Boat Trip from Split Should You Choose?

After doing all three, I genuinely don’t think you can go wrong.

They each had a completely different feel and I’m really glad we didn’t just book one and call it a day because together they gave us such a different perspective of Split and the Dalmatian Coast.

If I had to sum them up…

The 3 Island & Blue Lagoon cruise is the classic Croatia experience and the one I’d recommend first if it’s your first time visiting Split.

The sunset cruise with live music is the easiest addition to your itinerary and one of those unexpectedly lovely evenings that ends up becoming a favourite memory.

And the Pirate Ship experience is for anyone who wants to get out on the water, snorkel and swim, without it taking over a full day of your holiday.

We visited in early October, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The sea was still warm enough for swimming, prices felt more reasonable and everything felt calmer and easier to enjoy. There’s something really nice about experiencing places like the Blue Lagoon or Krka Waterfalls without peak summer crowds and hundreds of boats competing for the same patch of water.

So if you’re heading to Split and wondering whether a boat trip is actually worth it… this is your sign to book one.

Split is beautiful from the streets. But from the water? That’s where Croatia really shows off.

If you’re planning a visit to Split this summer, make sure to check out some of my other tips and guides here.

Travel safe and don’t forget to subscribe for more travel tips + guides!

Sending sunshine from Split,