The Blue Lagoon, also known as Krknjaši Bay, is a shallow, turquoise bay on the east side of the island of Drvenik Veli. It’s about 8 nautical miles from Trogir and 14 from Split, and you can only get there by boat. Half-day speedboat tour from Split’s Riva costs €75. This tour includes a stop at the blue lagoon along with UNESCO-listed Trogir or the island of Šolta. You’ll get a full hour to swim in water so clear it almost looks unreal.
What (and where) is the Blue Lagoon?
Let’s start with the geography, since the name often confuses people. Croatia’s Blue Lagoon isn’t a cave, it’s not on Hvar, and it’s not close to the famous Blue Cave. The lagoon is between Drvenik Veli, a peaceful island with about 170 year-round residents, and two small islets, Krknjaš Veli and Krknjaš Mali, which protect the bay from wind and waves.
The shelter from the islets is what gives the lagoon its color. The water is shallow (you can stand in most of it) and the seafloor is covered in pale sand and crushed shells. Sunlight reflects off the white bottom, making the whole bay a bright, tropical turquoise. It’s the closest thing to a Maldives postcard in the Adriatic. The protected waters around the islets are home to thousands of marine species, which is why almost every mini-cruise from Trogir and Split stops here for snorkeling.
The only way to get there is by boat. It’s one of the easiest and most relaxing day trips from Split, especially if you’re not interested in a long, 10-hour open-sea adventure.
3 Island day cruise
Blue Lagoon tours from Split
We offer two different boat trips from the Split Riva that include the Blue Lagoon. Each one is suited to a different kind of day:
Blue Lagoon Trogir Tour | 3 islands day cruise | |
Price | €75 per person | €75 per person |
Duration | 5 hours (half day) | 9 hours (full day) |
Boat | Speedboat, small group | Leisurely day-cruise boat |
Stops | Trogir (1 h), Blue Lagoon (1 h), surprise third stop: Čiovo or Maslinica on Šolta (1 h) | Blue Lagoon plus Šolta island stops at cruising pace |
Departures | 09:10 or 14:10 | Morning departure |
Best for | Time-pressed travelers, sightseeing + swimming combo | Slow boat days, families, sun-loungers |
Our speedboat combo is our most popular trip for good reason. In five hours, you’ll visit Trogir, where you'll have an hour to explore the Cathedral of St Lawrence and the Kamerlengo fortress, or enjoy a coffee by the water. You’ll also get a full hour to swim in the lagoon, and there’s a third stop chosen by the skipper based on the day’s conditions. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, so it fits well with a relaxed morning or an early dinner back in Split.
The 3 Islands cruise is slower-paced, giving you more time on deck, more swimming, and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s perfect for families with children or anyone who wants the boat ride to be part of the holiday experience.
If you’d rather have your own boat, a private speedboat transfer or custom trip for up to 12 people lets you enjoy the lagoon at 9:00, before the tour boats arrive. This option is a good value for groups of six or more, since the per-person cost becomes more reasonable.
Swimming and snorkeling: what to expect
The lagoon is the top swimming spot in the central Adriatic. The water is calm, warm, and mostly shoulder-deep or shallower over the sandbar between the islets. The edges are rockier and have more fish, making them great for snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is included, and visibility often exceeds 20 meters. You’ll find soft sand in the middle, but near the rocks there are pebbles and the occasional sea urchin, so it’s a good idea to bring water shoes.
Facilities are simple: there are just a couple of seasonal beach restaurants on Drvenik Veli’s shore, and nothing else. During busy July and August afternoons, up to a dozen boats might share the bay. It still feels pleasant because the lagoon is big, but it’s not empty anymore.
- Time of day: late morning to early afternoon gives the strongest turquoise, when the sun is high enough to light the white seabed. The 09:10 departure hits the lagoon in exactly that window, before the biggest crowds. Afternoon tours (14:10) trade a bit of color intensity for a quieter Riva and golden light on the way home.
- You can swim in the sea off Split from June to October. Temperatures peak at about 24–27 °C in July and August. June and September are ideal, with warm water and fewer boats.
Relax in the cleanest waters
With kids and non-swimmers
Blue Lagoon Trogur Tour is the most family-friendly boat trip from Split, hands down. The crossing is short and sheltered compared to open-sea tours, and the lagoon is shallow enough for kids to stand. Children must be above 3 years old. The hour in Trogir also breaks up the time on the boat. Non-swimmers can wade in the shallows or stay on deck. No one has to go into deep water at any stop. If you’re deciding between this and the Blue Cave trip for a family outing, the lagoon is always better for kids under 10.
Here’s the quick answer to Blue Lagoon vs Blue Cave: The Blue Lagoon is a shallow swimming bay near Trogir, less than an hour from Split. The Blue Cave is a glowing sea cave on the distant island of Biševo, and you can’t swim there. So "lagoon" means a swim day, and "cave" means an expedition day. They’re over 50 km apart and never included on the same tour.
If you only have half a day to spend on the water in Split, this is the trip we recommend to most people. Flarent has been running boat trips from the Split Riva since 1999. We’re family-owned, fully licensed, and our skippers know these waters well.