Blue water and island snacks, on a private boat. This 50 Shades of Blue trip is built around real swimming time in the Blue Lagoon, plus snorkeling stops that include a shipwreck, not just pretty scenery. I love that you get snorkeling gear and safety gear included, so you’re not hunting around for equipment. I also like the personal feel: reviews mention a responsive CEO (Toni) and skippers who speak good English and can adapt the day. The main thing to consider is the schedule is tight for each village stop, so if you want lots of long land-hang time, you’ll be moving on fairly often.
In This Review
- What you’re really buying: calm water, good timing, and flexibility
- Key things I’d note before you book
- Private Boat Day from Trogir or Split: How the “50 Shades of Blue” Works
- Entering Historic Trogir: Coffee and Ice Cream Before You Head Out
- Blue Lagoon and Krknjasi Bay: Your Main Swim Window
- Maslinica and Stomorska Village Time: A Real Break Between Water Stops
- Maslinica (12:00–13:00)
- Stomorska (13:30–15:30)
- Nečujam Shipwreck Snorkeling: The Stop That Adds Serious Wow
- Skipper, Safety, and Gear: Why This Feels Low-Stress
- Price and Value: What $783.63 Per Group Really Buys
- Smart Tips for a Smooth Day on Šolta
- Should You Book 50 Shades of Blue?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour depart from?
- How long is the tour?
- Is lunch included in the price?
- What’s included for snorkeling?
- How many people are in the group?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
What you’re really buying: calm water, good timing, and flexibility
This is a private tour for up to 7 people, with pickup from the Trogir or Split riviera areas and a return around 17:30. The day is paced like a chill itinerary: coffee and ice cream in historic Trogir, then two hours to swim and snorkel at Krknjasi Bay/Blue Lagoon, then village time on Šolta (Maslinica, Stomorska, and Nečujam). One subtle perk: because it’s private, the skipper can adjust timing to your group when conditions allow, instead of running a rigid cattle-call schedule.
Key things I’d note before you book
- A true private boat for up to 7 people, not a shared day boat
- Snorkeling included: gear, safety equipment, and a stop for shipwreck snorkeling
- Easy pace for a full day with clear windows to swim, eat, and explore
- Šolta village variety across Maslinica, Stomorska, and Nečujam
- Personal service signals from named staff in reviews, including CEO Toni and skippers like Toma, Marco, and Blaz
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Trogir.
Private Boat Day from Trogir or Split: How the “50 Shades of Blue” Works
This is a 9-hour private boat tour that focuses on Šolta’s coastline, with a big chunk of time in the water. You can join from the Trogir Riviera or the Split Riviera, and the provider says pickup is available from other Central Dalmatian locations on request. In practice, this matters because getting to the marina and finding your start point doesn’t turn into a mini scavenger hunt.
The day runs on a planned sequence, but it’s not robotic. Reviews include comments that the skipper can modify the timetable to suit the group, which is exactly what you want at sea—weather, wind, and water visibility can change quickly.
You’re also not paying extra for the boat basics. The price (for up to 7 people) includes the boat ride, professional skipper, fuel, safety gear, snorkeling gear, and insurance. You bring your own appetites and swimwear; the rest is covered.
Group size stays small, and that changes the vibe. With fewer people on board, the boat feels more like a group day with your own captain than a crowded tour.
Where you end up matters too. The tour returns to the Split/Trogir area after the final stop at Nečujam, around 17:30.
Entering Historic Trogir: Coffee and Ice Cream Before You Head Out
The day starts with a short stop in the Historic City of Trogir, typically around 9:00–9:30. You’re not there long, but the purpose is smart: a quick coffee and ice cream before the boat day begins. If you’ve ever started a tour hungry and irritated, you’ll appreciate this kind of reset.
Because the admission ticket for this portion is listed as free, the stop is more about timing and getting a taste of the old town vibe rather than charging you for entry. It also gets you warmed up—mentally and physically—before you switch from walking streets to stepping onto a boat.
One practical note: since it’s a short window, keep your coffee run simple. If you try to squeeze in major sightseeing here, you’ll feel rushed. Think of this as a quick palate cleanser.
If you’re staying in Split and doing a same-day start, the schedule still gives you a start point and a clear departure plan, which helps keep the morning from turning into chaos.
Blue Lagoon and Krknjasi Bay: Your Main Swim Window
This is the heart of the tour: Blue Lagoon / Krknjasi Bay. The boat arrives around 10:00 and you’re there until about 11:45. That’s about 2 hours total for a small tour around the islets plus swimming and snorkeling.
This window is long enough to do the classic things well:
- Get into the water without panic
- Snorkel enough times to actually find interesting spots
- Take a breather when the sun hits
The most useful detail here is that the stop isn’t just a stop. You get a short boat loop around the islets, then you settle in for swimming and snorkeling. That’s how you avoid the most common “we stopped for 20 minutes and I did nothing” problem.
Bring basic swim confidence and you’ll be fine. The tour lists snorkeling gear as included, so you don’t need to pack extra equipment.
If you want a tip that isn’t flashy: after you put on the gear, take a minute to adjust your fit. When it’s comfortable, you can focus on what you came for—water views and the underwater look.
Also, time your snack after you’re done swimming. It’s easier to enjoy the next part of the day when you’re not simultaneously damp, hungry, and trying to eat.
Maslinica and Stomorska Village Time: A Real Break Between Water Stops
After the big water stop, the tour shifts to the Šolta villages. This is where the day changes from swim mode to slow-walk mode.
Maslinica (12:00–13:00)
Maslinica runs roughly 12:00 to 13:00. You get about an hour to explore the village and chill. That’s not enough time to do a full deep dive, but it’s perfect for wandering, grabbing a drink if you want, and taking in the small-town rhythm.
The value here is variety. You’re not spending the entire day only on the boat and in the water. You’re getting a slice of island life.
Stomorska (13:30–15:30)
Stomorska is your longer stop, about 2 hours from 13:30 to 15:30, with lunch planned at a family restaurant. Here’s the key detail: lunch is not included in the tour price.
That means you should go into the day expecting to pay for lunch on your own. The upside is that you get a built-in meal window without needing to research restaurants once you’re already tired from the morning.
I like this structure because it avoids the usual two bad outcomes:
- You end up paying extra and eating something random right where you docked
- You spend your “lunch time” searching for food
Instead, lunch is scheduled as part of the flow, so you’re not losing time to decision fatigue.
Nečujam Shipwreck Snorkeling: The Stop That Adds Serious Wow
The final snorkeling moment is at Nečujam (15:45–16:45), and the highlight is snorkeling over the shipwreck. You get about an hour here, which is a good match for one main “activity moment.”
A shipwreck stop changes the snorkeling feel. Instead of only looking for fish and rocks, you have a man-made structure to focus on, which can make the underwater part more interesting even if you’re not an expert swimmer.
This is also where booking a private tour helps, even if you’re not thinking about it. When your skipper knows your group tempo, you’re more likely to have time to do the snorkeling at a comfortable pace rather than rushing through.
One thing to plan: changing and refitting gear is part of the job. A review noted that there isn’t a lot of private changing space on board. If you want to stay comfortable, consider coming in with swimwear already on under your clothes. It makes transitions faster and less awkward.
Skipper, Safety, and Gear: Why This Feels Low-Stress
The trip includes a professional skipper, safety gear, snorkeling gear, and insurance, plus fuel. That combination is a big deal because it reduces the mental load. You can focus on enjoying the day instead of worrying whether the boat has the right equipment or whether the snorkeling setup will work.
The human factor shows up clearly in the reviews. People name the company’s CEO Toni for helpful communication and support during planning. Skippers mentioned include Toma, Marco, and Blaz, and multiple reviews describe friendly, professional captains who care about safety and the islands.
I also take “clean and safe boats” seriously when I’m deciding. On a day where you’ll be in and out of the water, cleanliness and safety aren’t tiny details—they’re part of what makes you relax.
There’s also a practical benefit to a smaller private group: it’s easier to hear instructions, easier to coordinate gear, and easier for the skipper to keep your day moving without leaving anyone behind.
If you’re the type who likes clear English instructions, this is a good fit. Reviews specifically call out good English communication.
Price and Value: What $783.63 Per Group Really Buys
The price is $783.63 per group for up to 7 people, and the tour lasts about 9 hours. If you do simple math, the cost per person drops fast once you’re traveling with a small group rather than solo.
So is it good value? Here’s what you’re getting that you’d usually pay for separately:
- Boat ride plus professional skipper
- Fuel included
- Safety gear
- Snorkeling gear included
- Insurance included
- Organized itinerary with multiple swim/snorkel stops
- Pickup and drop-off from the riviera areas
The only clearly listed big extra is lunch (not included). That keeps the trip from feeling like a bunch of add-ons. You know early that you’ll buy lunch yourself, then you’re done.
The overall value is strongest if:
- You’re a couple or small family and want private pacing
- You care about snorkeling and want gear supplied
- You prefer convenience over planning your own boat day
It’s weaker value if you’re traveling solo and hate paying for group-based pricing. In that case, you might compare to shared tours, but you’d lose the private experience.
Smart Tips for a Smooth Day on Šolta
If you want to avoid the usual “boat day problems,” here are a few practical moves based on what’s built into the itinerary and what people have commented on:
- Wear swimwear under clothes. There’s limited private changing space on the boat.
- Pack one layer for shade. Even in warm weather, wind and boat spray can cool you down.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen if you use it. The itinerary puts you in the water multiple times.
- Plan for lunch on your own. The schedule includes a lunch stop, but lunch isn’t included.
- Be ready to flex. Reviews say the skipper can adjust the timetable to your needs, so don’t lock yourself into a strict plan for the rest of the day afterward.
Also, since the meeting point is listed in Split (Matejuška, Trumbićeva obala 3), and pickup can be from Split/Trogir riviera areas, confirm exactly where your pickup happens the day of departure. You’ll save time and stress.
And if you’re traveling with kids: children must be accompanied by an adult, so plan the pace around that.
Should You Book 50 Shades of Blue?
Book this tour if you want a private day on the water in the Trogir/Split region, with real snorkeling time and multiple island stops that break up the day. It’s especially good for couples and small families who want convenience—gear included, safety covered, and a skipper running the day while you do the fun parts.
I wouldn’t book it if your top priority is long, slow wandering in one single town. The itinerary moves from Trogir to Blue Lagoon, then through Maslinica, Stomorska, and Nečujam. You’ll like it more if you’re in the mood for a structured, water-forward day.
One last decision helper: if shipwreck snorkeling sounds like your kind of memory, this itinerary gives it a real slot instead of treating it like a quick photo moment. That’s the kind of difference that makes a boat day feel worth it.
FAQ
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour offers pickup from the Trogir Riviera or the Split Riviera. The itinerary lists a 9:00am departure from Trogir and an 8:30am departure from Split.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 9 hours.
Is lunch included in the price?
No. Lunch is not included. Lunch is planned during the Stomorska portion of the day at a family restaurant.
What’s included for snorkeling?
Snorkeling equipment is included, along with safety gear and insurance.
How many people are in the group?
This is a private tour/activity, and pricing is per group for up to 7 people.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. Less than 24 hours before start time is not refunded.
