Looking for the best place to escape the city crowds that offers a mixture of crystal clear waters, soft white sand, and a relaxed ambiance, while still being close to Split or Trogir? Well, you’ve found it, it’s the Blue Lagoon Croatia!
Located a short boat ride from Split or Trogir, the Croatian Blue Lagoon is the perfect choice for a summer vacation spot where you can snorkel, swim, and relax in shallow waters among the beautiful Dalmatian Islands.
In this guide, I’ll detail everything you need to know about the Blue Lagoon, including how to get here from Split and Trogir. I’ll also include some photos and a quick rundown of my experience so you know what to expect.
About Croatia’s Blue Lagoon
If you ask any Croatian, they’ll tell you that there are dozens of Blue Lagoons scattered throughout the many islands of the Adriatic Sea.
However, the official and most famous Blue Lagoon is a shallow area just off the island of Drvenik Veli, in a small, sandy area called Krknjasi Bay. This island cove is immediately west of Split and neighbors Šolta Island and Drvenik Mali.
The lagoon itself is a wide bay with a white, sandy bottom, mostly protected from the wind by two small green islands called Krknjaš Mali and Krknjaš Veli.
The main draw is its crystal clear, turquoise waters and its reputation for being the perfect location to swim in clear water and relax on white pebble beaches close to the mainland.
Should I visit the Split Blue Lagoon or the Blue Cave?
While not as popular as the more famous Blue Cave, the Blue Lagoon makes for a shorter day trip, since it is much closer to Split and Trogir. However, I highly recommend both trips– if you have the time!
In saying that, if you can only squeeze in one island tour, I’d suggest picking the Blue Cave over the Blue Lagoon. The reason is that you’ll get way more bang-for-buck. This trip includes a visit to:
- Vis
- Hvar
- Stiniva Beach
- another Blue Lagoon (Budikovac)
- Blue Cave
How to get to the “Official” Blue Lagoon in Croatia
In terms of distance, the Blue Lagoon is much closer to Trogir than Split. However, if you are staying in Split, don’t worry, most Blue Lagoon trips running from Split will also visit the historic city of Trogir, a tiny port city that is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Below I’ll go through the best ways to get to the Blue Lagoon, depending on where you’re staying in Croatia.
1. Blue Lagoon Boat Tour From Split
For travelers staying in the vibrant city of Split, the best way to get here is to book a Trogir & Blue Lagoon trip.
Not only is this one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of getting to this charming cove– it’s also of the best bang-for-buck half-day trips in Split!
The boat trip includes:
- Small group speed boat trip
- A visit to the Blue Lagoon and beaches on the nearby islands
- Guided tour of Trogir, including the St. Lovre Cathedral and the 13th-century Romanesque doors
- Cocktail stop at the Laganini Beach Bar on Čiovo island
Private tour option: Traveling in a small group? Consider this speed boat option for a private way to get to the Lagoon. Obviously, this is a tad pricier than the shared boat option. But, it can work out cheaper for those in a larger group.
2. blue Lagoon Tour from Trogir Town
For travelers staying in or near the beautiful town of Trogir, you’ll also have convenient boat tour options to the Blue Lagoon. Similarly to the Split options, the best trips are nearly always half-day boat half-day tours to the Blue Lagoon and surrounding 3 Islands.
Below I’ve linked to the best Blue Lagoon tour from Trogir Town. This also includes a seafood lunch and has the best reviews on GetYourGuide.
3. Independent Option: Hire Your Own Boat
For travelers with a boat license in their home counties, it’s also possible to get to the Blue Lagoon by renting or chartering a boat in Split or Trogir.
Distance from Split: Split harbor to Blue lagoon is 14 nautical miles
Distance from Trogir: the lagoon is only 8 nautical miles away from Trogir
The majority of speed boat rentals on offer are small fiberglass outboard rigs with a center console. To find a boat charter company, I recommend walking down to the Split Riva Promenade. Here, you will find several agents offering boat rentals between 200 to 300 euros per day.
What to Expect at the Croatia Blue Lagoon
So, with the logistics out of the way, let’s dive into what to expect at the beautiful crystal clear waters of Blue Lagoon Croatia! As you know by now, visiting this awesome spot is one of the best things to do in Split.
However, if you’re still not convinced, let me give you a quick rundown of my experience with some photos to help inspire you your visit!
Arriving at Krknjasi Bay
It wasn’t until we finally entered the Blue Lagoon that we realized how clear and blue the crystal clear sea is here. That’s because the surrounding waters around the islands of Drvenik Veli and Island Šolta (Solta Island) are quite deep. So, it’s not until you actually reach the lagoon that it really shallows up to reveal the bright blue tinge.
The depth of this sandy lagoon is roughly 2-3 meters, making it a perfect place to swim!
Snorkeling and Swimming at the Lagoon and Beaches
If you book one of the above lagoon and three island boat trips, you’ll get snorkeling masks offered on board. While I’m going to be honest and say that Croatia is not the best place to see coral reefs, the visibility, and water clarity and the Blue Lagoon really make it worthwhile!
Furthermore, sandy beaches are not very common in Croatia, so to experience a white, sand bottom at the shallow lagoon is a unique feature of the Dalmatian Coast.
This also means the lagoon does attract some large fish and you’ll spot plenty of sea shells too.
Travel Tip, The bottom of the sea is often lined with sea urchins, so it’s a good idea to be careful where you step.
Exploring the “3 Islands” – Drvenik Veli, Šolta, & Čiovo
One of the main draws to the Blue Lagoon is the freedom to explore the 3 islands. All islands are lined with beautiful pebble beaches surrounded by shrubs and some pine trees. The most famous beach at the lagoon is called Krknjasi Beach on the southeast coast of the Drvenik Veli.
Most tours will also stop on the island of Čiovo (closer to Trogir). Here there’s a beach bar called Laganini, an excellent place to sip cocktails under the summer sun!
Most 3-island trips will also stop on the island of Šolta. Here, you have free time to explore the small village of Maslinica and experience a uniquely Croatian way of life.
All in all, a half-day trip to the Blue Lagoon and three islands is the perfect amount of time to enjoy this spectacular Croatian attraction. Those coming from Split, will have enough time to swim, relax, and explore the Trogir Old Town. Conversely, tours from Trogir spend more time at the lagoon and three islands for the same duration.
Travel tip: On the way back to Trogir or Split, make sure to keep an eye out for dolphins! Croatians will tell you that dolphins are a regular sight in this part of the Dalmatian Coast!
Where to Stay in Split
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia with a population of around 160,000 people. While most of the city likens modern suburbia, the best place to stay is close to Split Old Town near the harbor.
This area is by far the most beautiful and is closest to all of the main attractions and ship and tour departures. Below are the top three best accommodation picks for Split for every budget.
- Radisson Blu Resort & Spa– This 5-star resort provides guests with luxurious spa treatments, island views, an outdoor pool, and delicious food at their on-site restaurant.
- Apartments Korta– Perfectly located near Split Old Town. This apartment offers its guests self-catered apartment-styled rooms. A terrace and children’s playground are located on the property.
- Hostel Dvor– A perfect choice for backpackers wanting a place just outside of Split Old Town. It features a shared kitchen, lounge area, and tour desk. Free Wi-Fi is located throughout the property.
More Croatia Travel Guides & Blogs
I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick travel guide to visiting Blue Lagoon Croatia from either Split or Trogir.
Below are some additional guides to the beautiful historic cities and Croatian islands that I’m sure you’ll find useful!
Tyhin Zoshav
Sunday 19th of June 2022
These articles are amazing. Makes me want to get out there and see the world. Thanks.