Split to The Blue Lagoon | Make Your Own Way There
Turquoise waters. Pine trees outlining the coast. Cicadas ringing in your ears. This is one of the must-see gems of the Adriatic:
The Blue Lagoon.
It is possible to get here without booking a boat tour from Split. If time is on your side and you want to lap up this gorgeous spot for more than what a rapid 3-Island tour can offer, then I recommend making a day of it. Information online about getting here was limited before I first went there, so I decided to do a quick blog so you can decide for yourself if it is worth the extra effort.
1. From Split, make your way to Trogir
You can take either the local bus number 37 that can take up to 90 minutes to get to Trogir from Split in the high season (July, August). This bus leaves from here. You could also book a Flix bus (or something similar) at the main bus terminal that is located here which doesn't leave as often, but much faster.
2. Once in Trogir, walk to the ferry port
The port is about a 10 minute walk from the bus station and is located here. There is a Plodine supermarket 5 minutes from the port so I would recommend getting supplies like drinks and snacks and cash out here. There is a small grocery store on the island, but it is limited.
3. Buy your ticket for Drvenik Veliki
There is a small ticket kiosk at the port where you can buy tickets. You can also get your ticket online here. Tickets are not normally more the €7 in the high season. The boat ride is approx. 1 hour and you get off at the first stop. It does carry on to another island, so if you forget to get off (like I did!) then stay on the boat and it does go back to Drvenik Veliki.
4. Getting to the other side of Drvenik Veliki
The Blue Lagoon is located on the other side of the island from the ferry port. Every time I have been over there, the locals on the island are waiting and will offer passengers a ride over for a price. You'll also need to organise a time for them to come back over and pick you up before the last ferry leaves the island. Keep in mind there aren't any petrol stations on the island as you negotiate a price.
It is possible to walk over. It is a bit uphill on gravel roads, and chances are you'll be there during hot weather so you'll need to weigh up the effort and time it takes to get there versus getting to the Blue Lagoon. I estimate it would take about an hour or so to walk over.
You've arrived!
On your left, you have a trendy (and very pricey) beach club. On the right, you have sunbeds and a few restaurants underneath the pinetrees. The tour boats from Split come for about an hour, but once they've left, it's an amazing spot to relax for the day, away from the summer crowds. Enjoy!
Stay on Drvenik Veliki
Why not stay a little longer and enjoy the peace and quiet?
If you've come to Split to relax and truly soak up some spectacular beaches, stunning sunsets or feast on the local cuisine, you won't always find the solace you need on the more well-known islands like Hvar or Brac.
But, if you're looking to fully recharge your batteries (at a more reasonable price) while also being only about 1.5 hours away from Split airport, then Drvenik Veliki is for you. Here you can spend your days at the amazing Blue Lagoon or jump on the ferry and check out the neighbouring island, Drvenik Mali, for the day. Walking down narrow winding paths, going past ancient stone houses with fruits and veges bursting over the walkways - it's a beautiful and authentic slice of Dalmatian life.
I booked Apartment Loncar and can say the sunset swim in the crystal clear turquoise waters 30 seconds from my room was utter tranquility. I would 10/10 recommend.
