Split Panoramic Boat Cruise: Pirate Ship Santa Maria

Ninety minutes on a working pirate boat, watching Split's waterfront unfold from the water.

A 90-minute panoramic boat cruise from Split aboard the Santa Maria, a pirate-themed vessel that loops the city's coastline, passes Marjan hill and Bačvice Beach, and includes wine or juice, snorkeling equipment and swimming stops in summer. The boat carries a live English-speaking guide and welcomes children from age 1. You board at the Riva Promenade, the city's main waterfront, and spend the tour passing the beaches, parks and islands that locals know best.

Step-by-step itinerary

Panoramic coastal cruise in Split

• Board the Santa Maria pirate ship
• Cruise along Split's coastline
• Pass by Riva Promenade
• View Bačvice sandy beach
• See Sustipan park and classicistic gloriette
• Cruise around Marjan hill peninsula
• Stop at Kašjuni Beach for swimming
• Enjoy views of Tito's Villa and Hermitage caves
• Return to harbor after 90 minutes

The Experience

The Santa Maria leaves from Split's Riva Promenade—the wide waterfront boulevard that faces the Diocletian Palace—and heads out along the coast for 90 minutes. You'll pass Bačvice, the soft-sand beach where the local game picigin is played in the shallows, then cruise around Marjan hill, the forested peninsula that rises above the city. The boat swings past Sustipan park, where a 19th-century cemetery was turned into a green space overlooking the deep water and the islands beyond, and stops in front of Kašuni Beach, a quieter pebble-and-sand stretch backed by pine-covered slopes. In summer, you can swim at these stops; the boat carries snorkeling gear for anyone who wants it.

Wine or juice comes with the ticket, and the pace is built for sitting still—no rushing between stops, no schedule pressure. The guide speaks English and points out what matters to people who live here: the harbor, the Marina, views toward Čiovo island and the smaller cities along the coast, plus the Hermitage caves and the Oceanography Institute. Kids find the pirate-ship setup genuinely fun, and the boat is small enough that you're not standing in a crowd. Restrooms are on board, and the whole thing—the boat, the stops, the drink—is arranged before you step on.

What’s included

• Wine or juice.
• snorkeling equipment.
• restroom access on board.
• live English-speaking guide.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Split Travel

Is this one for you?This is a shared boat with a fixed 90-minute schedule and a set route, so it suits anyone who wants the coast without planning the stops or timing themselves. Families with young children and couples looking for a relaxed afternoon both fit well—the pace is slow, the boat is small enough to feel personal, and there's nothing to arrange once you board.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

89 verified traveler reviews

5 ★75

4 ★7

3 ★3

2 ★3

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Bačvice Beach and why does the boat stop there?

Bačvice is Split's main sandy beach, with soft sand and shallow water that stretches 100 meters from shore. It's the birthplace of picigin, a traditional game played in the shallows where players keep a small ball in the air without letting it touch the sea—it's now part of UNESCO's non-material heritage. The boat passes it early in the cruise so you see the beach from the water.

Can you actually swim during the cruise, or is it just a view?

In summer months, the boat stops in front of Kašuni Beach and you can swim if you want to. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can go in the water or stay on deck. Winter cruises don't include swim stops.

What does the 90 minutes actually cover?

The cruise loops past the Riva Promenade and the Diocletian Palace, Bačvice Beach, Marjan hill, Sustipan park, Kašuni Beach, the Marina and harbor, views of Čiovo island, the Hermitage caves and the Oceanography Institute. It's a full circuit of the coast that locals consider important, not a quick spin.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

Yes, a live guide in English is included. They point out the landmarks and explain what you're passing—the history of the Riva, why Marjan matters to the city, what the parks and beaches are like.

Are small children okay on this boat?

Children are welcome from age 1, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or ride in a pram or stroller. The boat is designed for families, and the pirate-ship theme appeals to kids. Service animals are allowed on board.