Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this day is the first long stop off Brač, where you can jump from Boat Polaris into clear Adriatic water, use paddleboards and floats, or simply claim a sunny spot on deck. I like the generous two-hour swim time and the proper sit-down lunch, two details that make this feel calmer and better organized than a quick island-hopping ride.

I also like that the price includes an open bar, morning croissant, snorkeling gear, water toys, and a choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian lunch. The main consideration is simple: this is a swimming cruise first. If you are uneasy jumping into deep water or want a full day of museums, beaches, and town visits, the short stop in Stomorska may feel limited.

Key points at a glance

• Two-hour swim stop off Brač: Jump from the boat or use the floats and paddleboards in clear Adriatic water.
• Lunch served while cruising: Enjoy grilled fish, meat, or vegetables with salad and dessert on the way to Šolta.
• Stomorska fishing village: Spend free time by the port or swim near the boat.
• Real room to relax: The spacious boat has comfortable seating and deck space, rather than feeling like a packed transfer.
• Drinks included all day: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks are available from the onboard bar.
• Good family flexibility: Children aged 0 to 3 join free, while ages 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount.

For $121 per person, this seven-hour cruise gives you a full day on the water without making you plan every detail yourself. You meet the boat at Split city port, just in front of Gat Svetog Nikole, then settle in for a 9:30 AM departure.

The route is designed around two different kinds of island time. Brač provides the main swim stop, with more than two hours for water activities and sun. Šolta gives you a short taste of island life in Stomorska, a small fishing village where you can walk by the harbor or swim close to the boat.

I see this as a strong choice for a hot summer day in Split. You get out of the city, spend meaningful time in the sea, and have lunch and drinks handled for you. It is less suitable if your goal is to visit several historic sights or spend hours ashore.

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 3, with Boat Polaris docked directly in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. There is no pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the port.

That is not a major problem if you are staying in central Split, but allow enough time to locate the correct dock. A city port can be busy, and a calm arrival is better than rushing aboard with towels and sunscreen still in your bag.

The crew welcomes you in English. The morning begins with a croissant and welcome refreshments, followed by the first hour of cruising toward Brač. This opening stretch lets you get comfortable, find a good place on deck, and enjoy views of the Dalmatian coast from the water.

The boat has been praised for its cleanliness, comfortable seats, ample room, and smooth sailing. That matters on a seven-hour outing. You are not simply sitting through a short transfer between islands. You need a boat where you can move around, eat at a table, and find shade or sun as the day changes.

After roughly an hour, the captain anchors in a scheduled bay around Brač. This is the heart of the experience, and the schedule gives you more than two hours to enjoy it.

You can swim directly from the boat in clear, calm water. The available equipment includes snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other inflatable water toys. If you like jumping from a boat, the top deck provides that option as well.

I like the length of this stop. Many boat trips allow a quick splash, then call everyone back aboard just as you get comfortable. Here, you have time to swim, dry off, try a paddleboard, and still sit quietly with a drink. The water is the main attraction, so a long pause lets you enjoy it rather than simply photograph it.

You should know what kind of swim this is. The boat anchors in open water, and some people will be more comfortable using a float or ladder than jumping straight in. One useful note from the practical side: bring water shoes if you plan to swim from shore at Šolta, since one beach area can be rocky underfoot.

This stop suits confident swimmers, families with older children, and anyone who wants an active break from sightseeing. Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, but adults remain responsible for deciding what water activities are suitable for them.

The equipment is a real value at this point. You do not need to bring your own paddleboard or inflatable. Still, pack your swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen from the start. The boat is not a place to shop for forgotten beach supplies.

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Brač and heads toward Šolta. Lunch is served during this cruise, so you keep moving through the island scenery while eating.

The meal is a three-course lunch with grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, salad, and dessert. You choose the main option, which makes the meal more useful for mixed groups and people who do not eat fish. The food is served at tables, rather than as a hurried snack between activities.

The fish has received particular praise, and tuna has been singled out as a good choice. The meal is described as generous, simple, and tasty, which is the right expectation for a boat lunch. This is not a fine-dining event, but it is much more substantial than a sandwich or boxed meal.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise. The open bar covers soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks. That adds real value to the $121 price, especially because you do not need to carry enough drinks for a full day in the sun.

The morning croissant is a small touch, but it helps if you arrive early or do not have time for breakfast. I would still eat something before departure if you normally need a full breakfast, since the croissant is a light welcome snack rather than a complete meal.

There are limits to keep in mind. The boat has an open bar, but outside alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and smoking is not permitted indoors. Party groups and personal speakers are also not allowed. The mood is relaxed and social, not a loud party boat.

Boat Polaris reaches Stomorska on Šolta at about 1:45 PM. The boat docks in this small fishing village, giving you a chance to walk around the port or swim at a nearby beach.

Stomorska is a pleasant change from the open-water stop. You can stretch your legs, look at the harbor, and get a brief taste of village life. The stop also works well if you prefer not to spend every minute in the water.

Keep your expectations measured. You have free time rather than a guided village tour, and the visit lasts only until 3:30 PM. There are few shops, and the beach near the boat is small. Some people may find the village walk enough, while others may wish the cruise offered a larger or more scenic shore stop.

For me, the value here is the contrast. Brač is about swimming and floating in clear water. Stomorska is about stepping ashore, seeing a working port, and taking a slower look at Šolta. You are not trying to cover the whole island. You are getting a pleasant sample before returning to Split.

If you want a long café lunch, serious shopping, or a full beach afternoon, this stop will not provide it. If you want a quiet walk and one more chance to swim, it fits the day well.

The boat leaves Stomorska at 3:30 PM and reaches Split at around 4:30 PM. This final hour gives you time to sit back, enjoy a drink, and watch the coast recede.

The return is part of the experience, not dead time. After swimming and lunch, you can use the remaining deck space to dry off, chat, or simply look out over the water. Background music has been appreciated, but the trip is not built around a party soundtrack.

Weather can affect the exact route. On one occasion, wind led to a change from Šolta to Milna, showing that the captain may adjust plans for safety and comfort. That means the precise stop should not be treated as an absolute promise in rough conditions, although the supplied schedule centers on Brač and Stomorska.

This kind of flexibility is sensible on the Adriatic. A sheltered bay and smooth ride matter more than forcing a fixed route in poor weather. You should still bring a light layer if you tend to get cool after swimming, even during summer.

The price is not just paying for transport between two islands. It covers a full seven-hour boat day, a three-course lunch, open-bar drinks, a croissant, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys.

That package compares well with separate costs you might face on your own. A simple boat ride, lunch, drinks, and rented water equipment can add up quickly. Here, the main advantage is convenience: you board once, your meal is arranged, and the crew provides the gear for the main activity.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and drink onboard. If you do not drink alcohol, the package still includes soft drinks, coffee, and lunch, but you may feel you are paying for extras you will not use. Likewise, someone who dislikes swimming may find the long Brač stop too passive.

The boat is described as spacious and not overcrowded, with room to walk around and comfortable seating. That is important in the price calculation. A cheaper cruise can be poor value if you spend the whole day squeezed into one seat.

Children aged 0 to 3 join free, and children aged 3 to 12 receive half off. That can make the outing more appealing for families, though the swimming focus means parents should consider their children’s comfort around open water.

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy summer day that mixes scenery, swimming, food, and a little village time. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want more comfort than a basic speedboat outing.

You will likely enjoy it most if you:

• Like swimming from a boat in calm, clear water
• Want paddleboards, floats, and snorkeling equipment included
• Prefer a proper lunch instead of buying food ashore
• Enjoy a relaxed social atmosphere rather than a loud party
• Want to see two islands without arranging separate ferries
• Value a spacious boat and time to sit down

I would think twice if you want a detailed cultural tour, a long visit to both islands, or a full day on beaches. The island stops are short and activity-focused. The English-speaking crew helps with the day, but this is not presented as a history lecture or guided walking tour.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is useful for some passengers, though you should confirm any specific mobility needs before booking. Pickup is not included, so the port meeting point also matters when planning your day.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A camera is useful for the coast and harbor, but protect it carefully around the water.

Water shoes are a smart addition for the small beach near Stomorska. You may also want a light cover-up for lunch and the return cruise, when wet swimwear can become uncomfortable.

Pack lightly. The boat provides swimming equipment, drinks, and lunch, so you do not need to carry a large beach bag. Keep your essentials in a bag that can handle a little spray.

The main practical tip is to arrive ready for the water. The best part of the day comes early, and you do not want to spend the Brač stop searching through luggage for your swimsuit or sunscreen.

I would book this cruise if your ideal Split day means clear water, a comfortable boat, a generous swim stop, and lunch without fuss. The crew’s friendly service, steady supply of drinks, water toys, and clean boat are the parts that make the package work.

I would skip it if you want to spend most of the day walking through towns or exploring beaches ashore. Stomorska is a brief port visit, and the main Brač stop happens from the boat.

For the right kind of day, $121 is fair value. You receive transport, food, drinks, equipment, and two island settings in one outing. Check the weather before booking, use the free cancellation option up to 24 hours ahead if your plans change, and choose this when swimming is the reason you are going, not a side activity.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Split city port at Obala Lazareta 3, directly in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. Pickup service is not included.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. It leaves Split at 9:30 AM and returns at around 4:30 PM.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The scheduled route includes Brač and Šolta. The Šolta stop is in Stomorska, a small fishing village.

How much swimming time is included?

The boat anchors near Brač for more than two hours of free time for swimming, snorkeling, and water activities. You can also swim near the boat at Stomorska.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, along with salad and dessert. Tuna is one available fish option.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks.

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, swimming floats, pool noodles, and other inflatable water toys are included.

Are children allowed on the cruise?

Yes. Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, and children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount.