Split: Full Day Sailing Tour to Šolta Island and Brač Island

The best part of this day is its small scale. You sail from Split on a 33-foot boat, stop in a quiet Brač bay for swimming and snorkeling, then spend about two hours in the seaside village of Stomorska on Šolta. I like the six-person group size and the easygoing mix of sailing, food, and free time. I also like that skippers Marin and Damian can help arrange lunch before you reach the village.

There is one catch: this is a sailing tour, but the boat cannot always sail under wind power. On calm days, you may motor for part of the route. Lunch is also not included, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Still, for a relaxed day on the Adriatic, the combination of swimming near Brač and quiet time on Šolta offers good value at $141 per person.

Key points to know before booking

• Small 33-foot sailboat: The tour usually carries only six people, so you get a more personal day than on a large excursion boat.
• Brač swim stop: Expect about an hour in a bay for swimming, snorkeling, floating, or simply relaxing on deck.
• Stomorska on Šolta: You get roughly two hours to stroll, swim again, and buy lunch at a seaside restaurant.
• Food and drinks included: Croatian cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea are provided.
• Skippers Marin and Damian: They handle the sailing and can help save time by arranging your lunch order before arrival.
• Weather matters: Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip, and calm conditions may limit the amount of sailing.

Setting out from Split on a small sailboat

You meet the boat in Split near the INA refueling station. Look for the 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front. That detail matters, since the meeting point is at the port rather than a hotel, and you will not have hotel pickup or drop-off.

After a short introduction and safety briefing, you settle in while the crew serves fresh coffee or tea. The boat then heads out toward the islands. You get open views of the Adriatic, the coast around Split, and the changing outline of Brač and Šolta.

I like this start because it avoids the rushed feel of some day trips. You are not being moved from one large boat to another or hurried toward a long list of stops. The point is to spend the day on the water, with time to sit, talk, snack, and watch the coast pass.

The boat is small, though, so your comfort depends partly on enjoying close quarters. Six people is a pleasant group size for conversation and personal attention, but it is not the right choice if you want lots of room to stretch out or a fully private charter. Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. Towels are not supplied.

Brač brings the first swim and snorkel stop

The first main stop is a bay near Brač. You stay for about an hour, which gives you enough time for a proper swim rather than a quick dip between scheduled photo stops.

The crew provides masks, snorkels, and floaties. You can swim in the clear water, use the floaties, explore along the shore, or stay on deck with a glass of white wine. Croatian prosciutto, cheese, and bread are included, so this stop also works as a light snack break.

I see this as the most flexible part of the day. If you want activity, you can get into the water and snorkel. If you prefer a quiet boat ride, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view. You are not required to swim, and that makes the tour workable for mixed groups where one person wants water time and another prefers to relax.

The one-hour limit is worth noting. It is long enough to enjoy the bay, but not long enough for a slow beach afternoon. You will also need to bring your own towel. The boat supplies swimming equipment, but not the item you will most want after getting out of the water.

Stomorska on Šolta gives you time to slow down

From Brač, the boat continues to Šolta and docks in Stomorska. This small seaside village is the tour’s main land stop, with about two hours to walk around, swim, or have lunch.

Stomorska is a good match for this itinerary because it gives you a genuine village break without asking you to spend half the day sightseeing. You can stroll by the waterfront, look around the local streets, or choose a seaside restaurant. The pace is yours for this portion.

The lunch arrangement is a particularly useful touch. Skippers Marin and Damian may take your order before reaching Stomorska, allowing the restaurant to prepare food so you do not lose much of your limited free time. That can make a real difference when you have only two hours before returning to the boat.

Lunch is not included in the $141 price, so budget separately for it. You can choose the restaurant recommended by the skipper or make your own selection. The important point is that this is free time, not a set meal with a fixed menu.

You may also swim near Stomorska if you prefer water to lunch or want to cool off afterward. The stop is not built around a formal guided tour, so I would book it for the chance to enjoy a quiet village and a meal by the water, not for a long list of monuments or organized activities.

The return trip is part of the experience

After Stomorska, you return to the sailboat and head back to Split. Depending on the wind, the return can offer more sailing with the sails raised. On a calm day, though, the boat may spend more time using its motor.

This is the main practical limitation of the experience. The title promises sailing, but the wind controls how much actual sailing you get. One calm day may produce only a short stretch under sail, while another can make the trip feel much more like a classic Adriatic cruise.

The scenery still has value when the motor is running. You have time to sit with a drink, finish the snacks, and look back toward the islands. The day is not ruined by a lack of wind, but you should book this as a boat day with sailing when conditions allow, rather than as a guaranteed full day of wind-powered sailing.

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Split. Since there is no hotel transfer, plan your route to and from the port before departure.

What the $141 price really covers

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Brač or Šolta. You are paying for a small group, a sailing boat, a crew, swimming equipment, snacks, drinks, and a full day on the water rather than simple ferry transport.

The included food is light but well suited to the schedule. Cheese, prosciutto, and bread give you something to eat during the Brač stop. White wine, water, coffee, and tea are also included. You should not treat this as a full meal plan, since lunch in Stomorska is your own expense.

The strongest value comes from the group size. A boat carrying around six people lets the skippers give more attention and keeps the atmosphere quiet. It also means you are not competing with a large crowd for space around the swim stop.

If you mainly want to reach an island cheaply, a ferry may make more sense. If you want a relaxed day that combines transport, swimming, snacks, drinks, and local time on two islands, the price is easier to justify.

The crew and the feel of the day

Marin and Damian are the skippers named for this experience. Their role is more than steering the boat. They handle the safety briefing, provide coffee and tea, set out the snacks, help with the swim stop, and can recommend or pre-arrange lunch in Stomorska.

That practical help matters because small island restaurants can take time when a boat group arrives. Having the order organized before docking can leave you more time to eat slowly or walk around the village.

The atmosphere is friendly and informal. You share the boat with a small number of other people, so the day works best if you are comfortable with a social setting and a shared schedule. You do get free time at Stomorska, but the boat itself is a communal space.

Speakers are not allowed, which is a plus if you want to hear the water, talk with the group, or enjoy a quieter ride. Pets are also not allowed.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this for couples, friends, and solo visitors who want an unhurried day rather than a packed island checklist. It is especially useful if swimming is high on your list and you like having the choice to join in or relax.

It also suits people who enjoy small-group outings. A six-person boat feels more personal than a large cruise, and the skippers can respond to the group’s needs more easily. The tradeoff is less space and less privacy than you would have on a private charter.

Families with older children may enjoy the floaties and snorkeling gear, though the provided information does not specify a minimum age. Anyone with limited mobility should choose another activity because the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

You should also be comfortable with weather changes. Strong wind or rain can cancel the outing, and calm weather can reduce sailing time. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, which gives you some flexibility when planning.

A simple packing plan

Keep your bag small and useful. You need:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing for a full day outdoors

The boat provides masks, snorkels, floaties, water, wine, coffee, tea, cheese, prosciutto, and bread. You do not need to pack snorkeling equipment unless you prefer your own.

Bring a little extra money or a payment method for lunch in Stomorska. Since hotel pickup is not offered, also allow enough time to reach the port and identify the boat by its RO 1037 marking.

Should you book this sailing day?

Book it if you want a small-group Adriatic day built around swimming, snacks, wine, and a quiet island village. The Brač bay gives you the best water time, while Stomorska adds a pleasant lunch and walking stop. The included equipment and drinks make the day simple, and the help from Marin and Damian can save valuable time.

Think twice if you need guaranteed sailing, a full lunch included, generous space, or accessible facilities. Wind may be light, lunch costs extra, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

For the right kind of day, this is a strong choice from Split. You get two islands without racing through them, plus the pleasure of being on a small boat where the schedule leaves room to swim, eat, and simply watch the Adriatic.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

Meet at the port in Split near the INA boat refueling station. The boat is a 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Split.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Brač Island and Šolta Island. The main village stop is Stomorska on Šolta.

How long is the stop near Brač?

You spend about one hour in a bay near Brač for swimming, snorkeling, floating, or relaxing on the boat.

How long do you have in Stomorska?

You have approximately two hours in Stomorska for walking, swimming, and lunch at your own expense.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the skippers can help arrange your food order at a local restaurant before arriving.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with floaties for swimming.

What should you bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not provided.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip can be canceled in strong wind, rain, or other bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.