Split: Hvar, Pakleni, Brač & Šolta All-inclusive Tour

The best part of this 10-hour catamaran day is the mix: Hvar gives you a proper old-town visit, while Brač, Pakleni, and Šolta provide three chances to get into the Adriatic. It feels less like a rushed transfer and more like a full day built around swimming, sunshine, food, and music.

I like the friendly crew, especially hosts such as Mia and Manuela, who keep the boat lively without forcing everyone into party mode. I also like the simple value of the all-inclusive setup: lunch, fruit, cake, coffee, soft drinks, beer, and wine are covered. The main consideration is that Hvar takes a large share of the day, so serious swimmers may wish for longer at the bays.

Key points at a glance

• Three swim stops: Swim near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta, with time for snorkeling at the final stop.
• A useful visit to Hvar: Take a short guided walk through the old town, then explore on your own for about an hour.
• A spacious mega catamaran: The boat carries up to 78 people, with room to sit, sunbathe, and walk around.
• Food and drinks included: Expect a morning pastry, chicken salad lunch, sandwiches, fruit, cake, coffee, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
• Music changes with the day: The atmosphere begins calmly and can turn into a small dance party on the return ride.
• Best for active, social days: This suits couples, solo visitors, families with children over two, and anyone who wants several Adriatic stops in one outing.

Why this Split boat trip works so well

Many island excursions from Split force you to choose between sightseeing and swimming. This one gives you both, then adds a generous drinks package and a host who helps the day feel social. You are not simply dropped at Hvar and sent back. You get a short introduction to the town, several stops for a swim, and time on the catamaran to enjoy the views.

The boat is a major part of the appeal. It is a mega catamaran rather than a small speedboat, so the ride is generally more relaxed. You can find a place to sit, stretch out, or sunbathe, and the clean toilets are checked during the day. With a maximum of 78 people, it is not an intimate sailing trip, but it also does not have the packed feeling of a much larger excursion boat.

The crew gives the experience its personality. Mia is often the energetic host, while Manuela has been praised for her warmth and careful attention to the group. Bepo and Bogdan are also part of the team on some departures. The staff adjust the music and mood as the day develops, keeping things quieter earlier and more playful on the way back.

That balance matters. You can join the dancing when the music turns up, or remain on the outer deck with a drink and watch the islands pass. This is a social boat trip, but you do not have to perform enthusiasm from breakfast until sunset.

Starting at Obala Lazareta in Split

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 1 in Split, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is worth taking seriously if you want a good place in the shade or near a table. The boat has room, but the most comfortable spots go first.

The excursion lasts about 10 hours. A typical day begins with a relaxed cruise, a pastry with cheese and coffee, and the first stretch of open-water views. Alcohol is served only after the first swim stop, so the morning starts with water, coffee, and soft drinks.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. You will spend much of the day outside, and shade may not always be available when you want it. Pets are not allowed, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The stated capacity is 78 people. Groups larger than 10 are not permitted to join the daily tour, even if the full boat capacity is not reached. If you are traveling as a large organized group, check this rule before booking.

Brač provides the first Adriatic swim

The first stop is near Brač, with about an hour set aside for swimming. This is a smart opening to the day. You have time to get comfortable on the boat, then the first swim gives you a chance to cool off before the longer run toward Hvar.

The water is the star here, not a town visit. You step or jump in from the boat and swim in the sea rather than visiting an organized beach. That means you should be comfortable entering open water and climbing back aboard. Pool noodles and similar flotation aids may be available, but supplies can be limited, so do not depend on finding one.

This first stop also sets the pace. The day is not built around long walks or formal sightseeing at every island. It is a floating day at sea, with sightseeing used as a welcome change between swim stops.

Once alcohol service begins, beer and wine are available along with water and soft drinks. The unlimited drinks are one of the strongest practical benefits of the price, particularly on a hot day when buying every bottle separately would quickly add up.

Hvar gives the day its cultural anchor

Hvar town is the main sightseeing stop. A local guide leads you through the old town and points out the key attractions. The walk is brief, but it gives you a useful orientation before your independent time.

You then have about an hour to explore on your own, making roughly two hours in Hvar altogether. That is enough to enjoy the town’s stone lanes, look around the central area, and take in the harbor atmosphere without pretending you have seen the whole island.

I appreciate this format. A longer guided walk could feel tiring in the midday heat, especially after an early start and a swim. A completely unguided stop, on the other hand, would leave some first-time visitors unsure where to go. The short introduction gives you context, then lets you choose your own pace.

The guide’s explanations may be harder to hear when the group spreads out, and some departures may not provide a microphone. Stay close to the guide if you want the most from the walking portion. The tour is informative rather than exhaustive, so do not expect a full historical study of Hvar.

Your free hour is best used for a little wandering and a cool drink rather than a long list of sights. You are returning to the boat for more swimming, so keep an eye on the meeting time. The stop works as a taste of Hvar, not a replacement for spending several nights there.

Pakleni brings the most secluded swim

After Hvar, the boat continues toward the Pakleni Islands. The stop is in one of the quieter bays, and this is often the most memorable swimming portion because the setting feels removed from the town and harbor traffic.

You can swim from the catamaran, relax on deck, or use the time to chat with other people on board. The bay is the attraction, so there is no scheduled sightseeing walk here. If you prefer beaches, shops, or historic buildings to open-water swimming, this hour may feel repetitive. If you came to spend time in clear Adriatic water, it is exactly the kind of stop you want.

The crew serves lunch around this part of the day. The standard meal is a pastry with cheese and a chicken salad lunch, with sandwiches also included in the food offering. Fresh fruit and cake follow during the sailing portions, and home-style cakes are served later in the day.

Lunch is convenient and filling enough for a day at sea, though it is not a restaurant meal. A few people would prefer a more substantial serving or more meat. If you are vegetarian, you can pre-order a cheese meal instead of chicken. Make that request before the day of departure rather than hoping to change it at the last minute.

One small scheduling point is worth noting: on some departures, lunch may arrive shortly before a swim stop. That can be awkward if you prefer to wait before getting in the water. You can simply eat lightly and save the fruit or cake for later.

Šolta closes the swimming circuit

The last major stop is near Šolta, where you have about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. By this stage you will have spent hours in sun and sea, so this shorter stop feels manageable rather than rushed.

Šolta is another water stop, not a town excursion. The three swim locations are beautiful, but they are not sharply different from one another. If you are an avid swimmer, the repeated chances to get in the water are a major advantage. If you prefer varied sightseeing, three stops focused mainly on swimming may be more than you need.

Snorkeling equipment and flotation aids may be provided, although availability can vary. Bring your own mask if snorkeling is important to you and you prefer a particular fit. The supplied information specifically recommends swimwear and a towel, but it does not promise full equipment for every person.

The return transfer to Split takes roughly 45 minutes. Fruit and cake are served again, giving you a final snack before arrival. The boat then shifts into its liveliest mode, with dance music and drinks as the sun begins to drop.

The return ride turns into a relaxed party

The music is not simply background noise all day. The crew tends to start with a calmer feel, then raise the energy later. On the way back, part of the boat can become a dance floor, while other areas remain available for sitting and watching the sea.

That makes the tour a good fit for mixed groups. You might dance for twenty minutes, then sit down with a beer. A couple can enjoy the scenery, while solo visitors can easily meet people through the shared atmosphere. The party is fun rather than a full nightclub session, and it does not last forever. If you want a longer dance event, this may feel too brief.

Music taste is personal. The playlist has won plenty of approval, but techno and louder dance tracks are not everyone’s idea of a peaceful sunset. The open deck gives you some distance from the speakers, though the boat remains a social setting.

The crew is central here. Mia is especially good at keeping people involved, and Manuela has been singled out for being helpful and professional. The team does not merely distribute drinks and food. They keep an eye on the group, clean the boat between stops, and maintain a friendly rhythm through a long day.

What the $116 price really covers

At $116 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Hvar. It is also not just a ferry ride with a guide attached. You are paying for transport across several islands, a guided visit to Hvar, three water stops, food, drinks, crew entertainment, and the convenience of not arranging separate meals or transfers.

The drinks package is the clearest value. Unlimited water, soft drinks, coffee, beer, and wine can make a noticeable difference during a 10-hour outing. The food is simple but useful: morning pastry, chicken salad and sandwiches, fruit, and cake keep you from needing to buy lunch in Hvar.

The boat itself adds value. A clean, spacious catamaran with usable toilets and room to sit is more comfortable than a cramped speedboat, especially when you are on board for most of the day. You may find a cheaper island trip, but check carefully what it includes. A lower headline price can become less attractive after adding lunch, drinks, and separate transport.

The tradeoff is time. Hvar receives about two hours, while each of the other island stops is mainly for swimming. You are buying a broad sample of the Dalmatian coast, not deep exploration of each island.

Who should book this excursion

I would choose this for you if you want one energetic day that combines island scenery, swimming, light sightseeing, and easy social contact. It works particularly well for couples, solo visitors, families with children over two, and friends who want a shared activity without planning every detail.

It is also a good choice if you are comparing several Split boat trips and care about comfort. The slower catamaran ride, open space, clean toilets, regular food, and included drinks make the long day easier.

Families can join, and one family traveled with a seven-month-old without trouble, though the official recommendation is for children older than two. Parents should still be ready for sun, water access, music, and a full day on a boat.

I would hesitate if you dislike group activities, loud music, open-water swimming, or fixed schedules. The boat can carry up to 78 people, and the day moves according to the captain’s timetable. You also should not book it expecting a detailed tour of Hvar or a different kind of activity at every island.

Weather matters on any Adriatic boat trip. The operator has helped people shift to another day when the forecast was poor, but you should still check conditions before setting out. Flexible booking is useful here, with cancellation allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund and a reserve-now, pay-later option.

My practical verdict for a day from Split

I like this excursion because it gives you a little of everything without making you organize the pieces yourself. Hvar supplies the old-town character, Brač and Pakleni provide longer swim breaks, Šolta adds a final snorkeling stop, and the return ride ends with music rather than a quiet commute.

The most praised elements are the crew, the clean and spacious boat, the pretty swim locations, and the amount of food and drink included. The weaker points are modest: lunch could be more substantial, the walking tour can be difficult to hear if you stand too far back, and the swim stops may feel too similar for anyone who is not keen on swimming.

Book it if you want a full, social Adriatic day and will take advantage of the water stops and open bar. Skip it if your priority is several hours of independent Hvar sightseeing or a quiet, small-boat experience. For most people looking to see more of the islands from Split in one day, $116 is a fair price for the amount covered.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 1, 21000 Split, Croatia. You should meet the guide 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts 10 hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Brač, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta. Hvar is the sightseeing stop, while the other island stops focus mainly on swimming, with snorkeling at Šolta.

Is food included?

Yes. The included food consists of a pastry with cheese, a chicken salad lunch, sandwiches, fruit, and cake. Coffee is also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, soft drinks, coffee, beer, and wine are included. Alcoholic drinks are served after the first swimming stop.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. You can pre-order a vegetarian cheese meal instead of the chicken option.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is recommended for children above two years old. Pets are not allowed.

Can wheelchair users join the catamaran tour?

No. This activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.