Podstrana and Jesenice, Boat trip to Brač and Šolta with lunch

The best part of this boat trip is its easy mix of island time, swimming, and lunch on the water. You get a short visit to the old settlement of Sutivan on Brač, two swim stops, and views toward Brač, Hvar, Mrduja, Šolta, and Split without having to plan ferry connections.

I like the freshly cooked BBQ, with fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices, and I like that snorkels, floaties, water polo balls, Wi-Fi, coffee, and afternoon watermelon are included. The crew, including Adriana, keeps the day warm and family-friendly. The main drawback is the long day and fixed schedule, with only 75 minutes to explore Sutivan and little flexibility once the boat leaves.

Key points to know before booking

• Sutivan gives you a real island stop: You have 75 minutes to walk around this small Roman settlement on Brač, rather than spending the entire day on board.
• Two proper swim breaks are included: The boat anchors near Brač and later in Nečujam Bay, with ladders, snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls ready to use.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Choose mackerel, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread.
• Drinks are generous at lunch: Red wine, water, and orange juice are unlimited during the meal, while other bar drinks cost extra.
• The day starts early in several pickup areas: Pickup begins around 8:25 in Krilo Jesenice, with Podstrana and Le Meridien Lav Marina stops before the 9:30 departure.
• The group can reach 45 people: This is a social boat outing, not a private cruise, though the crew keeps the pace gentle and organized.

A full day between Brač and Šolta

This is a classic Dalmatian day on the water, but it avoids the usual problem of making you choose between sightseeing and swimming. The route gives you one town visit, two chances to get into the sea, and a cooked meal with island views.

At $66.23 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the included food and equipment. A separate boat ride, lunch, snorkel hire, and drinks could easily add up, especially for a family. The value is less compelling if you mainly want a quiet private cruise or several hours walking around an island, since much of the day follows a set timetable.

The boat can carry up to 45 people. That gives you a lively shared outing rather than a personal charter. The reported rating is 4.4 from eight reviews, with the strongest praise aimed at the crew, food, boat, and relaxed pace.

Morning pickups from Krilo Jesenice to Podstrana

The first pickup is listed at Hotel Krilo in Krilo Jesenice at 8:25. The boat then heads toward Sv. Martin in Podstrana, arriving at M Caffe around 8:55, before moving on to the final pickup at Le Meridien Lav Marina at about 9:00.

The main departure toward Brač is scheduled for 9:30, once everyone is on board. Check your exact pickup point carefully, since the outing serves several coastal locations and the first pickup time is earlier than the advertised start time.

This early start is useful. You get more daylight for the island stops and the return to Podstrana or Krilo Jesenice is scheduled for roughly 5:20 and 5:45. The tradeoff is simple: this is not a lazy late-morning cruise. Plan your breakfast and transport before pickup.

The sail to Sutivan includes a friendly welcome

Once the boat leaves for Brač, the crew gives a short briefing. Adults receive a welcome shooter, while children are offered juice. Coffee and chocolate donuts are served during the crossing, which is a useful touch on an early start.

The sailing time is also your first chance to settle into the boat. Unlimited Wi-Fi is provided, so you can share photos or stay in touch, though the reason to book this day is the view from the deck, not screen time.

The boat heads to Sutivan, a small settlement on Brač with Roman roots. You are not being rushed straight from the mainland to a swim stop. Instead, the first destination gives you a short land break and a taste of island life.

Sutivan: 75 minutes to explore Brač

Arrival in Sutivan is scheduled for 10:30. The crew provides maps and gives you free time until the 11:45 departure.

Seventy-five minutes is enough to walk around, see the waterfront, and get a feel for the town. It is not enough for a long meal, a major hike, or a full historical tour. I would use the time for a relaxed walk and photographs rather than trying to squeeze in every street.

The stop is one of the strongest parts of the trip because it breaks up the time on board. You get a place with a distinct local identity, rather than a day made only of open water and swimming. At the same time, you need to watch the clock. The crew asks you to return at least three minutes before departure, and the boat will continue on schedule.

If you want deep cultural sightseeing or a long independent visit to Brač, this tour will feel brief. If you want a pleasant introduction to Sutivan paired with a swim-and-lunch cruise, the timing works well.

The first swim stop uses ladders and open water

The boat leaves Sutivan at 11:45 and reaches the first swim stop around 12:10. The captain anchors, and ladders are placed on both sides of the boat.

You can enter the water by ladder or jump in, according to the practical details provided for the trip. Snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls are available, so you do not need to pack separate gear for a casual swim.

This is a useful detail for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. You can use the ladder rather than making a high jump from the deck, and the floaties add another option. Still, this is an anchored boat stop, not a shallow beach visit. If you prefer to wade gradually into the sea or need a sandy shoreline, the setup may not suit you.

The swim is scheduled for about 25 minutes before lunch. That is enough for a refreshing dip, but not a long snorkel session. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry layer for the breeze after you climb back aboard.

Fresh BBQ lunch with views of four islands

While you swim, the chef prepares lunch and Adriana sets the tables. The meal is served around 1:10 as the boat continues through the islands.

You choose from fresh mackerel, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger. Each option comes with salad and bread. You are asked to provide your meal preference when booking, which matters because the food is brought fresh on board each day.

During lunch, red wine, water, and orange juice are unlimited. That makes the $66.23 price more appealing, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch and drinks separately. Coffee and tea are also included at the relevant service times.

The meal is not a restaurant tasting menu. It is a practical boat lunch, cooked for a group, with the pleasure coming from eating outside while the scenery moves past. The food received especially strong praise, with the fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices all described as tasty and freshly prepared.

Lunch views include Brač, Hvar, Mrduja, and Šolta, with Split on the starboard side. If you care about seating, arrive promptly when lunch is called. The boat has shaded areas, which one review specifically found useful, but space and the best views may be shared with the rest of the group.

Alcoholic drinks ordered before or after lunch, or drinks outside the included lunch service, are extra. The bar also sells ice cream and chips. That is handy, but budget a little more if you want snacks or drinks throughout the whole day.

Nečujam Bay brings the longest swim stop

At about 2:10, the boat reaches Nečujam Bay on Šolta. This is the second water stop and lasts about 65 minutes, making it the best chance to spend real time in the sea.

The same boat facilities are available, including snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls. You can swim around the anchored boat or stay aboard and enjoy the bay from the deck.

This longer stop is a good balance after the short swim near Brač. You have time to swim without feeling that you must rush back up the ladder after one quick dip. It also gives children more room to enjoy the water, provided they are comfortable with an anchored-boat setting and supervised by their adults.

The trip does not promise a guided snorkeling session or special marine-life viewing. Think of the equipment as simple shared gear for casual swimming and play. Sea conditions and visibility can change, and the tour requires good weather.

The return sail includes watermelon and more views

The boat leaves Šolta at 3:15 for the return journey. Around 4:30, the crew serves cold watermelon, a welcome snack after swimming and lunch.

The return sailing lasts about an hour and a half before the boat reaches Sv. Martin in Podstrana around 5:20. It then continues to Krilo Jesenice, arriving near 5:45. If you were picked up at one of the earlier stops, confirm where you will get off and keep personal items together during the return.

The ride home is part of the experience, not dead time. You can sit in the shade, watch the islands recede, and let the day slow down. One particularly thoughtful detail from the trip is that the crew helped drive a passenger home after an unscheduled stop. You should not count on special arrangements, but it reflects the practical, helpful tone of the operation.

What the crew and boat setup mean for you

Marko Rakuljic is the named experience provider, and Adriana is identified as the crew member who serves lunch. The crew’s role is hands-on: welcoming people aboard, explaining the plan, preparing and serving the meal, setting out swimming equipment, and keeping departures on time.

The boat has enough shade for hot weather, but you should not assume every seat will be shaded at every moment. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cover-up. A mobile ticket is accepted, and English is the offered language.

The group limit is 45 people. That is small enough for a personal crew presence, but large enough that the boat will not feel private. Families and couples can fit into the easy social pace, while solo passengers may find it simple to meet people. If silence and solitude are your main goals, a smaller private outing would be a better match.

Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transportation. The practical information does not describe special accessibility arrangements, so you should ask the provider directly if you need assistance with boat ladders, boarding, or movement on deck.

Who will get the most from this $66.23 outing

I would recommend this trip if you want several Dalmatian pleasures in one day:

• A short, independent visit to Brač
• Two chances to swim from the boat
• A freshly prepared lunch with drinks
• Views of several islands without arranging ferries
• A friendly, family-oriented shared outing
• A full day from the Podstrana and Krilo Jesenice area

It is especially well suited to families and couples who want an active day without a demanding hike. The floaties and water polo balls give children something to do, while the Sutivan stop keeps the whole day from becoming a pure beach outing.

You may want another kind of trip if your priority is a long visit to Brač, a quiet private boat, a late start, or a guided history tour. Sutivan is explored on your own with a map, and the two swimming stops are informal rather than led activities.

The weather rule is important. The experience needs good conditions, and a poor-weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Should you book this Brač and Šolta boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-packed day with good food, easy swimming, and a taste of two islands. The fresh BBQ and included lunch drinks help justify the price, while the 75-minute Sutivan stop adds something more memorable than a simple cruise.

Go in knowing what you are buying: a shared boat day for up to 45 people, an early start, fixed departure times, and swimming from ladders rather than a beach. For that style of trip, the combination is strong. I would choose it for a first taste of the islands from Podstrana or Krilo Jesenice, especially if you value a helpful crew and a relaxed pace more than privacy.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

Pickup begins in the Krilo Jesenice and Podstrana area. The listed sequence starts at Hotel Krilo around 8:25, continues to Sv. Martin beach in Podstrana, and then goes to Le Meridien Lav Marina.

What time does the main boat departure begin?

The boat is scheduled to depart toward Brač at 9:30 after all passengers have boarded.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts about eight to nine hours. Return times are scheduled for around 5:20 in Sv. Martin Podstrana and 5:45 in Krilo Jesenice.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a freshly prepared BBQ with a choice of mackerel, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger, plus salad and bread.

Are drinks included with lunch?

Unlimited red wine, water, and orange juice are included during lunch. Drinks ordered before or after lunch, and other bar purchases, cost extra.

Can I choose my meal?

Yes. You should provide your meal preference when booking because fresh food is brought on board each day.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. The boat provides snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls for the swimming stops.

How many swimming stops are there?

There are two. The first is near Brač after the Sutivan visit, and the second is in Nečujam Bay on Šolta.

How much free time do I get in Sutivan?

You have about 75 minutes in Sutivan, from the scheduled 10:30 arrival until the 11:45 departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and a cancellation for that reason offers the same options.