All Inclusive Brac and Solta islands swimming cruise

The best part of this Brač and Šolta cruise is its simple rhythm: sail from Split, stop in a clear-water bay, eat lunch on board, then spend time in a small fishing village. You get a proper day on the Adriatic without committing to a long, tiring full-day excursion.

I like the generous swimming stop, with paddleboards, snorkel gear, and floating toys ready to use. I also like the comfortable Polaris, which offers shade, sun, air conditioning, restrooms, and enough room to avoid feeling packed in. The main consideration is that this is built around swimming and relaxing, not sightseeing in depth. If you want several island towns and major sights, this will feel too leisurely.

Quick facts about the Polaris island cruise

• A quiet Brač bay is the main event: You get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, floating, or simply sitting in the sun.
• Stomorska gives you a real shore stop: This small port on Šolta is easy to explore on foot, with a beach about 100 meters from the boat.
• Lunch is served while sailing: Choose from meat, fish, or vegetarian menus, with vegan options available if requested during booking.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, and iced water are available, but strong spirits cost extra.
• The boat is capped at 68 people: That is not a tiny private charter, but the layout includes shaded seating, a sunny upper deck, and indoor areas.
• It is designed as a calm day out: The crew specifically limits alcohol service if someone becomes disruptive. This is not a party boat.

Why this seven-hour cruise works so well from Split

Split is a great base for island outings, but many boat trips turn into long days of rushing from one stop to another. This one keeps the schedule compact. You leave at 9:30 a.m. and return around 4:30 p.m., leaving you an evening for dinner in Split or a walk along the waterfront.

At $133.08 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to reach the islands. But it includes far more than transport. You receive a morning croissant and coffee, lunch, an open bar with beer and wine, soft drinks, use of water equipment, Wi-Fi, and a boat with an onboard restroom and air-conditioned interior.

That makes the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, beach equipment, and a shorter boat ride. You are paying for a full, organized day on the water rather than simply a seat on a ferry.

The boat holds a maximum of 68 people. That gives you a little more breathing room than the large excursion boats that can feel like floating buses, though you should not expect a private yacht. The repeated praise for the clean boat, wide seating areas, shade, and tidy facilities is important here. Comfort matters when you spend seven hours away from shore.

Meeting the Polaris at Split port

The meeting point is at Obala Lazareta in Split city port, usually at dock number 7. Check-in opens 30 minutes before departure, so arriving around 9 a.m. is sensible. Give yourself time to find the right stretch of the port rather than arriving at the last minute with sunscreen still in your bag.

The cruise returns to the same meeting point at about 4:30 p.m. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the port independently. The departure area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside Split’s old center.

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. I would also pack water shoes. The beach near Stomorska is described as rocky, and footwear made for wet stones will be more useful than ordinary flip-flops.

The boat has a restroom, but you should still use facilities before departure. On a swim-focused cruise, the bathroom is a valuable convenience, not a minor extra.

The morning sail and first taste of the Adriatic

The Polaris leaves Split at 9:30 a.m. The morning offering is modest but useful: a croissant and coffee. It takes the edge off an early start without pretending to be a full breakfast.

The opening cruise is part of the experience. You are moving away from Split’s port and toward the islands, with time to settle into the boat before the first swim. Choose a shaded seat if you burn easily, or find a sunny spot upstairs if your priority is a little color and open views.

The boat has both indoor and outdoor seating. Several people particularly appreciated the ability to move between sun and shade, while the air-conditioned interior offers a break during the hottest part of the day. That flexibility is one reason this trip can work for mixed-age groups, from children to older adults.

Music is part of the relaxed onboard mood. It is present, but the cruise is not built around loud entertainment. If you want a quiet sailing lesson or a serious nature trip, this is not that. If you want an easygoing day with food, swimming, and a social but controlled atmosphere, the tone fits.

Two hours in a secluded Brač bay

The first stop is Brač, where the boat anchors in a secluded bay with clear water. The exact bay can vary, so you should think of this as a flexible swimming stop rather than a visit to a named town or landmark.

You have roughly two hours here. That is the right amount of time for this kind of outing. A short 30-minute swim would feel like a tease, while an even longer stop might grow repetitive for anyone who does not enjoy being in the water.

You can enter by the boat ladder or jump from the boat. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable toys, and floating mats. These extras change the stop from simply sitting at anchor into a small water playground.

The setup suits different energy levels. You might snorkel for a while, paddle around the bay, take the jump you have always wanted to try, then lie on a floating mat. Someone who prefers not to swim can remain on deck in the shade and still enjoy the setting.

The clear water is the attraction, but keep your expectations sensible. This is not presented as a guided snorkeling tour, and no special marine-life viewing is promised. You receive equipment and free time, not instruction or a planned underwater route.

The water entry deserves some practical thought. Jumping from a boat is optional, and the ladder gives you a calmer way in. Children should be watched closely, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The cruise is family-friendly, but the swim stop still involves open water and boat access.

For strong swimmers, two hours can pass quickly. For anyone less confident, it may help to alternate water time with a break under the shade. The boat’s seating gives you that choice without forcing everyone into the same activity.

Lunch underway, with three menu choices

At around 1 p.m., the boat leaves Brač and heads toward Šolta. Lunch is served during the cruise, which is a smart use of time. You do not lose part of the shore visit waiting for a restaurant or boarding a second transfer.

The meal offers three menu types: meat, fish, or vegetarian. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, but you need to note dietary needs while booking. If you have food allergies, it is wise to mention them early so the crew can prepare properly.

The fish option, including tuna, received especially warm attention, while grilled chicken was described as succulent. The meal is not presented as high-end dining, but it is more substantial than the snack boxes common on many boat excursions. Eating on board also means you can keep watching the islands and sea while lunch is cleared around you.

Beer and wine are included with the meal, along with soft drinks, juice, iced water, coffee, and tea. Strong alcoholic drinks are not included and can be purchased separately. The operator is clear that this is not a booze cruise. If someone drinks excessively or behaves badly, alcohol service stops.

That rule may sound stern, but it helps protect the character of the trip. A daytime island cruise works better when a family with children, a solo passenger, and a group of friends can all share the boat comfortably.

Stomorska, Šolta’s small port stop

The boat reaches Stomorska on Šolta at about 1:30 p.m. This is a small fishing village rather than a major sightseeing center. The port is picturesque, compact, and easy to explore without a guide or complicated plan.

You have about two hours on Šolta. Walk along the little harbor, look at the boats, or continue to the beach, which is about 100 meters from where the Polaris docks. You can swim again if the first stop did not satisfy you, or simply stretch your legs after lunch.

Stomorska is appealing because it feels quieter than Split’s waterfront and avoids the most heavily visited island sights. That is also its limitation. You will not find a long list of major attractions packed into this stop, and some businesses may have limited opening hours. One Sunday visit found much of the village nearly closed.

I would treat Stomorska as a pleasant change of pace, not the main reason to book. The main reason is the combination of the Brač swim and the Šolta port. The village gives you a small taste of island life, with enough time for a walk and a beach visit without turning the day into a museum tour.

The rocky shoreline makes water shoes useful here, especially if you plan to swim. Check your belongings before returning to the boat, since the cruise leaves Stomorska at about 3:30 p.m.

The return sail to Split

The final hour is a relaxed cruise back to Split. By this point, the organized work of the day is mostly finished, so you can settle into a seat, enjoy the remaining drinks, and watch for sea life.

Dolphin sightings have occurred, but they are a lucky extra, not part of the promise. Keep your expectations focused on the cruise itself. The return is also a good time to move indoors if the sun has caught up with you.

The crew’s service is a quiet strength of the experience. They handle sailing, meals, drinks, and cleanup without making the day feel overmanaged. That matters on a boat, where clutter, slow service, or unclear instructions can quickly spoil the mood.

The reported age range of successful groups is broad, including families with children and people in their seventies. The boat’s shade, indoor area, restroom, and seated meal help. Still, you should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around a dock, and using a ladder or walking over uneven beach stones if you choose to swim ashore.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $133.08 fare includes:

• The cruise from Split to Brač and Šolta and back
• A morning croissant and coffee
• Lunch with meat, fish, or vegetarian choices
• Beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, iced water, coffee, and tea
• Stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling equipment
• Floating and inflatable water toys
• Wi-Fi on board
• Air-conditioned indoor space
• Restroom access
• Taxes, fees, and handling charges

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Strong alcoholic drinks are also extra.

I see this as good value if you plan to use the equipment, drink the included beverages, and eat lunch on board. It is less compelling if you only want to look at the islands from a boat and do not care about swimming or the open bar.

The meal and equipment remove the usual small costs that can make a supposedly cheap boat trip more expensive. You also avoid paying for a beach club or restaurant during the shore stop. The trip is not budget transport, but it is a fairly complete day package.

Who should book this island day

I would recommend it most strongly to you if swimming is a top holiday goal. The Brač stop is long enough to make the water time worthwhile, and the free equipment means you can try paddleboarding or snorkeling without arranging rentals.

Families should find the mix of activities useful. Kids can use the floating toys and paddleboards, while adults can choose shade, drinks, lunch, or a quiet walk in Stomorska. Adult supervision remains essential, especially around boat jumps and open water.

Solo visitors can also fit in easily. The boat provides a social setting without forcing a party atmosphere, and the fixed schedule removes the hassle of working out island transport alone.

This is also a good choice for a group with mixed ages. One person can swim, another can sit in the shade, and someone else can explore Stomorska. The seven-hour length is easier on the energy level than a full-day cruise lasting ten hours or more.

I would look elsewhere if you want extensive historical commentary, several towns, serious snorkeling instruction, or a private sailing experience. The tour is about comfort, water time, food, and a small village stop. It does not try to be every kind of Croatian excursion at once.

Weather, group size, and cancellation details

The cruise depends on favorable weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. Minimum numbers also apply, so a cancellation is possible if too few people book. In that case, you are offered an alternative tour or date, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. If you are arriving in Split by cruise ship, take special care with timing. Missing the boat because of a late or absent ship does not qualify for a refund.

The published rating is 4.9 from 190 ratings, with 98 percent recommending the experience. That lines up with the strongest practical points: a clean and spacious boat, friendly crew, solid food, long swim time, and a calm atmosphere. The one recurring limitation is also clear: the boat ride itself could feel too short for someone hoping to see more of the islands.

Should you book the Brač and Šolta cruise?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, well-organized day of swimming with lunch and drinks already handled. The long Brač stop, useful water equipment, comfortable boat, and quiet Stomorska visit give you more substance than a simple scenic ride.

Before booking, ask yourself one question: Do I want to spend a large part of the day in the water? If yes, this is a strong choice at $133.08. If you prefer castles, guided history, or many shore visits, choose a different Split excursion.

For most people who want a relaxed Adriatic day without a loud party crowd, the Polaris offers a thoughtful balance of comfort, fun, and value.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta in Split, Croatia, usually at dock number 7 in the city port.

What time does the cruise leave Split?

The scheduled departure time is 9:30 a.m. The gate opens for check-in 30 minutes before departure.

When does the cruise return to Split?

The boat leaves Stomorska at about 3:30 p.m. and arrives back in Split around 4:30 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

What activities are available at the Brač stop?

You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat, use stand-up paddleboards, and play with inflatable water toys. You can also relax on board.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board, with meat, fish, and vegetarian menu choices. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if requested during booking.

Are drinks included?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, iced water, coffee, and tea are included. Strong alcoholic drinks are not included, but they can be purchased.

What should I bring?

Bring a bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Water shoes are also useful for the rocky beach area near Stomorska.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 18.