Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this day is simple: you get more than two hours in clear Adriatic water, with room to swim, snorkel, jump from the boat, or use a paddleboard. Then you eat a proper lunch while cruising to Šolta, rather than buying a quick sandwich in a crowded port.

I like the generous open bar, which includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks, and I like the Polaris itself. It has comfortable seating, spacious decks, and enough room to move around. The main consideration is that this is a swimming-first cruise. If you do not feel comfortable entering calm but fairly deep water from a boat, the day may not suit you.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours off Brač: The first stop gives you the longest stretch for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and using floating water toys.
• A real three-course lunch: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables with salad and dessert, served during the cruise toward Šolta.
• Open drinks all day: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks are included.
• Stomorska on Šolta: You get time to walk around a small fishing village or swim at a nearby beach.
• Comfortable seven-hour pace: The boat leaves Split at 9:30 AM and returns around 4:30 PM, with no rushed island-hopping.
• Good family pricing: Children ages 3 to 12 receive 50 percent off, and children from 0 to 3 join free.

A full sea day from Split

At $121 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach an island from Split. It is a full-service day on the water, though, with transportation, two island stops, a three-course lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys included.

That bundle matters in Croatia, where a boat trip can look inexpensive at first and then add costs for lunch, drinks, equipment, and beach time. Here, you pay once and spend the day without hunting for a restaurant or renting something at each stop.

The schedule is also easy to understand. You meet at Obala Lazareta 3, at the Split city port, in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. The boat departs at 9:30 AM and returns at roughly 4:30 PM, making this a practical choice for a free day in Split.

There is no pickup service, so you need to reach the port on your own. Build in a little time to find the correct dock. The meeting point is central and specific, but the port can have several boats and boarding areas.

Morning coffee and the cruise to Brač

The day begins with a boat cruise and welcome refreshments. A croissant is provided in the morning, along with coffee or another hot drink, so you are not starting the day hungry.

The first hour is a gentle ride toward Brač. This is when I would choose a seat or deck spot based on the kind of day I want. Sit in a more sheltered area if you prefer a steadier ride, or find an open deck if your priority is sun, views, and fresh air.

The boat ride gives you a different look at Split and the nearby coast. You are not simply being carried from one port to another. The water becomes part of the attraction, and the journey gives the day a calm rhythm before the swimming begins.

The Polaris has been described as clean, comfortable, and spacious, with proper tables for lunch and enough seating for the group. That makes a real difference on a seven-hour trip. You can walk around, find shade or sun, and avoid feeling confined to one seat.

Brač is the main swimming stop

After about an hour, the captain anchors in a scheduled bay near Brač. The boat remains the base for the next two hours, giving you a long, useful break instead of a quick photo stop.

This is the strongest part of the trip for anyone who wants to swim. The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and you can enter directly from the boat. Snorkeling gear, paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other inflatable water toys are provided.

The upper deck also gives you the option to jump into the sea. That sounds fun, but keep the setting in mind: this is open-water swimming, not a shallow beach with an easy walk-in. One particularly useful point is that the water is calm but reasonably deep, so you should be confident in the sea or comfortable using the provided floats.

You can spend the whole stop swimming, or split your time between the water and the deck. I like that the stop lasts more than two hours, because it lets you settle into the day. You are not checking the clock after one quick swim.

This stop may be less appealing if you are hoping to explore Brač on foot. The boat anchors in a bay, rather than taking you into a town for cafés, shops, or monuments. You get the sea, the scenery, and water activities, not a land-based island tour.

Lunch is part of the value

At about 1:00 PM, the Polaris leaves Brač and heads toward Šolta. Lunch is served during this cruise, which is a smart use of time. You eat while the boat moves, then arrive at the next island ready to explore.

The meal includes grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, along with salad and dessert. The fish and tuna options have received particular praise, while the meat and vegetarian choices make the meal workable for different tastes.

This is not a gourmet restaurant experience, and you should not book it expecting a long menu or fine dining. It is a generous, relaxed boat lunch with table seating. The food is one of the reasons the $121 price makes sense, especially when you add the drinks and the amount of time on the water.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks. If you like having a cold drink after swimming, this is much more convenient than carrying your own supplies or waiting for a beach bar.

The alcohol policy is sensible: alcohol is included for adults, but alcohol and drugs are not permitted as prohibited outside behavior, and smoking indoors is not allowed. Speakers and party groups are also not allowed. This points to the mood of the trip: social and cheerful, but not a loud party boat.

Stomorska gives you a short taste of Šolta

The boat reaches Stomorska on Šolta at about 1:45 PM. This is a small fishing village with a picturesque port, and the boat docks close to the area you are visiting.

You have until about 3:30 PM to explore. You can stroll around the harbor, have a coffee, look at the village, or swim at a nearby beach. The shoreline is close to the boat, so you do not need to make a long transfer to reach the water.

Stomorska is a pleasant change after the open-water stop. Brač is about swimming from the boat, while Šolta gives you a little time on land and a look at a traditional coastal settlement.

Keep your expectations measured. This is not a long guided tour of Šolta, and the stop is not built around major sights or a busy shopping area. Some people may find the village too quiet, and the beach near the boat is small. If you want a full island day with many cafés, shops, and historic buildings, this itinerary will feel brief.

I see the second stop as a change of pace rather than the main event. After two hours in the water, a short walk and a coffee can be exactly right. If your main goal is swimming, you can also use this time for another dip.

The return cruise to Split

At 3:30 PM, the boat leaves Stomorska for Split, arriving around 4:30 PM. The final hour gives you time to dry off, enjoy another drink, and watch the coast pass by.

The return ride is part of the appeal for people who want a relaxed day rather than a packed schedule. You are not rushing from one sight to another or trying to fit several separate bookings into one day.

The route can be affected by wind. On one past trip, the boat changed course to Milna instead of Šolta, and the change still allowed time to walk around town. That means the precise route may not always be fixed in difficult conditions. If visiting Šolta is the one non-negotiable part of your plans, keep this natural possibility in mind.

What the boat experience is really like

The Polaris is best understood as a comfortable day boat with a holiday atmosphere, not a small private charter. You share the decks, tables, bar, and water equipment with the rest of the group.

The positive side is space. The boat has ample seating, comfortable areas for lunch, and room to walk around. Several people found it not overcrowded, which is important during the busiest summer months.

The crew is English-speaking and handles the practical side of the day, from refreshments to lunch and water equipment. The strongest praise has focused on friendly, attentive service. The experience works well because you do not need to organize every small detail yourself.

Music may be played during the cruise, but speakers and party groups are not allowed. That combination suggests a pleasant background atmosphere rather than a floating nightclub. Couples, families, and mixed-age groups can enjoy the day without the trip being built around drinking games or loud entertainment.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, the information does not explain every detail of boarding, deck access, or entering the water, so anyone with specific mobility needs should confirm those points before booking.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this cruise if you want a low-effort summer day with a lot of time in the sea. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social boat setting but do not want a party cruise.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want swimming time measured in hours, not minutes.
• You like having lunch and drinks included.
• You prefer a spacious boat to a small speedboat.
• You want to see two islands without arranging separate ferries.
• You enjoy jumping from a boat, paddleboarding, or floating in clear water.
• You want one organized day away from Split.

Families should note the useful pricing: children ages 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount, and children ages 0 to 3 are free. The water stop is still open-water swimming, so parents should judge the activity based on their children’s confidence and supervision needs.

I would choose something else if your priority is archaeology, churches, long village walks, nightlife, or a detailed local history tour. The experience is about the sea, food, scenery, and an easy pace. The island visits are pleasant but short.

You should also think about sun exposure. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The supplied information also suggests bringing a camera. Sea shoes may be useful at the beach near Šolta, where the shore may be rocky.

Is $121 a fair price?

For Split, a seven-hour boat day at $121 is a midrange to premium excursion price. The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, several drinks, water equipment, and transportation between islands.

You receive:

• A boat cruise from Split and back
• Visits to Brač and Šolta
• A morning croissant and refreshments
• A three-course lunch
• Open drinks during the cruise
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboards
• Inflatable water toys
• Free time for swimming and exploring

That is a solid package. The price is less attractive if you do not drink, will not swim, or mainly want to visit Šolta on foot. In that case, you may be paying for parts of the experience you will barely use.

The high overall score of 4.9 from 205 ratings reflects the trip’s consistency, particularly in four areas: the crew, the food, the amount of drink included, and the relaxed swimming stops. The most repeated practical strengths are comfortable seating, a clean boat, enough space, generous portions, and water toys available for the group.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Split schedule depends on weather or ferry plans.

The host or greeter speaks English. The departure point is the Split city port, directly in front of Gat Svetog Nikole, at Obala Lazareta 3. No hotel pickup is provided.

The cruise lasts seven hours, from approximately 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Starting times should still be checked when booking, since availability can change.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing for sitting outside. Smoking indoors is not allowed, and the boat does not accept party groups or personal speakers.

Should you book the Brač and Šolta cruise?

Book it if you want one easy day that combines clear-water swimming, a proper grilled lunch, open drinks, and two island stops. The Brač swimming break is the centerpiece, while Stomorska adds a small fishing village and a short walk before the return.

The tour is a particularly good value for people who will use the included food, drinks, and water equipment. I would skip it only if you dislike open-water swimming, need a beach with a shallow entry, or want serious sightseeing on the islands.

For most visitors with a free day in Split, the balance is right: enough activity to feel like an outing, enough free time to relax, and enough food and drink to avoid extra planning.

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.

How long does the activity last?

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

What food and drinks are included?

A morning croissant and welcome refreshments are included. Lunch is a three-course meal with grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, salad, and dessert. The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks.

Can I swim and use water equipment?

Yes. The cruise includes free time for swimming, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys. The main Brač stop lasts more than two hours.

Are children allowed on the cruise?

Yes. Children from 0 to 3 years old can join free of charge. Children from 3 to 12 years old receive a 50 percent discount.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a camera if you want photos. Sea shoes may also be useful for the beach near Šolta.