Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this seven-hour cruise is its easy rhythm: sail out from Split, swim in clear Adriatic water, eat a proper lunch, then stroll through a small fishing village on Šolta. You get two islands without spending the day packing and unpacking for ferries.

I like the generous swimming time near Brač and the fact that the spacious Polaris has room to walk around rather than forcing you into one seat. I also like the simple all-inclusive setup: breakfast pastry, lunch, soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and floating toys are covered. The main consideration is that this is first and foremost a swimming day. If you dislike jumping from a boat into deeper water, the first stop may not suit you.

Key points

• Two hours near Brač: Swim, snorkel, use the paddleboards, or jump from the upper deck in a calm bay.
• A real lunch on board: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, served with salad and dessert.
• Open bar included: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks are available during the cruise.
• Šolta’s Stomorska stop: Walk around a small fishing port or swim from the nearby beach.
• Comfortable boat time: The Polaris offers ample seating, spacious decks, and a relaxed cruise back to Split.
• Good family pricing: Children aged 0 to 3 join free, while children aged 3 to 12 receive 50 percent off.

Why this Split cruise works so well

A day on the water can be either a pleasant escape or a crowded race between photo stops. This one is designed around unhurried time. The route from Split to Brač takes about an hour, then the boat gives you more than two hours to swim and relax before lunch and the Šolta visit.

That balance matters. You are not simply looking at islands from a moving boat. You have time to get into the sea, dry off, eat, and enjoy the view without checking the clock every few minutes.

The cruise also removes many small decisions. You do not need to find a waterside restaurant, rent a paddleboard, buy drinks, or carry food for the day. At $121 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to reach an island, but it covers a full day on a proper boat, a three-course meal, an open bar, equipment, and two island stops.

The excellent 4.9 rating from 205 bookings reflects the parts that matter most here: friendly crew service, a clean and comfortable boat, good food, and enough space for the number of people aboard. That does not turn the trip into a luxury yacht charter, but it suggests a well-run day with few unpleasant surprises.

Meeting the Polaris at Split’s harbor

The boat leaves from Obala Lazareta 3, at Split city port, in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. This is central and easy to reach if you are staying in Split, but there is no hotel pickup, so plan your own way to the dock.

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 AM. Arrive with your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses ready. The boat serves a croissant in the morning, along with welcome refreshments, so you do not need to arrive with a full breakfast.

The English-speaking host and crew handle the day. No individual guide names are provided, but the crew’s role is more practical than lecture-based. They organize meals, drinks, swimming equipment, and the schedule while you enjoy the ride.

The boat is described as wheelchair accessible. If you use a wheelchair, I would still confirm the boarding details before booking, since the information does not specify the exact ramp or bathroom arrangements.

The one-hour cruise from Split to Brač

Once you leave Split, the cruise becomes part of the experience rather than just transportation. You can settle on the spacious decks, watch the coast recede, and see the Adriatic from a different angle.

The Polaris has ample seating and enough room to move around. That makes a difference on a seven-hour trip. You can sit in the sun, find shade, or change position as the boat travels. Several people particularly appreciated that the boat did not feel overcrowded and that lunch was served at proper tables.

Morning refreshments are modest, with a croissant rather than a full breakfast. Think of it as a useful bite before the main meal, not a replacement for breakfast if you wake up hungry.

The cruise is also a good time to decide how you want to use the first stop. You can swim, snorkel, try a paddleboard, use a floating ring or pool noodle, or simply stay on deck. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys.

Two hours of swimming near Brač

The Brač stop is the heart of the day. The captain anchors in a scheduled bay, where you get more than two hours of free time. The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and the boat becomes your floating base.

You can enter the sea directly from the boat, including from the upper deck. That is fun for confident swimmers and gives the stop more energy than a standard beach visit. Paddleboards and inflatables let you spend time on the water without swimming continuously.

You should be comfortable with the fact that this is a boat-based swim stop. One useful detail is that the water can be calm while still being reasonably deep. If you are not a confident swimmer, you may prefer to remain on board or use the provided floating equipment rather than jumping from the deck.

Snorkeling equipment is included, although the main attraction is the clear water rather than a promised wildlife encounter. Bring your own sea shoes if you have them. A beach stop later on Šolta can also have rocky or pebbly footing, and sea shoes make getting in and out more comfortable.

Two hours gives you enough time to swim more than once. You can cool off early, dry on deck, eat later, and return to the water. That is far more satisfying than the quick twenty-minute swim allowed on many boat excursions.

Lunch while sailing toward Šolta

At about 1:00 PM, the Polaris leaves Brač for Šolta, and lunch is served during the cruise. The meal is one of the strongest reasons this tour offers fair value at its price.

You choose grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables. The meal also includes salad and dessert, making it a genuine three-course lunch rather than a sandwich handed over between stops. Fish and tuna have received particular praise, while the vegetable option gives non-meat eaters a clear choice.

The meal is simple, generous, and suited to a day on the water. Do not book this expecting fine dining or a long menu. Book it because you want a hot, relaxed lunch at a table without having to search for food in an unfamiliar port.

Drinks continue during the cruise. The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks. This can save more than you might expect in a coastal destination, where buying several drinks at a harbor café quickly raises the cost of a day out.

The setup also means you can travel light. Carry water if you like, but you do not need to load your bag with drinks and snacks. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted under the rules, and smoking indoors is not allowed.

Stomorska on Šolta at 1:45 PM

The boat reaches Stomorska at about 1:45 PM. This is a small fishing village with a picturesque port, and the boat docks here for roughly one hour and 45 minutes.

This stop gives the day a useful change of pace. Brač is about swimming from the boat. Stomorska lets you step ashore, look around the harbor, and get a feel for a traditional coastal settlement. You can also swim from a beach close to the boat, so you are not required to spend the whole stop walking.

Keep your expectations measured. Stomorska is described as charming and traditional, not as a major sightseeing center. There may be few shops, and the beach is small. If you want a long list of attractions, museums, or a full afternoon of shopping, this stop will feel limited.

For me, its value is that it breaks up the swimming schedule. After lunch, you can take a short walk, have a coffee or drink, and watch the boats in the harbor. Then you can swim again if you prefer the water to sightseeing.

The stop is also useful for families or mixed groups. A strong swimmer can return to the beach, while someone who has had enough sun can remain on shore or take a quiet walk. Since the boat stays close by, you do not lose much time getting back on board.

The return cruise to Split

The Polaris leaves Stomorska at 3:30 PM and returns to Split at about 4:30 PM. This final hour is intentionally easy. You can sit with a coffee, beer, or glass of local wine and watch the islands pass by.

The return journey gives you time to dry off and pack your swimming things before reaching the port. It also keeps the total day manageable. You leave in the morning, enjoy a full island program, and return in time for an evening meal in Split.

The cruise is not built around loud entertainment. Speakers and party groups are not allowed, and the atmosphere is geared toward conversation, music, food, and swimming. That makes it a better fit for someone seeking a calm summer day than for someone looking for a floating nightclub.

What the $121 price really covers

At $121, this is best compared with the total cost of arranging the same day independently. You would need transport or a ferry, a way to reach a good swimming bay, lunch, drinks, and possibly rentals for paddleboards or snorkeling gear. You would also need to fit Brač and Šolta into one day without losing hours to connections.

Here, the boat, both islands, equipment, lunch, morning pastry, and open bar are bundled together. The value improves if you plan to have several drinks, want to use the water toys, or prefer a comfortable boat with tables and deck space.

The price is less attractive if you only want to visit one island and spend most of the day exploring on land. You are paying for the full cruise format, including the boat time between stops and the organized meal.

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, and children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount. That makes the package more practical for families, especially since the boat includes floating equipment and a nearby beach option at Šolta.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Split schedule depends on weather or changing ferry plans.

Who should book this day on the Adriatic

I would choose this cruise if you want a relaxed swimming day with some island sightseeing added. It suits couples, families, and mixed-age groups who appreciate a planned schedule, included food, and drinks without constant extra payments.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want to swim in clear water but do not want to arrange a private boat.
• You enjoy being on the water as much as visiting the islands.
• You like having paddleboards and inflatables available at no extra charge.
• You prefer a proper seated lunch to carrying sandwiches.
• You want a small village stop rather than a packed sightseeing program.
• You value a friendly crew and comfortable seating over a fast speedboat ride.

I would hesitate if your main goal is serious island exploration. You get free time in Stomorska, but not enough to cover a large area of Šolta. I would also think twice if you do not swim, dislike sun exposure, or want a quiet beach reached by land. The Brač stop is anchored offshore, and much of the day centers on getting into the sea.

Practical packing advice for the Polaris

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. A camera is worth carrying, but protect it from spray and keep your hands free when moving around the boat.

Sea shoes are a smart extra, particularly for the beach near Stomorska. They are not listed as required, but rocky or pebbly entries can be hard on bare feet.

Wear something comfortable for the boat ride and bring a dry layer if you tend to feel cool after swimming. The provided bar means you can leave most food and drinks behind, but your personal water bottle, if preferred, is still useful.

Do not bring speakers. Indoor smoking is prohibited, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed outside the cruise’s own included drinks service.

Should you book this Brač and Šolta cruise?

Book it if you want to turn one day in Split into a simple Adriatic outing with two hours of swimming, a generous lunch, and an open bar. The boat offers more comfort than a basic transfer, while the itinerary gives you both an offshore swim and a small island village.

Skip it if you want an intensive cultural tour, a large beach, or a party boat. The best version of this experience comes when you pack for swimming, accept that Stomorska is a short village visit, and treat the cruise itself as part of the holiday.

For most visitors with one free summer day in Split, the combination of food, equipment, clear water, and attentive crew makes the $121 cost reasonable. Just be ready to swim from the boat, or be content relaxing on deck while others do.

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.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 AM. The boat returns to Split at about 4:30 PM, for a total duration of roughly seven hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Brač and Šolta. The Brač stop is mainly for swimming and snorkeling, while the Šolta stop includes time in Stomorska, a small fishing village.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a three-course meal with grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, along with salad and dessert.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks during the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys are included.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. Children aged 0 to 3 can join free. Children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point at Split city port yourself.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.