Split: Full Day Sailing Tour to Šolta Island and Brač Island

The best part of this day is its small scale. You sail from Split on a 33-foot boat with space for only about six people, stopping at a Brač bay for swimming and then reaching Šolta by sea. I like the relaxed pace and the chance to enjoy the Adriatic without being packed onto a large excursion boat.

I also like the thoughtful local touches: Marin and Damian serve Croatian cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, coffee, and tea, and they can take your lunch order before you reach Stomorska. The main consideration is the wind. This is a sailing trip, but nature decides how much the sails get used, so calm weather can mean more time under motor power.

Key points to know before booking

• A six-person sailing boat keeps the day personal: You get more room, less noise, and easier access to the guides.
• Brač brings the main swim stop: Plan on about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, floating, or relaxing aboard.
• Stomorska gives you roughly two hours ashore: Walk the village, swim again, or choose your own seaside lunch.
• Food and wine are included, but lunch is not: Croatian cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea are provided.
• The trip favors slow travel over sightseeing speed: You spend more time in bays and by the water than rushing between landmarks.
• Weather matters: Strong wind or rain can cancel the outing, and calm wind may limit actual sailing.

This is a full-day island outing for people who would rather hear the water than a tour bus engine. You meet near the Ina boat refueling station in Split, find the 33-foot sailboat marked RO 1037 on the front, and begin with a short introduction and safety briefing.

The boat is the heart of the experience. With only about six people on board, you can settle into a quieter rhythm than you would find on a large group cruise. That matters in Dalmatia, where the pleasure often comes from simply sitting on deck, watching the coast recede, and letting the day unfold without a packed schedule.

Marin and Damian guide the trip in English and Croatian. They provide coffee or tea before departure, which is a small but welcome detail for an early start. You should still arrive ready for sun, wind, and salt water, with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

The boat is not designed for wheelchair users, and hotel pickup is not included. You need to make your own way to the harbor and return there at the end of the day.

The first island stop is Brač. After leaving Split, the boat anchors in one of Brač’s bays, giving you about an hour to choose your own pace.

You can use the provided masks, snorkels, and floaties, swim in the clear water, explore the shore, or stay aboard with a glass of wine. This flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features. You do not have to swim, and you are not pushed into a group activity if you would rather enjoy the view from the boat.

The snorkeling gear is included, but this is not presented as a guided underwater tour. Think of it as an easy chance to look beneath the surface during a pleasant swim stop. Bring your own towel, since towels are not supplied.

The Brač stop also sets the tone for the day. You are not trying to see every corner of the island. Instead, you get a peaceful bay, time in the water, and a chance to enjoy the boat itself. If swimming is high on your list, this is the part of the itinerary to look forward to most.

Weather can change the feel of this section. On a windy day, the sailing may be more active, but the crew may need to adjust the route or timing. On a calm day, you may sail only for short stretches. The boat still reaches the islands, but anyone booking mainly for a full day under sail should keep expectations realistic.

Food on this trip is simple and well suited to a boat. The included spread features Croatian prosciutto, cheese, bread, white wine, and water. Coffee and tea are also provided.

I like this arrangement because it gives you something local without turning lunch into a formal production. You can snack after swimming, watch the islands pass, and avoid having to leave the boat for every meal. It is also a useful introduction to familiar Dalmatian flavors: cured meat, cheese, bread, and wine are easy to share in a small group.

The snacks are not a substitute for lunch. Your main meal in Stomorska is your own responsibility, and lunch is not included in the $141 price. Keep that in mind when comparing this trip with cruises that advertise meals but offer a less personal setting.

The wine is part of the easygoing mood, but you should still bring a sensible approach to drinking in the sun. Water is included, and swimming and boat movement make hydration important.

After Brač, the boat heads to Šolta and docks in Stomorska. You get about two hours here, which is enough time for a walk, a swim, and lunch without feeling hurried.

Stomorska is described as a quaint village that sees fewer large tourist groups than many better-known Dalmatian stops. Its appeal is not a long list of major sights. The pleasure is in strolling beside the water, looking at the boats, and enjoying a slower island setting.

This is a good contrast with the Brač stop. Brač is mainly about the bay and the sea. Stomorska gives you time on land and a chance to choose how you want to spend the middle of the day. You can explore the village, swim from the local waters, or sit down at a seaside restaurant.

A useful touch is the crew’s help with lunch. Marin or Damian may take your order before arriving, allowing the restaurant to prepare the food and reducing the time spent waiting. That does not make lunch free, but it can protect your limited two-hour stop.

You choose and pay for lunch yourself, so ask about the restaurant recommendation and prices before ordering if you are watching your budget. The meal is part of the island experience, but it is an additional cost on top of the tour.

Once your time in Stomorska is over, you return to the boat for the trip back to Split. The return leg is a chance to swim a little more if conditions allow, relax with the remaining snacks and drinks, and enjoy the open water.

Some outings report that the sails go up on the way home when the wind cooperates. That can be a lovely finish, but it is not guaranteed. The tour operator can cancel in strong wind or rain, and calm conditions may mean that the boat sails only a little.

That uncertainty is normal for a real sailing trip. If you need a tightly fixed route with guaranteed sailing time, this may not be the right choice. If you are happy with a boat day that includes sailing, swimming, food, and island time, the flexible approach works well.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Split. There is no hotel drop-off, so plan your evening around returning to the harbor.

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Brač or Šolta. You are paying for a full day on a small sailboat, a limited group, two island stops, swimming equipment, snacks, drinks, and the attention of two guides.

The group size is the key value. A six-person boat gives you a much more intimate setting than a large ferry or party cruise. You are not paying only for transportation between islands. You are paying for the time spent anchored in a bay, the relaxed onboard service, and the ability to ask the guides for help with swimming spots or lunch.

The included food is modest but useful. Cheese, prosciutto, and bread cover the gap between breakfast and lunch, while wine, water, coffee, and tea keep the day comfortable. You still need to budget for lunch, sunscreen if you do not bring it, and your trip to the meeting point.

I would consider the price fair for couples, friends, and solo visitors who care about a quiet boat and a small group. It is less appealing if your main goal is simply to reach an island as cheaply as possible, or if you want a full meal included.

This tour suits you if you want a gentle day on the water rather than a packed sightseeing program. It is especially good for people who enjoy swimming, quiet coves, local wine, and a little free time in an island village.

It also works well for couples. The small boat, slow pace, and peaceful village stop create a more personal setting than a large excursion. Solo visitors can also fit in comfortably, since the group size encourages conversation without creating a crowd.

Families with older children who swim may enjoy the snorkeling and floaties, but the tour is not described as a dedicated children’s program. Anyone who dislikes boat movement, sun exposure, or changing weather should think carefully before booking.

This is not the right choice for someone seeking a major cultural tour of Brač and Šolta. The itinerary focuses on water, scenery, food, and free time. Stomorska is a place to enjoy, not a stop filled with scheduled monuments and guided history.

Meet at the port near the Ina refueling station and look for the boat with RO 1037 on the bow. Since hotel pickup is not provided, leave enough time to reach the harbor without rushing.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and pack a towel. You should also bring a sun hat and sunscreen. Shade, seating, and storage arrangements are not specified, so keep your day bag compact and easy to manage on a 33-foot boat.

Do not bring speakers or pets. The no-speaker rule suits the character of this trip, since the quiet is part of the appeal.

If lunch matters to you, ask the guide about the restaurant recommendation and order early. The crew may arrange the order before docking, which helps you make the most of the two-hour stop.

Keep your schedule flexible if the forecast looks poor. Strong wind or rain can cancel the tour, while light wind can reduce sailing time. Cancellation up to 24 hours before departure is allowed for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still moving.

Many boat trips from Split are built around speed, loud music, and a long checklist of stops. This one takes a different approach. You spend about an hour at a Brač bay, around two hours in Stomorska, and the rest of the day enjoying the ride between them.

The small group is the most praised part of the experience, and it is easy to see why. Six people on a 33-foot sailboat leaves room for a friendly atmosphere and fewer interruptions. The guides, particularly Marin and Damian, are also central to the experience, helping with safety, food, and the practical details of the day.

The tradeoff is that the boat is small and the route depends on conditions. You will not have the facilities of a large cruise boat, and you cannot count on constant sailing. But if you want swimming, snacks, wine, and a peaceful island village, those limits are part of what makes the day feel personal.

I would book this tour if you want a small, calm boat day from Split with a strong swimming stop and free time in Stomorska. The combination of a six-person group, Croatian snacks, white wine, included snorkeling gear, and two distinct islands gives the $141 price solid value.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed sailing, included lunch, hotel pickup, or wheelchair access. Also skip it if you prefer a packed cultural itinerary with many scheduled sights.

For the best match, think of this as a relaxed Adriatic day with islands attached, not a formal sightseeing cruise. Bring your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and appetite for a slow lunch, then let the wind decide how much sailing you get.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour starts at the port in Split, near the Ina boat refueling station. Look for the 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Split.

How long is the tour?

It is a full-day sailing tour. You spend about one hour at a Brač bay and approximately two hours in Stomorska on Šolta, with sailing time between the islands and Split.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Brač Island and Šolta Island. The Šolta stop is in the village of Stomorska.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and floaties for swimming are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the $141 price. You have free time to choose and purchase lunch at a seaside restaurant in Stomorska.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes cheese, Croatian prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not provided.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip can be canceled in strong wind or rain. It is also possible that calm conditions will limit how much the boat sails.