Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this day cruise is simple: you get a long swim in clear Adriatic water without giving up a proper lunch, a comfortable boat, or a second island stop. Boat Polaris leaves Split at 9:30 AM and gives you a full seven hours on the water, not a rushed harbor ride.

I like the generous swimming time at Brač and the fact that lunch, drinks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and floating toys are included. I also like the easy mix of activity and rest: jump from the boat, stretch out on deck, or wander around Stomorska on Šolta.

The main consideration is that this is a swimming-first trip. The beach stop at Šolta is small, and Stomorska is a quiet fishing village rather than a major sightseeing town. If you dislike swimming from a boat or want a busy day of monuments and shops, this may not be your best fit.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at a Brač swimming bay: The first stop is the main event, with clear water, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable toys.
• A real three-course lunch on board: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, with salad and dessert.
• Open bar throughout the cruise: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks are included.
• A gentle visit to Stomorska: Walk around the small port or swim from the nearby beach.
• Comfortable space on Boat Polaris: The boat has open decks, seating for lunch, and room to spread out.
• Good value at $121: The price covers the boat, two islands, meals, drinks, and water equipment.

A relaxed start from Split’s port

You meet the boat at Obala Lazareta 3, in front of Gat Svetog Nikole at Split city port. There is no pickup service, so plan to reach the harbor on your own.

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 AM. The first hour is an easy introduction to the day, with a cruise away from Split, welcome refreshments, and a morning croissant. You can find a place on one of the spacious decks and watch the city recede across the water.

This opening stretch matters because the tour does not rush straight into its first activity. You have time to settle in, get coffee, and decide where you want to sit. The boat has been praised for comfortable seating, smooth sailing, and enough room that the day does not feel cramped.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and swimwear from the start. You will want your swimming things easy to reach, not buried under a day bag.

Brač brings the best swimming of the day

After about an hour, Boat Polaris reaches a scheduled bay near Brač. The captain anchors, and you get more than two hours of free time for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

This is the part of the tour that will make the booking worthwhile for many people. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the stop is set up for swimming directly from the boat. You can use the snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other inflatable toys provided on board.

The upper deck also gives you the option of jumping into the sea. That is fun for confident swimmers, but you should be comfortable in reasonably deep water before choosing this option. The activity is not built around a shallow, supervised beach entry.

You can spend the whole stop in the water, but you do not have to. Find a sunny or shaded spot on deck, read, talk, or simply watch the Adriatic. The long stop gives you room to set your own pace, which is one reason this cruise works better than a quick photo stop.

A practical note: some swimming takes place from the boat, and the nearby beach at the later Šolta stop may have a rocky entry. One person specifically advised bringing sea shoes. They are not listed as required, but they could make the beach easier on your feet.

Lunch arrives during the cruise to Šolta

At 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Brač for Šolta. Lunch is served during this cruise, so you are not losing island time while sitting at a restaurant.

The meal is a three-course lunch with a choice of grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, followed by salad and dessert. Past menus described fish, vegetables, and potato salad, while tuna was also singled out as a good choice. The food is presented as a proper table meal, not just a sandwich or snack.

That makes a real difference at $121. A boat trip with two swim stops can look affordable until you add lunch, drinks, equipment rental, and transport between islands. Here, the meal and open bar are part of the package, which keeps the day pleasantly simple.

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks. You can have a drink with lunch or stay with nonalcoholic choices. The cruise rules do not allow alcohol or drugs brought from outside, and smoking indoors is not allowed. Speakers and party groups are also not permitted, so the mood is intended to be social and relaxed rather than a floating nightclub.

Music may play in the background, but the focus is on the sea, food, and conversation. That suits the cruise well. You get a holiday feel without the pressure to keep dancing or drinking.

Stomorska offers a quiet second stop

Boat Polaris 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 places you can explore.

You have until 3:30 PM here. Take a walk around the harbor, enjoy a coffee or drink, or swim from the nearby beach. The stop gives the day some variety after the long open-water swim at Brač.

Keep your expectations in check. Stomorska is not a major town filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions. Some people may find the village too quiet, and the beach is described as small. The point is a gentle island pause, not a full sightseeing program.

I see that as either a strength or a weakness, depending on your plans. If you want to wander a small port, see local boats, and have another swim, Stomorska fits. If you want dramatic streets, museums, or a long list of things to do, this stop may feel thin.

The water around Šolta has also received praise for its clarity. You can swim close to the boat, but pack your towel and footwear before leaving the main deck. The schedule is comfortable, though not so long that you can lose track of time.

The return cruise gives you room to slow down

At 3:30 PM, the boat leaves Stomorska for Split and usually arrives around 4:30 PM. This final hour is useful for drying off, taking photographs, and enjoying the view from the water.

The route can change because of conditions. On one previous outing, wind led the crew to visit Milna instead of Šolta. That kind of adjustment is worth remembering when you book a sea trip. The stated plan is Brač and Šolta, but the captain may alter the route for safety or comfort.

The return is also when the open bar and spacious decks become especially useful. You have already had your main swim and meal, so you can settle into a slower rhythm. The boat arrives back at the same Split port where you started.

Boat Polaris and the onboard setup

Boat Polaris is more than a basic transfer vessel. The available details describe ample seating, proper lunch tables, open decks, and enough room for people to move around. The boat has also been praised for being clean and not overcrowded.

That does not mean you should expect a private charter. You are sharing the boat with other people, and the experience works best when you are happy with a friendly group setting. Still, the generous layout helps. You can choose a place to sit, join the swim, or step aside when you want a little quiet.

The crew is a major part of the appeal. They handle the meal, drinks, equipment, and timing, while keeping the tone welcoming and attentive. English is the stated language, and the host or greeter is English-speaking.

The equipment is included, which is particularly useful for families or anyone who does not want to pack extra water gear. Children aged three to twelve receive a 50 percent discount, and children from zero to three can join free. Parents should still judge the swimming setup carefully, since the main stop takes place around the boat rather than at a shallow public beach.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you need specific assistance with boarding or moving around the boat, confirm the details before booking, since the supplied information does not explain the exact onboard arrangement.

What the $121 price really covers

At $121 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach an island from Split. You are paying for more than transport, though.

The price includes a seven-hour boat cruise, visits to Brač and Šolta, morning croissant, three-course lunch, open bar, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys. It also covers the convenience of having the crew organize the day and serve lunch while you are moving between islands.

I think the value is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, restaurant lunch, drinks, and water equipment. The open bar is a real part of the calculation, especially if you plan to spend most of the day aboard.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to reach Stomorska and explore on land. You could find a simpler island transfer for less, but it would not provide the long Brač swim, onboard meal, or equipment.

The tour also has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms make it easier to fit into a changing Croatia itinerary, though you should still check the current availability and departure time when booking.

Who should choose this cruise

I would point this tour toward people who want a full day on the Adriatic without planning every detail themselves. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who like a sociable boat atmosphere.

You should be comfortable with:

• Swimming from a boat in fairly deep water
• Spending much of the day outdoors
• Sharing the boat with a group
• A quiet village stop rather than a major town
• A scheduled seven-hour day

It is especially good for people who value comfort. You get a table lunch, drinks, seating, and room to relax instead of managing snacks and ferry connections on your own.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you do not swim, dislike boats, or want a history-focused island tour. The cruise does not promise monuments, museums, or long guided walks. Its pleasures are water, food, scenery, and time away from Split.

Should you book the Brač and Šolta cruise?

Book it if your ideal summer day includes clear water, a long swim, a grilled lunch, drinks on deck, and a little village wandering. The strongest features are the generous Brač stop, the included water toys, the full meal, and the calm, attentive service.

Think twice if Stomorska sounds too quiet or if you prefer sandy, shallow beaches. The first swim is from the boat, and the second stop is modest. Bring sea shoes if you plan to use the beach, and keep your towel, sunscreen, and hat close at hand.

For a seven-hour all-inclusive boat day from Split, $121 is a fair price, especially when you make use of the lunch, bar, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. I would choose it for a relaxed water day, not as a substitute for a full island sightseeing tour.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat is docked at Split city port, in front of Gat Svetog Nikole at Obala Lazareta 3. Pickup service is not included.

What time does the boat leave Split?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 AM. The boat returns to Split at approximately 4:30 PM.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including the cruise from Split, the Brač swimming stop, lunch, the Šolta visit, and the return journey.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The planned route visits Brač and Šolta. The route can change if conditions such as wind require an adjustment.

What food is included?

You receive a morning croissant and a three-course lunch. Lunch includes grilled fish, meat, or 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 swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys are included. You can use them during the swimming stops.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat. Sea shoes may be useful for the beach stop at Šolta.